Home: The Annexation Of Hawaii: A Collection Of Document
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980 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. can not bring a rifle here. No native allowed to buy any firearms or powder. Q. Suppose they had arms? A. Then this Government could not stand. They would bring the Queen back to the throne. That is my idea. The Provisional Government would never be there if the United States troops were not landed, and they knew that long before they landed. Q. What class of people make up this army? A. As far as I know, many who were in the chain gang-many who were in prison; fellows of character you would not like to meet after dark. Q. The people of intelligence and wealth here don't participate much in hostilities; they hire these fellows? A. Yes; they leave it to them. Q. There are very few firearms in the island other than those possessed by the Government? A. Very few. The natives are forbidden to have them. Q. The people, therefore, remain quiet because they have no arms. A. Yes; they think it better for them to leave it to the President to decide when he can see how they were wronged by Stevens. Q. What is the weight of public opinion here on the question as to whether or not the landing of the troops and the posting of them at Arion Hall had to do with the success of the revolution? A. It had everything to do with it. If the troops were not lauded there would be no Provisional Government to-day. Q. Is that public opinion here? A. It is; but, of course, the other side would say different. Q. The wealth of the city of Honolulu-was it not largely built up after the reciprocity treaty with the United States? A. Yes, about three-fourths after the treaty. Q. Most of the nice homes built since then? A. Oh, yes; I should think something like three-fourths have been built up since that treaty. Q. Well, property holders as a general thing are in favor of annexation because they believe a great increase in the value of their private estates would ensue, and that large improvements would be made at Pearl Harbor by the United States? A. That is what they calculated. Q. And the cable? A. Yes. Q. Well, then you would say that this is a movement on the part of property holders to enhance their private interests? A. Yes, and a certain desire to rule this country. Q. Mr. Spreckels, do you know Mr. Samuel Parker well? A. I do. Q. Do you know his general reputation for truth and veracity! A. I do. Q. And from that would you believe him on oath? A. I would. Q. Do you know Mr. Cornwell the same way? A. I do. Q. Would you from his general reputation believe him on oath? A. I would; yes, sir. Q. Do you know Colburn? A. I do not. Q. Do you know Peterson?