Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-13

France, are entitled by treaties to the same
privileges and advantages, as may be granted TO
citizens or subjects Of the most favored ma
tons, and that the joint resolution of England
and France of the 18th November, lS43, was
founded on the understanding that the King of
the islands was to preserve his Kingdom as IN
independent State.
There are two points here that demand 4
word, and but word, for they are too ridicu
lous TO require heightened comment. What we
have to say, may be put in the form of interro
gatories. Can a treaty of commerce made by
two nations with third nation, for mutual adj
vantage, be construed into a diminution, depri,
walton, or humiliation of the sovereignty Of that
third nation? Was that the meaning Of the
treaties referred to between the three govern
ments? Ifso, the king of the Sandwich Islands
gave up his kingdom, transferred his country,
himself, and his royal powers to the other high
contracting parties. He barganed for himself
as king, and his heirs and successors as kings
but he did not contract that his country should
always be despotism, and he and his heirs
always its monarchs. He did not bargain that
his country should never change its condition,
but should be bound by iron stipulations to re-
main rs it was then, forever. Such arguments
are absurd--such positions utterly untenable
But again, they speak Of an understanding
on which the joint action of France and Eng
land, in l843, was founded. This is Of piece
with the other argument. Now, who ever
heard of an understanding between nations !
When they contract together they do SO in
solemn charts-in well studied, elaborate instru-
ments that embody all that they intend. Every
thing not named is excluded No agreement
is admitted, no stipulation claimed that is not
in "the bond" Away then with such absurd
ties, such shallow reasonings.
This feeble remonstrance, protest, mandate,
or whatever it may be called, to the king, is
most ably and briefly replied to, by the United
States consul at Honolulu, Mr.. Luther Sever.
ance. His letter viii be found in another
column.
Before concluding this already too long arti-
Gle, it is proper that we should say something
in reference to the question of the annexation
of the Hawaiian Islands to this country. We
would be governed by the same considerations
in respect to this matter, that actuate us in
regard to Cuba, with this important difference
that the government of those Islands is not
complicated with, and dependant on any other
country-such being the relation that Cuba
sustains to Spain. These Islands compose an
independent government. Cuba belongs to
Spain.
II, therefore, after summing up the advan-
tages and the disadvantages Of the acquisition,
we should determine to respond to the preva-
lent and earnest wish Of the king, his coun-
sellers, and his people, there would be no.
thing on earth to hinder us. The treaties
about which the French and English officials
are SO garrulous are mere treaties They con.
vert them into bugbears to frighten the island
king, and intimidate the American govern.
ment.
Thus farour government and our people have
expressed no decided opinion or wish to annex
the islands. They have not seriously enter
tanned the question. They are just beginning
to think about it. But this, however may be
said, that any interference on the part of those
jealous, restless, and intermeddling governments
of England and France, win make us decide
very promptly, and act very resolutely.. We.
will not let them interfere with Spain, to whom
Cuba belongs, so as to affect onr present or fiji
ture relations to that island; and it cannot be
expected that we would permit any such inter.
medling with a kingdom that has no foreign
rulers or owners, but belongs to itself This
whole question Of the annexation of these is
lands, is n question between us and them. No
other power has one word to say about it.
There are many other facts and considera-
tons in connection with this subject, that we
will avail ourselves Of another occasion to treat
upon.