The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1876-09-06

this end"
In conversation which took place about
this date between Judge Allen and the publish
er Of this paper, regarding the propriety of re-
newing our efforts to obtain reciprocity treaty,
the suggestion was made by the latter that a
visit of the King and Queen to the United
States would materially help securing such a
treaty, and the ground was taken that it was
useless to make another attempt, unless some
demonstration were made which would attract
public attention to Hawaii, and nothing seemed
SO likely to accomplish the object as a royal
visit.
On the 22d of June, His Majesty sent mes
sage to the Legislature, requesting that body
to make the necessary provision for the nego-
tiation Of treaty with the United States. The
matter had been already fully discussed in the
Privy Council, and received general approval.
The GAZETTE, referring to this message, said
that all will unite and aid in seeking to make
the effort to secure treaty success. In a
later issue this paper suggested that The King
himself 60 to Washington, and published the
following relating to this project
"a Now appears to be the golden opportunity for
Hawaii 10 make another earnest aud vigorous effort
TO secure the coveted boon. No half way measures
arc wanted, and no men 10 engineer 1t who cannot
out their whole souls uto the effort, determined 10
secure H.. H. Ia dddifiOR His Njesg Be induced
10 head embdSy 10 Washington IL might create All
eciat, which, We are Confident, would crown the
undertaking with success Aud to This PROPOSE all
the people will say AMEN"
such an embassy would have dignity and receive
courtesy aud consideration such none other could
Ii would also enable His Majesty TO See aud learn
multitude OF things that would Ice OF immense value
to His people, while it would enable the authorities
and people OF the United States TO see aud know
what manner 6f monarch governs these Islands:
that he Is courteous gentleman OF Refinement ana
not merely the chief of tribe OF savagrs, many in
foreign paris imagine Hawaans still are. II would
also assist greatly in placing the needs and wants OF
this Kingdom in proper light abroad. BY all
means let il be done"
This suggestion met with universal favor
and nothing remained but to arrange the de-
tails, which, of course, would take time. The
Kings Cabinet heartily approved the measure
from the start, and no one has labcred more
earnestly or faithfully to secure it than the
Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the meanwhile,
Judge Allen was appointed Envoy Extraor-
diuary to Washington, and Hon H. A. P. Carter,
special commissioner, both jointly charged
with the work Of negotiation of the proposed
treaty. They sailed for Washington on the
18th Of October, 1874.
The King, accompanied with their Excellen-
cies, Henry A. Pierce, Governors Domins and
Kapena, embarked on the 18th of November,
in the L. S. war steamer Beaicia, Capt Hop
kins. The story of his arrival and reception
at San Francisco, of his progress overland to
Washington, thence to New York, Boston and
other cities, is familiar to our readers and need
not be rehearsed here. He arrived here, on
his return from America, on the 18th of Feb
ruary,i in the flagship Pensacola, Admiral Almy,
having been absent little less than three
months.
The object of the Kings visit was not only
to crafty his desire to see the progress and
civilization made by America, but to enlist the
sympathies of that powerful and progressive
government and people, in Hawaii, to draw
their attention to us, in order that the treaty
might be viewed by the people with more ia
vor and be more likely to succeed. As we
look back on the record Of the past two years,
we consider this royal tour as having had more
influence in opening the way for successful
negotiation of the treaty than all other efforts
combined. There is something in the human
breast which prompts men to do kind deed
for guest which they will never do for those
who have not honored them with visit, nor
shown that they deserved tile favor which is
sought. Had the King not gone to America.
we should never have secured this treaty.
After the departure of the King from Wash
ington, Messrs. Allen and Carter succeeded in
negotiating with Secretary Fish the details of
convention which admits into the United
States all unrefned Hawaiian sugars, syrups,
melado, molasses and rice-the staple products
of this group. Few had expected 50 great a
concession from that government, and it must
be acknowledged by every one conversant with
the negotiation, that the terms on which it
was framed; were chiefly secured through the
skill and frmness of Mr.. Carter, who through
out the preliminary conferences as well as in
the warm debates which took place in the Sem
ate in March 1875. insisted on these terms or
nothing. Both Judge Allen and Mr. Carter
remained at Washington during the entire SEES
sion of Congress, but the pressure of national and
political questions led to its postponement till
the extra session which was called March 4th,
when the treaty was brought up, warmly de-
bated, and after having received some unim-
portant amendments, finally passed on the 18th
of March by vote of 81 in its favor to II
against The news reached here on the 9Th of
April, and was the source of great demonstra-
tons Of JOY, as its final success was considered
as certain.
By the terms of the treaty it became neces-
essary for the House of Representatives to ap-
prove of it, by passing an Act to exempt Ha-
waiian produce, as provided for in the treaty
The fact that material change had taken
place in the complexion of the House, and that
the Democratic party now held la large majority
in that body, created some fears lest the treaty
might not be approved. Judge Allen again
went to Washington in November last to aid in
securing its approval and final ratification
After many delays, the bill approving of the
measure passed the House on the sth of May,
by a vote of lis to I0l. To congressman