Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-12-01
BLOUUI'S REPORT
Regarding the Revolution In
the Hawaiian Islands.
LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS.
The Commissioner Says that Mr..
Stevens was Responsible for the
Queens Overthrow-HaulIn
Down the Flag Cause.

OQ66n'S overthrow r1adiii8
Down the Flag-The Cause.
Secretary Gresham made public all the cor
respondence b-tween the Secretary of State
and James II. Blount, commissioner and
later minister to the Hawaiian Islands.
The matter consists of three parts, the FIRST
beginning with copy OF the instructions
given Mr. Bleunt on March II, 1898, prior to
his departure from " cshington for Honolulu,
and the last part ending with brief letter
under date OF July g., 1893, In which he takes
his congo, as foIlowsi
"The condition Of parties in the islands Is
one Of quiescenee. The action VI the United
States is awaited by all as matter OF neces-
siiy. This condition, 1t can be assumed, Will
remain until the proposition 70 annex is ac-
cepted or rejected. In the latter contingency
no sudden movement Is likely to occur. The
present government can only rest on the use
OF the military force, possessed OF most OF
the arms in the Islands, with small waite
population to draw from to strengthen it.
Ultimately it will fall without fail. 1t may
preserve its existence for year or two, but
not longer"
Then he adds that he has done bis duty as
well as he could, considering 1 was sur
rounded by persons interested In mislea ding
me-" And his private affairs necessitated his
return home
Secretary Greshams letter Of instructions
10 Dir. Blount, dated March / define clearly
how far. "a the opinion OF the President, the
uso of armed force is permissible by the
United States to pull down or set up govern
neuts. Mr. Gresham Says
'In the judgment OF the President, your
authority. as we'll as that OF the commander
,f the naval forces in Hawaiian waters,
should be- and Is, limited in the use OF ply
sical force to such measures as are necessary
10 protect the persons and property OF our
citizens and while abstaining from any man
ner OF interference with the domestic con-
Germs OF the islands, you should indicate
your willingness 10 intervene with your
friendly offices In the interest OF peaceiul
settement OF troubles within the limits OF
sound discretion.
"Should it bo necessary 10 land an armed
force upon Hawaiian territory on occasions
of popular disturbance, when the local au-
thority may be unable to give adequate pro-
lection 10 the life and property of the citi-
zens OF the United States, the assent OF such
authority should first be obtained, II 1t can
be done without prejudice to the interests
invaded.
"Your mower in this regard should not,
however, be claimed to the exclusion OF SIM
liar methods by the representatives OF otner
powers for the protection OF the lives anu
property of their citizens or subjects residing
in the islands
"Whi.e the United States claim no right to
interfere in the politica, or domestic affairs,
or in the internal conflicts OF the Hawaiian
Islands. otherwise than as herein stated, or
for the purpose OF maintaining any treaty or
other rights which they possess, this govern
ment will adhere to its consistent and estab-
ished policy in relation to them, and 1t VIII
not acouiesce In domestic interference by
other powers"
In a letter dated April 6, Mr.. Blount an
nounces his arrival at Honolulu and tells OF
bis refusal, against the strong urging Of Min
lister Stevens, to accept house apd the use
of servants, carriages, horses, &C., furnished
bv the provisional government paying
"wbatever wanted for 1t from nothing up"
He also notes the refusal OF tenders from the
ex-Oueen and others.
Amended to a letter OF April 8, In which
Mr.. Blount deplores the prevented influence
of Minister Stevens and Consul-Generai
seyerence. to whom heascribes the existence
of the provisional government Is steno-
graphic report of an interview between Mr.
Blount and Admiral Skerrett, iu which the
following occurs.
Admiral Skerrett: 'I called at the Navy
Department on the 3Oth Of December to see
MIR. Tracy, the Secretary OF tho Navy to ask
him If he had any final Instructions for me,
AS was going to leave the next day Tor San
Francisco TO assume command OF the Pacific
souadron. He replied: Commodore, nave
| no instructions to give you. You will go there
and perform your duty, as I know you will,
and everything will be satisfactory
"I remarked: Mr. Tracy, want to ask
vou about these Hawaiian affairs. When
was out there 20 years ago l had frequent
conversations with the then Unitel States
Minister. Mr.. Pierce, on the subject of the
islands. was told then that the United
States Government did not wish to annex
the islands OF Hawaii.
He replied Commodore, the wishes Of
the government have changed. They will
be very glad to annex Hawaii. He said as a
matter of course none tut the ordinary legal
means can be used to .Isuade these people
TO come into the United States
On April 81 Mr.. Blount says he was called
on by Claus Spreckels, but, says Mr.. Blount
show much or how little Mr.. Spreckels
knows about this matter am unable to say,
as Go not kdow."
On the same day Mr.. Blount, for the Sec
ond time disapproved OF request ofthe pro-
visional government that the American forces
be landed for drill 'The landing of the
troops, pending negotiations between the
Queen and President Doe, the commissioner
says, "mght be used 10 impress the former
with fear that troops were landed to lend
force to the provisional government in bring
ing her to an adjustment. 1 dill not think
proper to communicate the reason to Mr..
Stevens or any other person save Admiral