1174	HAWAIIAN  ISLANDS.

more decided stand in the interests of those opposed to them than I might be warranted in doing.
The white residents and natives and half-castes who stand ready to oppose the revolutionists have every confidence 
in their ability to do so successfully, and take great comfort in the knowledge of an adequate naval force being 
present. I am in frequent personal communication with our minister resident, as also with many of the leading 
American merchants and lawyers, and from them am able to keep constantly advised of the progress of events, 
I am, etc.,
George Brown, 
Rear-Admiral., U. S. N. , commanding U. S. Naval Forces, Pacific Station.

Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens.

No. 4.]								Department of State,
Washington, September 10, 1890.
Sir: I inclose a copy of the letter of the Secretary of the Navy and a copy of the report therewith on the serious 
political situation in Hawaii, which, as confirmatory of your No. 30, of the 19th ultimo, will doubtless be read with 
interest. 
I am, etc.,
William F. Wharton,
Acting Secretary.

[Inclosure in No. 4.) 

Mr. Tracy to Mr. Blaine.

Navy Department,
Washington, September 5, 1890.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith, for your information, a copy of a communication  received by this 
Department from  Commander Felix McCurley, commanding the U. S. S. Nipsic, at Honolulu, and dated August 22, 
1890, reporting the political situation of affairs at Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. 
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully,
B. F. Tracy, 
Secretary of the Navy.

[Inclosure to inclosure No. 4.]

No. 379.]							U. S. S. Nipsic (3rd Rate),
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, August 22, 1890.
Sir: I would respectfully report that since the departure of the flagship Charleston from this place, on the 7th instant, 
the political situation has assumed a more disturbed appearance within the last several days, so I deem it advisable to 
report the political state of affairs immediately instead of waiting until the end of the month to do so, as is the usual 
custom, the cause of the disturbance being as follows :
Several days ago a petition was presented to His Majesty King Kalakaua by a native delegation asking that the old 
constitution be revived, and the new or present constitution, formed in 1887, be abrogated; and this petition has been 
indorsed by the King and presented to the legislature for their consideration, and, as I have been informed by reliable 
authorities, that the native and bad half-white element threaten to surround the legislative chamber and coerce the 
members of the legislature into voting for it, so as to give a. form of legality to what is otherwise not only against the 
present constitution, but, highly inimical and dangerous to American interests.
The present constitution, formed in 1887, seems to give entire satisfaction to the majority of the prominent 
American and English residents at this place, including even those white people of the working classes who are 
prosperous and thriving, as it is of a liberal character, and favors their interest in various ways.

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