Home: The Annexation Of Hawaii: A Collection Of Document
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984 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. Sunday morning, May 21, 1893. My dear Nordhoff: Inclosed please find a rectified list of taxpayers. Take for granted- (1) That all Chinese and Japanese are against annexation. (2) That no corporation can have an opinion, as no one knows in many cases who are the shareholders; in cases where it is known I have stated it. (3) That no native estate, such as Lunalilo's, Mrs. Bishop, Queen Emma Kalakaua, although they may be administered by annexationists, can be considered as such as far as the capital is concerned. This list, therefore, is grossly misleading and insulting to the memory of the chiefs. Now we have all the natives who pay a large amount of taxes, some quite a sum. The 35,000 Asiatics pay $5 apiece, say (the laborers alone) $185,000. Some own property; anyhow they pay licenses to the extent of over $50,000. Yon can, therefore, form your opinion of who really pays the expenses of the Government mostly since Spreckels has declared himself to you as against annexation. Now about my memorial to Mr. Blount. After inquiry yesterday I find that I had no right to give it to you to read just now. Therefore you will please not mention to anyone that you have read it, except to Mr. Blount, as yon would put me to serious trouble indeed. It has for the present, anyhow, to be considered as of a strictly confidential nature, and therefore you will please do so, and not use any part of it. When the time comes I will be glad to let you have it. Very truly yours, G. Trousseau. You found out yesterday that I had not deceived you about Spreckels. The interview is a big thing for our side. Honolulu, June 27,1893. Hon. J. H. Blount, United States Commissioner: Sir: In reference to your inquiries at the hotel this morning, I beg to state: That I was down town on January 16, 1893, a little before 5 p. m. There was a large gathering of foreigners about Fort and Merchant street corners. I inquired and was told that the United States forces would be landed at 5. Soon I saw O. L. Carter ride towards the wharf. I followed. Boats were landing troops, guns, and ambulance material; they were in undress campaign uniform. I saw C. L. Carter hand a letter to the commanding officer. The forces formed, marched up Fort street, then into Merchant street. I met Wideman; we jumped into a hack and drove at full speed to the palace, ahead of the forces. We met the Queen; she was composed; had already heard of the landing of the men, and said the United States minister means to support the committee of safety. Wideman and I said at once it must be the case; but it would be such an outrage that surely your Majesty will get justice from the United States Government. We stood on the veranda facing King street. Soon the forces advanced and formed in this manner: We comforted the Queen; I left Widemann and others with her; drove hastily to the club. Met Wodehouse, Canavarro, and Vezzavona