468	HAWAIIAN   ISLANDS.
general, all that can fully enlighten the President touching the subjects 
of your mission.
To enable you to fulfill this charge, your authority in all matters 
touching the relations of this Government to the existing or other gov- 
ernment of the islands, and the protection of our citizens therein, is 
paramount, and in you alone, acting in cooperation with the commander 
of the naval forces, is vested full discretion and power to determine 
when such forces should be landed, or withdrawn.
You are, however, authorized to avail yourself of such aid and 
information as you may desire from the present minister of the United 
States at Honolulu, Mr. John L. Stevens, who will continue until 
further notice to perform the usual functions attaching to his office, not 
inconsistent with the powers entrusted to you. An instruction will be 
sent to Mr. Stevens directing him to facilitate your presentation to the 
head of the Government upon your arrival, and to render you all 
needed assistance.
The withdrawal from the Senate of the recently signed treaty of 
annexation, for reexamination by the President, leaves its subject-matter 
in abeyance, and you are not charged with any duty in respect thereto. 
It may be well, however, for you to dispel any possible misapprehen- 
sion which its withdrawal may have excited touching the entire friend- 
liness of the President and the Government of the United States toward 
the people of the Hawaiian Islands or the earnest solicitude here felt 
for their welfare, tranquility, and progress.
Historical precedents and the general course of the United States 
authorize the employment of its armed force in foreign territory for 
the security of the lives and property of American citizens and for the 
repression of lawless and tumultuous acts threatening them; and the 
powers conferred to that end upon the representatives of the United 
States are both necessary and proper, subject always to the exercise 
of a sound discretion in their application.
In the judgment of the President your authority, as well as that of the 
commander of the naval forces in Hawaiian waters should be, and is, 
limited in the use of physical force to such measures as are necessary 
to protect the persons and property of our citizens; and while abstain- 
ing from any manner of interference with the domestic concerns of the 
Islands, you should indicate your willingness to intervene with your 
friendly offices in the interest of a. peaceful settlement of troubles within 
the limits of sound discretion.
Should it be necessary to land an armed force upon Hawaiian terri- 
tory on occasions of popular disturbance, when the local authority may 
be unable to give adequate protection to the life and property of citi- 
zens of the United States, the assent of such authority should first be 
obtained, if it can be done without prejudice to the interests involved. 
Your power in this regard should not, however, be claimed to the exclu- 
sion of similar measures by the representatives of other powers for the 
protection of the lives and property of their citizens or subjects residing 
in the Islands.
While the United States claim no right to interfere in the political 
or domestic affairs or in the internal conflicts of the Hawaiian Islands 
otherwise than as herein stated, or for the purpose of maintaining any 
treaty or other rights which they possess, this Government will adhere 
to its consistent and established policy in relation to them, and it will 
not acquiesce in domestic interference by other powers.
The foregoing general exposition of the President's views will indi- 
cate the safe courses within which your action should be shaped and

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