No. 329.
Mr. Daggett to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

[Extract.]
No. 50.]

Sir: The departure of the mail steamer on the day of the coronation? enabled me to furnish you at that time with but few of the details of the ceremonies. I beg now to present a more complete report.

On the 8th instant I was officially informed by the minister of foreign affairs that on the day of the coronation the Hawaiian flag would be displayed on all Government buildings, and royal salutes would be fired from the battery at sunrise and sunset, and also at the conclusion of the coronation ceremonies; and I was invited to participate in the observance of the day, and to request the commanders of the-United States national vessels in the harbor to join in observing the day with appropriate honors. I inclose a copy of the note of the minister of foreign affairs. In a personal interview with Captain Wilson senior officer, it was arranged that the Lackawanna and Wachusett should be appropriately dressed during the day of the coronation, and that the former would fire salutes of twenty-one guns at sunrise, at sunset, and at the conclusion of the coronation ceremonies.

The two vessels were accordingly tastefully dressed on the morning-of the 12th, and the salutes were duly given by the Lackawanna, adding much to the effect of the day’s proceedings. The national flag was displayed at the United States legation and consulate, and the United States minister resident, the United States consul, and most of the officers of the Lackawanna and Wachusett, in full dress, attended the ceremonies at the palace, occupying seats assigned to foreign guests of rank.

I inclose herewith a printed report of the coronation ceremonies. It is from the Pacific Commercial Advertiser, a journal favorable to the ministry and the event described, but it is more accurate than other reports, and is substantially correct.

As events connected with the coronation, it may be pertinent to mention that on the 10th instant the institution of the order of the Crown of Hawaii” was officially promulgated.

On the 10th instant a number of princes and princesses were created by royal patent, and a general order of precedence among them was established.* * *

On the day of the coronation twenty-three convicts were pardoned by His Majesty and liberated from the prisons of Honolulu.

On the 14th instant a bronze statue of Kamehameha I was unveiled [Page 549] in the grounds of the state house, opposite the palace. Great enthusiasm was manifested by the people * * *

A state dinner was given at the palace on the evening of the 14th instant, attended by the diplomatic representatives, and a state ball at the palace on the 20th instant will probably conclude the coronation festivities.

Very respectfully, &c.,

ROLLIN M. DAGGETT.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 50.]

Mr. Gibson to Mr. Daggett.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that Monday next, February 12, the ninth anniversary of the accession of His Majesty the King, and coronation day, will he observed as a national holiday. The Hawaiian flag will he displayed on all Government buildings and royal salutes fired from the battery at sunrise and sunset. A royal salute will also be fired, about noon, as will be announced by signals from the palace, at the time of crowning of their Majesties.

I respectfully invite you to participate in the observance of the day, and beg that you will request all commanders of American vessels now, or that may be in port to join in observing the day with appropriate honors.

Yours, &c.,

WALTER M. GIBSON.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 50.—Extract from the Daily Pacific Commercial Advertiser, Tuesday, February 13, 1883.]

Yesterday the imposing ceremony of the coronation of their Majesties the King and Queen of the Hawaiian Islands took place at Iolani palace.

* * * * * *

At the hour of 10.15 a.m. the King street gate of the palace grounds was thrown opeu to admit all those persons who had received invitations.

All those who had been invited to occupy seats on the lower veranda of the front entrance of Iolani palace were seated under the direction of His Majesty’s chamberlain.

Members of the Legislature, officers of the Government, the clergy of the several churches, schools, institutions, and the public generally, invited to witness the ceremonies, had seats assigned to them in the amphitheater by ushers acting under the authority of the executive committee.

At 11.15 a.m. Their Majesties entered the hall; at 11.30 a.m. the procession, headed by the marshal of the Kingdom and the honorable marshal of the household, moved to the pavilion. At the appearance of His Majesty’s chamberlain at the front entrance of the palace, the heralds proclaimed the approach of Their Majesties.

The following was the order of procession to the pavilion, arranged by His Majesty’s chamberlain: Marshal of the household, marshal of the Kingdom, chaplain of the household, the honorable president of the Legislative Assembly, the chancellor, princesses of the blood and consorts, bearer of the King’s jewels and decorations, bearer of the scepter, bearer of the sword of state, bearer of the crown, bearer of the robes, bearer of the palaoa, bearer of the puloulou, bearer of the torch, bearer of the kahili of pili, the King’s chamberlain, Their Majesties the King and Queen, bearer of Her Majesty’s train, ladies in waiting to the household, aides-de-camp.

The choir then sang the following anthem:

Almighty Father, hear! the Isles do wait on Thee,
That Thy hand shall lead our chosen chief and King.
Bless, O God! the purpose of his life and ru e.
Let the Isles increase with souls and joy.
Send healing unto all the people of the King.
Let wealth and thrift come flowing from afar.
Let the nations rejoice in the freedom of the Isles,
And peace and good will forever bless the land.
And the glory for all ages, evermore. Amen.

[Page 550]

Then the marshal of the household, standing near the rail of the pavilion and facing the assembled people, declared in a loud voice the King’s accession and rights to the Hawaiian throne in the following words:

“Princes, nobles, representatives, and people of Hawaii assembled: I here proclaim unto you that David Laamea, Kamauakapuu, Mahinulani, Naloiaehuokalani, Lumi-alani, Kalakaua, the King, Generalissimo, Ke Alii Kapu, Hoano, Ka wela, Ka moe, Ka I Kuhaipuhilaninuu, Wohi Kuakahili, Haku o Ka Poui ana i Moi, Haku o ka Ohiako a me ka Palaoa Pae, Kukuiaikeawakea, Kama Alii Hanau o Ka Aina, grand master of the royal order of Kamehameha I, grand master of the royal order of Kalakaua grand master of the royal order of Kapiolani, grand master of the royal order of the Crown of Hawaii, knight of the order of Francis Joseph of Austria, knight of the order of St. Lazarus and St. Maurice of Italy, knight of the order of the Red Eagle of Prussia, knight of the order of Dannebrog of Denmark, knight of the imperial order of the Chrysanthemum of Japan, knight of the Crown of Siam, knight of the order of St. Michael and St. George of England, knight of the order of Leopold of Belgium, knight of the order of Vasa of Sweden and Norway, knight of the order of the Conception of Portugal, knight of the order of Charles XII of Spain, knight of the order of the Lion of the Netherlands, knight of the order of Liberator of Venezuela and Bolivia, president of the privy council of state, the son Alii Kapaakea, and the Alii Keohokalole, is the rightful occupant of the Hawaiian throne and sovereign chief of the Hawaiian Islands, and their dependencies, as heretofore claimed by his predecessors, chosen by the nobles and representatives of the Kingdom; and that you render unto His Majesty all fealty and loyal obedience under the laws of the realm.”

Princess Pooniaikelani then advanced and presented to His Majesty a puloulou and a palaoa, borne upon a cushion, Ke Kukuioiwikauikaua, and the Kahili, of the King Pili, as symbols of ancient supreme chieftaincy, which, being accepted by His Majesty were placed beside the throne and remained there throughout the remainder of the ceremony.

The chancellor then advanced, and standing before the King, said, “Sire, is Your Majesty willing to reaffirm your previous oath?”

The King answered, “I am willing.”

The King then left his throne, and advancing toward the chancellor, raised his right hand and said after the chancellor:

“I, David Kalakaua, King of the Hawaiian Islands, having, on the twelfth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in conformity with the provisions of the constitution of the Kingdom, been duly elected by the Legislative Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands in the Legislature of the Kingdom assembled, to the throne of this Kingdom, and having on the following day taken the oath prescribed by Article XXIV of the constitution, do hereby of my own grace and motion solemnly reaffirm the same; and I do hereby solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God to maintain the constitution of the Kingdom whole and inviolate, und to govern in conformity therewith.”

The King then signed the oath, and, after the signing, returned to his throne.

The chancellor then advanced and placed the sword in the King’s hands, savings “Receive this kingly sword as the ensign of justice and mercy.”

The King received the sword and placed it again in the hands of the chancellor, who passed it to the noble in charge of it, and he was ordered by the chancellor to unsheathe it, and he then unsheathing the sword, carried it naked during the rest of the solemnity.

Princess Kekaulike then advanced with the robe, and placed it in the hands of the chancellor, who then placed it on the King’s shoulders, saying, “Receive this ancient mantle of your predecessors as the ensign of knowledge and wisdom.”

The chancellor then put the ring on the fourth finger of His Majesty’s right handy saying, “Receive this ring, the ensign of kingly dignity.”

The chancellor then delievered the scepterto the King, saying, “Receive the royal scepter, the ensign of kingly power and justice.”

Prince Kawananakoa then advanced with the crowns, the choir singing the following hymn:

Almighty Father, we do bring
Gold and gems for the King;
Pure gold for the true chief,
The symbol of true love.
Gems of the hidden mine,
Gleaming forth a glory;
The glory of the unfolding Isles
That grow in wealth and peace—
That come to crown their King,
The heir of the farthest ages,
Chosen by the Almighty Father!
To whom the honor and the glory. Amen.

[Page 551]

The honorable president of the Legislative Assembly then took the King’s crown, and raised it up before the people, and placed it in the hands of the chancellor, saying, I present this crown to the rightful King of these islands, approved by acts of the Legislative Assembly, in the Legislature of the Kingdom assembled, of the years 1880 and 1882.”

The chancellor then placed it in the King’s hands, saying, “Receive this crown of pure gold to adorn the high station wherein thou hast been placed.

The King then raised up the crown and placed it upon his head.

The chancellor then took the second crown and placed it in the King’s hands, who rose and placed it upon the Queen’s head, who reverently bowed her head on receiving it, the King saying, “I place this crown upon your head, to share the honors of my throne.”

A prayer then followed, their Majesties kneeling:

“Almighty Father, who crownest Thy faithful servants with mercy and loving kindness, look down upon these, thy servants, Kalakaua and Kapiolani, who now in lowly devotion bow their heads to Thy Divine Majesty, and as Thou dost this day set crowns of pure gold upon their heads, so enrich their royal hearts with Thy Heavenly Grace, and crown them with all princely virtues which may adorn the high stations wherein Thou hast placed them, and Thine the honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Their Majesties then rose and resumed their places upon the throne. At the conclusion of the prayer, signals from the palace towers announced the event, and a royal salvo of guns was fired from the battery and men-of-war in port.

The choir then sang the following anthem:

Cry out, O Isles, with joy!
With loud-sounding praises,
Unto Thee, Almighty Father
Who gave union to the Isles;
Who gave them place on high
Among the mighty of the earth;
Who hath led our chief and King
Along the paths of the world,
And led him to a throne
Set up by Thee, O God!
In the hearts of his people.
Cry out, O Isles, with joy.
With loud sounding praise,
Unto Thee, Almighty Father!
For all ages, evermore. Amen.

The coronation ceremony being completed, the King and Queen, attended as before, retired to the grand hall, when the disrobing took place.

Form of procession leaving the pavilion: Marshal of the household, marshal of the Kingdom, chaplain of the household, the honorable president of the Legislative Assembly, the chancellor of the Kingdom, the governess of Hawaii, princesses of the. blood and consorts, bearer of the palaoa, bearer of the puloulou, bearer of the torch of Iwikauikaua, bearer of the Kahili of Pili, bearer of the jewels and decorations, bearer of the scepter, bearer of the crowns, the King’s chamberlain, bearer of the sword of state, Their Majesties the King and Queen, bearers of Her Majesty’s train, Kahili bearers, ladies in waiting.

The King then received the homage of the chancellor, the ministers, the nobles, the associate justices, privy councilors and circuit judges.

After which His Majesty received the diplomatic corps, the naval officers and consular corps; also, the police justices, the members of the Legislative Assembly and members of the bar.

On the conclusion of the ceremonies, the band played Meyerbeer’s celebrated “Coronation March,” and as the people dispersed there was a general feeling of approbation expressed with the successful manner in which the whole proceedings had been conducted. Flags were displayed in every direction, and the harbor presented an unusually gay appearance, with four full-dressed men-of-war and twenty-two merchantmen. The inter-island steamers and schooners also put forth all the bunting they possessed.

Long live the King!