Home: The Annexation Of Hawaii: A Collection Of Document
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220 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. This appeal is not made for myself personally, but for my people who have hitherto always enjoyed the friendship and protection of the United States. My opponents have taken the only vessel which could be obtained here for the purpose, and hearing of their intention to send a delega- tion of their number to present their side of this conflict before you, I requested the favor of sending by the same vessel an envoy to you, to lay before you my statement, as the facts appear to myself and my loyal subjects. This request has been refused and I now ask you that in justice to myself and to my people that no steps be taken by the Government of the United States until my cause can be heard by you. I shall be able to dispatch an envoy about the 2d day of February, as that will be the first available opportunity hence, and he will reach you with every possible haste that there may be no delay in the settle- ment of this matter. I pray you, therefore, my good friend, that you will not allow any con- clusions to be reached by you until my envoy arrives. I beg to assure you of the continuance of my highest consideration. LILIUOKALANI, R. HONOLULU, January 18, 1893. No. 5. Mr. Stevens to Mr. Foster. 'No. 80.] UNITED STATES LEGATION, Honolulu, January 19, 1893. (Received February 3.) SIR: The Provisional Government of Hawaii, by special steamer, send a commission to Washington with full powers to negotiate with the Government of the United States. It is composed of six representa- tive men of the highest respectability. Hon. William G. Wilder is the president and chief manager of the Interisland Steamship Company, running steamers among the islands, and he has large property inter- ests in Honolulu. Hon. C. M. [surname omitted] is a leading lumber merchant, doing business with Puget Sound and Oregon, born here of the best American stock. Hon. L. A. Thurston is one of the most, if not the most talented and influential man on the islands, and is of the highest respectability. He and his father were born on the islands, of Connecticut parentage. Though a young man, he was the leading member of the reform cabinet from July, 1887, to 1890. Hon. William H. Castle is a lawyer of eminence, born on the islands, of western New York parentage, his father still living here at the age of 84, having resided in Honolulu nearly half a century, and for many years exercised a large influence here. Mr. Charles P. Carter is the son of the recent Hawaiian minister at Washington, Hon. H. P. Carter, and is an accomplished and most reliable gentleman, American to the core, and has a Michigan wife. Hon. Mr. Marsden is of English birth, is a prominent business man and a noble in the legislature. These six commissioners represent a large preponderating proportion of the property holders and commercial interests of these islands. They are backed by the influences which will enable them to fully carry out their agreements with the United States Government. I am, sir, etc., JOHN L. STEVENS.