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ROYAL LETTER.
[1837.

expectation of many, as we had been given to understand that every missionary entreaty and threat had been exerted to prevent him. However, as his reply to my letter was friendly, and very decided, I will do him the justice to say that I never for an instant doubted the pledge he had given me.

"Lahaina, (Maui,) July 13th, 1837.

"Captain Belcher, of H. B. M. S. Sulphur,

"Honululu, Oahu.

"Love to you, Captain Belcher, of the British sloop-of-war, the stranger beloved. I have received your letter, and I give my consent to your request of me to return to Oahu: I will indeed return, that we may together adjust that affair; because it was I, indeed, that returned those two Frenchmen on board the vessel: I did it by the hand of Kinau, my assistant-chief, the one who banished them. As was formerly done to those two men, by the hand of Kahamanu, who was formerly my assistant-chief, so it has been done to them at this time. This was my doing; but the taking capture the brig Clementine, and the burning of the flag, and acting in opposition to Britain, I have not by any means done that, nor have my assistant-chiefs.

"A vessel has gone after Kuakini, governor of Hawaii; when he comes, then I will sail.

"With love to you,
"I am yours truly,
(Signed) Tamehameha III.