“In case our Independence be not fully recognized, be endangered by the acts of any other Government. or our Sovereignty in peril or rendered of no value, our Royal Domain being exposed to further hostile attacks without just and good reasons, or from any other cause you may find these Instructions necessary.”
“These are to command and empower you, on your behalf to treat and negotiate with any King, President or Government or Agent thereof for the purpose- of placing our Islands under foreign Protection and Rule.”
“And you are hereby further commanded and empowered to treat and negotiate for the sale of and to sell our Sovereignty of the Hawaiian Islands, if, for reasons above mentioned, or for other good causes you may deem it wise and prudent so to do, reserving in all cases unto US the Ratification of any Treaty or Convention you may sign on our behalf.”
“And you are hereby further empowered to bargain for and sell all our Private Lands, and those of our Chiefs, subject to our Ratification and the free concurrence of our Chiefs. Done at the Palace, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, this seventh day of September, AD 1849.” (Signed by Kamehameha III, Keoni Ana and RC Wyllie)
“His Majesty, Kamehameha III, had determined long before these events to dispose of his crown, which had become one of thorns, to the highest bidder.”
“When (King Kamehameha III) sent the last embassy to the United States, England and France, after the French spoliations, he furnished Dr Judd with powers, to which were affixed the royal signature and seal, with the instructions …”
“… to make the best bargain possible for the disposal of the sovereignty of the Islands, in case of failure in negotiating honorable treaties with the governments to which he was accredited.”
“What stronger proof could be given of his confidence in the fidelity of the Minister of Finance? I have seen these documents. and the knowledge that such unlimited power was delegated to my husband, frightened me with his responsibility. I was glad that he did not make use of them.”
“Under the administration of President Pierce the little Hawaiian Kingdom was looked upon with great favor. The road to Washington was very short, shorter probably than it ever will be again.”
“A project for annexation to the United States, alike honorable to both parties, was drawn up by Judge Lee, at the command of the king, and when approved was placed in the hands of the Minister of Foreign Affairs with orders to negotiate with the American Commissioner a treaty upon this basis.”
“The following were some of his Majesty’s reasons for desiring it: His subjects, native born, were decreasing at a fearful rate, in spite of liberal legislation, a superior civilization, and the ameliorating influences of the Gospel.”
“The blood royal might become extinct, as the dynasty of the Kamehamehas hung on a few precarious lives. The king had, as yet, no reliable protection against the repetition of such treatment as he had received from Lord George Paulet and Admiral de Tromelin.”
“His neighbor, Queen Pomare, was already a subject in her own dominions, which England had failed to protect against the French. That he escaped a similar fate, was owing to wiser counsellors, and the good offices of the United States.”
“All the commerce, and nearly every honorable and lucrative position, were already in the hands of foreigners, as well as large tracts of land. This foreign element would increase, and become more and more difficult to control, always requiring an administration of white men.”
“He wanted money; and his people wanted money. Lands would go to piecemeal in mortgage, for sums borrowed at rates of interest fearfully ruinous. By accepting liberal terms, these wants would be met, and the young princes be amply provided with means with which to gratify their tastes for luxury and foreign travel without losing their prestige of birth, rank, and wealth.”
“The Hawaiians were not to be slaves to their new masters, as some ill-disposed people tried to persuade them, but special stipulations would leave them under the laws entitled to the rights of American citizens.”
“So impatient of delay did His Majesty become, that he urged Dr. Judd to charter a schooner privately and go with him to the coast, thence to Washington, where he would close the bargain in person. Dr. Judd assured him that much as he favored the measure of annexation, he could aid it only as it was openly, honorably, and unanimously approved.”
“It was not strange that the young prince, the heir presumptive to the throne, should withhold his consent to the treaty. He had not yet tasted the sweets of supreme power, nor felt the thorns in the royal crown.”
“Time rolled on, and if his Majesty relinquished, under pressure, his Minister of Finance, he did not the scheme of making his kingdom a part and parcel of the United States.”
“The prospect of it suited the foreigners, gave fresh energy to every branch of business, and increased the value of real estate. Heavy capitalists from the adjoining coast were ready to invest their money in public improvements and plantations.”
“American ships-of-war were at hand, anticipating the honor of bearing the important documents, signed and sealed, to Washington.”
“The signatures were yet wanting; His Majesty more determined and impatient than ever, when he was taken suddenly ill, and died in three weeks, December 15, 1854.”
“At the request of his successor, Kamehameha IV, the negotiations that had been carried on with the US Commissioner, Mr. Gregg, were broken off and Chief Justice WL Lee was sent as ambassador to Washington, where he concluded a treaty of reciprocity July 20, 1855.” (Laura Fish Judd, Suppressed Chapter)
Follow Peter T Young on Facebook
Follow Peter T Young on Google+
Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn
Follow Peter T Young on Blogger
