The Kingdom and the Republic. Noelani Arista

these letters, he described to his father (and to a public privy to these letters through publication) what had transpired since Kaumuali‘i’s father had turned him over to the care of Captain James Rowan of the Hazard.

      Considering that Kaumuali‘i was “royalty,” the tale that was told about his hard usage at the hands of Captain Rowan and Captain Samuel Cotting was tragic. Rowan, according to the young man, had spent the property Kaumuali‘i’s father had provided for his son’s education. Kaumuali‘i was then given into the care of his preceptor, Captain Samuel Cotting, whose slide into poverty left him unable to care for the youth.⁵⁶ Like some young American males at the time, Kaumuali‘i was forced by poor financial circumstances to move around a lot and had to “shirk for himself.” In his letter to his father dated October 19, 1816, Kaumuali‘i provides a lengthy description of his travels around the world, the battles he fought, and the scars gained in war. “I hope I shall be a benefit to you,” he wrote, echoing the phrase that had appeared in his previous letter to a charitable lady.⁵⁷