Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-11-24
Annevot,on. of the Sandwich Islands.


The answer of Mr.. Severance, U. S. Com
missioner TO the Sandwich Islands, to the pro-
stof the English and French consuls, against
annexation, is an able defence of the propriety
and Justice Of such result Those consuls
were greatly alarmed at the removal of the
Kings Minister of Finance, DIR. Judd, be-
cause they considered it an evidence that King
Kamehameha was fayorably inclined towards
annexation. They Immediately sent pro-
test against it to the Minister of Foreign At
fairs, and this is the protest so ably and faith
fully met by Mr. Severance.
The consuls claim that annexation would be
a breach of those treaties by which the Is
lands are bound TO extend equal rights and
privileges to English, French and Americans,
and that their governments Would resent it.
Mr.. Severance answers that the United States
were in no way party to the agreement or
joint declaration by which in l043 Great
Britain and France stipulated never to take
tectorate or otherwise. Such an engagement
was necessary on the part of England and
France because they had assumed a hostile
attitude towards the government, but was not
necessary on the part Of the United States, for
they had always been friendly, and respected
the independence of the king.
n. The consuls learnedly inform Kamehameha
that according to Yattel it is quite impossible
for any monarch to ALLEVIATE his sovereignty,
or TO treat on the subject without the consent
of his subjects. Mr.. Severance says the right
TO unite two nations is inherent in all indepen-
dent sovereignties, and that modern history
abounds in examples of it, particularly Eng
lish and French history. He refers to the
case Of Algiers, of the Caffres, and hundred
millions of East Indians, and cannot admit that
peaceful annexation is any worse than annex
alton by conquest. He does not propose TO
discuss the expediency of a union with the
United States, for he has no authority for say
lag that they would consent to any terms, but
if any were proposed, he has no doubt that
they would receive special consideration.
Although Mr.. Severance used to be known
at home on the Kennebec, as one of our in
Eeterate wing politicians, and voted in Con-
gress against sending supplies to our troops in
Mexico, we must say in this matter he makes
amends for much of the past. He shows him
self up to the mark of democratic progress,
and "fllibuster'' in the vocabulary of the
Boston Traveller and other whig papers, His
reformation doubtless may be attributed to his
removal from the communicating atmosphere
of whiggery on the Kennebee. He says,
further, in answer to the protest
{" You are aware that the government of the
United States has never made any PROPOSE
tons to his Majesty's government to annex
the islands, though the matter has undOubted-
ly engaged the attention both of the citizens of
the U. s., and of subjects Of the King. To
me it is not surprising that the merchants and
landed proprietors, whether Americans or 9TH
ers, should perceive great commercial advan-
tages in such connection, considering that
the principal part of the commerce of the is
lands is with the United States and that the
islands must look almost exclusively to the
Pacific coast of the United States for mar
ket for their products and the means of paying
for their heavy imports ] perceive, there
fore, nothing very extraordinary In the project
demonstrated against. And if now or at any
future time it shall be found to be decidedly
for the interest of both countries to unite their
am unable to perceive any treaty
or moral obligations on the part Of either to for
md the desired union, or any good reason for
foreign interference TO preUent it.