The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-13

circular, and to this general call, in reference
| to the approximate yield of this years crops
in every State and Territory OF the confede-
racy. ~.
| Annexation OF the Sandwich IsIands--T1ic
| Policy OF tho Cabinet.
| The accounts from Washing ton representing
that the Cabinet are busily engaged in consid-
| erjng project for the annexation Of the Sand
witch Islands, forwarded by Mr.. Gregg, United
! States Commissioner, are doubtless in the main
correct. Last May we stated that Mr.. Gregg
had communicated to the State Department the
fact that King Kamehamaha had renewed the
application for the ISLANDS to be annexed to the
United States, either as Territory or State,
urging an immediate decision, upon the ground
that unless we interfered promptly, England
| and France would put it out of his power to act
as free agent in the matter. Mr. Gregg re-
| piled that he had received no instruc tons from
Washington upon the subject, and did not feel
authorized to open negotiations upon that point
as an accredited agent of the government of the
United States. Bat the King was not to be thus
banked, and at length Mr. Gregg yielded to
his urgent request, and consented to turn diplo-
| malist on his own hook, plainly avowing the
fact that he only did SO as private individual,
and that his acts must not be considered as
binding upon his government.
Such was the purport of the dispatches re-
ceived from Mr.. Gregg by Mr.. Marcy in May.
meetings of the two Cabinets-that Of the kitchen
as well as the parlor-Mr. Marcy replied to Mr..
Gregg, that although the subject of the annexa-
ton Of the Sandwich Islands was not o new one,
yet, as ii was impossible to hazard any opinion
without full knowledge OF all the facts, ana as
good deal Of time would elapse ere AL this
necessary information could be procured in
Washington, that Mr.. Gregg had better continue
the negotiation, in the manner he had begun.
and when the terms and details were agreed
upon the President would then take the matter
into his serious consideration. The dispatches
just received, therefore, enclose this result, and
present to the United States the option of an
nexing the Sandwich Islands either as Terrific
~ or State--probably the latter, as upon that
point Mr.. Gregg informed the State Department
King Ksmehamaha was somewhat positive
doubtless with view of abandoning his crown
for Senatorial honors and Congressional mileage.
1t will be observed that the administration
have throughout acted in that sneaking man
ner so characteristic Of the Pierce Cabinet.
Afraid to assume the responsibility Of the
annexation Of the Islands in the first
instance, they managed to place them
selves in position where they can yet
embrace it as an administration measure,
should it turn out popular. There Is no escap-
ing this inevitable conclusion. The aunexa-
ton of the Sandwich Islands is no new idea. 1t
occupied the attention Of Mr.. Polk, and of the
subsequent administrations Of General Taylor
and Mr.. Fillmore. When Mr.. Gregg therefore.
was appointed commissioner to that govern
ment his instructions could not accidentally
have omitted all aliasion to the only impor-
tans matter likely to occupy his attention
This would be too absurd proposition to as
sumo, and which even our poor opinion Of the
head of the State Department will not permit
us to do him the injustice to suppose. The
omission was Intentional, and it's object was Of
course to enable the administration to make
scape goat Of Mr., Commissioner Gregg if ne
cessary.
The answer which may be sent to the propo-
sition of annexation viii depend altogether
upon the tone of public opinion here; and the
act that The application has been received was
doubtless allowed to leak out for the purpose
Of feeling the public pulse II may be that
little more caution now pervades the action Of
the Executive than might have been experienced
had the valiant destruction Of Greytown met
with HEATHER response than has been vouch-
saied. Coup d'ftafs do not appear to be as
popular here as on the other side of the Atlantic,
and for little while caution and circumspec-
ton may be anticipated in the transactions o.
the model Cabinet
The Irojef submitted by the commissioner,
and agreed upon by Mr. Gregg, private citizen,
on the one hand, and King Kamchamaha
on the other, will doubtless be submitted
to Congress by the President next December
and the responsibility Of acting upon it thus
shifted from the executive shoulders. Should
public opinion applaud it, then it is probable
the application will be fayorably mentioned in
the annual message; but unless this fact is
ascertained, We may expect message as
barren Of all point, and as shutting in its avoid
ance of all responsibility, az the celebrated
Cuban message communicated TO Congress