Mr. Gresham to Mr. Willis.

[Telegram—Through dispatch agent at San Francisco.]

Telegram February 17 received. President disappointed and anxious, because while it acknowledges my telegram of February 8, it communicates no response to reasonable demand therein made, under recognized principles of public law, that execution of death sentence passed on American citizens be delayed until President can have opportunity to examine evidence relied on to support sentence. You will insist that copy of proceedings of trial, including evidence, be furnished for that purpose, and if, in disregard of such demand, the Hawaiian authorities enter upon actual preparation for execution of the sentence or indicate or declare their intention to so execute sentence, you will demand custody of prisoners, that they may be placed on board the Philadelphia pending further instructions from the President. You will deliver copy of this telegram to commander of that ship, who, if necessary, is expected to support demand.

Gresham.