The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1883-01-27

added that he was in reasonably good health, and
that this climate was more agreeable to him than
that Of his adopted country. Having related to
a friend some of the events Of his life, he pleasantly
concluded as follows .. SO that now 1 I'M here in
the capital. where, as . young man, l served in
Congress, wearing the decoration of s. King and
incidentally have become Dean of the diplomatic
corps Mr.. Allen was very well known here, and
was frequently seen in the diplomats galleries AT
the Capitol.
The reception had been in progress for more than
two hours when it was interrupted. and had been
one Of unusual interest. But for the death of Mr..
Allen it would have been regarded as the most bril-
liant affair of the kind ever seen in the White
House.
TIE DEAD MINISTER.
Elisha H. Allen was born in Greenfield, Mass,
on 1904, his ather being representative of that dis
trict in Congress. He was educated at Williams
College, and was the oldest living AIumnus of the
University. After being graduated, at an early
age, he began the study of law. and was admitted
to the Bar while still a very young man. He at
once began the practice of his profession in his
native town, and soon acquired a reputation for
legal knowledge and ability. He afterwards re-
moved TO Brattleboro, VT, and thence, in 1880, to
Bangor, Me-, still continuing the successful prac-
tice of the law. From Bangor Mr.. Allen was sent
10 Congress, where he was a contemporary of the
Hon. Hannibal Hamlin. After finishing his term
as a representative from Maine, he removed to
Boston. where he soon built up an extensive legal
business. In 1852 he was appointed United States
Consul to Honolulu. in the Sandwich Islands.
After filling this office for four years. his abilities
were recognized by the Hawaiian Government, and
he was made Minister of Finance, and soon after
ward the Chief Justice of the Kingdom. which office
he filled for twenty years. During his Chief JUS
t;oacls, L. -, 1870 - r:-s..
Plenipotentiary of the Hawaiian Government to
the United States to negotiate the Reciprocity
Treaty, which went into operation in 1876. Mr..
Allen held a high position in the esteem of the
highest officials of the land of his adoption. He
was a trustee of Oahu College. of the Sailors
Home, and of the Queens Hospital of Oahu.
When the Reciprocity Treaty went into effect he
was sent to this country as Resident Minister in
Washington, which position he held at tlie-time of
his death.
When Mr.. Allen left Honolulu his departure was at
tended by impressive ceremonies, which were partici-
pated in by the King and the Ministers. The Honolulu
Chamber of Commerce held q special meeting in his
honor, which was addressed by the King, and resolutions
recognizing his service in negotiating the Reciprocity
Treaty were presented. After his arrival in the United
States an elegant service of silver was sent him from the
Sandwich Islands as a tribute from the merchants and
| planters in acknowledgment of his services to the com
merce of the Kingdom. Mr. Allen held a high socia
position in Washington, and was loved and esteemed by
all with whom he came in contact. He was a man of tn,
strictest integrity, and not a single stain blemishes hi
long official career. His sudden death was a great shocl
to his family, several of whom are residents of this city
He was q widower, and leaves five adult children-Mr
William F. Allen, Collector of the Port of Honolulu Mr.
Elisha II. Allen, jr, Mr.. Frederick X. Allen, and Mis-
Mary Allen, of this city, and Mrs. William P. Vessel
hoeft of Boston. MIR. Elisha II. Allen, jr, left the cit,
yesterday for Washington as soon as he heard of hi
fathers death.