The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-12-30

PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTIONS
By the Honolulu Chamber Of Commerce to Chief
Justice Allen and Ills Tx. II. A. p. Carter.
At a meeting of the Honolulu Chamber of Com
merce, held on the 28th ultimo, a series of Resolu-
tons was adopted, expressing the appreciation OF
the Chamber of the services rendered the country
by His Honos Chief Justice Allen. and His Excel
leney II. A. P. Carter, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
in laboring for the successful accomplishment OF
the treaty of Reciprocity with the United States
These resolutions. having been handsomely en-
crossed, were presented to the gentlemen named,
by committees of the Chamber, on the 18th inst
The Committee of presentation to the Chief Justice
| consisted of the Hon. Messrs S. G.. Wilder and C.
r. Bishop and Theo. III. Davies, Esq. Mr.. Wilder
addressed His Honor as follows:
May 1T PLEASE YOUR HONOR: We call upon you
this morning as a committee from the Honolulu
Chamber of Commences; and the very pleasant part
of our duty as such committee has been assigned me,
as chairman, of presenting to you certain Resolu-
tions passed by the Chamber, and which read as
follows
WHEREAS, The abrogation of duties in the United
States upon Hawaiian sugar, rice and other produce,
has been for years the earnest wish of the CONNER
ciaI and agricultural classes in this Kingdom;
AND WHEREAS, The repeated attempts made by
successive administrations and ENJOYS to obtain the
abrogation of those duties have been bafied, until
the hope of final success had been all but given up;
AND WHEREAS. This Chamber is deeply impressed
with the full faith which Chief Justice Allen has re-
tanned throughout these attempts IN the ultimate
success of the negotiations. and with the probability
that but for his courage, Industry and devotion, the
triumph of the measure would not even now have
been achieved;
THEREFORE, be ii resolved: LIST, That the thanks
of the Chamber be formally presented to His Honor
Chief Justice Allen, late His Majesty's Envoy Ex-
traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Wash
ington, for his unwearied, energetic and successful
labors in securing for Hawaiian commerce and agri-
culture the benefits of the Reciprocity Treaty with
the United States of America.
I'd, That a subscription be initiated by the Cham
Der for the purpose of enabling all who benefit by
this invaluable Treaty, to testify in n suitable
manner their sense of the obligations under which
they have been placed by the persevering exertions
of the Chief Justice.
Sd, That a deputation of the Chamber be ap-
pointed to convey to His Honor the Chief Justice q
s. N. CASTLE, President.
A. ]. CARTwRIGHT, Secretary.
Chamber of Commerce
Honolulu, Nov. %, 1876
These are not only the sentiments of the members
of the Chamber of Commerce, but the resolutions
express the views of the majority of our citizens, as
is clearly shown by the very handsome sum that has
been placed in the hands of the committee, which
will enable US to carry out in q manner satisfactory
to ourselves that portion of the Resolutions which
refer to a testimonial to be presented on some future
day.
In presenting these Resolutions, speaking for the
Honolulu Chamber of Commerce and the committee,
we do most sincerely wish your Honor many years Of
health and prosperity; that you may personally real
ize the many and great benefits that must accrue
to this people and government from the Treaty OF
Reciprocity,-a treaty with which you have been SO
closely connected from the beginning to the end. ]
have the honor to hand you the Resolutions.
Judge Allen responded as follows:
GENTLEMEN For this expression of the Chamber
of Commerce of their appreciation of my services in
securing the Treaty of Reciprocity with the United
States, l thank you for next to the consciousness
of having done ones duty in promoting any good
cause, is the favorable judgment of those whose in
terest in common with the whole people, it is in
tended to promote.
Your reference to the repeated efforts to accom-
plish this purpose, brings to my memory the first
one, which was made in 1855 by His Majesty Kane
hameha ". His Cabinet was comprised of Mr..
Willie. Mr.. Young, Mr.. Armstrong and myself
Chief Justice Lee, although not of the Cabinet proper,
was usually in attendance at Cabinet meetings, and
whose advice was always regarded with great respect,
cordially cooperated in recommending q mission
to the United States, for the purpose of securing 8
Treaty of Reciprocity. The Chief Justice was APP
pointed Minister to ~ccomphsh this purpose. He
repaired to Washington. and entered upon the nego-
tiation with Mr.. Secretary Marcy, which was success
fully accomplished. 1t was supposed that as the
Treaty was negotiated by the administration that it
would receive the sanction of Congress, and the
Chief Justice returned to resume his judicial duties.
Congress omitted to take action on the Treaty at
the ensuing season, and it was at the succeeding
session, that His Majesty and Cabinet desired me to
assume the duties of Minister, and make an effort to
secure the approval ofthe Treaty. On my arrival in
Washington, there was great excitement on the sub
ject of Kansas and Nebraska, the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise and freesoil and some other ques-
tons involving the subject of slavery, and 1t was ut
terly impossible to obtain favorable action, although
Secretary Marcy, who was one of the most able and
accomplished statesman Of the country, exerted his
influence for its approval. In a letter to me, he ex-
pressed the opinion that " it was of great i'm ortance
to both countries,'' and his authority was regarded
with great respect in the debate in Congress on the
Treaty now in force. l will not detain you by giving
q detailed account of the efforts then made to accom-
plish the object.
The principal product named in the Treaty was
sugar, and the amount, at that time, was very small.
1t showed the wisdom of the Administration to make
an effort at that time. For no country without q
home market, or concessions from an imperial gov
eminent, or favorable commercial relations has had
success in this industry. Individual planters may
prosper from the peculiar advantages of their situa-
ton, but general prosperity can not be expected.
No farther effort was made for some years, although
the Importance of the measure was fully regarded,
and fire 1uently discussed
In 1854, Kamehameha Y. by the approval of his
Cabinet, expressed a wish, that l should accept the
appointment of Minister, and visit Washington, and
propose to open a negotiation for a Treaty similar in
principle to that of 1866. l accepted the appoint