The Hawaiian gazette., 1874-06-03


menee, and that the natives would ri 81 arnis be
prevented from exercising the suffrage.
At this crisis and In order as believe 10 prevent
bloodshed, as temporary measure ministers sus
pended the elections and withdrew the writs tina,
had been issued. An amended Constitution was
framed by which Nominee Ministry was TO supply
the place OF elective one. This passed the King
in Privy Council But IL never came into force at
the request of Capt. simsou Of H B. N s. Blanche,
who had arrived in Levuka, and was assisting the
government with bis advice, and under menace Of
his guns, keeping the people-Othe English resi-
dents) temporarily quiet.
The British residents principally were disafected
although some German residents here took lead
/ ing part in the disturbances which followed
! The sitting Parliament having as 1 have stated
been dissolved, the period for which taxes bad been
levied expired Aud 1t was held by the disaffected
that they could no longer be collected. According
ly Mr.. Hedeman, the head of German firm, pro-
ceeded to break open bonded store in which duii-
able goods Of his had been held, and elected an Of
dceI that had been detailed TO make seizure Of his
property for nonpayment OF taxes. A warrant was
Issued for the apprehension Of the parties who had
elected the officer; and Mr.. Hedeman made pre-
partition for defending his store aud preventing the
arrest. he fortified his store, mounted cannon
procured number Of fighting men whom he sta
toned at various points Of defence aud deded the
government to arrest any person upon his premises.
The authorities the other hand equally deter
mined They detailed large body Of natives under
command OF Englishmen, TO execute the warrant
aud sanguinary contest seemed imminent Mean
while the German and British Consuls proceeded to
the OF conflict, aud the parties being Germans
b,r
surrendered to their Consul who handed them over
to the authorities. Thus ended this the first near
approach to hostilities.
On the next day deputation Of white settlers
proceeded 10 the Government buildings and having
forced themselves into the presence OF His Majesty,
who was seated in the midst OF His Chiefs and Min
isters stated that they had come to ask him to dis
miss the latter. Having vented torrent Of abuse
upon these fuuctionaries, and particularly upon Mr.
Wood, the Premier, aud Mr. Thurston, the Chief
Secretary, they expressed determination 10 repeat
their visit the following day for "a reply to
their request, aud the leader Of the deputatiOn said
the King would be deposed in twenty.four hours II
it was not granted. Aud on the following day ac-
cordingy they kept their promise. Now however
they were accompanied by a large number OF the
residents OF Levuka. Many OF these not anticipat-
ing ything serious attracted by idle curiosity
The Kings advisers by this time were prepared for
their reception, and it is wonderful that a great
slaughter did not ensue An outpost consisting of
the Kings Private Secretary, and a small guard
(uativel detached at about hundred yards from
the government buildings, and the arrival OF the
mob, they were told that only depulation of two
or three persons could be permitted to approach
His Majesty. The leaders Of the mob, or rather
those most determined (for the real inciters kept
back in terror, when they saw guard stationed TO
prevent their approach rushed this front guard aud
irove 1t back; then appeared large number Of .
Fjaus who called out for the whites to retire, and
hen commenced violently putting them back by
he butt ends OF their muskets. general melee en-
sued, from which the whites made very hasty re-
reat. The foremost Of the politicians rushed madly
pack 10 Levuka, In the greatest CONSERVATION The
stampede OF whites was general, aud ridiculous.
II is wonderful, as have said, that some dire re-
ult did not ensue from this outrageous attempt to
nInace rightiul sovereign In his very place OF habi
alton. But tue natives behaved with extraordinary
ole alton. From amongst the whites three Shots
the only ones tred) were discharged, and one ma
i've soldier was severely wounded Still the latter
made no deadly assault but conteuted themselves
With keeping back the refractory foreigners. And
etired the whites disappeared
The determination OF this absurd manifestation
vas great triumph for Ministers. Il was seen that
he government were prepared to stamp out rebel
D
etermined that the law should prevail. A sguih.
ant peace followed.
l should now mention that in the month OF Jaau-
ry, 1913, Mr. Thurston, Chief Secretary, In con-
equence of au Outcry for annexation had written
D Lord Granville, Her Britannia Majesty's Secretary
State in London, stating that the Fiiiau Govern
lieut. would DC prepared 10 treat with the English
government upon terms that might be agreed on, [
al least to listen through the Kings Ministers 10
1y proposals England might make with reference /
hereto Aud shortly after the disturbance l have
anti Cd u u = Il a.. I D
II. Edgar Leopold Layard soon followed being
commissioned by the Queen, with Commodore Jas.
GoodenOugh OF the Pearl, to inquire into and re-
Drt upon the matter. The British Government .
irty OF Exeter Hall, the most exaggerated reports
wing reached England Of the slavery that il was :
legged was going on here. Reports l would here !
y more than eXaggerated-in mauy instances made I
interested parties for base motye,-and utterly \
lse.
The arrival of the Royal Commissioner was hailed I
the whites generally, OF whatever nation, with I
eat satisfaction. The annexation cry was re- !
hoed with increased energy. The opponents OF :
c Jian Government saw IN IL a ready weapon, IL =
could be found plant enough, 10 overthrow the =
ng's Ministers. Calumny OF the most outrageous Y
aracter was freely disseminated against them :,
lich found publication in local Journal the Fiji !.
mes. And as Commodore GOodenOugh kept alO0f y
'm Ministers, and II leaked out that his sympa ;
les were against them, great was the rejoicing of Z
cir enemies, and doubt ielt to be reduced to GER
nty as 10 their reduction. .,
nui NuuuhVuNIc uuuutuou-ut WHO IS q gentle D
IN OF great ability, appears to have been very ~
1ry OF trespassug upon the limits Of information ~
law. He Kept his Halleck" 10 constant occu- ~
ton And much as be evidently desired and ul- d
lately succeeded 10 obtaining an offer Of cession y,
IN the King, he never once permitted It to be iu-
rcd that the country would be wrested from the
live population, CT that the British flag would be .
istea here unless with their full aud free concur
ice In TACT IN conjunction with the British Con
|, 10 that effect be issued proclamation. And
5 proclamation was printed 10 the Ffian as well N
English language. Moreover 10 Her Maiesty's
p he visited all the Islands taking with him ma
{ interpreter who was well known TO the chiefs :
who perhaps was not very favorable 70 the local
Ternmcut Wherever they could be held there
re meetings OF both natives aud whites. The
mission was efrctualy promulgated
% was believed that al the natives Of any weight
re favorable 10 annexation by England.
n the meantime, The King with the advice Of
lis'ers had requested an assemblage OF all the
ELS at Bau, Island almost considered sacred 10
Majesty, aud where Is the royal residence. the -
ensiue object OF that meeting being 10 determine
al course should be adopted, and whether the II
utTy should be cedcd not Thither in Fehru-
a repaired, and il being minated 10 Commo.
: Goodenough that the Flsu people would there
{ bin their uiiimaium IN Her Maitsiy's shin and :,
ompanivd by the British Consul, 10 that rovai Il
deuce he went Aud am bound 10 say, that 81 -
time, such uutiring exertions having been made
That end every one Qureiguers) fcliglousiv be-
ed that annexation 20 England was ~ fat
1Hpli; z