Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-18
Other BuruIarfes
MR.. LINCOLN AND HAWAII.


American Influence I'm the Islaud.
Thirty Years Ago.
From the New York Mail and Express
Just thirty years ago, on October g. 1863
the United States minister to Honolulu.
Mr.. James Mcbride, wrote a dispatch to
Hon. William II. Seward who was then
Secretary OF State during the first term OF
President Lincoln. dealing exclusively with
the subject Of English influence and inter-
ference with Hawaiian affairs. The dis
patch was a very lengthy one. but the fol-
lowing extracts are most pertinent at this
juncture:
English policy. English etiquette and
English grandeur seem to captivste and
control the king. His familiar associates
are Englishmen. ana where an office be-
con.ss vacant by death. resignation or
otherwise IT is filled by the appointment OF
an Englishman. In a word. English diplo-
macy has been so adroit and sagacious as
to win the esteem and confidence of his
majesty and the royal family
1T Is plainly to be seen that the British
government places a high estimate on the
future value Of these islands. believing no
doubt. that the Pacific and other railroads
will be built, and that these islands will
become very important as halfway
house between Europe and America on one
side and China and Japan on the other.
THE English influences which are thrown
around the king in the persons of English
school teachers recently imported and a
number OF English cergymen sent here by
her Britannia majesty at the request of the
king, and he not a pious man. and the fill
ing of vacant Offices by Englishmen. on the
whole, being considered, is shrewdly sus-
rected Of being political affair under the
garb of religion and intended at least to
supersede Americans holding Office under
his majestys government. American school
teachers and American clergymen: many OF
whom have already been turned out: in
other words. an endeavor to thoroughly
Anglicize this place and prepare It for a
British regency.
into other hands, and their destiny be con-
trolled by other people. The question then
Is to what nation shall they belong and 70
whom ought they belong, the English or
pettors.
THE merchants. traders. dealers Of all
kinds and planters are principally Ameri-
cans: The English have no commerce here.
worthy OF the name and but one or two
retail stores; the Germans about the same
amount Of business as the English. Many
American merchants here are doing quite a
large business. and would extend their
business still more but for the danger OF
British rule over this group. which, IL IL
should become the dominant or governing
power, American interests would be crushed
out with eagerness and dispatch. Such is
the universal belief OF all American citizens
with whom / have conversed, and such is
my own opinion. 1t would be a fragrant in
Justice to American citizens. after they have
labored for the good of thes> islands for the
last forty years. after they have brought
these people out OF barbarism and taught
them civilization, science and religion; in
a word. made them an intelligent and
Christian nation, and have done all that
has been done in the development OF the re-
sources Of the country and given IL a world
wide popularity. to be either driven out or
SO treated and harrassed TO make IL
necessary for their interests to sacrifice
their property and leave.
II am also informed" wrote Minister Nc
Bride. that the British government since
the commencement Of the rebellion in the
United States sent a deputation to examine
and report on the cotton growing capacity
OF this group, end the report is said TO be
remarkably favorable This may aid in ex-
planning the lively interest which her Brit
ish majesty's government takes in this
government and the final disposition OF
these islands so far as conduct is a faithful
index to design.
This group of islands under the control
OF our government, in my Judgment, would
be far more valuable than the ownership
Of both Cuba and the Bahama Islands"
Early In the following year the United
States Senate passed a resolution, February
4. 1864. asking for information relative to a
proposed reciprocity treaty between the
United States and the Sandwich Islands.
but President Lincoln transmitted q report
from the Secretary OF State saying: 1T IL
not deemed expedient at present TO COM
municate the correspondence called for by
the resolution" This serves 20 show that
President Lincoln had taken heed TO the
report of Minister Mcbride and had the
question of a closer Hawaiian relationship
under Amusement
In this connection, too, IL is right TO re-
member that II the opponents of ~ Glad
stone were in charge OF the affairs of Great
Britain the question OF Hawaiian annexa-
ton to the United States would receive
thAr ofA
of the Atlantic. Just how soon Mr.. Glad
stones administration will be overthrow
ls matter that has a direct bearing upon
the Hawaiian question.