The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-08-03
MAJOR WoDEHoUsE.
FOREIGN OFFICE. Jan. 25th, Isis.

SIR: have now to supply you on your return tO your post with
instructions in regard TO the recent commercial negotiations with Mr..
Carter, the Hawaiian Envoy to this country, in connection with the
discussion between Her Maesys Government and the Hawaiian
of July 10th, 1851, between Great Britain and the Sandwich Islands,
between the United States and the Sandwich Islands has been pu: into
operation by the Hawaiian Government.
Mr.. Carter had his first interview with me on the 9th Of August
| expressed to him in general terms the friendly sentiments of Her
Majestys Government towards the King and people of Hawaii and as
the question respecting which he had come to treat involved matters OF
% Gan / ,n aen NE Ie'e Kenne Ghm 'G Pr. We eSe& US %, Of mes ness points 1prfv, 10 NJ NJ
Maney Hopkins, the Hawaiian ConsulGeneral in London, had given
the terms of Art. Il of the Treaty of July 10th, 1851, Articles a. and
6 of that treaty. He announced at the same time that a Special En-
vOy was coming to this country from Hawaii for the purpose of settling
the differences which had arisen, or at best of explaining fully the posi-
ton of the Hawaiian Government in the matter. This communication
the subject contained in your Despatch No ? Commercial Of the 2Sdof
quiIements of the case for while the points in discussion were limited
terminate the whole of that Article, and also Art. 5 and 6. Mr. Carter
explained at length in several conversations the reasons which had in
of 1915 with the United States. The question in discussion was,
however, further complicated by a tariff law passed by the Hawaiian
Legislature in 1876, by which the Hawaiian Government, besides ex-
emphng the goods specified in the Schedule Dart. 2of that Reciprocity
custom duties previously levied on mixed textiles, and on certain other
trade between this country and the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian
Government have thus not only infrnged the stpulatons of their
terms IS United States goods, but they have increased the rate of the
diHsrential duty, which, contrary to treaty. they have thus established
and they have apparently proceeded to levy these duties without wait
nation of Art. 4 of the British Treaty of 1851. This state ofthngs
gave Her Majesty's Go yS aa ground r for serious complaint. But
friendly policy which they have hitherto maintained towards the Ha-
Walan Islands. Mr.. carter then communicated, as 81 alternative
Additional Article and of Declaration. But these documents would
which has been taken by the Hawaiian Government. They are each
alike opposed to the view of the whole question taken by Her Ma
iestys Government, and to their Interpretation of Article 4 of the
Treaty of 1851 l therefore caused you to be instructed to supply
ence to their bearing on British commercial interests; and, after
ance with the friendly policy Of Her Majestys government towards
the Hawaiian Islands, without insisting as a step preliminary to ne
addressed Mr. Garter the enclosed note, proposing for his accept
difference between the two Governments simply a difference of in
depreciation, and by taking that. basis to facilitate a settlement of
this Declaration, he would also accede to the suggestions made in
Articles should not take effect; and it was explained to him that the
schedule annexed to the draft of Declaration was open for modifca-
toned therein in general terms might be limited to certain classes
of them, and that some of the goods mentioned, carriages for ex-
ample, might be altogether omitted from the list. Mr. Carter, how
ever, did not proceed with the negotiation on this basis; and at an
me a memorandum in which, by referring to correspondence in
1856, when a previous: reciprocity treaty which was not ratified, and
therefore never came into operation, was in discussion, and to CORE
spondence in 1867 about consular q privileges Me he sought to oontro-
4 of the Treaty of 1851 But these matters are in the opinion of
Her Majestys Government, beside the question now at issue. The
correspondence in 1856 was incomplete, for it related to a state of
things which, as that reciprocity treaty did not GOMEZ into operation,
In the absence of Mr. Lister, and as a proof Of the constant desire
of Her Majestys Government to act in a friendly manner towards
the Hawaiian Government, ther placed Mr. ". Garter in semiofieial
1t was suggested to MI. Carter that the. Hawaiian Government
1875, o. even a modified form of that Schedule, should be annexed
to the British 81 d. Declaration / a% proposed ad~fo to to be t%a substituted 4%I u a. tor the hTSt
prised in it, when of British origin, shall not, while the Reciprocity
Treaty of 1875 Is in force, exceed 10 per cent. ad vaOrem; that the
unnecessary denunciation of the remaining part of Art 4 and of
Art. 5 and 6 should be withdraw, and that effect should be given
to these engagements in such manner as would be mostin accord
ance with the Hawaiian Constitution. But Mr.. Carter was not
proposed that the most favored nation stipulation in the Treaty of
1851 should be held not to apply to the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875
Or to concessions made by treaties between the Hawaiian Islands
and countries in or bordering upon the Pacific Ocean. This plan,
however, was found on examination to be the same as that proposed
in the drafts of Additional Article and of Declaration communica-
ton by Mr. Carter on the 18th September, and which, in my note of
the 25th October, he had been informed could not be adopted by
Her Maiestv's Government. He was accordingly again informed so.
He was further asked to say whether he was willing to withdraw the
conversation the precise meaning Off statement on this point in his
memorandum of the 9th of November was not very clear Before,
however. this answer could be sent of, he announced that he was
about to leave for the Continent, and up to this time no reply has
been received to the semioficial letter in which this answer was
conveyed to him Having now stated the course of the recent
NEGOTIATIONS will proceed to make known to you the views of Her
Maiesty's Government in the present position Of the question. l
have to observe, in the first place, that in dealing with 1t Her Ma
iatys Government have to consider it not merely as regards the
relations between Great Britain and the Hawaiian Islands. The
arrangement which may be arrived at for its settlement will also
have a bearing upon the commercial relations and engagements of
this country with foreign States generally. Her Majestys Govern
ment cannot therefore be parties to any arrangement which would
be opposed to their general commercial policy. They are wiIlugto
accept fully the explanation given by you and by Mr. Carter in
regard to the Reciprocity Treaty between Hawaii and the United
States. and they have no wish that that Treaty should impair their
necessary condition to this friendly understanding, Her Majesty's
Government expect that the Hawaiian Government will remove just
causes of complaint and the draft of Declaration proposed in my
note to Mr. Garter of the 25th of October last not having been ac
ceuted. Won must not give any pledge that the offer then made will
he repeated. In consideration of the peculiar circumstances of the