Having given due notice to Kinau and her chiefs that I wished to speak on this subject, they assembled at her house, Kuanoa, her husband, receiving us with military honours, in his general's uniform. The chiefs were present, as well as most of the missionary establishment.
Finding remonstrance useless, and that their principal missionary leader, Mr. Bingham, evidently spoke in his own name as well as theirs, and therefore that they were not free agents, I ventured to acquaint them that stronger arguments must be resorted to, and I instantly ordered the brig to be recaptured, and the British colours re-hoisted.
Mr. Bingham then ventured to show himself in his true colours, and, intimating "that blood would flow from this act," I most distinctly assured him, "that having now ascertained his character, I should visit that threat on his head, and that his life should answer for the first drop of British blood which his agency should cause to flow." It is true that I did accompany that threat with my clenched fist, but totally false that any action of mine towards Kinau could be so construed. Indeed, I felt too much pity for her situation, and so far from the slightest animosity at that instant existing, she shook hands with me, and Kuanoa, the husband, warmly pressed my hand at parting.
I immediately decided on landing the missionaries, and sending an officer in the Clementine to Maui, requesting the immediate presence of the king, who was there on a visit.
