Admiral Skerrett to Mr. Blount.
[Inclosure 1 in No.
1.]
No. 110.]
U.
S. S. Mohican, Flagship of the Pacific
Station,
Honolulu,
Hawaiian Islands, April 1, 1893.
Sir: I have the honor to inform Special
Commissioner Blount that in obedience to his directions, the
United States ensign over the Government building was lowered at
11, a.m. of this date, and the force withdrawn from the building
and the place designated as Camp Boston, at the same hour. I
learn that quite a number of people congregated about the
Government building at the time. The force of marines stationed
there were relieved by a force of the Provisional Government.
There was no demonstration made by the populace present. No
cheering nor any other signs of either joy or grief.
I went on shore this afternoon and saw quite an access in numbers
of those who were wearing the Annexation club badge. There has
been no evidence shown of unruly or riotous characters.
Absolutely there appears to be peace and quiet.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. S. Skerrett,
Rear-Admiral U. S. Navy, Commanding U. S.
Naval Force, Pacific Station.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
1.]
Capt. Hooper to Mr. Blount.
U. S. Revenue Steamer Rush,
Honolulu, April 2,
1893.
My dear Sir: I witnessed the
hauling down of the American flag and the raising of the
Hawaiian flag over the Government building at this place
yesterday, and was surprised not only at the absence of any
indication of the violent and partisan feeling which I had
been led to expect, but by the apparent apathy and
indifference of the native portion of the assembled crowd,
and also their politeness and evident good feeling towards
Americans. As I passed freely around among them, accompanied
by my son, we were kept busy returning their friendly
salutes. The greatest good order prevailed throughout. There
were no demonstrations of any kind as the American flag came
down, and not a single cheer greeted the Hawaiian flag as it
was raised aloft. The native men stood around in groups or
singly, smoking, and chatting and nodding familiarly to
passing friends or leaning idly against the trees and
fences, while the women and children, which formed a large
proportion of the assemblage, were talking and laughing
good-naturedly. As the hour for hauling down the American
flag approached, many people, men, women, and children,
could be seen approaching the Government square in a most
leisurely manner, and showing
[Page 475]
more interest in the gala day
appearance of the crowd than in the restoration of their
national flag. The air of good natured indifference and idle
curiosity with which the native men regarded the
proceedings, and the presence of the women and children in
their white or bright colored dresses, was more suggestive
of a country “fair” or horse race than the sequel to a
“revolution.”
Even the presence of the “armed forces” of the Provisional
Government, numbering perhaps 200, parading the corridors of
the Government house, failed to elicit any sign of a feeling
of anger or resentment.
In half an hour after the exchange of flags had been made the
crowd had dispersed and only the “force” of the Provisional
Government, which I was told was necessary to prevent mob
violence, remained to indicate that a “revolution” had
recently taken place. While among the crowd I looked
carefully for indications of “arms” upon the persons of the
natives, but saw none, although with the thin clothing worn
by them, the presence of a revolver or such an arm could
easily have been detected.
If any danger of mob violence on the part of the natives
existed, all outward signs of it were carefully concealed.
Only evidences of the greatest good feeling were
apparent.
Hoping that this short statement of the facts as they
appeared to me may prove of interest to you,
I am, etc.,
C. L. Hooper,
Captain U. S. Revenue
Marine.
