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anaoa, made in the presence of witnesses and on official record, that I will do everything in my power to bring this government into difficulty. I have both talents enough and influence enough to do it.' Though the end recoiled upon himself, had the British ministry been less scrupulous his reward and fame would have been far different.

of what they considered to be the unauthorized act of her officer. They were correct. Mr. Marshall after delivering his dispatches at Washington, hastened to London, where he arrived in July. The news had preceded him, as also had Alexander Simpson, who immediately repaired to the Foreign office to justify his conduct, and to induce the British ministry to retain the prize he had gratuitously On the 13th of June, Lord Aberdeen placed in their hands. The British pub-informed Messrs. Haalilio and Richards lic and government were both astonished that Her Majesty's government had no at an event so little anticipated. The lat- desire to retain possession of the Sandter had gone too far to retreat. Public wich Islands.' This intention was comopinion in Europe and America, what- municated to France through their minever might have been their real desires, ister, and on the 25th of June, Mr. Fox, was too strong for them to openly face H. B. M.'s minister at Washington, adit in violation of the pledge already dressed the Secretary of State to the given. Alexander Simpson soon learned same effect, adding, it 'was an act entheir decision. He says: 'Instead of a tirely unauthorized by Her Majesty's prompt acceptance of the cession, which government,' and thathad public opinion been brought to bear on the subject, would undoubtedly have addressed by Her Majesty's Government to the 'Instructions which, during the past year, were taken place, the ministers used such red- British Consul residing in the Sandwich Islands, tapist language as— "It was quite un- and to the naval officers employed on the Pacific authorized, quite unexpected. Every-casions the native rulers of the Sandwich Islands station, enjoined those officers to treat upon all octhing connected with it is of a novel and with forbearance and courtesy; and while affording peculiar character-it requires a more due and efficient protection to aggrieved British subjects, to avoid interfering harshly or unnecesthan usual degree of deliberation on the sarily with the laws and customs of the native part of her Majesty's government to de- Government. termine the line of conduct proper to be pursued in the matter.' With some sharpness he adds: The "do nothing" spirit of the Peel cabinet could not be excited even by the gratuitous addition to British possessions of a valuable colony.'*

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All that has appeared requisite to Her Majesty's Government has been, that other powers shall not exercise there a greater influence than that possess

ed by Great Britain.

H. S. FOX.'

in regulating the intercourse of its public servants 'It has been the desire of the British Government, with the native authorities of the Sandwich Islands, rather to strengthen those authorities and to give them a sense of their independence by leaving the administration of justice in their own hands, than to make them feel their dependence upon foreign powers by the exercise of unnecessary interference. It has not been the purpose of Her Majesty's Government to seek to establish a paramount influence From this time Mr. Simpson, disavow-in those islands for Great Britain at the expense of that enjoyed by other powers. ed by his own government, disappears. The boldness of his design, and the energy with which he carried it through, with his rational views of the ultimate advantages to Great Britain of such an acquisition to her territory, present a striking contrast to the petty manœuvring and disgraceful intrigues of his inferiors in talents, whom he used at will as coadjutors or agents in his plan. Never for a moment does he appear to have faltered in his undertaking from any obligation of right, justice, or even humanity. Boldly and unflinchingly he persevered through all obstacles, and faithfully acted up to his threat of the 29th August, 1842, to Governor Keku* Simpson's History, p. 92.

This prompt decision at once quieted the public mind. Mr. Marshall having become associated with Messrs. Haalilio and Richards in their mission, the three entered into correspondence with the Foreign Office in London on the subject of complaints brought by Simpson against their government. In the course of this business, Mr. Addington, the under secretary, remarked, that the British government could not afford to risk their reputation by doing other than justice to a small nation which could not resist them; thus confessing that inno

cence united to weakness had become a | Sandwich Islands government has been match for even the greatest power itself. subjected by the cession of the islands to The Earl of Aberdeen having been in- Lord George Paulet, do not consider vited to pronounce judgment himself themselves in any way answerable for upon the charges brought forward by the evils arising from it, or liable to Simpson which led to the occupation of make good any expense which may have the islands by Lord George Paulet, after resulted from the temporary occupation an examination of the papers submitted, of the islands.' This opinion is founded with the aid of the principal law adviser on the allegation that the cession was a to the crown, came to a decision favor-perfectly spontaneous deed' on the part able to the Hawaiian government. The of the king. In a letter of March 13th, decision in the immediate case of Skinner and Simpson, is worthy of quotation as bearing upon the jurisdiction of the courts, a point since frequently con

tested.

1844, the Earl of Aberdeen, in reply to the claim again presented, on the assumption that Lord George Paulet took forcible possession, says: But it is obvious that there was no necessity on the

After maturely weighing the arguments on both part of the king to take so extreme a sides, Her Majesty's government are of the opinion step. He might have refused complithat whatever motives Messrs. Skinner and Simp-ance with the terms imposed upon him; son may have entertained of the impossibility of

having justice done them in the courts of the island in declaring his intention to appeal ands, they were bound, in the first instance, to sub- to Great Britain, he might have left mit their case to the judgment of those courts; and Lord George Paulet to take on his own that having neglected or refused so to do, it is not competent in them now to get rid of the effect of a decision adverse to their views.'

The minor cases of grievances the government abstained from entering upon, as requiring so formal a decision,' thus implying their frivolousness.

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Mr. Skinner's claim for $3,000 was pronounced unjust, and the government not liable for the sum demanded. Mr. Charlton was required to produce the original grant of the land which Lord George Paulet had put him in possession of, and show it to be genuine.' Mr. Addington further assured Mr. Richards, that provided the lease was genuine, General William Miller, who had been appointed on the 25th of August H. B. M.'s Consul General for the Sandwich, Society, Friendly and other islands in the Pacific,' would be instructed not to deliver to Mr. Charlton' any ground which had been occupied by others, unless it was occupied against his bona fide remonstrance.' If this had been acted upon it would have been tantamount to a judgment in favor of the Hawaiian government. In answer to a claim for indemnification for the damages accruing to the treasury and national property by the illegal acts of Lord George Paulet, the Earl of Aberdeen, on the 16th of November, replied, that Her Majesty's government, although regretting the inconvenience and expense to which the

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responsibility whatever measures he might think proper. Had the king adopted this course, and had Lord Geo. Paulet taken forcible possession of the country, then there might have been ground for the Sandwich Islands government to claim compensation; provided the grievances which led to the occupation should have been admitted by the British government to be unfounded, or even insufficient to justify so strong a measure.' The doctrine which makes the aggressor the sole judge over his own illegal act, would most likely save his purse. The case would indeed have been clearer, and the damages greater, had the occupation been forcible; but would the British government have assumed the monetary responsibility growing out of the losses arising to all classes in case of a resistance, whether active or passive, which the peaceful policy of the king, relying upon their justice, alone prevented? If the Earl mean to imply that Lord George would not have taken that responsibility,' it was more than the king had any reason to believe, as he was then situated, an unrecognised semi-savage chief. History shows that acts of aggression on barbarous powers without the pale of nations pass unreproved and unnoticed, and there is reason to believe that whatever Lord George had done would have been no exception

to the rule. On the contrary, there was great reason to fear that resistance would have led to the fulfilment of Simpson's ardent desire, the permanent acquisition of a valuable colony to the British crown. Under such circumstances, after a virtual condemnation of Lord Geo. Paulet, it cannot but be viewed in a moral and equitable sense, however diplomacy may shuffle about it, as a small matter for England to refuse to redress her own wrong when it comes to matters of dollars and cents.

On the 28th of November, the Hawaiian Commissioners obtained from the governments of France and England a joint declaration to the effect that

and to awaken the jealousy of other countries for no purpose that cannot be equally secured by the maintenance of the independence of the country. But before the temporary connexion is dissolved which has placed the sovereignty of the Sandwich Islands in our hands, it obviously becomes the duty of our government to secure by the most positive and formal pledges, both from France and from America, that independence which we now propose to restore to the native princes. We are perfeetly well satisfied that the ports of these islands should vessels of all nations, in time of war as well as in remain open, as harbors of refuge and supply, to the peace; and the establishment of this neutral and independent character is an object not unworthy the policy of a high-minded statesman.'

The commissioners returned to the United States in the spring of 1844. On the 6th of July, they received a communication from Calhoun, Secretary of State, confirming the 'full recognition on Her Majesty, the Queen of the United Kingdom the part of the United States, of the inof Great Britain and Ireland, and His Majesty the dependence of the Hawaiian governKing of the French, taking into consideration the ment." In November they took passage existence in the Sandwich Islands of a government capable of providing for the regularity of its relations from Boston for Honolulu, in the ship with foreign nations, have thought it right to engage Montreal, Capt. Snow. Haalilio, whose reciprocally to consider the Sandwich Islands as an health had been very precarious during Independent State, and never to take possession, neither directly nor under the title of Protectorate, nor under any other form, of any part of the territory of which they are composed.

The undersigned, Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and the Ambassador Extraordinary of His Majesty the King of the French, at the Court of London, being furnished with the necessary powers, hereby declare in consequence, that their said Majesties take reciprocally that engagement.

In witness whereof the undersigned have signed the present declaration, and have affixed thereto the Seal of their Arms.

'Done in duplicate, at London, the 28th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1843.' (Signed,) ABERDEEN.

S.]

the latter period of his embassy, died at sea, 3d of December, 1844. His remains were taken to Honolulu, where they were deposited in the royal tomb, with much ceremony and sincere mourning. His loss was severely felt; for from his intelligence, and the ardor with which he stored his mind with knowledge derived from the intellectual circles he tained of his enlightening influence, esvisited abroad, great hopes were enter

ST. AULAIRE. L. pecially in matters of internal polity,

S.

This solemn engagement on the part of these two powers was the final act by which the kingdom of Hawaii was admitted within the pale of civilized nations. The London Times of August 20th the same year, in a semi-official leader, had thus announced the views of the British government in relation to the independence of the group:

In their independent condition, the islands of the Pacific were useful to all nations, and dangerous to none; and all that was needed was to respect that independence, and to leave them alone. The British government, acting upon this principle, even after our neighbors had avowed their determination to hold the Marquesas and the Society groups, repudiated the sovereignty of the Sandwich Islands, and withheld its approval from the act of cession which had been concluded, subject to the final orders from the home government That decision was taken, not from any want either of right or of power to defend that right, but simply because it was held to be inexpedient to found a colonial establishment,

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over his brother chiefs.

CHAPTER XIV.

Policy of the Government since their Independence -Appointment of Mr. Judd-Arrival of General Miller-Commissioner Brown-Treaty with England-Attorney General appointed-R. C. Wyllie, Minister of Foreign Relations - Rival parties formed-Polynesian-Political Events from 1843 -1847-New Laws-Executive-Foreign officers -Royal School-Commercial Statistics-Revenue and Public Debt.

WHATEVER doubts may have existed, from the 28th of November, 1843, the Hawaiians were entitled to the full rights and immunities of an independent nation. The boon so ardently desired had been granted, and they were now fairly launched on the sea of international existence, to steer their little bark and

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HIST

mainten

to fear that resistance would On the contrary, there wa fulfilment of Simpson's But before permanent acquisition lands in our hands, it ob

y to the British crown. of our government to secure by stances, after a vir- and forinal pledges, both from Fratt Lord Geo. Paulet America, that independence which we now in a moral and well satisfied that the ports of these island's should

princes. We are perfectly

fulfilment of Simpson's But before the temporary connexion is count

to fear that resistance would no purpose that cannot be equally seuntries for

We are propa

vesselspen, as harbors of refuge and supply, to the

required to become natural- | advisers and advocating the idea that the ians. This policy was ex- chiefs themselves were adequate to perafter the system of the form all the functions of government, to all who wished to avail though it was generally admitted that privileges of citizen- some foreign assistance was necessary. sidered to strengthen Foreigners being invited to fill responnce, and to procure sible posts, and received into the nation enterprising class on the basis of citizenship, it was perwho by their fectly natural that an opposition should talents could arise. In effect, there became two parlfare of the ties, struggling for pre-eminence. The terpoise to officers of the king, taking stand on the Vanoid broad ground of his independence, claimWyllie, ed for him, regardless of the differences had in power and estate, all the rights and Mil-immunities of a sovereign. The opposiim tion viewed these efforts as unwise and impolitic, thinking that a sovereign so little removed from barbarism was better rovided for by a species of guardian-not greatly removed from dictator-emanating from the consuls of the Treat nations that had recognized ependence. The king's officers there was less danger and ent in claiming a nation's

HISTORY OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

On the contrary, there was and to awaken the jealousy of other

maintenance of the independence of the

permanent acquisition which has placed

the British crown.

I by the

to restore to the native princes.

America, that independence which we now
and forinal pledges, both from France and from
of our government to secure by the most positive
Islands in our hands, sovereignty of the Sandwich

it obviously becomes the duty

jeo. Paulet,
es, after a vir-
oral and
may remain

for

well

cy of a high-minded statesman.'

dependent character is an object not unworthy the
peace; and the establishment of this neutral and in-
nations, in time of war as well as in

satisfied that the ports of these islands should

ates in the spring of 1844. On
July, they received a com-
commissioners returned to the
e full recognition on
Calhoun, Secretary of

alian govern

States, of the in

the ship passage

ace and

administraoreign office has simple and efficient to the advantage of all do with it, and his influence the means of promoting many ut reforms in the general manageent and policy.

189

in full, than in submitting to the cation of agents of rival powers, who, however much they might desire the en-welfare of the Hawaiian people, were pledged by official oaths to advance the interests of their own, and whom it would be impossible to unite in full harmony upon any disinterested course relative to the nation. Such a system as they advocated, contrary to international rule, could not fail to embroil the chiefs with one power or the other, according as they might be charged with partiality, and the government thus proposed would soon terminate in no government at all, or in a foreign protectorate, as at Tahiti. From the stand which each party took arose a war of words, which unfortunately but unavoidably, from the complexity of interests and dispositions involved, and from the smallness of the political field, degenerated into much personal animosity, so that in little more than a year from the retro-cession of Admiral Thomas, the country was again distracted by conflicting opinions. M. Dudoit, As every government that allows free- the French consul, kept aloof from these dom of speech and press must have an controversies, and both he and his counactive opposition, one soon arose against trymen, from the time the policy of the new policy, denouncing the white Guizot was made known in regard to

The employment of whites in official stations gave a character to the government it had not previously possessed. In place of secret and embarrassing influences operating upon its councils, it openly announced its dependence upon white intellect to conduct its foreign relations. The main charge heretofore brought against the chiefs had been, in the words of the petitioners to the English government, that they were quite unfit to perform any of the functions of government.'

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