The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-07-30
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.


TWENTY years ago tomorrow, on July 81,
1915, the restoration of the sovereignty of these
islands to Kamehameha Ill. took place. 1t is
meet that on this anniversary especially there
should be a general display and exhibition OF
national joy. As many of our readers are COM
paratively strangers here, and entirely ignorant
of the events that led to the observance Of this
anniversary, we cannot better fill our paper
to-day than by giving a brief outline of the
political events of 1913, connected with the seiz-
ure Of the islands by Lord George Paulet, and
the subsequent restoration of the sovereignty by
Admiral Thomas.
By way of preface, we may say that from
1880 to l849, the government was kept in n
constant ferment and trouble by designing for
eigners Of various natiOnalities resident here,
some of whom were representatives of foreign
nations and others merely traders and residents.
These political chickering's were fomented and
increased in part by the conductors of the news
papers then published here, the main object of
which appeared to be to stir up strife and
trouble. These troubles and national jealousies,
originating often in petty disputes, soon grew
into consular grievances, and thus magnifed,
were made the subject of endless diplomatic
correspondence. In this way. the foreign Office
became the depository of several hundred griev-
ances presented by foreign representatives. many
OF which were SO supremely ridiculous and silly,
that the only wonder now is how any foreign
representatives could have ever had the face to
entertain them, and much less to present them.
Not long since Mr.. Wyllie printed a list of
them, and the pamphlet makes one of the most
curious documents in the political history of
Hawaii.
We need not here specify the grievances that
were being discussed when Lord George arrived,
but simply say that they were of the same class
as those Of other residents and representatives
who were breathing fire and birthstone against
this young government. Negotiations were in
progress 1T the time Of his arrival, when sud-
denly, and without authority, he compelled a
cessiOn of the kingdom to Queen Victoria. The
only paper printed here ut that time was the
Friend, and from it we extract the following
referring to the seizure
This day, July Thirty FIRST. oS. THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED
AND fIEIG,THEEs, viii hsrTsf;gr be referred to, as memorable
istence Of this Government has often been threatened. but it has
been most signally preserved. 1t is easy to trace the superin-
tending Providence Of God in every stage of its advancement.
Many months since persons acquainted with its condition were
fully aware that a most important crisis was approaching. 1t
was seen that if the nation continued independent favorable
influences must lie exeTted on the other side Of the world.
English Man Of War anchors in this harbor. Immediate hos
certain demands. Those having been acceded to. others more
exorbitant were forth coming. The King finding himself in
a reservation most reluctantly made a Provisional Cession of
He signed the treaty Of cesson while bathed in tears. At
O'Clock: p. VI. Feb. 25. 1913, the National Flag was taken down,
day. To the native population and a majority of the Foreign
RESIDENTS Of all nations, it was a day Of sadness. They knew
not as their eyes would ever again behold the flag of Kameha-
meha Ill, waving over his rishtful dominions; Whoever shall
must draw some dark shades to the picture.
1t must have been n humiliating spectacle to
have seen King Kamehameha Ill. yielding up
his dominion without a shadow of justice or
right to a powerful sovereignty like England
and as humiliating to England that she possessed
in her service an officer with such want of iudg-
ment, truth and right, as to enforce such an
ON no valid grounds but the assertions of a
representative of questionable character-as hu-
initiating to her as it was to this young nation.
Ii is an act that will always leave Il stain on
Englandis escutcheon, so long as the History of
Hawaii is remembered. Picture the noble, hon
est-hearted King, bathed in tears, signing away
birthright at the mandate of an irresponsi-
Die naval agent, and pouring out his soul to
MS people in the following hopeful address,
which he delivered Feb. %, 1913. The scene
5 one that Il painter might envy, and one which .
nay yet become a historical painting:
"Where are you, Chiefs, people and commons from my ances-
&" Hear We 1 make known to you that 1 am in perplexity
y reason q difficulties into which l have been brought without
ause; therefore, 1 have given away the life of our land, hear
e. But my rule over you, my people, and your privileges will =
ontiuue, for l have hope that the life Of the land will be restored
fhen my conduct is JUSTIFIED" -
The following are the documents of cession,
made by the King and Lord George Paulet on
he 25th of February, 1913
PROVISIONAL CESSIOS-In consequence of the difficulties in ,
fhich we ful ourselves involved, and our opinion Of the i'm
Hssibfifty OF complying with the demands in the manner IN
they are made by Her Britannia Majesfy's Representative =
non Us. in reference TO the claims Of British subjects We do =
er-by cede the Group Of Islands known a : the Hawaiian Tor
anfwich1 Islands. unto the Right Honorable Lord George
'aulet, Captain Of her britannia MaJesty's ship of War CaTys-
orf, representing her Majesty Victoria. Queen OF Great Britain :
nd Ireland. from this date. and for the time being; the SAID
'esson being made with the reservation that II Is subject TO 4
arrangement that may have been entered into by the Repre- =
entatves appointed by US TO treat with the Government of Her :
ritanuic Majesty and IN the event that no agreement has been y
xecuted previous 20 the date hereof; subject to the decision Of =
Ter Britannia Majesty's Government on conference with the =
iii REPRESENTATIVES appointed by US, or in the event Of our =
noxIeIged. subject to the decision which Her Britannia Majesty
ay pronounce on the receipt Of full information from us, and
On the Right Hon Lord George Pdulet-
In confirmation 81 the above we hereby afiX our names and
seals. this txenty-ffh day Of February, in the year Of cur Z
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fortythree. at Homo
lulu. Oahu. Sandwich Islands L
Signed IN presence Of -
q. p. JUDD. Recorder aud U
Translator for the Cor n
eTHWeHt- .
KAMEHAMEHA III. II
hEKAULUOHI. :,
Provisional Cession Of the Hawaiian or Sandwich Islands /
having been made this day by KAHEHAMEBA Ill, King, and "
KEKAULCOH, Premier thereof unto me, The Right Hon. q
Lord George Paulet- commanding lie. Britannlc MaJestys r
Ship Cdrysforf. on the part Of Her Britannia Majesty, Nicto- +
ria, Queen q Great Britain and Ireland subject to arrange q
ments which may have been or shall be made in Great Britain, l
with the Government OF Ii. Il. Majesty "
do hereby proclaim. !;
I=t. That the British Flag shall be hOisted on all the Islands IL
the Group: and the natives thereof shall enjoy the protec- n
pr and privileges of British subjects -
81. That the Government thereof shall he executed, until the 81