The note explains itself; and as I deemed it essential to the
interests of the public service that it should be written and
forwarded promptly, I hope its contents will meet with your entire
approval.
[Inclosure in No.
32.]
Mr. McCook
to Gen. Van
Valkenburgh.
United States Legation,
Honolulu, August 3, 1867.
Dear Sir: An envoy of the Hawaiian
Government sails for Japan to day for the purpose of endeavoring
to negotiate a treaty with Japan which will admit the sugars and
other products of that kingdom on an equality with the products
of the United States, England, etc. I should think it would be
your policy to oppose the consummation of such a treaty by every
means in your power. The Pacific States of the United States are
almost entirely dependent upon these Hawaiian Islands for their
supply of sugars, and the planters here depend on the Pacific
States just as entirely for a market. This circumstance has been
instrumental in maintaining American influence here, although
all the sympathies of the Government are probably English; and
so soon as they can find another market which will render them
independent of the United States, our political and commercial
influence on the islands will be lost.
You have been here and understand how important in every respect
these islands are to our country; and the fact that a treaty of
reciprocity has just been concluded with them shows conclusively
that the President, and Secretary of State fully realize this
importance, and are anxious by securing all their trade to make
American influence paramount. Should they secure this treaty
with Japan, and thus find another and possibly better market for
their sugars, etc., it will in effect defeat the objects of the
treaty just concluded, by diverting the trade we wish to secure
into another channel, and enable the planters and merchants of
these islands to sell their sugars to Japan, and with the
proceeds buy their goods, as they now do, in an English market,
instead of an American one, as they would naturally if their
trade were exclusively with the United States.
At any rate I believe that after so largely subsidizing a line of
steamers to secure the trade of China and Japan, we ought to
secure all of it if we can; and if the
Japanese want sugars raised in this part of the Pacific let them
buy them through the merchants of San Francisco, or some of our
other Pacific ports. This seems like a small affair, but I think
our new trade growing up with China and Japan should be
jealously watched and fostered, and all other countries hindered
if possible from injuriously interfering with it in anyway.
[Page 143]
I hope you will concur with me in the view I have taken of this
matter, and throw every obstacle you can in the way of the
success of Capt. Waterman, the Hawaiian envoy, and request Gen.
Stahl and our other consuls to do the same.
I have forwarded a copy of this letter to the honorable Secretary
of State, hoping that he will approve my opinions and
communicate with you at once.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
Edward M. McCook,
Minister Resident.
