Foreign Relations of the United States, 1894, Appendix II, Affairs in Hawaii

No. 48.
Statement of W. O. Smith of events prior to January 17, 1893.

Mr. Smith. About 11 o’clock on Saturday morning, the 14th of January, I went into Mr. Hartwell’s office, the corner of Fort and Merchant streets, and found Mr. Hartwell, L. A. Thurston, and John F. Colburn, minister of the interior, in the back room talking very earnestly. They requested me to sit down. Mr. Colburn was very much excited. They stated that Mr. Colburn had just come to see Mr. Hartwell and Mr. Thurston and they asked him to remain, and Mr. Thurston stated very briefly what Mr. Colburn had told them, and Mr. Colburn proceeded to state himself that the ministers had been informed by the Queen that she would promulgate a constitution immediately after the prorogation. Mr. Colburn was very much excited and evidently alarmed.

Mr. J. B. Castle. Did he say when the Queen gave this information for the first time—that morning, was it?

Mr. Smith. His conversation and statements gave me the impression that, as far as he was concerned, the first they had heard of it was that morning, but subsequently he told me himself that he did know of the existence of the constitution the night before, and on another occasion he told me that he had known of the existence of the constitution about a week prior to that, but that he did not know until that morning that she was about to promulgate the constitution, and that she expected her ministers to support her in it and for him to sign it. Colburn’s manner was that of a scared man—frightened—very much in earnest. The conversation that was conducted after that lasted perhaps fifteen minutes after I got there, between Mr. Thurston and Hart-well on one side and Colburn on the other. Mr. Thurston and Mr. Hartwell advised him, by all means, that they should not consent to the promulgation of the constitution, and that if they would stand to that they would be supported by the community in that matter.

Mr. J. B. Castle. In their action?

Mr. Smith. In their action.

Mr. Castle. Let us go back a little bit. Had the trade, if there was such a trade, in the Legislature between the opponents to the ministry and the advocates of the lottery bill, grounded within it anything whatever about a constitution?

Mr. Smith. I did not know, but believe, from my knowledge of the facts at the time and the subsequent events, that all, or nearly all, of the native members of the Legislature were informed in regard to the matter of the constitution and of its promulgation. I judge this from their conduct in the house, and from the reports which I afterwards learned of a meeting which a number of the native members of the Legislature had held Friday night. It was reported that John Kaluna, representing the district of Makawao, among others, was very violent in his speech, stating that he could kill five or six men and would be perfectly willing to be hung for it, or die, if he only had the opportunity to kill five or six or more, in defense of the constitution.

Mr. Castle. One of the members made a distinct reference in the light of subsequent events to that action to be taken on Saturday, didn’t he?

Mr. Smith. I so understood.

Mr. Castle. You don’t remember hearing it in the house? It was alluded to afterward?

Mr. Smith. Well, I say this: At various times during the session there were at times allusions to the matter of a new constitution and a constitutional convention and constitutional amendments. These statements would generally be made when the subject of some one of the constitutional amendments was brought up and with more or less feeling, and at certain times there was some excitement; there were insinuations, references, to something that was to be done, but we didn’t attach any special importance to it. I do not believe myself, from what 1 know of the circumstances, that most of the members—in fact, I do not know any of them had any definite idea of a plan of pro mulgating a new constitution until very late in the session. There were a number of amendments pending which had not been disposed of—the question of a constitutional convention had not been disposed of until quite late in the session.

Mr. Castle. Have you any doubt that when the election, one year ago this month, took place that part of the programme of the liberal party, so called, was a new constitution, mainly on the lines desired by the Queen, Wilcox, Bush, and the rest?

Mr. Smith. Speeches made in public and reported in the papers of the camp meetings of the liberal party certainly quoted speeches——

Mr. Castle. You have no knowledge except from these general sources?

Mr. Smith. No.

Mr. Castle. And Mr. C. A. Brown told me one year ago last month that that constitution was entirely prepared and engrossed, ready for signature, and it awaited nothing but the opportunity. I suppose that he gained his knowledge from the inside affairs at the palace.

Mr. Smith. I don’t know.

Mr. Castle. I want to establish, if possible, what connection there was between, you might say, four important bills—four important things in the legislature—the constitution, the opium bill, the lottery bill, and, it may sound paradoxical, but the registration act.

Mr. Smith. You want to what?

Mr. Castle. I want to establish the relation that existed between them. The registration act was desired of course, by the planting interest, the lottery and the opium and the new constitution by the other other interests.

Mr. Smith. Well, there was undoubtedly some connection; it was connected with a general dissatisfaction with the result of the legislation; the natives had not been able to carry their measures as they had hoped. The Queen was disappointed in not being able to command and control the public affairs to the extent that she had wanted, and it became very manifest after the appointment of Judge Frear to be judge of the circuit court under the new judiciary act that the Queen was determined to have a different state of affairs. She had advocated strenuously the appointment of Antone Rosa to be judge of the circuit court with Whiting. Rosa’s habits were such that the ministers would not consent to it at all. While that very matter was pending he went to Lahaina to attend circuit court at the December term and was intoxicated publicly in Lahaina and the ministers would not consent. She felt that was a check to her power, and from conversations with those ministers since they have stated, and it was apparent to us, that from that moment her determination was to have a different state of affairs at whatever cost.

Now, going back to the events of Saturday, Mr. Colburn had to leave Mr. Hartwell’s office, because the prorogation was to take place at 12 o’clock and the ministers had to be there, and he hurried away. You asked me about being present at the chamber of commerce. I was there, certainly. What was the subject of that?

Mr. Castle Why, I understand that the first inkling in the chamber of commerce to such portion of the business community as was there was that this thing was on the tapis. The object of that meeting was to take action on the signature of this lottery bill, to pass that memorial which was sent by a committee to the Queen.

Mr. Cooper. That was what I understood from Mr. Glade.

Mr. Smith. Immediately after this interview in Mr. Hartwell’s office with Colburn I went up to the chamber of commerce, at which a meeting of the merchants was being held, and stated to the meeting that I had information that a constitution was about to be promulgated by the Queen, without giving my source of information. I told them that I had authentic information, so authentic that certain actions which they had before them at that time were deferred in consequence of my statement to that effect.

Mr. Castle. Did you go to the prorogation?

Mr. Smith. No; I did not go to the prorogation.

Mr. Smith. No white members did except Berger and Peterson, did they?

Mr. Smith. I do not know who went; I did not go myself. In the neighborhood of 1 o’clock on that same Saturday, John F. Colburn came to my office again in very great excitement. He was dressed in full dress with a silk hat, and still had his blue sash on, which ministers wear on state occasions. He came along Merchant street in the direction of Bishop’s bank, and came right to my office and asked me in a very exciting manner to come at once to the attorney general’s office, in the Government building. I said that I would, and offered to get in the same hack with him. He said it would be better to take another hack, and immediately told the driver to drive on, and drove with speed to the Government building. I immediately entered another hack and came tip to to the Government building, up to the attorney-general’s office, and it may then have been half past 1. In the attorney-general’s office upstairs, in Aliiolani Hale, were the attorney general, A. P. Peterson, minister of finance, W. H. Cornwell, and Minister of the Interior, J. F. Colburn. There were also present L. A. Thurston, F. W. Wundenburg, E. C. Macfarlane, and myself Mr. Colburn was the chief spokesman at first.

Mr. Castle. Sam Parker was not there at that meeting?

Mr. Smith. No; Sam Parker, the minister of foreign affairs, was not at the attorney-general’s then at that time. Mr. Colburn, in an excited manner, told about an interview at the palace with the Queen after the prorogation, in which she had produced the proposed new constitution and demanded that the ministers sign it with herself, and that he as minister of the interior should sign it, I do not recollect definitely which, and narrated how he and Mr. Peterson and Mr. Cornwell had escaped from the palace. Mr. Thurston spoke very emphatically, although calmly, advising that by no means should they sign the constitution or consent to her proposition.

Mr. Cooper. Was there not something said about their resigning at that time?

Mr. Smith. There was, both on that occasion and at Mr. Hartwell’s office at 11 o’clock.” We advised Mr. Colburn that the ministers should not resign, and that if they resigned it would give the Queen an opportunity to appoint new ministers who would accede to her wishes, and the complications would be greater than they otherwise would be. While we were in the attorney-general’s office, John Richardson, in the uniform of an officer of the Queen’s staff, came with a message from the palace requesting the three ministers to go over there. At that time the whole of the Queen’s guard was drawn up in front of the palace on King street side under arms. On the Waikikki side of the main entrance to the palace, and on the Ewa side of that entrance, was a large crowd of natives—two or three hundred, probably.

Mr. Castle. Half as many more on the Makai side?

Mr. Smith. Yes. The band was at the palace and there appeared to be a large number of people in attendance around the palace, all the officials and attendants that were generally about the sovereign on an occasion of prorogation. We were also informed that the chief justice was at the palace at the request of the Queen waiting to administer the oath to her upon her signing the new constitution.

Mr. Castle. Is that the way that was?

Mr. Smith. He was there all the afternoon.

Mr. Castle. He was there for that purpose?

Mr. Smith. He was there for that purpose.

Mr. Castle. And he knew there was to be a new constitution?

Mr. Smith. I was informed that he knew there was to be a new constitution, and on that account he remained there.

Mr. Castle. To administer the oath.

Mr. Smith. That was what she wanted him for.

Mr. Cooper. Bickerton was also there?

Mr. Smith. Bickerton was there. When Maj. Richardson came with the message for the ministers to go over, some one or more of them asked us who were present what they should do. We told them not to go, Mr. Thurston explaining to them that so long as they, the three of them, were there, they constituted a majority of the Government, and that it might become important for them to act in regard to public affairs. Colburn expressed his unwillingness to go, stating that he feared what the excited mob might do. He felt that their lives were in danger if they went back to the palace again. It was then decided by them to send back a message by Richardson to Samuel Parker, minister of foreign affairs, to come over to the attorney-general’s office from the palace, and shortly he did come, and the whole situation was again discussed. Mr. Parker urged that the other ministers return to the palace with him. It was deemed inadvisable for them to do so, but Mr. Parker, who made light of the danger, said that he would go back again and try and dissuade her from pursuing the course which she had mapped out. There was a good deal of conversation about the matter, and shortly after that, during Mr. Parker’s absence, Thurston and I left the Government building to return to our offices down town.

Mr. Castle. Where were Colburn and Cornwell at this——?

Mr. Smith. They were here in the attorney-general’s office.

Mr. Castle. Now, then, tell me the connection. At half-past 2, or very close to half-past 2, you came out of the Government building in a hack, and I jumped in with you. At that time Colburn and Corn-well were crossing the street.

Mr. Smith. That is later. Thurston and I left the Government building to go to town, and we walked along as far as Richard street, when we were overtaken by a messenger requesting Mr. Thurston to return. He did return to the Government building, and I kept on to my office. Arriving at my office I found a large number of people——?

Mr. Cooper (interrupting). No, you met Mr. Neumann and myself on the corner and we went into your office, three of us; that was the first time I came down Merchant street.

Mr. Smith. Near my office on the way I met Paul Neumann and Mr. H. E. Cooper, and I asked them to go into my office. In my inner office Mr. Neumann and Mr. Cooper and myself discussed the situation and discussed the danger of disturbance.

Mr. Cooper. And that the ministers should be supported against the Queen.

Mr. Smith. And that the ministers should be supported against the Queen. We also discussed the question of under what circumstances the troops of the American ship of war Boston would be justified in

Mr. Cooper. Mr. Neumann stated that if the Queen persisted in carrying out her object that it would be warrantable for foreign inference. Mr. Neumann stated that.

Mr. Smith. He took the ground also that they could not land excepting only upon the request of the minister of foreign affairs.

Mr. Castle. The minister of foreign affairs only?

Mr. Smith. The Government. While we were talking this matter over, perhaps ten minutes, several people came to this inner office, and we requested them to retire.

Mr. Cooper. I never left the office at all from the time I first went in until the committee of safety had been formed and finally adjourned.

Mr. Smith. People began to crowd into my office shortly after that, and there was very deep feeling and considerable excitement and very determined expression of opposition to the proceeding of the Queen, and individuals began signing the paper.

Mr. Cooper. I will show you how it was. Mr. Thurston wrote down seven or eight names who were gentlemen present at that time in his own handwriting; we did not sign it; and then he says, “I am going out to see others, will you take this chair and take care of this paper and get their signature?” I said, “yes,” and when he went out several of us got into a discussion with Mr. Neumann, and he took the ground that the Queen had not yet committed an overt act which would amount to treason or revolution. On our part we contended that she had, and he then left the office.

Mr. Smith. The expression was very strongly expressed that the ministers should be supported in their attitude toward the Queen in refusing to accede to her request and that they ought not to resign, and it was requested to return to the Government building and so state to the ministers that that was the sentiment of citizens so far as we had been able to ascertain. I immediately returned to the Government building. On entering the yard and before reaching the front door of the building I met the ministers going over to the palace with Messenger Richardson.

Mr. Castle. All the ministers?

Mr. Smith. My impression is they were all four. I stopped and gave the communication to them to that effect that they should be supported by the community in refusing to accede to the Queen’s wishes, and they proceeded on and went into the palace yard, and I returned to my office. At my office I found there was still a large number of people.

Mr. Castle. That was the time you picked me up?

Mr. Smith. Yes, It must have been in the neighborhood of an hour and a half after that——

Mr. Castle. I got on to the quarter-hour car that goes down town from Thomas Square at quarter-past 2. It was just about half-past 2 by the clock of this building when I noticed the crowd there in the Government building. And looking on I saw there was one white man here and saw that it was McStocker, and I jumped out to ask him what was up when you drove out of the yard and beckoned to me before I had a chance to ask him, and I jumped in the hack with you and went down town. Colburn and Cornwell were at that moment crossing the street. The whole affair, of course, became so tense and exciting that I could not swear now whether they were going this way or that way.

Mr. Smith. They were going toward the palace gate. My conversation with Coburn was just before he left the Government building yard. We returned, and down at the office were a large number of people going and coming; a great deal of excitement. I noticed on my return there was quite a list of names signed at the desk.

Mr. Castle. Mr. Cooper was at the desk with that list.

Mr. Smith. Mr. Cooper had charge of that matter of the signatures, and people were asking him about it and what was to be done, and what was going to be done, and various statements, and the offices, both front and rear offices, became tilled with people. After a little I volunteered and did return again to the Government building to ascertain how matters stood, so as to communicate with the meeting, and at the Government building there were a good many people. Upstairs, I noticed after awhile, there were several of the foreign representatives and Mr. J. O. Carter and others. I understood afterwards that they had been in consultation with the ministry. We waited around the building here an hour or so, and watching the palace to see what was to be done.

At this time some of the troops had stacked their arms and were lying around on the grass. The crowd of spectators on the left-hand side had diminished. The people at the palace, attendants, seemed to be about the same as ever; there were people going from the interior on to the veranda, they all seemed to be waiting. Finally there was a move and commotion, and the soldiers returned and took their arms and were drawn up in line. The crowd of people in the Government building yard all crowded toward the gate, and many went into the yard. I, with others, went to King street on the inside of the Government fence opposite the palace yard gate to see what was going on. After some further delay, there was evidently some passing to and fro and some commotion in the palace, we saw a train of ladies pass from the rooms on to the west side of the palace towards the throne room, and there was another little delay for some little time. And then the Queen and some ladies came out of the throne room and went upstairs and came out on the balcony, and from there she made remarks. We could not hear what she said.

Mr. Castle. But it was undoubtedly the speech which was afterwards published?

Mr. Smith. Yes. Shortly after that there was a number of representatives and others came out of the palace on the front steps and there several speakers harangued the audience. The meeting at the palace seemed to be at an end, and this was now about half-past three or a little later.

Mr. Cooper. Colburn came in and took his seat right opposite where I was sitting, and as soon as Colburn showed himself in the door and commenced to speak Peterson went out.

Mr. Smith. Mr. Calburn overtook Mr. Thurston and myself returning to my office and told us the situation, how the Queen, in great anger, had stated to the people who were assembled that she had been unable to carry out her wishes and the desire of many; that it was her wish to promulgate a new constitution, but that she had been prevented, but she would shortly do it; and that we heard from various sources of the violent speeches of William White, representative from Lahaina, and others, threatening bloodshed and generally of a most violent character and we returned and reported this to the meeting. My offices were crowded with people, so that it was with difficulty that we could get into the room at all, and Mr. Colburn worked his way in, Mr. Peterson appeared about that time or a little later, and Mr. Colburn made this statement briefly. What occurred was about as has been published, and it was generally known. There were a few short speeches made by different persons present. I made some remarks, and one or two others, finally Mr. Thurston spoke very briefly, and then on Mr. Thurston’s motion those present organized themselves into a meeting. Mr. H. E. Cooper was chosen chairman and W. O. Smith secretary.

Mr. Cooper. Then the motion was to appoint a committee of nine, the first motion was, and then it was afterwards made thirteen, and then by a vote of the meeting I was made a member of the committee.

Mr. Smith. It was voted that a committee of thirteen be appointed to form plans for action and call meetings, report any time, at their discretion, and be called a committee of safety. At that time there was some serious apprehension, we could not tell what, that disorder might follow; what steps might be taken next; whether the constitution might not be promulgated that very afternoon or the next morning, or at any time; there was simply an intense feeling of uncertainty and a feeling that danger to the community was very imminent. She had practically promised it in a few days. The remarks and action were very short—right to the point; intense feeling and determination was manifested, and meanwhile from those present the following committee of thirteen was appointed: L. A. Thurston, W. R. Castle, C. Bolte, W. C. Wilder, W. O. Smith, J. A. McCandless, H. F. Glade, A. S. Wilcox, T. F. Lansing, H. Waterhouse, Andrew Brown, F. W. McChesney, and, by special vote, H. E. Cooper. Mr. Glade was not present, but was communicated with—asked if he would be willing to serve.

Mr. Cooper. After the committee was formed the other gentlemen were requested to retire. Then a message was sent for Mr. Glade and Mr. Wilder and they came.

Mr. Smith. And they signified their willingness to serve on the committee. After further delay, almost immediately the others present were requested to retire and the committee held a meeting. The situation was briefly discussed—the imminence of danger and the safety of the city; what action should be taken for protection was the main subject of discussion. And in view of the fact that at the station house there was a large armed force and at the barracks, and that nearly all of the arms were in possession of the supporters of the Queen, and there was no organization at the time outside of those forces, and it was simply unknown how many arms were available, the question was at once discussed whether a protectorate should not be sought from the United States steamship of war Boston; that question was, of course, first raised, whether the United States would render assistance, or what their attitude would be, and then a special committee consisting of L. A. Thurston, W. C. Wilder, and H. F. Glade were appointed to wait upon Mr. J. L. Stevens, United States minister, and inform him of the situation and ascertain from him what, if any, protection or assistance could be afforded by the United States forces for the protection of life and property, the unanimous sentiment and feeling being that life and property were in imminent danger. By that time it was so dark that I lighted the electric light. We had to have light before we concluded our meeting and deliberations.

Mr. Cooper. My first acquaintance with the affair was when I met Hartwell on the street. I met him coming out of his office.

When this question came up as to whether or not what assistance the United States troops might give, I made the following statement to the committee: That I had gone, at Mr. Hartwell’s request, to see the captain of the Boston, Capt. Wiltse, about half past 11, and I informed him of the situation, and he immediately sent for Commander Swinburne, who, in turn, sent for the officer of the deck, and all necessary preliminary preparations were made, and that was Capt. Wiltse’s first news of it. He didn’t know anything about it before I came there. And Capt. Wiltse said that he was there for the purpose of protecting life and property of American citizens, and if called upon he would do it. I afterwards came ashore and met Mr. Smith and Mr. Neumann and retired to Mr. Smith’s office.

Mr. Smith. During this meeting of the committee of thirteen and the discussion of the situation, it was made manifest to us, from what had transpired during the day and the action of the Queen, that she was in a condition of revolution, that is, her act was entirely revolutionary; that there was a feeling of perfect uncertainty of what would take place or how great the danger was, but we were simply convinced that established government was at an end, that we were in a state of revolution, and with the forces in her command, and the utter disregard for the constitution and laws, that we as citizens had simply got to look to ourselves for safety and protection, that the intelligent part of the community had got to take matters in their own hands and establish law and order. The probabilities of what the Queen would do were discussed; there was no certainty in regard to that, excepting that she would undoubtedly persist in her revolutionary intentions; what would be done, how soon martial law might be declared or any other course would be taken, what steps would be taken, we simply could not tell, and after discussion Mr. Thurston made the following motion: “That steps be taken at once to form and declare a provisional government.”

The seriousness of the step was considered, but it was deemed, decided unanimously by the committee that some such steps had got to be taken for protection of life and property, and it was then, and after Mr. Cooper’s statement in regard to his visit to the Boston, that the committee consisting of Thurston, Wilder, and Glade were appointed to meet the American minister, and were instructed to report the next morning at 9 o’clock, at a meeting to be called at the residence of W. R. Castle.

I went home about dark or a little after, and just had dinner when Mr. Thurston called at my house on his way home, asking me to meet the committee and one or two others at his house at 8 o’clock. I went there and found Mr. Thurston, W. R. Castle, F. W. Wundenberg, A. S. Hartwell, S. B. Dole, and C. L. Carter. Mr. Thurston stated that the committee had waited upon the American minister, and that he had said that the United States troops on board the Boston would be ready to land any moment to prevent the destruction of American life and property, and in regard to the matter of establishing a Provisional Government they of course would recognize the existing government whatever it might be.

Mr. Thurston stated to Mr. Stevens the proposition that was under consideration, of establishing a Provisional Government, and in case those steps were taken, he asked Mr. Stevens what his attitude would be, and Mr. Stevens had told him whatever government was established, and was actually in possession of the Government building, the executive departments and archives, and in possession of the city, that was a de facto government proclaiming itself as a government, would necessarily have to be recognized. Everything had culminated in a few hours, we were laboring under intense feeling, and it was arranged that different ones of those present should begin drafting papers. Mr. W. R. Castle undertook to draft something in the nature of a brief historical statement, which would be for a preamble to the declaration. Mr. Thurston was to work upon the matter of the form of the Provisional Government. Judge Dole quietly stated that he was not prepared to take part in the movement, but that he would assist, at Mr. Thurston’s request, in drafting the declaration. I was requested to draft papers to be submitted to the American minister requesting the landing of the troops, in case it became necessary. At a late hour we retired, and the next morning at 9 o’clock the committee of thirteen met at W. R. Castle’s residence.

The meeting continued until noon. The committee appointed to wait on the American minister made a report to the committee similar to the report made to us the night before. Among the various propositions and matters discussed was a matter of calling a public mass meeting, and it was decided to call a meeting at 2 o’clock in the afternoon of the next day, Monday, to be held if possible at the old rifle armory on Beretania street, near the corner of Punchbowl street. Mr. Andrew Brown was appointed a committee to procure the armory, make the arrangements for the meeting, and to see to the publication of the notice, which notice was prepared there during the meeting, and a committee of three, consisting of L. A. Thurston, W. R. Castle, and W. O. Smith, were appointed to arrange a programme for the public meeting and secure the speakers. During this meeting Mr. A. S. Wilcox stated that as he had deemed it important for him to return to Kauai that he thought it was his duty to resign from the committee.

While he was in perfect sympathy with the movement, he felt that in the excitement which might be created it was very important for those who had their homes on the other islands to return and endeavor to maintain peace and quietness in the other islands. His resignation was accepted, and Mr. J. Emmeluth was elected to take his place. Mr. Glade stated that owing to his position as German consul he deemed under his instructions that it would be improper for him to continue a member of the committee and tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and Mr. Ed. Suhr was appointed to fill his place. At this meeting Mr. L. A. Thurston was appointed to draw the resolution to be presented at the mass meeting and the report of the committee.

Mr. Cooper. That was just after Glade and Wilcox had resigned; just when we were going to break up it was suggested as to whether Ave should not go on and perfect the organization of the Provisional Government and the form that it should take. Mr. Castle presented his historical preamble, which was not read, but Mr. Thurston had stated the general plan that he had in mind as to the form the Provisional Government should take, stating that it should consist of an executive council and an advisory council. The mention of names was suggested by the meeting, that Mr. Thurston should be the leader and the head of the Government. Mr. Thurston questioned the wisdom of that on two grounds: First he had business arrangements which might call him away, and on the further ground that he was considered such a radical mover that he believed it was wise to have some one who was more conservative. That was dropped right there. Mr. Dole’s name was not mentioned at that meeting.

Mr. Smith. At that meeting and the previous and subsequent meetings most meager minutes were kept, because of the possible danger of our being arrested and of these records being used against us. The night before Mr. Thurston requested Mr. Wundenberg to ascertain as far as he could what arms were available and how many men with arms could be depended upon. Just at the close of the meeting on Sunday, about noon, at W. R. Castle’s, Mr. Wundenberg came with Mr. Soper, and they reported that the prospect of obtaining arms was very discouraging, but that after making a thorough search of the town only about sixty stand of arms were found that were not in possession of the Government.

After we adjourned Mr. Thurston and I called upon the American minister again and informed him of what was being done. Among other things we talked over with him what had better be done in case of our being arrested or extreme or violent measures being taken by the Monarchy in regard to us. We did not know what steps would be taken, and there was a feeling of great unrest and sense of danger in the community. Mr. Stevens gave assurances of his earnest purpose to afford all the protection that was in his power to protect life and property; he emphasized the fact that while he would call for the United States troops to protect life and property, he could not recognize any government until actually established. He repeated that the troops when landed would not take sides with either party, but would protect American life and property. Thurston and I then began to arrange in regard to the speakers, who to see. Thurston said that he would see quite a number; among them was Mr. Swanzy, T. R. Walker, Cecil Brown, and some others. I rode down town and found James F. Morgan and asked him to be one of the speakers He consented to be. And I saw two or three others and then went to the printing office and hastened up the matter of the publishing of the posters.

At the meeting at Mr. Castle’s there was considerable discussion in regard to when to have the mass meeting; some were in favor of having it on Sunday; a feeling too had been expressed at the meeting on Saturday afternoon that there should be a mass meeting called right off on Sunday, and at the meeting some thought better to hare the meeting early Monday morning, there being such a feeling of absolute uncertainty in regard to what course the Queen would pursue, whether she would proclaim the constitution and disorder and riot precipitated. It was finally concluded, however, that the meeting should be held at 2 o’clock and that all business houses be requested to close.

Sunday evening several of us met again at Mr. Thurston’s. Mr. Thurston did not return from his interview with Cecil Brown and others until about 8 o’clock in the evening. Meanwhile a message had been left at my house by Colburn that the ministers would like to meet a committee of five from the committee of thirteen. We were also informed that the ministers had had a meeting sometime during the day of Sunday, in which several of the citizens were present—Mr. F. A. Schaefer, Mr. S. M. Damon, and Mr. J. O. Carter, and one or two others. At this meeting in the evening the work was further arranged, the different parts of it assigned, and at a late hour we returned home.

The next morning, Monday, January 16, the meeting was held of the whole committee of thirteen at the office of L. A. Thurston over Bishop’s Bank, corner of Merchant and Kaahumanu streets. Mr. Thurston was ill, suffering much at times. The meeting lasted nearly all the forenoon, subject to a number of interruptions, one interruption being that of the marshal, C. B. Wilson, who called Thurston out into Mr. W. F. Allen’s office and protested against the holding of a mass meeting in the afternoon. This meeting at Mr. Thurston’s office during the forenoon was held under great difficulties, there being many interruptions, and different ones having to withdraw at various times for various matters pertaining to the business in hand. The condition of Mr. Thurston’s health caused us a good deal of anxiety. He had been suffering before that with a severe cold upon his lungs and from loss of sleep and mental strain he was weak and was attacked with dysentery.

At that meeting it was decided that he should be one of the speakers at the public meeting. He had objected to it, not desiring to take so prominent a part, fearing that it might produce unnecessary antagonism; more than that, his physical condition was such that he hardly felt able. It was deemed very important that he should speak, and the order of business at the meeting was decided upon. Mr. W. C. Wilder reluctantly consented to act as chairman, and the matter of a request of the ministers that a committee of five be sent to wait upon them was considered, and a committee was appointed consisting of C. Bolte, J. A. McCandless, W. C. Wilder, F. W. McChesney, and H. Waterhouse, to meet the ministers. They retired, and during their absence other general matters were discussed. Information was being received in regard to public matters generally.

Mr. Castle. Was Wilson’s action there simply a protest; it went out that he had warned them not to have it?

Mr. Smith. Thurston reported it as a protest against this meeting being held. Thurston asked him why, and he said that it would provoke disorder. At this meeting we were informed of the fact that another mass meeting had been called for the same hour, 2 o’clock in the afternoon, to be held at Palace Square, the junction of Richard and King streets, signed by the committee on law and order, and that many of those posters had been placed over our posters, and that there was evidently an attempt to prevent our meeting or create confusion and to mislead. Mr. Thurston had on his own authority before the meeting prepared a poster, and it was in the process of being printed exposing the fraud, and he had a copy of it then and submitted it to the meeting, but it was of a nature which we considered inflammatory, and on the whole we decided not to have it posted.

The committee of five returned and reported that they had met the four ministers, and the ministers stated to them that they had no communication to make, and wanted to know what the committee wanted. They talked over the situation and showed our committee a proclamation signed by the Queen and the ministers stating that she would never again attempt to force a new constitution. Before the meeting broke up the form of the request to the American minister in regard to the landing of the troops was adopted and signed by the committee of thirteen, requesting the American minister to land troops, and this request was signed by the committee of thirteen, and decided to be delivered to the minister to be held by him but not to be acted upon until a further request was received from the committee.

After the adjournment of the meeting fifteen or sixteen different copies of the request were typewritten and attached with five or six blank pages to each copy, and these were distributed among several members of the committee before proceeding to the meeting, and the request of Mr. Stevens was delivered to him before the meeting was held. By 1 o’clock business began to be closed. Before 2 o’clock a large number of people had assembled at the armory, and by 2 o’clock a very large number was there. After Mr. Thurston had finished speaking at the mass meeting, and while others were speaking, the members of the committee discussed very earnestly what to do in regard to this petition. If it was to be circulated for signatures, some notice to that effect would have to be given before the meeting dispersed; and we were in very great doubt, some being very earnestly of the opinion that they should be signed as universally as possible, the opinion being that they would be signed by nearly all of the twelve hundred present, but it did not seem opportune and we waited. The meeting was finally adjourned, as it seemed to some of us sooner than we expected, and nothing was done about the signing of the petition, and the committee felt somewhat at a loss what to do, but word was passed around among us at once to meet at my office again, and within twenty minutes after the adjournment of the meeting the committee met.

Mr. Smith. There was a short and earnest discussion of what was to be done; it was then nearly 4; our plans had not been perfected, papers had not been completed, and after a hasty discussion, the time being very short, it was decided that it was impossible for us to take the necessary steps, and we should request that the troops be not landed until next morning, the hour in the morning being immaterial, whether it was 9 or 8 or 6 o’clock in the morning, but we must have further time to prevent bloodshed, and Mr. Thurston and I were appointed to proceed at once to the American minister and inform him of our decision. We proceeded at once to Mr. Stevens’ house, the United States legation, stated the case to him, and he said that as a precautionary measure, and to protect American life and property, he had ordered the troops to be landed at 5 o’clock, and that they would come. It was then decided to adjourn to meet at the house of Henry Water-house at 8 o’clock in the evening. The meeting broke up, and some of us went down to see the troops landed Thurston gave up—sick. He had to go to bed.

At 8 o’clock in the evening we met at Mr. Henry Waterhouse’s. All of the members of the committee were present except Thurston, Castle and Wilder, they all being ill. Mr. James B. Castle was present, taking the place of W. B. Castle, and C. L. Carter taking the place of Thurston. There were also present by invitation Alexander. Young, J. H. Soper, Cecil Brown, H. P. Baldwin, and F. W. Wundenburg.

Previous to this meeting, beginning with the meeting on Saturday afternoon, the suggestion of sending the Claudine to San Francisco with dispatches to the United States Government was discussed, and at this meeting Monday evening it was moved that she be sent at once to San Francisco. The motion was amended that action be deferred until after the establishment of the Provisional Government. Amendment carried.

A committee of two, consisting of C. Bolte and C. L. Carter, was appointed to make a list to form an executive council of five members and an advisory council of eight members. Before this it had been suggested that Judge Dole be chosen to act as the head of the government. After some discussion Mr. Bolte was appointed a committee to wait upon Judge Dole and to invite his attendance at the meeting, and after an absence of some length Mr. Bolte returned with Judge Dole. And Judge Dole was not willing to consent at that time, stating that he did not favor fully the idea of annexation at this time and asked if it would not be better to have a regent here and Kaiulani declared the Queen. But after discussion he consented to take the matter under further consideration and let us know his decision the next day “at 12 o’clock, the committee endeavoring to pursuade him. He recognized that the logical events and manifest destiny of the island was annexation, but he did not know whether it was the wisest step now. There is no doubt that the Queen has vacated the throne.

He said that if he did decide to join us he would first resign as judge of the supreme court. P. C. Jones, S. M. Damon, Cecil Brown, J. A. King, and W. O. Smith were suggested to serve on the executive council, which was contemplated as five. Mr. Cecil Brown refused. Mr. Soper was requested to take the place of commander of the military forces, and he accepted conditionally. A finance committee of three was appointed, consisting of McCandless, McChesney, and J. B. Castle, to collect the lists of arms and ammunition and buy or otherwise procure the same.

At 10 o’clock the next day, January 17, the committee met at the office of W. O. Smith, and Mr. C. L. Carter, on behalf of the committee, reported the names of those who had consented to go upon the executive and advisory councils. It was voted that the advisory committee be increased from eight to thirteen, and additional names be suggested to the committee, from whom they could select the five additional names. Various names were suggested. It was voted that the committee request Mr. Wilder to report if the Claudine could be chartered to go to San Francisco and at what cost. It was voted that the Inter-island steamship companies be requested not to allow any vessels to leave for the other islands before 10 o’clock on the next day. At 11 o’clock the judge came before the committee and stated that he would accept the position as chairman of the executive council.

It was voted that the executive council be S. B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, W. O. Smith, and C. Bolte, and that the advisory council consist of S. M. Damon, L. A. Thurston, J. Emmeluth, J. A. McCandless, F. W. McChesney, W. R. Castle, W. C. Wilder, Andrew Brown, J. F. Morgan, H. Waterhouse, E. D. Tenney, F. Wilhelm, and W. G. Ashley. During the meeting in the forenoon Mr. S. M. Damon came in and reported that he had had an interview with the Queen, in which he had advised her not to make resistance, but to submit, and that she would have every opportunity for presenting her claims, and Mr. Damon stated that he was willing to join the movement. Mr. Dole, before he retired, signed his written resignation as a judge to the supreme court and forwarded it to the minister of foreign affairs.

The meeting adjourned and met again at 1:30. It having been understood that Mr. Dole should have the say in regard to who the members of the executive council should be, he was asked at this final meeting if he approved of the names that had been suggested, and he, upon looking them over, stated that objection had been raised in regard to the name of Mr. Bolte, and that as he himself was not very well acquainted with Mr. Bolte that it would be better that he should not be upon the executive council. Mr. Bolte at once expressed his approval, that he only wished to serve in any capacity which would further the object. And then, after a brief discussion, it was decided to reduce the number of the executive committee from five to four, and that they should fill the offices of foreign affairs, interior, finance, and attorney-general, in the order in which they were named, and it was decided to increase the number of the advisory committee from thirteen to fourteen and add Mr. Bolte’s name to the list. The members of the executive council and advisory committee were then finally approved and acted upon.

The committee of thirteen then signed the proclamation, and the executive council then signed the commission of J. H. Soper as commander in chief of the forces, and three copies of the proclamation were completed. The final signing of the papers was completed about twenty minutes past 2, and after a little delay the committee of thirteen, with the executive and advisory councils, started to proceed to the Government building. They had hardly reached the corner of Merchant street before a shot was heard, and it was reported that a policeman had been shot at E. O. Hall & Son’s store, and people were seen running from the direction of the Government building towards the spot, and there was considerable commotion. The committee and councils proceeded to the Government building and the proclamation was read. Previous to starting, leaving my office, Mr. Dole requested Mr. A. S. Wilcox to go up to the Government building and come back and report whether there was any armed force at the Government building. He went up and looked through and went through to Queen street, and came back and reported that he did not see any armed men.

After the reading of the proclamation the councils convened in the office of the minister of the interior, and subsequent events occurred and business was done in the following order:

Orders No. 1 and No. 2 were issued.

Liquor saloons were ordered to be closed.

Letters were sent to the members of the diplomatic and consular corps announcing the establishment of the Provisional Government and requesting recognition.

Mr. Wodehouse, British commissioner, and Mr. T. R. Walker, British vice-consul, called to verify the report of our occupation, etc.

Deputy-Marshal Mehrtens came from the police station, and we sent by him a copy of the proclamation to the ex-ministers and an invitation to them to come and see us.

Mehrtens came again, asking us to go to the police station. We declined and instructed him to tell the ex-ministers if they wished to see us they must come to the Government building.

Ministers Parker and Corn well came.

Messrs. Damon and Bolte returned with Parker and Cornwell to the police station to meet the other ex-ministers.

Messrs. Damon and Bolte returned with the four ex-ministers, who requested that the Queen should have an opportunity to make a protest.

Mr. Damon went with them to see the Queen.

Ex-ministers and Damon returned stating that the Queen gave up under protest, and that Marshal Wilson had been ordered to give up the station house. And we sent an officer with a squad of men to take possession of the station.

As to the precise time when the letter of recognition was received from American Minister Stevens I can not be positive. My recollection is that it was about the time that Messrs. Damon and Bolte returned from the police station with the four ex-ministers, but the records of our proceedings at the time, kept by the secretary, place it after the return of Mr. Damon and the ex-ministers from their visit to the Queen. In any event it was very late in the day, and long after Messrs. Wodehouse and Walker had called.

Before the letter, of recognition was received from Mr. Stevens, Lieut. Young, of the U. S. S. Boston, called upon us, and stated that he was ordered to verify the correctness of the assurance that we were in occupation of the Government building and departments.

These events occupied the time till after dark; meanwhile many matters demanded our attention.

I sent for the attorney-general and desired to examine him in reference to to the events connected with the revolution of the 17th of January, 1893. He said he preferred not to be examined; that he would bring me a paper containing a history of those events, prepared by himself and some other gentlemen. The next day he brought the paper to which this is attached, saying it was a part of the record. I asked him if he would allow me to see the whole record. He hesitated about it and said that he would prefer to talk with Mr. Dole first. While I have seen him frequently since he has never referred to the matter again. When he handed me the paper he said he did not care to be examined himself; that if there was anything in it that I did not understand he would explain it to me.

James H. Blount.

Honolulu, July 15, 1893.