No. 12.
Affidavit of John
Ross.
His Excellency James H.
Blount,
U. S. Minister, etc.,
etc.
Sir: I am again enabled to present to you, on behalf of truth and justice, an affidavit from a Captain John Ross, for four years, and latterly an executive officer, in the four years’ war of American Revolution. Believing it to be useful he has placed the affidavit at my disposal, which I have given him to understand shall be sent to you immediately. He is in communication with me, and can be seen any time you should so desire further acquaintance of the gentleman. I have the honor to be
Your obedient, humble servant,
Jno. E. Bush.
From an experience of twenty years’ residence in the Hawaiian Islands I hereby state, without bias or prejudice, that there was no demonstration or disturbance or threats made that there would be disturbance on the sixteenth day of January, 1893, that would call for the landing of troops either to protect life or property; in fact the landing of men from the U. S. S. “Boston” was so unlooked for that when the report came to the Hawaiian Hotel, where I was at the time of their landing, about 5:30 p.m., that it was received as a canard until the battalion was seen marching past on King street and came to a halt on the sidewalk east of the main entrance to the Royal Palace and facing the south. About 7 p.m. the battalion formed and marched eastward about three-quarters of a mile to the suburbs and broke ranks on the premises of J. B. Atherton, where it appeared they were to bivouack for the night. Next morning they occupied Harmony Hall, a small wooden building about eighty feet west of the Government building. The Hawaiian Government band played as usual its Monday evening concert to the populace and the usual assembly of men, women, and children were there as well as on the streets.
[Page 642]The circumstance of the landing of the marines was generally accepted as part of the schemes of the Revolutionists or Missionary party as understood to be arranged between them and Mr. Stevens and Captain Wiltse of the U. S. S. “Boston,” as shortly before the battalion landed Messrs. Thurston, W. R. Castle and Henry Waterhouse were seen going to the U. S. legation, and returning from there, and to the office of L. A. Thurston and W. O. Smith’s office, the headquarters of the Revolutionists. But at no time before, on, or after the 16th of January was life or property in danger more than ordinary. Such is my belief and statement.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 19th day of June, 1893.
Notary Public, Island of Oahu.