Mccook to William H. Seward, October 23, 1868

Mr. McCook to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 45, of August 31, and your dispatch No. 47, of September 4. No. 46 has not yet reached this legation.

On the 16th instant her Britannic Majesty’s steam corvette Scout, Captain Price, sailed hence to Tahiti.

Yesterday intelligence reached here that the civil authorities of the island of Hawaii had been resisted by a body of natives, the followers of one of their prophets named Ka-Oua. These people hold a religious faith somewhat similar to the Millerites, and appear to have no especial aim except to live without work, a not uncommon thing in this country.

The only life lost was that of the deputy sheriff of the island, but the authorities here thought the affair of sufficient importance to demand the presence of a military force, and yesterday sent about a hundred troops to the scene of the disturbance. I inclose a strip cut from the Commercial Advertiser of this morning, which gives all the details known concerning the matter.

I have the honor to be your very obedient servant,