Mr. Willis to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Honolulu, January 30,
1895. (Received Feb. 12.)
No. 84.]Sir: I confirm my telegram of this day’s
date.1
The principal half-white Hawaiian rebels, Nowlein, Bert elm aim, Warren,
and others, upon the promise of the Government to spare their lives,
have undertaken to disclose everything connected with the recent revolt.
Their evidence before the military commission now in session is that the
original plans were submitted by Nowlein to Maj. Charles T. Gulick, Maj.
W. T. Seward, and W. H. Ricard. Major Gulick was twice a cabinet
minister under the Monarchy. Major Seward has been for many years the
business agent of John A. Cummins, one of the three representatives of
the ex-Queen, recently at Washington. Messrs. Gulick and Seward claim
never to have renounced their allegiance to the United States
Government. Mr. Ricard was an officeholder under the Monarchy and is an
Englishman. His family, consisting of wife and 16 children, reside in
the Island of Hawaii, where he once had large sugar interests.
The plan said to have been submitted to these persons by Nowlein was to
march toward the palace in separate squads, occupying the adjoining
streets and preventing the assembling of the citizens’ guard. It seemed
to be the opinion of Mr. Nowlein that the troops in charge of the
executive building would thereupon surrender. For the above purpose, two
boxes containing 80 revolvers, together with 288 Winchester carbines,
.44 caliber, with a range of 800 yards, had been landed. The guns were
concealed in the sand and bushes about 5 miles from this city, near
Waikiki. The Government had no information of the landing of these arms
until January 6. The inarch upon the city, as finally determined upon,
was to begin at 1 o’clock on the morning of Monday the 7th. The police
raid upon Bertelmann’s house at Waikiki, when Mr. Carter was killed,
disconcerted the plans of the revolutionists. After the skirmish there a
retreat was made to the adjoining mountains. The prompt and vigorous
measures taken by the Government, coupled with the failure of any
sympathetic demonstration in the city, caused an immediate abandonment
of the whole scheme. After Monday the main effort of the rebels seems to
have been to find some one to whom they could safely surrender. The
desultory firing on Monday and Tuesday was without fatal results to
either side.
The feature of the rebellion which has caused most bitterness was the
discovery of some iron and cement bombs. The evidence showed that 20 of
these, of iron, about 2½ inches in diameter, were manufactured, of which
about 16 were available. Twenty-one made of cement are claimed
[Page 819]
to have been found at the
residence of the ex-Queen. The only evidence which has been presented as
to these latter is that of Walker, who filled them, and who stated that
they had been there for the past year or more, and were intended for the
protection of the ex-Queen’s residence during that period, she fearing
mob violence. The iron bombs were, he stated, to be used for military
purposes, in effecting a landing of the arms, if an attempt had been
made to prevent it, or in dislodging the troops from the station house
and executive building. In 1889, during the native revolt, headed by
Wilcox, when they succeeded in reaching the palace grounds, and when the
efforts of the sharpshooters, consisting of the leading white citizens,
had failed, Wilcox and his band were dislodged by dynamite bombs thrown
from a distance into the palace yard. The report that the bombs in the
present rebellion were to be thrown into private dwellings and churches
for the indiscriminate slaughter of noncombatants, including women and
children, naturally excited the greatest horror and indignation, and is
largely responsible for the excited condition of affairs here. The
absence of any direct evidence on the subject, the infamous savagery of
such an attack, so inconsistent with the humane and civilized conditions
resulting from half a century of enlightened religious teaching, have
caused the more conservative and thoughtful citizens to discredit the
extreme views of this subject, and to believe that the use of these
bombs was for legitimate warfare, and probably prompted by the
recollection of the effective service rendered by them in 1889. These
are also the views of the foreign representatives.
A military commission, consisting of seven members, was convened on the
17th instant. The president is the Hon. W. A. Whiting, who was
attorney-general under the Monarchy, and is now one of the circuit
judges. The others are officers of the national guard. Up to this date
38 persons have been tried, of whom five claim to be citizens of the
United States, one is an Englishman, and the others are half whites and
Hawaiians.
On the afternoon of the 26th instant, upon invitation, I attended a
cabinet meeting, consisting of President Dole, Mr. Smith,
attorney-general and minister of foreign affairs ad interim; Mr. Damon,
minister of finance, and Mr. King, minister of the interior. The British
commissioner was also present by invitation. The President read the
findings and sentences of the military commission in the cases of
Messrs. Gulick, Seward, Ricard, and Walker. They were found guilty upon
all the charges, and the sentence of death was pronounced upon the first
three. Mr. Walker was sentenced to imprisonment for life and to pay a
fine of $5,000. Mr. Walker married a daughter of Hon. John A. Cummins.
The President stated these findings and sentences were now before him
for final action, and asked the British commissioner and myself whether
we desired to be heard upon the questions involved. As these questions
are yet pending, and will I hope be soon submitted to the consideration
of our Government, I will hot now repeat what further occurred. I
requested that copies of the record be furnished to our Government, that
it might determine its duty in the premises. The President suggested
that I submit the request in writing, which I did on the 28th, a copy of
which I inclose. To this no reply has yet been received.
The excitement has been very great both among the friends and opponents
of the Government. The threats of mob violence became so open and the
resolutions of many of the squads of soldiers were so urgent that I felt
it to be my duty to call the attention of the Government
[Page 820]
to them. Its reply was that it was
cognizant of the situation and had taken due steps to prevent any
outbreak. The arrival of the Philadelphia will,
of course, have a good effect, as this Government, if it so desired,
would have the aid of our Government under proper conditions. I have
been in daily attendance upon the military commission and will continue
to attend until all who are or who claim to be citizens of the United
States have been tried.
On the 16th instant the ex-Queen was arrested and is a prisoner in the
executive building, formerly the palace. On the 24th instant she sent to
this Government a letter, which I inclose, surrendering whatever claims,
political or otherwise, she possessed. The reply of the Government, a
copy of which I inclose, was sent to her yesterday.
With renewed assurances, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 84.]
Mr. Willis to Mr.
Batch.
Legation of the United States,
Honolulu, January 28, 1895.
Sir: I have the honor to request of your
Government copies of the record in the cases of United States
citizens tried, and to be tried, before the military commission now
in session. I do this in order that before final sentence is
pronounced, my Government may have an opportunity to consider the
questions of law and facts involved and determine its duty in the
premises.
On submitting this request, permit me to congratulate you upon the
speedy reestablishment of internal peace to the country, and to
express the friendly hope and belief that by its magnanimity in
triumph, and by its wise and conservative action upon the solemn
problems yet pending, your Government will still further establish
its claim to a high place among the humane, stable, and civilized
nations of the world.
Availing, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 84.]
Liliuokalani
Dominis to President Bole.
Island of Oahu,
Honolulu, January 24,
1895.
Sir: After full and free consultation with
my personal friends and with my legal advisers, both before and
since my detention by military order in the executive building, and
acting in conformity with their advice and also upon my own free
volition, and in pursuance of my unalterable belief and
understanding of my duty to the people of Hawaii and to their
highest and best interests, and also for the sake of those misguided
Hawaiians and others who have recently engaged in rebellion against
the Republic and in an attempt to restore me to the position of
Queen, which I held prior to the 17th day of January, A. I). 1893,
and without any claim that I shall become entitled, by reason of
anything that I may now say or do, to any other or different
treatment or consideration at the hands of the Government than I
otherwise could and might legally receive, I now desire to express
and make known to yourself, as the only lawful and recognized head
of the Government, and to all the people of the Hawaiian Islands,
whether or not
[Page 821]
they have
yet become citizens of the Republic or are or have been adherents of
the late Monarchy, and also to all diplomatic and other foreign
representatives in the Hawaiian Islands, to all of whom I
respectfully request you to cause this statement and action of mine
to be made known as soon as may be, as follows, namely:
- First. In order to avoid any possibility of doubt or
misunderstanding on the subject, although I do not think
that any doubt or misunderstanding is either proper or
possible, I hereby do fully and unequivocally admit and
declare that the Government of the Republic of Hawaii is the
only lawful Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and that the
late Hawaiian Monarchy is finally and forever ended, and no
longer of any legal or actual validity, force, or effect
whatsoever; and I do hereby forever absolve all persons
whomsoever, whether in the Hawaiian Islands or elsewhere,
from all and every manner of allegiance, or official
obligation or duty, to me and my heirs and successors
forever, and I hereby declare to all such persons in the
Hawaiian Islands that I consider them as bound in duty and
honor henceforth to support and sustain the Government of
the Republic of Hawaii.
- Second. For myself, my heirs and successors, I do hereby
and without any mental reservation or modification, and
fully, finally, unequivocally, irrevocably, and forever
abdicate, renounce, and release unto the Government of the
Republic of Hawaii and its legitimate successors forever all
claims or pretensions whatsoever to the late throne of
Hawaii, or to the late Monarchy of Hawaii, or to any past,
or to the existing, or to any future Government of Hawaii,
or under or by reason of any present or formerly existing
constitution, statute, law, position, right, or claim of any
and every kind, name, or nature whatsoever, and whether the
same consist of pecuniary or property considerations, or of
personal status, hereby forever renouncing, disowning, and
disclaiming all rights, claims, demands, privileges, honors,
emoluments, titles, and prerogatives whatsoever, under or by
virtue of any former or the existing Government,
constitution, statute, law, or custom of the Hawaiian
Islands whatsoever, save and excepting only such rights and
privileges as belong to me in common with all private
citizens of or residents in the Republic of Hawaii.
- Third. I do hereby respectfully implore for such misguided
Hawaiians and others as have been concerned in the late
rebellion against the Republic of Hawaii such degree of
executive clemency as the Government may deem to be
consistent with its duty to the community, and such as a due
regard for its violated laws may permit.
- Fourth. It is my sincere desire henceforth to live in
absolute privacy and retirement from all publicity, or even
appearance of being concerned in the public affairs of the
Hawaiian Islands, further than to express, as I now do and
shall always continue to do, my most sincere hope for the
welfare and prosperity of its people, under and subject to
the Government of the Republic of Hawaii.
- Fifth. I hereby offer and present my duly certified oath
of allegiance to the Republic of Hawaii.
- Sixth. I have caused the foregoing statement to be
prepared and drawn, and have signed the same without having
received the slightest suggestion from the President of
Hawaii, or from any member of the Government of Hawaii,
concerning the same or any part thereof, or concerning any
action or course of my own in the premises.
Relying upon the magnanimity of the Government of the Republic and
upon its protection,
I have the honor to be, Mr. President, your most obedient
servant,
Liliuokalani Dominis.
[Page 822]
On the 24th day of January, A. D. 1895, the foregoing was in our
presence read over and considered carefully and deliberately by
Liliuokalani Dominis, and she, the said Liliuokalani Dominis,
thereupon in our presence declared the same to be her free act and
deed, in witness whereof we have at the request of the said
Liliuokalani Dominis, and in her presence, hereunto subscribed our
names as attesting witnesses, at the executive building, in
Honolulu, on the Island of Oahu, this 24th day of January, A. D.
1895.
- Wm. G. Irwin.
- H. A. Widemann.
- Samuel Parker.
- J. Kalua Kahookano.
- C. B. Wilson.
-
Paul Neumann.
Honolulu, Island of Oahu, ss:
On this 24th day of January, A. D. 1895, personally appeared
before me Liliuokalani Dominis, known to me to be the person
described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, who
acknowledged to me that she executed the same freely and
voluntarily, and for the uses and purposes therein set
forth.
| [seal.] |
W. L.
Stanley,
Notary
Public. |
Honolulu, Island of Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, ss:
I, Liliuokalani Dominis, do solemnly swear, in the presence of
Almighty God, that I will support the constitution, laws, and
Government of the Republic of Hawaii, and will not, either
directly or indirectly, encourage or assist in the restoration
or establishment of a monarchical form of government in the
Hawaiian Islands.
W. L. Stanley,
Notary Public.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 84]
Mr. Smith to
Liliuokalani Dominis.
Executive Building,
Honolulu, January 29,
1895.
Madam: A document executed by you,
purporting to contain an abdication and renunciation of all
sovereign rights heretofore claimed by you, has been delivered on
your behalf to the President.
As you were under arrest at the time this instrument was signed, it
is desired, before accepting and placing the same on file, to make
clear to you, in order that no misunderstanding may hereafter arise,
the views of the Government in this matter:
- 1.
- The execution of this document can not be taken to exempt
you in the slightest degree from personal and individual
liability for such complicity as due investigation and trial
may show that you had in the late conspiracy against the
Government and the consequent loss of life; which position
is recognized by you in your letter.
- 2.
- It can not be conceded that such rights and claims as you
now voluntarily relinquish have had any legal existence
since January 14, 1893, when by your public announcement
that you no longer considered yourself bound by the
fundamental law of the land under which you took office, and
by your acts in attempting by the mere exercise of your own
will to establish a new system of government, the contract
existing between you and the people was dissolved, and all
sovereign rights theretofore vested in you were lost. The
statement by members of your then cabinet that they could
not control your proposed action and their appeal to
citizens of Honolulu for assistance was the next step which
led to a resumption by the people of the rights of
government.
- 3.
- So far as your communication may be taken as a notice to
the disaffected that it is your desire that the Republic
shall be recognized by them as the sole and lawful
Government of the country it is fully appreciated. In this
connection your unselfish appeal for clemency for those who
took part in the late insurrection will receive full
consideration.
By order of the executive council:
William O. Smith,
Attorney General.
