Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine.
Honolulu, February 5, 1891.
Sir: Eight days prior to its reception at this legation the Department of State had received the sad intelligence of the death of His Majesty, King Kalakaua, in San Francisco, and of the attending circumstances. The Charleston, Admiral George Brown in command, arrived here on the morning of the 29th with his remains, causing a deep impression among the native and foreign population. In the afternoon of the same day, commencing at precisely 5 o’clock, the body was taken from the Charleston and transferred to the royal palace, the hearse being followed by the Hawaiian ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, American and English naval officers, escorted by a body of marines and sailors from the Charleston, the Mohican, and the English naval vessel, the Nymph, and an immense concourse of citizens. This display of honor was admirably conducted, largely under the direction of Admiral Brown, the chief portion of the military escort being American.
By a note from the minister of foreign affairs, the evening of the 29th, I was officially informed that the remains of the King would lie in state from 11 a.m. to 11:15 of the 30th, for the observation of the diplomatic corps, and in company with Mrs. Stevens I improved the opportunity in an appropriate manner.
[Page 341]In the afternoon of January 29th, prior to the removal of the royal remains from the Charleston, the new sovereign was proclaimed, of which fact I was duly informed by the following communication:
Foreign
Office,
Honolulu, January 29,
1891.
Sir: I have the honor to inform your excellency that on this day Her Royal Highness, Princess Liliuokalani, Regent, was publically proclaimed as successor to His late Majesty, Kalakaua, deceased, as Queen of the Hawaiian Islands, in accordance with the twenty-second article of the constitution, under the style and title of Liliuokalani.
I have the honor to be, with the highest respect and esteem,
Your excellency’s most obedient humble servant,
John A.
Cummins,
Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
John L. Stevens,
United States Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary, Honolulu.
The remains of the deceased King will remain in state at the royal palace until the 15th instant, when the final funereal obsequies will take place. The present ministers perhaps will continue in office until the meeting of the legislature in 1892, the Queen not having the power to change them without the previous action of that body. This sudden and unexpected change of sovereigns has been made without commotion and with no extraordinary excitement.
I am, sir, etc.,