This name is given to those islands lying in the Pacific ocean between
Asia, the West India and Australasian islands on the one side, and
America on the other. In this division Owhyhee, one of the Sandwich
islands, is the largest. The inhabitants of the Sandwich, Ladrone and
Navigator’s islands, are notorious thieves. Those of the Friendly, the
Society, the Pelew islands, are hospitable and kind. Otaheite is the
largest of the Society islands, and has a missionary establishment, as
has also, Owhyhee. Many of the people have embraced Christianity.
The climate and soil of these islands are peculiarly adapted to the
production of numerous fruits and necessaries of life. The productions
are bread fruit, sugar, cocoa-nuts, oranges, limes, sandal wood,
plantain, yams, and sweet potatoes.