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Blount Report: Affairs in Hawaii

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               1016	HAWAIIAN   ISLANDS.                                        
Q. Why did you think they would support you?
A, I had some understanding with them. The King hinted to join with the matter. Then we were to join with 
Ashford and have no opposition.
Q. Did you take the Palace by an understanding with Kalakaua? 
A. Yes; when I got there Kalakaua went down to the boathouse.
Q. Did you see him?
A. No. He sent word to go-that he would not allow me inside the Palace.
Q. Who?
A. The King. He sent R. H. Baker with a message that I must not go in the Palace-and those in the barracks told 
me to stay in the yard-but do not take possession of this place. I said to Baker to go and see Kalakaua again. He 
went down to see the King, and I never heard anything until the rifles commenced around. A party of sharpshooters 
took possession of the opera house. They were whites. The first thing I was fired upon by them-fired upon without 
any notice. I had twelve men who took possession of the Government building. When fired upon some men ran 
away-got shot. My men were unarmed. Had only a few arms. We sent off shell up on the opera house. I wanted to 
take the Palace at that time. I had no men at that time. My men were scattered.
Q. Why did they scatter?
A. They were fired upon and they all jumped over the wall and went away. I went into the bungalow and stayed 
there.
Q. What was Kalakaua doing all this time?
A, He stayed down there until I gave up in the evening.
Q. Who was he siding with?
A. Well, I do not know. He could go back and take possession of the whole Government.
Q. Did Liliuokalani have anything to do with, it in anyway?
A. No; she was a confidential friend of mine then. She knew something about it. I told her we had a little 
difficulty with her brother. I told her to go and see Kalakaua and make up the difference. I told her if Kalakaua got it 
into his head that the movement was to put her on the throne, I might be in a bad position.
Q. What has become of Baker, the go-between between you and Kalakaua?
A. He is living here.
Q. What is his position in the present Government?
A. Nothing. He was the man who went with Kalakaua, when he died in San Francisco.
Q. There was never any understanding between you and Liliuokalani that she was to take the place of Kalakaua if 
you were successful?
A. No; but before that the Reform people wanted to put her on the throne. The people talked, but it was all talk.
Q, Is Ashford the man in whose behalf the British minister interfered, in the matter of having him tried by a 
foreign jury, in 1892?
A. Yes; V. V. Ashford.
Q. Is he here now?
A. Yes.
Q. Where is his brother?
A. Here-Clarence-he was with him in 1892.   He was a Liberal.
Q. What was the object of the movement in 1892?
A. The object was to establish a republic, with a view, when the people were educated to it, to favor annexation 
with the United States. 

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