Office of the Historian

No. 165.
Mr. Pierce to Mr. Evarts.

Legation of the United States,
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, April 13, 1877. (Received May 15.)
No. 389.]

Sir: His Royal Highness Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku, brother of King Kalakaua, and heir-apparent to the throne of Hawaii, died in this city on the 10th instant, at the age of twenty-two years and three months. An obituary notice and a photograph likeness of the deceased prince is herewith inclosed, marked No. 1. The Hawaiian people mourn over the event with the most profound sorrow. Of correct morals, well educated and accomplished, the late prince promised to become, had he lived to ascend the throne, a wise and popular sovereign.

Inclosed herewith, marked No. 2, is a copy of a circular note dated April 12, received from the minister of foreign affairs, informing the legation that His Majesty the King had appointed his sister, Princess Lydia Kamakaeha Liliaokalaui, successor to the throne upon His Majesty’s decease without issue.

Princess Lydia is the wife of John O. Dominis, governor of (this) island of Oahu, and a native of Oswego, State of New York, and who accompanied the King on his late tour to the United States.

* * * * * * *

With great respect, &c, &c.,

HENRY A. PEIRCE.
[Inclosure No. 2 in No. 389.]

Mr. Carter to Mr. Peirce.

Department of Foreign Affairs,
Honolulu, April 12, 1877.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that it has pleased His Majesty the King to appoint, with consent of the nobles, agreeably with article 22 of the constitution of the kingdom, his sister, Her Royal Highness Princess Lydia Kamakaeha Liliaokalaui, to be his successor on the throne upon His Majesty’s decease without issue, and to order that Her Royal Highness shall be publicly proclaimed this day.

With the highest respect and consideration, &c, I have, &c.,

HENRY A. P. CARTER.

His Excellency H. A. Peirce,
United States Minister Resident.