Colonialism is defined as “the act or process of sending people to live in and govern another country.” (Cambridge Dictionary) Merriam-Webster says it is an effort “to take control of (a people or area) especially as an extension of state power: to claim (someone or something) as a colony.”
A review of historical correspondence between the US representative in Hawai‘i, Luther Severance, and US Secretary of State, Daniel Webster, puts a new light on the present spin about ‘colonization’ of Hawai‘i by America. Webster makes clear what the US position is – and it is not colonization of the Islands.
Severance wrote, “There is considerable British interest here. Formerly the King and chiefs put great reliance on the protection of England , which was promised verbally to Liholiho, the immediate predecessor of the present King, when he visited England with several of his chiefs.”
“William IV was then on the British throne, I believe; but since then they have had a great deal of difficulty with Mr. Charlton, the British consul, and some with Gen. Miller, the present consul.”
“So they have also with my predecessors, Brown and Ten Eyck; yet the American interest, missionary, mercantile, and otherwise, is altogether paramount. …”
“Three-fourths, at least, of the business done here is by Americans, and they already own much of the real estate. The sugar-planters are nearly all Americans, and have a strong interest in annexation to the United States, as in that event they will supply our Pacific coast with sugar at an advantage of 30 per cent over all other sugars from the East Indies or elsewhere.”
“The subject of annexation is here often hinted at, and sometimes freely discussed in private; but it is known only to a very few that the King and his Government have the matter under consideration. If the action of the French should precipitate a movement here, I shall be called on, perhaps, to protect the American flag.”
“I was indeed requested to go and see the King on Monday night, and in the presence of the council to give him assurance of protection should he raise the American flag instead of his own; but I preferred to keep away, so as to avoid all appearance of intrigue to bring about a result which, however desirable, and as many believe ultimately inevitable, must still be attended with difficulties and embarrassments.” (Severance, US Commission, No 6, March 11, 1851)
“The King, his chiefs, and ministers, had a consultation at the palace on Monday night, and again on Tuesday night. It was the desire of the chiefs to appeal to Gen. Miller for British protection. This was promised them verbally by William IV, when they were in England. …”
“I find he is beginning to be a little jealous of us. They say he complains of the partiality of the Government to Americans. … Already I hear through a French channel that Perrin has no fear of England in this business.”
“They both see that the natural tendency of events will be to thoroughly Americanize the islands , a process which will go on more rapidly when we get a steam communication with San Francisco.” (Severance, March 12)
US Secretary of State, Damiel Webster, on July 14, 1851 replied to these and other correspondence from Severance, stating, unequivocally, “The Government of the United States was the first to acknowledge the national existence of the Hawaiian Government, and to treat with it as an independent state.”
“Its example was soon followed by several of the Governments of Europe; and the United States, true to its treaty obligations, has in no case interfered with the Hawaiian Government for the purpose of opposing the course of its own independent conduct, or of dictating to it any particular line of policy.”
“In acknowledging the independence of the islands, and of the Government established over them, it was not seeking to promote any peculiar object of its own. What it did, and all that it did, was done openly in the face of day, in entire good faith, and known to all nations.”
“It declared its real purpose to be to favor the establishment of a government at a very important point in the Pacific Ocean, which should be able to maintain such relations with the rest of the world, as are maintained between civilized states.”
“From this purpose it has never swerved for a single moment, nor is it inclined , without the pressure of some necessity, to depart from it now, when events have occurred giving to the islands and to their intercourse with the United States a new aspect and increased importance.”
“This Government still desires to see the nationality of the Hawaiian Government maintained, its independent administration of public affairs respected, and its prosperity and reputation increased.” (Daniel Webster, No 4, July 14, 1851)
Webster then writes to Severance, “You inform us that many American citizens have gone to settle in the islands; if so, they have ceased to be American citizens.” [That doesn’t sound like an organized colonization effort by America.]
“The Government of the United States must, of course, feel an interest in them not extended to foreigners, but by the law of nations they have no right further to demand the protection of this Government.”
“Whatever aid or protection might under any circumstances be given them must be given, not as a matter of right on their part, but in consistency with the general policy and duty of the Government and its relations with friendly powers.”
“You will therefore not encourage in them, nor indeed in any others, any idea or expectation that the islands will become annexed to the United States. All this, I repeat, will be judged of hereafter, as circumstances and events may require, by the Government at Washington.” (Webster, July 14, 1851)
