The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-09-16

The following document appeared in
local paper yesterday without any official or
other authorization. It is printed in this
place for general information:
SAN Francisco, August "a, 1885.
To His Majesty Kalakaua, King of the Ha-
waiian Islands:
The undersigned merchants, manufac-
turers and others interest, Il in the Hawaiian
trade with the United States, and particu-
larly at the port of San Francisco, beg leave
to represent as follows:
FL: w. Severance, Esq, has been the Con-
sui of the Hawaiian Government at San
Francisco for the past seventeen years, and
in our judgment he has been a most COM
petent, faithful and efficient representative.
His former residence at the Islands, and
acquaintance with its people, his long bust
ness experience, his personal and social
standing and character in this community,
combine to fit him eminently for the posi-
ton he has so long occupied.
In regard especially to the paramount
interest of the Hawaiian Kingdom-the ne
gotiation of the treaty of reciprocity with
the United States and its renewal-the
labors of Mr.. Severance have been intelli-
gent, indefatigable and effective in creating,
concentrating and formulating public
opinion in favor of the treaty, and thus we
think have commended him to his Govern
ment by singularly useful public service.
1t is therefore with extreme surprise and
regret that we are informed of his summary
dismissal from the place he has occupied.
We have no knowledge of the reason for
it, and no wish to question the prerogatiVe
of any Government to select its represent
atives in foreign country; but without in
tending any rehexion upon the gentleman
designated to succeed Mr.. Severance, we
cannot but feel that the present and future
interests of the Hawaiian Government
would be greatly promoted by retaining Mr.
Severance as its representative at this port.
We, therefore, respect fully submit to Your
Majesty that it would be highly gratifying
to US, and to the business community of this
city who have such intimate commercial
relations with Your Majesty's Kingdom, if
Mr.. Severance could be reinstated as your
Consular representative at this port, which
Office he has held for so many years with
equal credit to himself, satisfaction to the
community and advantage to the country he
has represented.
1t appears to US that such reinstatement
is fairly due to Mr.. Severance, in view of his
eminent services in the past, while it will be
greatly for the advantage of His Majesty's
Kingdom to have a represen tative SO able
and intelligent, so well known and univer-
sally esteemed at port with which the great
bulk of the commerce of the Islands with
the United States is transacted.
With such divided opinion as exists in this
country in regard to the policy of renewing
the Reciprocity Treaty, and in some very
influential, quarters such decided hostility
to the treaty, We submit that in
order to maintain it, the Hawaiian Govern
ment needs all the sympathy and aid from
the Pacific Coast which can be secured by
such popular and efficient Consular repre-
sentative as Mr.. Severance has proved him
self to be at the port of San Francisco.
We subscribe ourselves:
Very Respectively,