lley. Some of the
fugitives were hemmed in and driven over the "_Pali_," or precipice, at
the head of Nuuanu, a little north of the present road.

This victory made Kamehameha master of all the Islands except Kauai and
Niihau. With the exception of a short insurrection in Hawaii, there was
peace during the rest of his reign.

DECREASE OF POPULATION.

The decrease of the population during this period must have been very
rapid. Vancouver in 1792, Broughton in 1796, and Trumbull in 1801, were
strongly impressed with the misery of the common people and their rapid
decrease in numbers. This was partly the result of wars, but was still
more due to the diseases and vices introduced by foreigners. In the
summer of 1804 a pestilence, supposed to have been the cholera, carried
off half of the population of Oahu. Botany Bay convicts had introduced
the art of distilling liquor before the year 1800, and drunkenness had
become very prevalent.

THE SANDAL-WOOD TRADE.

During the first quarter of the present century the sandal-wood trade
was at its height. This wood was in great request at Canton, where it
was sold for incense and the manufacture of fancy articles. It was
purchased by the picul of 133-1/2 pounds, the price varying from eight
to ten dollars for the picul. This wood, while it lasted, was a mine of
wealth for the chiefs, by means of which they were enabled to buy fire
arms, liquor, boats and schooners, as well as silks and other Chinese
goods, for which they paid exorbitant prices.

THE CESSION OF KAUAI.

In March, 1810, Kaumualii, the last King of Kauai, visited Honolulu in
the ship Albatross, Capt. Nathan Winship, in order to have an interview
with Kamehameha. It was then arranged between the two chiefs that
Kaumualii should continue to hold his Island in fief of Kamehameha
during his life-time, on condition of paying tribute.

RUSSIAN AGGRESSIONS.

During the year 1815 a Dr. Scheffer was sent to the Islands by Baranoff,
the Russian Governor of Alaska. He built a fort at Waimea, for
Kaumualii, on which the Russian colors were displayed, and urged him to
place himself under the protection of Russia. On hearing of this,
Kamehameha sent a large force to Honolulu, where a substantial fort was
built during the year 1816. He also sent orders to Kaumualii to expel
Dr. Scheffer, which was done.

DEATH OF KAMEHAMEHA.

Kamehameha I. died on May 8th, 1819, at Kailua, Hawaii. His work was
done. He had conso