Mr. Willis to
Mr. Gresham.
No. 1.?]
Legation of the United States,
Honolulu, Hawaiian
Islands, November 6,
1893.
Sir: I beg to inform the Department that I
reached San Francisco on the 27th ultimo and sailed the following
day, arriving in this city on, Saturday, November 4th, at 9 a.m.
On Saturday night I was tendered a serenade by the band of the
Provisional Government, which passed off quietly and pleasantly.
Having received information through our consul-general, Mr. Mills,
that the Royalist party were contemplating a counter serenade and
demonstration to-night, I strongly discouraged such action and it
has been abandoned.
I addressed a note this morning to Hon. Sanford B. Dole, minister of
foreign affairs, asking him to designate a convenient time and place
when I could present the letters of recall and of credence which I
bore, a copy of which I transmit herewith together with his reply,
designating 11 o’clock of the forenoon, to-morrow, the 7th instant,
as the time for the presentation at the Executive building. I also
inclose the remarks which I propose to make upon the occasion
referred to, a copy of which I sent to the Provisional
Government.
Admiral Skerrett and his staff paid me the usual official call at 10
o’clock this morning, which in company with Consul-General Mills I
returned this afternoon at 3, receiving from the flagship the
customary official courtesies. I afterwards called on Capt. Nelson,
commanding the Adams, where I also met with a
cordial reception.
I send by mail to-morrow per steamship China a
cipher telegram, as to the landing from steamship Australia last Saturday, of Winchester
[Page 431]
rifles and ammunition, and the
reported intention of the Provisional Government to issue a
proclamation establishing a republic, the constitution for which, jt
is said, has been already prepared by Mr. Hatch, a member of the
present cabinet.
The city is full of rumors, and the excitement is increasing every
hour. I shall, therefore, avail myself of the earliest opportunity,
after my credentials are approved, to carry out the instructions of
the Department. The next steamer leaving here after to-morrow will
be the Australia, which sails on Saturday,
the 11th of November, by which time I hope to be able to give you
reliable information as to the present attitude of all parties.
Mr. Mills has given me active and valuable assistance.
I have thus far had no communication with either of the opposing
parties, except as herein stated.
With sentiments of high regard I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
1.]
Mr. Willis
to Mr. Dole.
Legation of the United States,
Honolulu, Hawaiian
Islands, November 6,
1893.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you of
my arrival in this city, hearing sealed letters, open official
copies whereof are herewith transmitted, addressed by the
President of the United States of America to the President of
the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, recalling
Mr. James H. Blount, who has for sometime past resided near your
Government in the character of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, and accrediting
the undersigned as his successor. By reason of his having
resigned the office while in the United States, Mr. Blount is
unable to present in person his letter of recall.
In pursuance of my instructions, I respectfully request you to
designate a convenient time and place at which I may have the
honor of presenting in person such original letters of recall
and of credence.
With assurances of the most distinguished consideration, I am,
etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
1.]
Mr. Dole to
Mr. Willis.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Honolulu, Hawaiian
Islands, November 6,
1893.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your excellency’s communication of this days’s
date informing me of your arrival in this city and that you are
the bearer of sealed letters from the President of the United
States of America to the President of the Provisional Government
of the Hawaiian Islands, recalling Mr. James H. Blount, sometime
United States Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
at this Capital and accrediting you as his successor, which fact
is duly authenticated by the inclosed copies of your
excellency’s letter of credence, and soliciting that a time and
place be designated for the presentation of the original letters
of recall and credence.
In reply I have the honor to state that it will give me pleasure
to designate 11 o’clock of the forenoon to-morrow the 7th
instant, as the time for the presentation at the Executive
building.
I beg your excellency to accept the assurance of the high
consideration and esteem with which I have the honor to be, sir,
etc.,
Sanford B. Dole,
Minister of Foreign
Affair.
[Inclosure No. 3.]
Remarks of Mr. Willis to Mr. Dole.
Mr. President: Mr. Blount, the late
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United
States to your Government, having resigned his office while
absent from his post, I have the honor now to present his letter
of recall and to express for him his sincere regret that he is
unable in person to make known his continued good wishes in
behalf of your people and his grateful appreciation of the many
courtesies of which, while here, he was the honored
recipient.
I desire at the same time to place in your hands the letter
accrediting me as his successor. In doing this I am directed by
the President to give renewed assurances of the friendship,
interest, and hearty good will which our Government entertains
for you and for the people of this island realm.
Aside from our geographical proximity and the consequent
preponderating commercial interests which centre here, the
present advanced civilization and Christianization of your
people, together with your enlightened codes of law, stand
to-day beneficial monuments of American zeal, courage, and
intelligence.
It is not surprising, therefore, that the United States were the
first to recognize the independence of the Hawaiian Islands and
to welcome them into the great family of free.
