Ke Kumu Hawaii, Volume I, Number 2, 26 Nowemapa 1834 — DEATH OF MR. DOUGLAS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DEATH OF MR. DOUGLAS.

The following letter has been kind!y furnished for publication. It may be proper to remark that Mr. David Douglas, whose untimely and tragical death his friends and the community sincerely deplore, was born at Perth, Scotland, and had travelled in various parts of the world as a naturalist connected with the Horticultural Society of London. It is supposed his age was about 40 years. The body was examined at Honolulu Aug. 3, by a number of medical gentlemen. and from the marks found on it, they were unanimous in the opinion that his death was accidental. Hilo, Hawaii, July 15, 1834. To Richard Charlton, Esq., his Britannic Majesty's Consul at the Sandwich lslands; Dear Sir,— Our hearts almost fail within us, as we undertake to perform the melancholy duty which devolves upon us to communicate the painful inteiligence of the death of our friend Mr. Douglas, and such particulars thus far, as we been able to gatber. The tidings reached us when we were every moment awaiting his arrival, and expecting to greet him with a cordial weleome. But alas! He whose ways and thoughts are not as ours, saw fit to order it otherwise; and instead of being permitted to welcome the living friend, our hearts have been made to bleed as we have performed the offices of humanity to his mangled corpse, Truly, we must say that the way of the Lord are mysterious, and his judgements past fīnding out. But it is our unspeakable consolation to know that those ways are directed by infinite wisdom and mercy, and that though clouds and darknesa are round about Him, yet righteousness and judgement are the habitation of his throne. But we proceed to lay before you as full information as it is in our power to do at the present time, concerning this distressing

event. As Mr. Diell was standing in the door of Mr. Goodrich's house yesterday morning, aobut 8 o'clock, a native came up, and with an expression of countenance, which indicated but too faithfully that he was teh bearer of sad tidings, inquired for Mr. Goodrich; on seeing him, he communicated the dreadful intelligence that the body of Mr. Douglas had been found on the mountains, in a pit excavated for the purpose of taking wild cattle, and that he was supposed to have been killed by Ike bullock which was in the pit when Mr. Douglas fell in. Never were our feelings so shocked, nor could we credit the report till it was painfully confirmed as we proceeded to the beach, whither his body had been conveyed in a canoe by the native who informed us of his death. As we waled down with the native, a made further inquiries of him, he gave, for substance, the following relation. That on the evening of the I3th inst. the natives who brought the body down from the mountain, eame to his house at Laupahoihoi, about twenty-five or thirty miles distant ftom Hilo, and employed kim to bring it to this place to his canoe. The particulars which he learaed from them, were as follows. That Mr. Douglas left Kohala point last week, in company with a foreigner (an Englishman) as a guide, and proceeded to cross Mauna Kea on the north side; that on the 12th inst. he disamissed his guide, who cautioned him, on parting, to ba very careful lest he should fall into some of the pits excavated for the purpose mentioned above; describing their iocation as being near the places to which the cattle resorted to drink, That soon after Mr. Douglas had dismissed his guide, he went back a short distance to get a bundle which he had forgotten, and that as he was retracing his steps, at some fatal moment he fell into one of the pits, into which a bullock had previously fallen. That he was found dead in the pit by these same natives, who, ignorant at the time, of his parking. were in pursuit of bullocks, and on coming up to this pit, found a small hole in one end of the covering of it At first they conjectured that a calf had fallen in, but on further examination, discovered traces of a man's steps, and down afterward say his feet in the pit, the rest of his body being covered with dirt and rubbish. They went immedately in pursuit of the guide, who returned, shot the bullock in the pit took out the body, and hired the natives at the price of four bullocks, which he killed immediately, to convery the body to the sea shore. He himself accompanied them and procured the native who related the affair to us, to bring the body to this place, promising to come on himself immediately, an that he would bring the compass, watch, which was somewhat broken but still going, some money found in Mr. Douglas's pockets, and the little dog, that faithful companion of our departed friend. Thus far the report of the @ who brought the body

in his canoe, and who profound to relate the facts to us as he leared them from the natives who came down from the mountain. We do not stop, at present, to examine ho far it is consistent o inconsistent with itself, as we have not the means of making full investigation into the matter. On reaching the canoe, our first care was to have the remains conveyed to some suitable place where we cou!d take proper care of them, and Mr. Dibble's family being abaent, it was determined lo convey the body to his house. But what an affecting spectacle waas presented, as we removed the bullock's hide in which he had been conveyed! We will not attempt to describe the agony of feeling whish we experienced at that moment. Can it be he? can it be he? we each exclaimed, can it be the man with whom we parted but a few days before, and who then was borne up with so high spirits and expectations, and whom, but an hour before, we were fondly anticipating to welcome to our little circle? The answer was but too faithfully contained in the familiar article of dress, in the features, and in the noble person before us. They were those of our friend. The body, clothes, &c. appeared to be in the same state they were in when taken from the pit The face was covered with dirt, the hair filled with blood and dirt, the coat, pantaloons and shirt considerably torn. The hat was missing. On washing the body, we fouud it in a shocking there were ten or twelve gashes on the head, a long one over the left eye, another rather deep, jus|-above the left temple, a deep one behind the right ear, thc left cheek bone appeared to be broken , and also the ribs on the left side, the abdomen was much bruised and also the lower part of the legs. After laying him out, our first thought was to bury him within Mr. Goodrich's premises; but after we had selected a spot, and commenced clearing away the ground, doubts were suggested by a foreigner who was aassisting us, and who has for some time been engaged in the business of taking wild cattle, whether the wounds on the head could have been inflicted by a bullock. Mr, Goodrich said that the same doubts had arisen in his own mind, while examining the body. The matter did not seem clear; many parts of the story appeared dark How was it that Mr. Douglas was alone, without any guide, whether foreigner or native? Where was John, Mr. Diell's colored man, who left Honolulu with Mr. Diell, and who, on missing a passage with him from Lahaina, embarked with Mr. Douglas, as we are informed by the captain of the vessel in which Mr. Douglas sailed form Lahaina to Kohala Point, and there left the vessel with Mr. Douglas, on the morning of the 9th inst. in order to accompany him across the mountain to Hilo? How was it that Mr Douglas should fall into a pit when retracing his steps after he had once passed it in safety? And if a bullock had already falled into it, how was it that he did not see the

hole @ made in the covering? Those difficulties ascurred to our minds and we thought it due to the friends of Mr. Douglas, and ot the public, whom he has so @ly and so usefully served, that an examination should be made of his body by medical men. Tbe only way to have this effected, was by preserving his body, and either sending it to Oahu, or keepiiig it until it could be examined here. The former method seemed most desirable; accordingly we had the contents of the abdomen removed, the body filled with salt placed in a coffin which was then filled with salt, and the whole enclosed in a box filled with brine. Some fears are entertained whtther the captain of the native vessel will carry the body to Honolulu; this wiil be determined in the morning. After the body was laid in the coffin, the members of the mission family and several foreigners assembled at the house of Mr Dibble, to pay their tribute of respect to the mortal remains of the deceased, and to improve the affecting Providence to their own good. Prayers were offered, and a brief address made, and we trust that the occasion may prove a lasting blessing to al| who were present. After the services were concluded, the body was removed to a co(il n:.ta'e houae, wneie it Wua euclcacd m llie box. i6th. Aa nMther the guidcß any other n-tivca h..ve ;iirivrd, *t- tui: » ycd two f r< igf>i ra t > procied to tht p whrre tiic hody utas received <»n t< c st a *hore, wi(h d>r< tti<>ns to iind llie i ativ< a who diacovcrtd tlm b* dy, and t<> £«» huii tn« oi t»the oit, .iifid" .iftrr mik,np ■aa. -fi.li inc' Uita aa ;u.»j«Mrir 9 t<» rēpo.t !♦» -ua .iioni- d.<ttciy. 8 > Cir aa w.e ean Hs :< rti.n, Uieg«ude ie an Mngli3iifi:an 9 a convkl U*>ui li* tn:>y B*jr, ; wh'» [■ u ves3i i «t tli< te «£lnds ain.6 yc ara », lu' it >a t wiAj aad one eh d v, uh hm, ;.nd t*> (in<t 1 rcmußtaiicc, in p*4.t 9 inay be itt(i i!<ut'd hia dt |.iy. Therv: aie two ri;;t we vr sse a in p*rt 9 bcaidta tlivv one aKout t > i to <I<iyv by H eae v< aß< la we aii.i.l kct*p y« u #»|«priz« d ol all tbe •n» rrn ttio i w«* C in••«■»l>ta n, I.ud liope thst » *roe:c!< »r iip' t ? y y# t be nht d 411 a aubject 110w iiivolvcd in m.ocli d .ri\neas. >!r. G ' : d.ich ii .s just fi< m tte vt ut tn a iii. 'lh » a; pi:cntK*n to c«»nvey ti«e re»>siirur. of Mr. l>oug!ae to Iliilii # ■ W4? fe.ir ntli provt' ueauee*&atul r »a tsi« Vi;Bßi 1 is f«i!ird H ,tii VV.M*d, eMI >ta, It ia bar< ly .-p t t li ,wi vi'r t l!i«.t. ihe. cv.pt-.mn• Mi\y. yi;.t c-ii.44-u lii- take Iho b«*l/ <>0 b...:d. Iswt if ».-t 9 it wiii riroj n Wiih your> U t r » Oelei*niai* .whal eouia** aliall be p.jraiied Shn d y<»u (!imh it (idvisatte to eome up m n, we t!;ink tl,at tlre ; b<»dy wiil be in n. st;ite of prcservati< n thnt | wi!l adm t of 1.8 being exam.iKd ur>oo ycur | arnval. 1 ln Ihe mean time. until we have advicea from yoirrac; 1 f, we aha II endeavor to procure ae fuil ioformatioo ae it ie io our powee lo obtairi. It may be well te that Ihe principal part of Mr. Douglae % e hmnn. hie Inioka, iogtruments, fcc. are ui poaeeaeie&

of Mr. Goodrich, who will take all proper care of them, subject to yow order. 3 o'clock, P. M. Edward Gurney, the Englishman spoken of before, has arrived. Our minds are greatly relieved as to the probable way in which the fatal event was brought about. He states, that on the 12 inst about ten minutes before six o'clock io the morning, Mr. Douglas arrived at his house on the mountain, and wished him to point out the to Hilo, and to go a short distance with him. Mr Douglas was then alone, but said that his men had given out the day before; (this man was probably John, Mr. Diell's colored man.) After taking breakfast, Edward accompanied Mr. Douglas about three fourths of a mile, and after directing him in the path, and him of the traps, went on about half a mile further with him. Mr. Douglas then dismissed him, after expressing an anxious wish to reach Hilo by evening, think that he could fin out the way himself. Just before Edward left him, he warned him particularly of thrce bullock traps, about. two miles and a half ahead; two of them directly on the road, the other on one side Edward then parted with Mr. Douglas, and went back to skin some bullocks which he had previously killed. About 11 o'clock, two natives came in pursuit of him, and said that th European was dead, and that they had found him in the pit in which the bullock was. They mentioned that as they were coming up to this pit, one of them observing some of the clothing on the side exclaimed lole, but in a moment afterwards, discovered Mr. Douglas within the cave trampled under the feet of the bullock. They wcnt back immediately for Ddward, who Ieft his work, ran to the house for a musket and ball, and hide. and on coming up to the pit found the bullock standing upon Mr. Douglas's body: Mr. Douglas was lying upon his right side. He shot the animal and after drawing him to the other side of the pit, succeedcd in getting out the body. His cane was with him, but the bundle and dog were not. Eward, knowing that he had a bundle, asked for it. After a few moment's search, the dog was heard to bark, at a short distance ahead, on th e road leading to Hilo. On coming up to the place, he found the dog and the bundle. On futherer examination it appeared that Mr. Douglas had: stopped for a moment and looked at the empty pit, and also at the one to which the cow had beent aken, that after passing on up the hill some fifteen fathoms, he laid down his bundle and went back to the pit in which the bullock was entrapped, and which lay on the side of the pond opposite to that along which the road runs, and that whilst looking in, by making a misstep, or by some other fatal mean,s he fell into the power of the infuriated animal, who speedily executed the work of death. The body was covered in part with stones, and probably this circumstances prevented his being entirely crushed. After removing

the body, Edward took charge of the dog and bundle, and also of his watch and chronometer, (which is injured in some way,) his pocket compass, keys, and money which was in his pockets; and after hiring the natives to carry the body to the shore, (a distance of about 27 miles,) cam eon in company with them, and then came directly to this place. This narrative clears up may of the difficulties which rested upon the whole matter, and perhaps it will afford a pretty satisfactory account of the manner in which Mr. Douglas met with his awful death. We presume, however, that it would meet with your wishes if the body were to be sent down, and as the vessel is still detained by a calm, we hope to receive a favorable answer from the captain. If we should not, perhaps it may be well to iner the body, and then in case you should wish to have it examined, it might easily be disinterred. We have thus, dear, sir, endeavored to furnish you all the particulars which we have been able to gather concerning this distressing event. it is no common death which has thus called forth our tears and sympathies, and it is one which presents a truly affecting comment on the truth, that in the midst of life we are in death, and how forcible the admonition, to all of us whose privilege it was to be acquainted with him who has thus been snatched from us, to pre pare to meet our God, for the Son of man cometh at an hour that we know not of. You will be pleased, dear, sir, to accept for yourself and fmaily, the expression of our kindest sympathies under the afflictive dispensation; and allow us to subscribe ourselves with sincere regard, Your friends and obedient servants, Joseph Goodrich John Diell Note. the black man mentioned in the letter probably lost his way and perished in the mountains, as he has not been heard of since.

O Terejana, Ke Alii no Roma, i ko llakou wa hoomana kii, a o Iosua he Rabi o na ludaio. Olelo mai o Terejana ia losua; "Penei kau ao ana, e! aia ko oukou Akua ma na wahi a pau, a ma ko oukou aina kona hale e noho ai. Ke makemake nei au e nana aku ia ia." I aku la losua; "Aia io no ke Akua ma na wahi

a pau, aole nae e ike maka aku ke kanaka i kona aina. @ ikaika mai la ke Alii. Olelo aku la Iosua, "Alia, e nana e kaua i kekahi o kana mau kauwa." Ae mai la, ke Alii. Alakai aku la Iosua ia ia mawaho o ka hale i ke awakea, i aku la i ke 'lii; "E nana ae oe iluna i ka la, i wela ikaika mai ana. I mai la ke 'lii, "Aole au e hiki, he olinolino ka maka i ka malamalama." I mai la losua, "Aole ka oe e hiki ke nana aku i kekahi o kanaa mau hana, pehea la e hiki ai ia oe ke nana maka aku ia lehova i ka mea nana i hana i na nea a pau? Aoie anei oe e luku koke ia i ka alohilohi nui wale o kona maka?"