The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-10-21
The Hawaiian Islands and the
Treaty.

The following letter was written by an
American citizen who has occupied a very in
fuential position at the Islands for the last
ten years, 1t bears the marks of baving been
read in manuscript very often, and has proba-
bly, either passed through the hands, or been
read by large number of Senators, and mnst
have exerted no little influence on the fate of
the treaty:
HONOLULU, =, 1868.
SIR-At your request, draw up for your
use with the honored Secretary of State at
Washington and other influential members of
the Government whom it may concern, the
following memoranda of observations and
opinions respecting the political relations of
the United States TO these Islands
During a residence of nearly ten years at
this place, have enjoyed the confidence Of
the American Com issiopers and Ministers
resident here, and have at their request, made
it part Of my business to learn the personal
opinions of all classes of men residing here.
l. During the past ten years there has been
a gradual growth Of American sentiment on
the Islands, which had reached point of en-
thusiasm and high expectation in July last,
when the reciprocity treaty checked the desire
for annexation. And from that time to the
present positive anti American feeling has
gained strength and fo1nd utterance, espe-
cially among those most interested in the Sc
curing of the treaty. Hence the strong point
made in securing the passage of the treaty,
was that it would effectually quiet all desire
and demand for annexation, giving us all the
advantages of RENTED duties and open ports,
without heavy taxation and without any dis
turbance Of our labor system.
2. Ny homes, conviction is that should the
treaty pass, it will be far more difficult and far
more costly to obtain the Islands at the end
or tha Tala ,ob. II
could better afford to remain independent, and
as in the case of Canada, reciprocity in trade
would accomplish nothing in securing political
friendship.
8. The effect of the treaty upon the politics
of the Islands, aside from any question of an
nexation, must be very disastrous. For, how
ever arbitrary and anti-republican the admin
istration of affairs here, any appeal to the
planting interest to help thwart q corrupt
Ministry. by putting good men in the Legisla-
ture, would be met by the plea, Let well
enough alone; we are thriving and making
money under this Government, let us do what
we can to perpetuate it. Whereas, without
reciprocity, the discomfort and financial de-
preston would compel the planters to help in
duce better state of society and a less arbi-
trary administration of affairs, that so capital
and labor might be attracted hither.
| 4. The present attitude of the Hawaiian
Government is more adverse to the United
States than at any former period though dur
ing the var it was more openly manifest Ad-
vantage was then taken of our supposed weak
ness to expel from Office all Americans known
to be strongly Democrats in their sentiments.
And the present so-called King of these Is
lands, Though he was never crowned and
never took an oath Of Office as was required
by the then existing Constitution), when he
came into power did arbitrarily abrOgate thst
constitution because Of its republican elements
and forced upon the people a new one, from
which the obnoxious American elements were
expunged. There was no revolution at that
time, because there vas no friendly power
here to sustain and recognize it If il had been
successful. And, ss respects the natives, Il is