Huntsville gazette., 1893-12-23
Abstract of Instructions Given Minister
Willis

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S-The material
points contained in Secretary Gresh-
ANS letter to Minister Willis, October
16, are as follows:
The provisional government was not estab-
lished by the Hawaiian people or with their
consent. The queen refused to surrender
her powers to the provisional government
until convinced that the minister of the
United States had it recognized as the dc facto
authority and would support and defend it with
the military forces of the United States, and
that resistance would precipitate bloody con-
fiict with that force. She was advised and as-
sured by her ministers. and by the leaders OF
the movement of the overthrow OF her govern
ment. that il she surrendered her case would
be afterward fairly considered by the president
of the United States.
The queen wisely yielded to the armed forces
OF the United States at Honolulu. relying upon
the good faith and honor of the president when
informed of what had occurred, to undo the
action of tie ministers and reinstate her and
her authority. which she claimed as constitu-
tional eseign OF the Hawaiian islands.
The PRESIDENT is satisfied that the move
ment against the queen. il not instigated was
encouraged and supported by the representa-
tive OF this government at Honolulu; that he
promised in advance to aid her enemies to set
up "a new government. and that he kept this
promise by causing detachment of troops
to be landed from the United
States ship Boston. and by recognizing
the provisional government the next day when
it was too feeble to defend itself, and that the
cOHSblluJlOnhl government WIS aDl0 SuCCcSS-
fully to maintain its authority against any
threatening force other than that of the United
States already landed
The president has therefore determined that
he will not send back to the senate for its ac-
tion thereon the treaty which he has with
drawn from that body for further consideration
on the 9th of March last.
On your arrival at Honolulu you will take ad-
vantage of an early opportunity to inform the
queen OF this determination, making known to
her the presidents regret that the reprehensi-
BILE conduct of the American minister and the
unauthorized presence on land or the military
force OF the United States obliged her to sur
render her sovereignty for the time being, and
to rely upon the justice OF this government to
undo the fragrant wrong done to her.
You will at the same time inform the queen
that when reinstated the president expects
that she will pursue magnan1mous course
by granting full amnesty to all who parttci-
Dated in the movement against her, including
the persons who are, or have been, officially or
otherwise connected with the provisional gov
ernment. depriving them of no right or prtvl-
lege enjoyed before the so-called revolution.
All obligations created by the provisional
government in due course of administration
should be assumed. Having secured the queens
agreement to pursue this wise and humane
policy, which il is believed will be speedily OBJ
tained you will then advise the president Of
the provisional government and his minis
ters of the presidents determination
of the question which their action and
that of the queen devolved upon him, and that
they are expected to relinquish to her promptly
her constitutional authority.
Should the queen decline to pursue the lib
eral course suggested, or should the provisional
government refuse to abide by the presidents
direction. you will report the facts and await
further instructions.