No. 22.
Interview with Charles T.
Gulick, Honolulu, May 13, 1893.
Q. What is your occupation, Mr. Gulick?
A. Notary public and business agent.
Q. For whom?
A. General; that is carrying on business agency. Agent for Pitt and Scott’s express, and for the Burlington railroad. My business is also negotiating loans as well as real estate.
Q. Have you been a minister in any reign?
A. Under Kalakaua, 6th of August, 1883, to 30th of June, 1886.
Q. At any time since then?
A. Under Liliuokalani from September 12, 1892—about two months.
Q. I see in the correspondence between the American minister and [Page 743] the State Department some statements as to Wilson, the ex-marshal being the paramour of the ex-Queen I wish to ask you as to your knowledge of her character in point of chastity?
A. I would say to begin with that I know nothing against her character in that line.
Q. Was she received in all of the best families in this city—among the whites?
A. She was; she always has been.
Q. Were they pleased to have her accept invitations to their entertainments?
A. They always have been.
Q. Did they accept invitations to entertainments at the palace?
A. Not only accepted them, but were always anxious to get them.
Q. Did you ever hear of anybody keeping away from there on account of her character?
A. I have not.
Q. Do you know anything of the history of Mrs. Wilson?
A. I do.
Q. Please state it.
A. Mrs. Wilson is a half white woman who, at the early age of 10 or 12 was taken by the present Queen and educated. Was admitted into her household as a member. As she grew to womanhood Charles B. Wilson, her present husband, met her, took a fancy to her, and, with the approval of the Queen, he married her. When the Queen came to the throne Mrs. Wilson became one of her ladies in waiting, which position she held up to the overturn of the Government.
Q. Where did Mr. and Mrs. Wilson live?
A. In the bungalow.
Q. That is a building in the palace yard?
A. Yes.
Q What distance between the bungalow and the palace?
A. Two hundred and fifty feet I should think.
Q. You have heard some scandal about the Queen and Mr. Wilson?
A. I have.
Q. Did they grow out of the political campaigns here or did they have a firmer basis?
A. I think they grew out of the political campaign entirely.
Monday, June 19, 1893.
Q. When the American troops were landed here on the 10th of January, 1893, was there any indication of disorder on the part of the population?
A. None whatever.
Q. Were ladies and children on the streets as usual?
A. They were.
Q. When it was known these troops had been landed, what was the impression made on the minds of the royalists by that fact?
A. There was a feeling of bewilderment, as they were unable to account for it. The people in the streets followed along inquiringly and people in their offices went out. I was at my office. I went out to see what it all meant. Nobody seemed to know how to account for it—what the object could be. It inspired all who were royalists with concern and apprehension.
Q, Apprehension of what sort?
[Page 744]A. Apprehension of some impending disaster to the nation or encroachment upon their rights and independence. The feeling at that time was vague.
Q. The next day what was generally the feeling on the part of the Royalists?
A. There was a feeling that it was a high-handed, unjustifiable move, and that there was no call for it.
Q. Was there any opinion that it was in aid of the movement of the committee of safety?
A. I may say that that was the general impression; but matters at that day had not formed themselves, had not crystallized, so that everyone was looking around and asking his neighbor and inquiring as to what would come next.
Q. Was that the condition of mind the day after the troops were landed?
A. I think I may safely say it was.
Q. What was the feeling on the part of the foreign element here?
A. My communication was principally confined to those who were in sympathy with my own feelings and views. All of us who were in sympathy with the Government and country and desired to see its perpetuation as an independent country were, as I said before, impressed with the fact that it was a high-handed move. With regard to the other people, those who might properly be considered revolution-its, there was an activity apparent on the street which would seem to indicate that they were making preparations for some definite move. This was in the forenoon of the 17th, the day following the landing of the American troops.
Q. What was the impression made on your mind when the troops were landed on the 16th as to the object of their being landed?
A. The impression left on my mind was that they were landed in support of a revolutionary measure having in view the overturning of this Government.
Q. What time did that impression obtain generally in the community; did it commence before the Provisional Government was proclaimed?
A. Yes; early in the day.
Q. How long before the proclamation of the Provisional Government dethroning the Queen?
A. To my knowledge six or eight hours. I would qualify that by saying that it is altogether likely a number had that view the night before.
Q. When the American protectorate was proclaimed here, was the condition of the public mind one of quiescence, awaiting the action of the Government of the United States, or otherwise?
A. I should say that the public was quite ready to await the result of deliberations in Washington.
Q. Was there in the minds of the opponents of the Provisional Government any disposition to commence hostilities against it?
A. Not at all.
I have read the foregoing and they are accurate reports of my interviews with Mr. Blount.
(Mr. B. said it was unnecessary for Gulick to certify to this.—E. M.)