Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-06-23
SANDWICH IsLANDs.-The Philadelphia
Mercury, Tyler paper. has this information
in letter from Washington

"a despatch has been received at the Department,
OF State, from the Sandwich Islands, containing a
formal and strong protest from their King against the
late INVASION of the British, addressed 10 all Govern.
ments, inviting our and their nterpos,ion to check
the illegal and grnspng spir, of conquest which Eng
land Of late years has adopted without respect to the
comfy OF nations or Difference to the Treaty sipua-
tons which obligated her to a course entirely different
The Protest is drawn up in manly and able style
setng forth IN the strongest and most proper terms
the injuries inflicted by England, and appealing for
meditation IN such language as must induce warm
and decided expression OF sentiment by other coun-
tries. This document is understood to be the pro-
ducton of some clever American in the confidence of
the King, which, in connection with the important
commercial interests we have at stake in that coun-
try, may cause our government TO investigate very
thoroughly the rights and principles involved in this
attempt"
The ground heretofore taken by this Gov
eminent in relation to those islands, will he
understood by reading the following extracts,
the first being from despatch of Mr.. Web
ster to the Sandwich Island Commissioners,
asking a formal acknowledgment of the in
dependence of those islands the second
from subsequent Message to Congress of
the President Of the United States.-N. Y.
American.
Extract from M Webster's Letter of IAN Dee. 1912
The United States have regarded the existing au
thoritles of the Sandwich Islands as a government
suited to the condition of the people, and resting on
their own choice and the President is of opinion that
the Interests Of all the nations require that the Cor.
eminent SHOULD NOT be INTERPRETED WITH ny ron.
EIdS TOWERS OF the vessels which visit the islands
!. IS now known that great majority belong to the
United States. The United States therefore. arc
more interested in the fate of these Islands and Of
their Government than any other nation can be and
this consideration induces the President 10 be oui,t
willing to DECLARE the sense of the Government n
the United States that the Government, of the Sand
| wich Islands ought to be respected; and that Nc
POWER ought either to take possession of the Island nj
CONQUEST, or for the purpose of coLoNIzArIoN ant
| that NO POWER ought TO seek for any UNDUE coN1Ro
over the existing Government, or any EXCLUSIVE
PRIVILEGES or preference in matters Of commerce"
Ertractf from the Presidents Message of3Oh Dec ,4o
Its nearer approach to this continent, and the in
'erconrse whlch American vessels have with it-sucl
vessels constitute five sixths of all which annual,
visit it-coud not but create dissatisfaction nm nh
part of the United States at ANY ATTEMPT nv AN
OTHER POWER, should such attempt be threatened o
feared, TO TAKE POS SESSION of the Islands coopiz
them and sUDyERr the native government Consid
erng therefore, that the United States possess 40 ver
large share OF the intercourse Of those Islands il
deemed not unit 10 make the declaration that bei
government seeks, nevertheless, no exclusive contro
over the HAWAIIAN government but is content will
ts independent existence, and anxiously wishes 70
us security and prosperity In forbearance in hi
Respect under the circumstances Of the yery lars
intercourse of their citizens with the islands, woul
JUSTIFY THIS GOVERNMENT, should events hereafte
arise 10 require IT, IN making decided REMos srRANc
foreign power"