Koamalu : a story of pioneers on Kauai, and of what they built in that island garden / by Ethel M. Damon. [Vol. 1, no. 2]

754

KO A M A L U

close of his term, "Mother, I have voted on every question as I
thought right, without fear or favor, though it has been hard sometimes." Things are dark with us. Rum abounds. Under earlier
sovereigns it has been forbidden to sell liquor to Hawaiians, except
in Honolulu, but they chafed under the restriction as "drawing the
color line." Yet one of their own race acknowledges that with
unrestricted liquor most of the race would have been dead years
ago. The sale of licenses will greatly increase the king's revenue.
One of his ministers, W. L. Green, who is virtually at the
head of the Government, imports liquor largely & is interested in
a large saloon. He has brought in a bill to legalize distilleries and
to have pedlers licensed who will carry rum & opium into every
hamlet. Paul has fought all these measures as well as the big
loan of a million dollars for a standing army that we do not need.
Such a loan could never be paid and would be about equal to
parting with the Sovereignty of the islands to their creditors.
Well, perhaps it must go, and with such men in office, perhaps
the sooner the better.
Honolulu, Dec. 1st, 1874.
My dear Paul & Beta,
As I hear a Moku leaves today for Lihue, I will write a few
words. We were rejoiced & thankful to hear so good a report by
Willy. In such a dreadful storm I almost dreaded what might
be your state, & it was so long since we had heard.
Saturday we hope to have both Dora and Paul with us. I have
come home to my dear little quiet room at Anna's which I call
"Peace." Anna & Charlie are well & always send so much love.
Yesterday I received your letters of Nov. 19th & 20th. I will
attend to Paul's shirts Saturday. With kisses to my dear little
boys, Aloha Nui to all my native friends, & any amount of love to
you, my dear Paul & Beta, I am ever
Your loving
Mother.
Dec. 13th, 1874.
My dear precious Beta,..... I have sent one letter to you and Paul today. No days
pass when my thoughts and prayers are not with you. My ten