Employed in shoemaking until 5 p.m., then attended meeting down at Br. Solomon’s. Br. MacBride [is] still unwell. The citizens of Lahaina held a meeting today in the “Hale Pule” to get up measures in regard to Judd and Armstrong, two of the king’s ministers. The people of Oahu have petitioned the king to have them removed from office; the petition was signed by a multitude of both foreigners and natives. I have not learned how the meeting went off today, but I heard that the feeling ran high against the Ministers of Finance and of Public Instructions and etc. It is to be hoped for the good of the country, and also for the cause of truth, that they may be set aside. The people think that it is owing to their neglect or ignorance or something else that the smallpox was introduced at the islands; no new cases here, as I hear.
Fri Aug 19, 1853
Attended morning meeting, not many out; found priest Kaluau speaking. I exhorted the Saints to be constant at the little meetings and to their prayers and etc.
The smallpox is decreasing at Honolulu. The radical party [is] still holding meetings and their influence increasing, quite a prospect of their succeeding in changing the present ministry. The report is that they have sent on to California for “Sam” Brannan and a lot of his “gang” to come and help revolutionize the government and etc. This is the rumor which I hear, true or false I know not.
At 3 p.m. I went and spent an hour with George Morgan (an old acquaintance of mine). He is now in confinement for robbing the English Consul in 1847. He was banished [from] the islands for his robbing, and told if he came back he would be transported to a lone island there is in this group called Kahalaua. He went to California and stopped a while, and then unwisely returned to Honolulu. They took him up and sent to Kahalaua, where he has been for the last 3 years. But a few weeks ago, he stole a canoe from some natives who were over there and came over here to this island after, as he states, something to eat, as he was likely to starve over there since he lost his gun which he used to shoot game. The government has found him nothing to eat since the first 6 months of his transportation, he looks much careworn. Seems penitent and humble, was very glad to see me, and I left two fine apples and some tracts for him to read. Br. R. visited Mr. Johnson, the sick man. Found him reading the “Voice of Warning”, which we left with him the other day, he said he believes the Lord has prolonged his days to see and find the truth. He felt well and wishes another book.
At 4 o’clock held meeting at Br. Solomon’s. Br. R. taught singing a little first, and then we held meeting, preached on the baptism for the dead. I don’t think many of the Saints comprehend this doctrine as yet. I had a tolerable good flow of the spirit. Laid hands again on Kawahinemahaai; I feel to call on the Lord for faith to heal the sick, and that this woman may have faith to arise and claim the gift of health in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, even so, amen.
Sat Jul 23, 1853
All employed in conversation upon all subjects concerning the kingdom in these days. Received a letter from Br. Johnson; smallpox still raging there, the citizens are calling meetings there to concoct plans for the better preservation of the people from the smallpox. They turned the meeting into a political affair and ended in a row, but the people are petitioning the king to have Judd and Armstrong removed from office. Judd is Minister of Finance; Armstrong is Minister of Public Instructions. A revolution is expected. Br. J. denied the petition.
Thu Jul 14, 1853
Attended court again at 9 o’clock, heard the native lawyers plead. The court called on me to interpret a part of their talk, which I did for Paumea. The court found a bail against the prisoner Kahiamoe, and remanded him back to prison to await his trial by jury at the October term. The prisoner seemed a little cast-down, for he had expected to be set clear. The evidence was against [him] or rather the circumstances were against him. My own private opinion is that he is guilty, although there is no direct proof of it. Latter part employed in reading the scriptures and attended a preaching meeting at Nahakuela’s house, a teacher, had a good time.
Wed Jul 13, 1853
Sent a letter to Elders Cannon and Woodbury. Very warm weather now-a-days. One case of the “Vale Alloy” said to have come from Honolulu. This town has escaped remarkably thus far.
At 10 a.m. repaired to the public courtroom to the trial of Kahiamoe, charged with the murder of Ahoa, a Chinaman, at Wailuku on the 7th. All the evidence which was addressed in court was entirely circumstantial. He, Kahiamoe, was seen at the Chinaman’s store the same day and was heard to use some threatening language to the “Pake”, was seen about the premises after dark. Blood was found on his saddle, bridle, pants and etc. On the other hand, it was proved that he came home about sundown and remained until sunrise next morning and etc. It being late before the witnesses were all sworn, the court adjourned till 9 o’clock tomorrow morning to hear the pleas of the lawyers and etc. It being late, I did [not] get to meeting till it was most out, but they had had a good meeting. They had collected some money for that sister who had her house burnt. All felt well. Mrs. H. gave the husband of the sister a coat, vest, pair of pants, a new shirt, and 25 cents.
Thu Jun 30, 1853
Fore part of the day employed in shoemaking. Latter part attended the funeral of Mr. George W. Stackpole, a native Boston, Massachusetts, USA. I neglected to go and see him while sick, and offer him the gospel of life and salvation, and I feel sorry for not going and seeing him and have set the truth before him. I feel to ask the Lord to enable me to not be so backward in calling upon men to repent of their sins and turn to God.
I have heard today that the French were on their way here to take these islands; some ten men-of-war, they say, are on their way. The Russians are out of the Baltic. The expedition to Japan is recalled, on account of the French and etc. Great rumors of war in all lands and so the signs of His coming appear fast. So may I improve the time and be ready to go out to meet Him.
Thu Jun 16, 1853
Attended meeting this morning. Employed in writing letters to Brs. Cannon, MacBride, Snider, R.A. Allred and Winchester. Do not feel well today, my stomach is out of order; Mrs. H. complains the same way. Reading Josephus in the afternoon.
Evening attended the citizens’ meeting held at the American Hotel. The committee, which was appointed at the former meeting to draw up resolutions, read their resolutions. They were to this effect: that the late proceedings of the public court of Lahaina (this place) has been of such a nature as to cause distrust on the part of the citizens and has been conducted with a spirit of partiality and persecution; that the imprisonment of a Mr. Hubard, the late American Consul, was illegal and without precedent. Also the fining of a Mr. Jones in the sum of two hundred for selling liquor was not according to the evidence in the case, but commenced and carried through with a spirit of bitter persecution from the head missionary and his satellites in this place. So [it] stands about thus: the district attorney governs the judge, and the Reverend Mr. Baldwin governs the district attorney, yes and the governor also. We are ruled by bigotry, priestcraft and selfishness. The majority of the people are highly indignant at it and are determined to see redress. I made a few remarks, exhorted them to be cool about what they were doing for it was a solemn thing they were engaged in. I did not feel free to express my feelings as I am situated at present, for fear of raising an incitement against us, giving them an opportunity to say that we want to overturn the government as they have already said. I hope this will be the common cement of the downfall of Baldwin’s power from this place. May the Lord grant it.
Sat Jan 29, 1853
Employed in reading. Don’t feel very well, a good deal of pain in my bowels. Francis A. Jr. is bad also with the bowel complaint. It is quite prevalent at this time in the town. In the afternoon went and paid a visit to the shoe maker. One of them is from Long Island, says he has worked for my father; the other is from one of the eastern states. They are reading the Book of Mormon.; their names are Carry and Richardson. Mister Judd and R. Armstrong Esq. went to the king the other day and desired him to put a stop to the Mormons and the Catholics preaching in this kingdom, and have but one church and that to be Calvin Church which came first. But the king told them he would do no such thing. He told them that they, themselves, had told him that in their country there was a great many different sects, and he was willing it should be so here in his kingdom. He told them that they had to [ask] him to have rum shops and bowling alleys and gambling shops as a means of revenue to the government long before the Mormons came, and that the Mormons did not bring these things in to the kingdom, and so they did not accomplish their desire.
Thu Jan 20, 1853
Employed in translating. Almost the whole town is sick with a heavy cold; not many died of it as yet, but it is very severe on the natives. The government is now on amicable terms again with the French, although they had expected trouble with that nation on account of some indignities offered to the Catholic priest some years ago, but it has all been settled and they are on good terms again now. The French forced the Catholic religion upon them at the mouth of the cannon. It is not very plain whether the government will remain long as it now is or not, or whether they will be annexed to some greater power. At any rate the government is very weak, a mere shell. The principled officers are or have been missionaries, and they have laid the taxes so high that there is great cause for complaint; the tax on a single man with a dollar to bless himself with is 12 dollars, whereas on his rich neighbor worth his thousands it is only the same. What this is for I do not know, unless it is to screen the missionaries from tax as they are about the wealthiest class on the islands.
Mon Jan 3, 1853
Took a letter out of the office for Br. Woodbury from his wife on the coast; sent it to him on Molokai. Confirmed those baptised yesterday. Went and administered to a sick sister. Election day today for representatives and road commissioners; went down and looked at them a little while, but saw nothing of interest so returned. Wrote a letter to Br. Lewis; forwarded one to Br. Kipp from Oahu, from H.S.S.
Wed Oct 27, 1852
Received a letter from Br. Lewis, stating that he and Sis. Lewis arrived safe and in good health, found things all right and their prospects still good in regards to their temporal wants. He also wrote some political news from the States and other nations, and of their forming a league with the States; that is Russia, Prussia and Austria have joined themselves with the States, etc. Employed in studying the language. Very warm weather in Lahaina now, but healthy.
