HAWAIIAN  ISLANDS.	593
previous letter of recognition that the Provisional Government was in full possession of the Government 
buildings, the archives, the treasury, and in control of the Hawaiian capital.
In Mr. Stevens's dispatch to Mr. Foster, No. 79, January 18, 1893, is this paragraph:
As soon as practicable a Provisional Government was constituted, composed of four highly 
respectable men, -with Judge Dole at the head, he having resigned his place on the supreme bench to 
assume this responsibility. He was born in Honolulu, of American parentage, educated here and in 
the United States, and is of the highest reputation among all citizens, both natives and whites. P. C. 
Jones is a native of Boston, Mass., wealthy, possessing property interests in the island, and a 
resident here for many years. The other two members are of the highest respectability. The 
committee of public safety forthwith took possession of the Government buildings, archives, and 
treasury, and installed the Provisional Government at the heads of the respective departments. This 
being an accomplished fact, I promptly recognized the Provisional Government as the DE FACTO government 
of the Hawaiian Islands. The English minister, the Portuguese charge' d'affaires, the French and the 
Japanese commissioners promptly did the same; these, with myself, being the only members of the 
diplomatic corps residing here.
Read in the light of what has immediately preceded, it is clear that he recognized the Provisional 
Government very soon after the proclamation of it was made. This proclamation announced the 
organization of the Government, its form and officials. The quick recognition was the performance of 
his pledge to the committee of safety. The recognition by foreign powers, as herein stated, is incorrect. 
They are dated on the 18th, the day following that of Mr. Stevens.
On the day of the revolution neither the Portuguese charge d'affaires nor the French commissioner 
had any communication, written or oral, with the Provisional Government until after dark, when they 
went to the Government building to understand the situation, of affairs. They did not then announce 
their recognition.
The British minister, several hours after Mr. Stevens's recognition, believing that the Provisional 
Government was sustained by the American minister and naval forces, and that the Queen's troops 
could not and ought not to enter into a struggle with the United States forces, and having so 
previously informed the Queen's cabinet, did go to the Provisional Government and indicate his 
purpose to recognize it.
I can not assure myself about the action of the Japanese commissioner. Mr. Stevens was at his home 
sick, and some one evidently misinformed him as to the three first.
In a letter of the Hawaiian commissioners to Mr. Foster, dated February 11, is this paragraph:
Sixth. At the time the Provisional Government took possession of the Government buildings no 
American troops or officers were present or took part in such proceedings in any manner whatever. 
No public recognition was accorded the Provisional Government by the American minister until they 
were in possession of the Government buildings, the archives, and the treasury, supported by several 
hundred armed men and after the abdication by the Queen and the surrender to the Provisional Government 
of her forces.
Mark the words, "and after the abdication by the Queen and the surrender to the Provisional 
Government of her forces." It is signed L. A. Thurston, W. C. Wilder, William E. Castle, J. Marsden, 
and Charles L. Carter.
Did the spirit of annexation mislead these gentlemen. If not, what malign influence tempted President 
Dole to a contrary statement in his cited letter to the American minister?
The Government building is a tasteful structure, with ample space for the wants of a city government 
of 20,000 people. It is near the
F E 91-APP II--38

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