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Blount Report: Affairs in Hawaii

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406	HAWAIIAN   ISLANDS.
tion with the Tahitian half-white palace favorite weakened the hold of 
the Queen on the natives nearly as much as the official confidence she 
gave to the American and Australian adventurers of the lottery and 
opium rings.
Information from all the principal islands of the group is favorable; 
more so than could have been anticipated. The local government 
affairs are moving on with little friction, and the courts are transacting 
their regular and customary business. The interruption to private 
business and labor is comparatively little, while the hope of annexation 
is exerting an invigorating financial influence. As soon as it can 
become a certainty that these islands are to remain under the United 
States flag as a part of American territory, there is little doubt that 
all the principal native leaders will wish to become American citizens, 
and their assistance can be had to help bring the native people into 
ready obedience to American law and fidelity to the American flag.
As stated in my cipher telegram of this date, the conduct of Capt. 
Wiltse, of the Boston, and of the officers and men under his command 
has been admirable. Their deportment on shore and in public places, 
whether on duty or otherwise, has been such as to command the favor- 
able comment of all. The time of Capt. Wiltse here is understood to 
expire February 10. I have no doubt it would be a just gratification 
to him could he remain on duty here until the question of annexation 
shall have been substantially decided. 
I am, etc.,
JOHN L. STEVENS.
Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens.
[Telegram.]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, February 14, 1893.
Your telegram of the 1st instant has been received, with coincident 
report from commander of the Boston. Press telegrams from San Fran- 
cisco give full details of events of 1st instant, with text of your proc- 
lamation. The latter, in announcing assumption of protection of the 
Hawaiian Islands in the name of the United States would seem to be 
tantamount to the assumption of a protectorate over those islands on 
behalf of the United States, with all the rights and obligations which 
the term implies. It is not thought, however, that the request of the 
Provisional. Government for protection or your action in compliance 
therewith contemplated more than the cooperation of the moral and 
material forces of the United States to strengthen the authority of 
the Provisional Government, by according to it adequate protection for 
life and property during the negotiations instituted here, and without 
interfering with the execution of public affairs. Such cooperation was 
and is within your standing instructions and those of the naval com- 
manders in Hawaiian waters. So far as your course accords to the 
de facto Sovereign Government, the material cooperation of the United 
States for the maintenance of good order and protection of life, and 
property from apprehended disorders, it is commended; but so far as 
it may appear to overstep that limit by setting the authority of the 
United States above that of the Hawaiian Government in the capacity 
of protector, or to impair the independent sovereignty of that Govern-

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