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

No. 11.
The Hawaiian special commissioners to Mr. Foster.

Washington, February 3, 1893.

Sir: We have the honor to hereby inform you that by order of his excellency Sanford B. Dole, president and minister of foreign affairs of the executive council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands and of the executive council of such Government, Messrs. L. A. Thurston, W. C. Wilder, W. R. Castle, J. Marsden, and C. L. Carter have been constituted and appointed special commissioners to the President of the United States, with instructions to proceed forthwith to Washington and there to represent to the President and Government of the United States of America the facts leading up to and concerning the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and to request from such Government of the United States of America that the acknowledgment and recognition of such Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands heretofore given to such Provisional Government by his excellency John L. Stevens, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America at Hawaii, may be confirmed by the President and Government of the United States of America.

And also the said commissioners are instructed and fully authorized and empowered by the said Provisional Government to negotiate a treaty between the said Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands and the Government of the United States of America, by the terms of which full and complete political union may be secured between the United States of America and the Hawaiian Islands.

In accordance with such instructions we hereby present for your consideration a brief statement of the principal facts leading up to and concerning the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, as follows:

On Saturday, the 14th of January, ultimo, Her Majesty Liliuokalani Queen of the Hawaiian Kingdom, attempted with force to abrogate the existing constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom and promulgate a new constitution. Such attempt was resisted by her cabinet, whom she threatened with violence. She finally desisted from her attempt to immediately promulgate the proposed constitution, announcing in two public speeches, however, that she had not abandoned such project, but would carry the same into effect “within a few days.”

All of the military and police forces of the Kingdom being directly under the control of the personal adherents of the Queen, the cabinet appealed to citizens for protection and support against the proposed aggression. The citizens rallied in opposition to the project of the Queen, and at a public meeting appointed a committee of public safety, of thirteen members, to consider the situation and devise ways and means for the maintenance of the public peace and the protection of life and property.

After considering the situation, such committee called a public meeting of citizens on Monday, the 16th of said January. Such meeting was duly held, to the number of about fifteen hundred of the leading citizens. A report by such committee was submitted to such meeting, recommending the adoption of certain resolutions. Such resolutions were unanimously adopted. A copy of such report and resolutions, marked Inclosure A, is herewith submitted.

A few hours before such meeting a proclamation was issued by the Queen and cabinet, a copy of which is inclosed herewith and marked Inclosure B.

On the afternoon of the same day, the Queen then having about four hundred men under arms and the people being in open preparation for dethroning her, with every indication of a conflict, the United States troops landed and a guard was stationed at the American consulate and legation and the remainder were quartered in a public hall hired for that purpose.

They neither then nor at any time since have taken any part either for or against the Queen or the Provisional Government.

After full consideration by the said committee and consultation with leading citizens of all nationalities, it was the unanimous opinion of such committee and citizens that the statements of fact in such proclamation did not detract from the necessity for action, and the undertaking therein contained was deemed unreliable; and for the reasons briefly set forth in such above-mentioned report of the committee of safety and resolutions, and also in the proclamation hereunder referred to, there was no longer any possibility of efficiently and permanently maintaining the public peace and the protection of life, liberty, and property in Hawaii under the existing system of government, and that the only method of maintaining such permanent peace and security was by securing the assistance and support of the Government of the United States, or some other foreign power possessed of sufficient force to prevent the future possibility of revolution or despotic assumption of power in derogation of the rights of the people.

In accordance with such conclusion, such committee, representing almost the entire property and intelligence of the Hawaiian Islands, on the 17th day of said January issued a proclamation abrogating the monarchy, deposing Queen Liliuokalani, and establishing a Provisional Government, “to exist until terms of union with the United States of America have been negotiated and agreed upon,” a copy of which proclamation, marked Inclosure C, is submitted herewith.

Immediately after such proclamation such Provisional Government took possession of the city of Honolulu, including the Government buildings, the archives and the treasury, and within a few hours thereafter received surrender of all the military and police forces, thereby coming into full possession of the Kingdom.

Immediately after such possession had been obtained notification thereof was given to the representatives of all foreign countries represented at Honolulu, accompanied by the request that such representatives extend to said Provisional Government their recognition.

In reply to such request the representative of the United States of America accorded such recognition upon the same day that it was requested, to wit, the 17th of said January, and oh the following day recognition of such Provisional Government was made by the representatives of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Russia, Spain, Norway and Sweden, The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Mexico, Chile, Peru, and China; and on the following day, to wit, the 19th of said January, recognition of such Provisional Government was extended by the representatives of France and Portugal. Copies of the acknowledgments of the said representatives of foreign Governments, with the exception of those of the representatives of Portugal and France, which were received too late to obtain copies thereof, are inclosed herewith, marked Inclosure D.

In further pursuance of such instructions we hereby request that the acknowledgment and recognition of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands by the representative of the United States of America at Hawaii may be confirmed by the Government of the United States of America.

And also in farther pursuance of such instructions we herewith present a communication from the said executive council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands to Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States of America, informing him of the appointment of the above-named L. A. Thurston, W. C. Wilder, W. R. Castle, J. Marsden, and C. L. Carter as special commissioners with full power and authority to negotiate and agree upon the terms of a union of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands and the Government of the United States of America, the original of which is inclosed herewith and marked Inclosure E.

The commissions of the said above-named gentlemen, as such special commissioners for the purpose aforesaid, are also inclosed herewith for inspection, and marked Inclosure F.

In further pursuance of such instructions, we also hereby request that a treaty may be concluded between the Government of the United States of America and the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, by the terms of which full and complete political union may be secured between the United States of America and the Hawaiian Islands, and for that purpose we hereby request that negotiations may be opened between the representatives of the Government of the United States of America and the said special commissioners on behalf of the Provisional Government.

In further pursuance of such instructions, we also herewith submit a copy of a protest made by her ex-majesty Queen Liliuokalani against the action of the said Provisional Government, which is marked Inclosure G.

We have the honor, etc.,

• L. A. Thurston,
• W. C. Wilder,
• Wm. R. Castle,
• J. Marsden,
• Charles L. Carter,
  Special Commissioners of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands.

[Inclosure A.]

report of the committee of safety.

To the citizens of Honolulu:

On the morning of last Saturday, the 14th instant, the city was startled by the information that Her Majesty, Queen Liliuokalani, had announced her intention to arbitrarily promulgate a new constitution, and that three of the newly appointed cabinet ministers had, or were about to, resign in consequence thereof.

Immediately after the prorogation of the legislature, at noon, the Queen, accompanied by her orders by the cabinet retired to the palace; the entire military force of the Government was drawn up in line in front of the building, and remained there until dark, and a crowd of several hundred natives, sympathizers with the constitution project, gathered in the throne room and about the palace. The Queen then retired with the cabinet; informed them that she had a new constitution ready; that she intended to promulgate it and proposed to do so then and there, and demanded that they countersign her signature.

She turned a deaf ear to their statements and protests, that the proposed action would inevitably cause the streets of Honolulu to run red with blood, and threatened that unless they complied with her demand she would herself immediately go out upon the steps of the palace and announce to the assembled crowd that the reason she did not give them the new constitution was because the ministers would not let her. Three of the ministers, fearing mob violence, immediately withdrew and returned to the Government building. They were immediately summoned back to the palace but refused to go, on the ground that there was no guaranty of their personal safety.

The only forces under the control of the Government are the household guards and the police. The former are nominally under the control of the minister of foreign affairs, and actually under their immediate commander, Maj. Nowlein, a personal adherent of the Queen.

The police are under the control of Marshal Wilson, the open and avowed royal favorite. Although the marshal is nominally under the control of the attorney-general, Her Majesty recently announced in a public speech that she would not allow him to be removed. Although the marshal now states that he is opposed to the Queens proposition, he also states that if the final issue arises between the Queen and the cabinet and the people he will support the Queen.

The cabinet was absolutely powerless and appealed to citizens for support.

Later they reluctantly returned to the palace, by request of the Queen, and for nearly two hours she endeavored to force them to acquiesce in her desire, and upon their final refusal announced in a public speech in the throne room and again from the upper gallery of the palace that she desired to issue the constitution but was prevented from doing so by her ministers and would issue it in a few days.

The citizens responded to the appeal of the cabinet to resist the revolutionary attempt of the Queen by gathering at the office of William O. Smith.

Later in the afternoon it was felt that bloodshed and riot were imminent; that the community could expect no protection from the legal authorities; that on the contrary they would undoubtedly be made the instruments of royal aggression. An impromptu meeting of citizens was held, which was attended by the attorney-general, and which was addressed, among others, by the minister of the interior, J. F. Calburn, who stated to the meeting substantially the foregoing facts.

The meeting unanimously passed a resolution that the public welfare required the appointment of a committee of public safety of thirteen, to consider the situation and devise ways and means for the maintenance of the public peace and the protection of life and property.

Such committee was forthwith appointed and has followed its instructions.

The first step which the committee consider necessary is to secure openly, publicly, and peaceably through the medium of a mass meeting of citizens a condemnation of the proceeding of the party of revolution and disorder and a confirmation from such larger meeting of the authority now vested in the committee.

For such purpose the committee hereby recommends the adoption of the following resolution:

resolution.

(1) Whereas Her Majesty Liliuokalani, acting in conjunction with certain other persons, has illegally and unconstitutionally, and against the advice and consent of the lawful executive officers of the Government, attempted to abrogate the existing constitution and proclaim a new one in subversion of the rights of the people;

(2) And whereas, such attempt has been accompanied by threats of violence and bloodshed and a display of armed force; and such attempt and acts and threats are revolutionary and treasonable in character;

(3) And whereas Her Majesty’s cabinet have informed her that such contemplated action was unlawful and would lead to bloodshed and riot, and have implored and demanded of her to desist from and renounce such proposed action;

(4) And whereas such advice has been in vain, and Her Majesty has in a public speech announced that she was desirous and ready to promulgate such constitution, the same being now ready for such purpose, and that the only reason why it was not promulgated was because she had met with unexpected obstacles, and that a fitting opportunity in the future must be awaited for the consummation of such object, which would be within a few days;

(5) And whereas at a public meeting of citizens held in Honolulu on the 14th day of January instant a committee of thirteen to be known as the “Committee of Public Safety” was appointed to consider the situation and devise ways and means to consider the situation of the public peace and safety and the preservation of life and property;

(6) And whereas such committee has recommended the calling of this mass meeting of citizens to protest against and condemn such action, and has this day presented a report to such meeting denouncing the action of the Queen and her supporters as being unlawful, unwarranted, in derogation of the rights of the people, endangering the peace of the community, and tending to excite riot, and cause the loss of life and destruction of property.

Now, therefore, we, the citizens of Honolulu, of all nationalities, and regardless of political party affiliations, do hereby condemn and denounce the action of the Queen and her supporters.

And we do hereby fatify the appointment and indorse the action and report made by the said committee of safety, and we do hereby further empower such committee to further consider the situation, and further devise such ways and means as may be necessary to secure the permanent maintenance of law and order and the protection of life, liberty, and property in Hawaii.

[Inclosure B.]

by authority.

Her Majesty’s ministers desire to express their appreciation for the quiet and order which has prevailed in this community since the events of Saturday, and are authorized to say that the position taken by Her Majesty in regard to the promulgation of a new constitution, was under stress of her native subjects.

Authority is given for the assurance that any changes desired in the fundamental law of the land will be sought only by methods provided in the constitution itself.

Her Majesty’s ministers request all citizens to accept the assurance of Her Majesty in the same spirit which it is given.

• Liliukalani.
• Samuel Parker,
  Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• W. H. Cornwell,
  Minister of Finance.
• John F. Colburn,
  Minister of the Interior.
• A. P. Peterson,
  Attorney-General.

Iolani Palace, January 16, 1893.

[Inclosure C.]

[Proclamation of Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 1893. Printed ante as inclosure with Mr. Stevens’s No. 79 of January 18, 1893.]

[Inclosure D.]

United States Legation,
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 17, 1893.

A Provisional Government having been duly constituted in the place of the recent Government of Queen Liliukalani, and said Provisional Government being in full possession of the Government buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and in control of the capital of the Hawaiian Islands, I hereby recognize said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands.

John L. Stevens,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States.

Imperial German Consulate, Hawaiian Islands,
Honolulu, January 18, 1893.

Gentlemen: I have the honor to own receipt of your esteemed favor of yesterday’s date, and hereby take much pleasure to recognize and acknowledge, on behalf of the Government of Germany, the present Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and that I shall do all in my power to further and support the same.

I have the honor to remain, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

• H. F. Glade,
  Imperial German Consul.
• Messrs. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith,
  Executive Council of the Provisional Government in Hawaii.

Austro-Hungarian consulate, Hawaiian Islands,
Honolulu, January 18, 1893.

Gentlemen: I have the honor to own receipt of your esteemed favor of yesterday’s date, and hereby take much pleasure to recognize and acknowledge, on behave of the Austro-Hungarian Government, the present Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and that I shall do all in my power to further and support the same.

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

• H. F. Glade,
  Austro-Hungarian Consul.
• Messrs. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith,
  Executive Council of the Provisional Government in Hawaii.

Honolulu, January 18, 1893.

Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday’s date, together with a copy of the proclamation issued yesterday, whereby you inform me that for reasons set forth the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated and a Provisional Government established, the same being now in possession of the Government departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and whereby you request me to recognize the said Provisional Government on behalf of the Government of Italy as the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands and to afford to it the moral support of my Government.

In response I have the honor to say that I comply with the above request and recognize the said Provisional Government as far as my authority as consul for Italy may permit me to act for and on behalf of His Italian Majesty’s Government in the premises.

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, you very obedient servant,

• F. A. Schaefer,
  Consul for Italy.
• Hon. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P, C. Jones, and W. O. Smith.
  Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands.

Vice-Consulate of Russia,
Honolulu, January 18, 1893.

Sirs: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 17th instant, and in reply beg to inform you that I take the pleasure to recognize the Provisional Government of Hawaii, as denned in the proclamation inclosed in your letter on behalf of the Government of Russia, and I shall afford to it my moral support as representative of the country last named.

I have the honor to be, sirs, your most obedient servant,

• J. F. Hackfeld,
  Acting Vice-Consul.
• Messrs. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith,
  Executive Council of the Provisional Government of Hawaii, Honolulu.

Honolulu, January 18, 1893.

Gentlemen: I have the honor to own the receipt of your communication of yesterday’s date, together with a copy of the proclamation issued yesterday, informing me that for reasons set forth the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated and a provisional government established, and requesting me to recognize the said Provisional Government, on behalf of the Spanish Government, as the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and to afford to it the moral support of my Government.

In response I have the honor to say that I comply with the above request and recognize the said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands within the scope of my authority.

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

• H. Renjes,
  Vice-Consul for Spain.
• Hons. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and W. O. Smith,
  Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands.

Kongl. Swensta och Worsta Konfulatet,
Honolulu, January 18, 1893.

Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellencies’ communication of January 17, informing me that the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated and that a provisional government has been established in Hawaii for reasons set forth in a proclamation, of which you sent me a copy; also that such provisional government has been proclaimed, is now in possession of the Government departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and is in control of the city.

In reply to your request to recognize the Provisional Government and afford it the moral support of my Government, I beg to say that I do recognize it as the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and that I shall report to my Government immediately.

Your excellencies’ most obedient servant,

H. W. Schmidt,
Consul.

Consulate of The Netherlands,
Honolulu, January 18, 1893.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the communication of the executive council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, announcing the abrogation of the Hawaiian monarchy; of your possession of the Government departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, as well as being in control of the City.

Added to the above is your request for the official recognition of the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which I have the honor to represent, and to give you the moral support of my Government.

In reply I take pleasure in assuring the gentlemen of the executive council that I cordially extend to them full assent to their claim for recognition, and of my intention to add such moral support as may come within the scope of my consular authority.

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your very obedient servant,

• John H. Paty,
  Consul for The Netherlands.
• Messrs. S. B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and W. O. Smith,
  Executive Council, Hawaiian Provisional Government, etc.

Royal Danish Consulate,
Honolulu, January 18, 1893.

Sirs: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday’s date, inclosing a copy of proclamation issued last evening, informing me that for reasons set forth in said proclamation the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated and a provisional government established, which is now in possession of the Government departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and requesting me, on hehalf of the Government of Denmark, to recognize said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and to accord to it the moral support of my Government.

In reply I have the honor to state that I hereby comply with the above request, recognize the said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, to the extent that my authority will allow me to act, pending a reply from my Government.

I have the honor to be, sirs, yours, most obediently,

• E. C. Macfarlane,
  Acting Vice-Consul for Denmark.
• Messrs. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith,
  Executive Council of Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands.

Consulate of Belgium, January 18, 1893.

Sirs: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 17th instant, and in reply beg to inform you that I take pleasure to recognize the Provisional Government of Hawaii, as defined in the proclamation inclosed in your letter, in behalf of the Government of Belgium, and I shall afford to it my moral support as representative of the country last named.

I have the honor to be, sirs, your most obedient servant,

• J. F. Hackfeld,
  Consul.
• Messrs. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith,
  Executive Council of the Provisional Goverment of Hawaii, Honolulu.

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 18, 1893.

Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday’s date, together with a copy of the proclamation issued yesterday, informing me that for reasons set forth the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated and a provisional government established, and requesting me to recognize the said Provisional Government on behalf of the Mexican Government as the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and to afford to it the moral support of my Government.

In answer I have the honor to state that I comply with the above request and recognize the said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, within the scope of my authority.

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

• H. Renjes,
  Consul for Mexico.
• Hons. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and W. O. Smith,
  Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands.

Consulate of Chile,
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 18, 1893.

Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday’s date, together with a copy of the proclamation issued yesterday, whereby I am informed that for reasons set forth the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated and a Provisional Government established, the same being now in possession of the Government departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and whereby you request me to recognize the said Provisional Government as the existing de facto Government on behalf of the Government of Chile and afford to it the moral support of my Government.

In response I have the |honor to say that I comply with the above request and recognize the said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands so far as my authority as consul of Chile may permit me to act for and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Chile in the premises.

I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

• H. A. Schaefer,
  Consul for Chile.
• Hons. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and W. O. Smith,
  Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands.

Office of the Peruvian Consulate,
Honolulu, January 18, 1893.

Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your valued communication of the 17th instant, inclosing a copy of the proclamation then issued, wherein it is set forth that the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated and a Provisional Government established.

You request me to recognize said Government, on the behalf of the Government of Peru, as the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and to afford it the moral support of my Government.

I have the honor to state in reply that I take pleasure in complying with your request, and I hereby recognize the said Government as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands in so far as my authority in the premises will permit.

I have the honor to remain, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

• Bruce Cartwright,
  Consul for Peru.
• Hons. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith,
  Members of the Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands.

Chinese Commercial Agency,
Honolulu, January 19, 1893.

Gentlemen: We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of the 17th instant, covering a copy of the proclamation issued yesterday whereby you inform us that the Hawaiian monarchy has been abrogated and a Provisional Government established, the latter being now in possession of the Government departmental buildings, the archives, and the treasury, and whereby you request us to recognize the said Provisional Government on behalf of the Government of the Empire of China as the existing de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and to afford to it the moral support of our Government.

In answer we have the honor to say that we comply with your request and recognize the said Provisional Government as the de facto Government of the Hawaiian Islands so far as our authority as commercial agents of China may allow us to act for and on behalf of His Imperial Majesty’s Government in this matter.

We have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

• Goo Kim,
  Chinese Commercial Agent.
• Wong Kwai,
  Assistant Chinese Commercial Agent.
• Hons. Sanford B. Dole, J. A. King, P. C. Jones, and William O. Smith,
  Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands.

[Inclosure E.]

[Credential letters of the Hawaiian Commissioners. Printed post as paper No. 12.]

[Inclosure F.]

[Commissions of the Hawaiian commissioners. Printed post as paper No. 13.]

[Inclosure G.]

protest of queen liliuokalani.

I, Liliuokalani, by the grace of God and under the constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Queen, do hereby solemnly protest against any and all acts done against myself and the constitutional government of the Hawaiian Kingdom by certain persons claiming to have established a Provisional Government of and for this Kingdom.

That I yield to the superior force of the United States of America, whose minister plenipotentiary, his excellency John L. Stevens, has caused United States troops to be landed at Honolulu and declared that he would support the said Provisional Government.

Now, to avoid any collision of armed forces, and perhaps the loss of life, I do under this protest and impelled by said force yield my authority until such time as the Government of the United States shall, upon the facts being presented to it, undo the action of its representative and reinstate me in the authority which I claim as the constitutional sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands.

Done at Honolulu the 17th day of January A. D., 1893.

• Liliuokalani R.
• Samuel Parker,
  Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Wm. H. Cromwell,
  Minister of Finance.
• Jno. F. Colburn,
  Minister of the Interior.
• A. P. Peterson,
  Attorney-General.
• S. B. Dole, esq., and others,
  Composing the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands.

(Indorsed:) Received by the hands of the late cabinet this 17th day of January, A. D. 1893. Sanford B. Dole, chairman of executive council of Provisional Government.