The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1883-02-21
The Late Elisha H. Allen.

The startling and tragic death of the late Ha-
waiiau Minister Resident at the Presidential Man,
sion in Washington, in the midst of one of the
most brilliant assemblages of American and for
eign officials ever seen at the national capital
has already drawn forth from the press here and
abroad notices full of deserved eulogy of the de-
ceased statesman. Ii was my good fortune to
have known AiT. Allen quite Intimately, and TO
have enjoyed many free and instructive CONVERSE
tons with him. political and other topics, when
the opinion Of n man of his large experience and
liberal views was valuable TO a conductor of the
press. On several occasions of political excite
ment, when it appeared doubtful what was the
proper course to pursue, i was always cordially
received by him, and found him true and faith
full adviser and Observation-Disclosures what he dis
approved and advising what he thought Just and
right. He was gifted with more than ordinary
refinement and culture-qualities that made him
a genial companion, whether among friends or
strangers and admirably qualified him for the
high offices and diplomatic position which he so
long occupied. Almost from the day he landed
here he showed great interest in the prosperity
and advancement of Hawaii, and particularly in
the DEVELOPMENT of our commerce and produc-
tons. at times investing IN whaling business,
sheep husbandry and sugar plantations 1t is
nearly thirty years since he trst began to advocate
a reciprocity convention with the United States,
and it is chiefly in reference TO his efforts in this
connection, that have undertaken this sketch.
He arrived here in March, 1850, on the bark
Mgri1, which made the remarkably short passage
of ten days-at that date the shortest on record,
and held the Office of American Consul till super
coded by Beni F. Angel in 1853, when he was
appointed Hawaiian Minister of Finance, succeed
ing DIR. Judd in that office. Very soon after en-
tering service of the Hawaiian Government, he
took an active interest in the subject of reciprocity
with the United States and some of the articles
which appeared in the local papers of that time,
on this subject, were prompted by him. In 1876,
he went to Washington, partly with the object of
securing such treaty, but failed to enlist the
American Government IN the proposition. In
1864, he went again on similar mission, with the
-, III
as here not having been sufficiently educated re-
garding the advantages of such conventions, which
are now absorbing so much attention abroad.
In 1874, he again visited Washington, and had
interviews with Hamilton Fish, then Secretary Of
State and also with President Grant and found
that both favored commercial treaties with their
neiuhbors. ! distinctly remember, on his return,
how full he was of the treaty scheme, and how
confident that it could be obtained We had fire.
quent interesting conversations about it, discuss
ING what was the best way 70 bring it up, as to
make it successful. Ihad always approved treaty,
and needed no urging to again advocate a measure
which promised to do so much for Hawaii mel; and
when heard from his lips the result of his con-
yersations with President Grant and Secretary
Fish, | felt equally confident with him that the
time had come when it might be again tried with
a fair prospect of success.
One day about this date (lS7i), he came into
nv Office, and said, in his usual free and familiar
way: See here, Mr.. W., want to see You again
up n0w.H Why, I've been thinking that if we
can only induce the King and Queen TO GO to
Washington, and visit President Grant, it will
help along our treaty wonderfully Nov, that
has been Just my idea also" | answered, but
have doubts as to whether IT can be accomplished,
and If practicable, whether il is wise 10 publicly
advocate it, We then talked the matter over,
and some objections were spoken Of such as the
expense Of royal embassy, the Queen not being
able to speak English, &c. But it was decided
that the Kings visit to America should be advo-
Gated, and the next GAZETTE, of which was ed
I =. ..#al1
received at first, but the more it was talked about
the more important it appeared as necessary to
the success Of the undertaking.
Tho Cabinet did not at first favor the project:
but it vas decided to call Priyy Council and con-
slider the matter. If my memory serves rightly,
ont OF twenty five or more members present. only
Judge Allen, Mr.. Harris and myself favored ii,
whilo others brought up various objections.
never knew person TO labor with more earnest.
ness than did Jndgo Allen at this meeting-de-
tormined. 1t were, to carry his point and carry
| ii be did, every objection having been removed
| and the ways and means pledged; the Minister OF
Foreign Affairs Mr.. W. l.. Green, ut the close
moving the adoption of the resolution, which
passed iGsgliaosfslg, recommending His Majesty 70
make the proposed visit From that day, the
Cabinet, which had all along favored reciprocity
earnestly endorsed the proposed royal embassy
which proved 80 successful. and which. more than
anything else, helped to secure the treaty.
Probably one OF the last letters which Mr.. Alleu
/ wrote to these Islands, dated only few DAYS be
fore his death, was addressed 10 me. having beer
prompted by the receipt of my report on the re.
suits of the reciprocity treaty, read before The
Planters Company, in October last. As his leitel
possesses special interest at this time, permit md
10 quote portion OF it;
-wAsHSGroS Dec. 4, Iss2 You
able statement ought 10 convince our opponents OF
the advantages Of the Treaty to the commercial and
producing interests of the United States. II is a
marked feature in the working Of the treaty. thai
| It has given great advantages to navigation and
the ship building interest. received last week a
| letter from Messrs. Cranp & Co., The great shiT
builders in Philadelphia, giving me a description
| OF two steamers which they are now building fol
the route from San Francisco TO Honolall- They
are 400 tons each, cost S5o0ooo each, and vii
have a speed OF fifteen knots per hour. and are ex
pcc;ed to be finished in June.
/ =" There is no country where treaty Of reciproc
/ ity can be mede by the United States 70 advantac
eously as with Hawaii, for the reason that We pro
duce uhat the United States does not. except In q
small amount, namely, sugar; while the United
States manufactures and produces what Hawai-
does not Therefore, il Is simply barter trade
and causes no competition in either country. foz
have very ably presented this vieu Of the subicci
/ in your report.
You and c1a never cease IN our devotion e
/ the treaty. | have devoted NOR labor and AM
ious hours 10 it than 10 any otllls subject IN ms
/ long life | well remember, and doubt not y0J
/ do-vhen l returned from Washington with thu
assurance fnom Mr.. Fish. that he was in favor Of
reciprocity treaties with his neihbors, that Is, Of
/ the United States; and the Sandwich Islands were
among theul-that we held that conversation II