Office of the Historian

No. 397.
Mr. Comly to Mr. Blaine.

Legation of the United States,
Honolulu, August 1, 1881. (Received August 16.)
No. 185.]

Sir: I have the honor to transmit copies of correspondence between this legation and Rev. Anderson O. Forbes, corresponding secretary of the Hawaiian board with regard, to the action of the United States Government in sustaining the decree of Lebou (Kabua), supreme chief of the Ralik group, prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors to his people. The action of the government having been taken upon application by the Hawaiian board through this legation, several influential members of the board have taken occasion to supplement the official paper of the secretary by presenting their thanks verbally, in terms of unusual warmth.

The correspondence has also been published by the secretary in the Hawaiian Gazette.

I have, &c.,

JAMES M. COMLY.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 185.]

Mr. Comly to Mr. Forbes.

Legation of the United States,
Honolulu July 9, 1881.

Dear Sir: It gives me great pleasure to transmit copy of inclosed notice from the United States consul at Samoa, snowing that the United States Government has taken prompt action in sustaining the decree of Chief Lebou (Kabua), against the sale of intoxicating liquor to his people.

I have, &c.,

JAMES M. COMLY.
[Appendices to Inclosure 1 in No. 185.]

Notice of Consul Dawson.

notice.

All citizens of the United States are hereby informed that the Marshall Islands are embraced within the jurisdiction of the United States consulate at Apia, Samoa; and [Page 627] all citizens of the United States in those islands are hereby called upon to conform their action to the decree of the high chief Lebou (Kabua), of the Ralik group, issued by him April 29, 1880, hereto annexed, prohibiting the sale or supply of intoxicating drinks to his people.

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the United States consulate at Apia, Samoa, this 12th day of April, A. D. 1881.

THOMAS M. DAWSON,
United States Consul.

Ordinance respecting the sale of liquor.

[Translation.]

Because of my knowledge that intoxicating liquor is destroying my people on these islands, and because I wish to take care of, and keep back all my people from death and from evil, I, Lebou (Kabua), the supreme chief of the Ralik group, do hereby make known this ordinance:

I.
It shall be unlawful for any foreigner in the Ralik group to sell, or supply in any way, any intoxicating liquor of any kind to any native of the Ralik group, or to any native of any other island in the ocean who is not a subject of some civilized power.
II.
If any foreigner shall break this ordinance he shall suffer loss as follows: If he break the law once he shall pay $100 in cash to me, or if a second time he shall leave these islands forever.
III.
This ordinance shall come in force from and after the 6th day of May, 1880.

I, Lebou (Kabua) have made this ordinance this 29th of April, 1880, at Jabuij, Ralik group.

I, LEBOU (KABUA).

I agree with and witness:
I, loeak.

Secretary:
I, Jeremia.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 185.]

Mr. Forbes to Mr. Comly.

Honolulu, July 12, 1881.

Dear Sir: I have the honor and the great pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 394, with accompanying copy of notice from the United States consul at Samoa.

It is a matter of pride as well as of great pleasure to see the United States Government taking so noble a stand in sustaining the rights of the Marshall Islanders to self-preservation as well as self-government. And it is to be hoped that other enlightened nations may be willing to follow the example thus set.

In behalf of the “Board of the Hawaiian Evangelical Association” permit me to tender their thanks to you for your kind interest in this matter, as well as for your efforts in procuring this result.

With sentiments of high esteem, I remain, &c.,

ANDERSON O. FORBES,
Corresponding Secretary Hawaiian Board.