The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-05-15
Published for the Information of
the Hawaiian People.
Honolulu, H. l., I
MAY Is, 1893.

HONOLULU, ii. L.,
May Is, 1893.
To the People Of The Hawdiian Islands:
[ deem it proper now to publish
the following instructions under
which l am acting:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington, March IL, 1S9.3S
The Honorable James II. Blount, Etc:
SIR,-The situation created in the
Hawaiian Islands by the recent de-
position of Queen Liliuokalani and
the erection of Provisional Govern
ment demands the fullest considera-
ton of the President, and in order
to obtain trustworthy information
on this subject, as well as for the
discharge of other duties herein
specified, he has decided to despatch
you to the Hawaiian Islands as his
Special Commissioner, in which
capacity you will herewith receive a
commission and also letter where
by the President accredits you to
the President of the Executive and
Advisory Councils of the Hawaiian
Islands.
The comprehensive, delicate and
confidential character of your mis-
sion can now only be briefly outlin-
ed. the details of its execution be-
ing necessarily left in great measure
to your good Judgment and wise
discretion.
You will investigate and fully re-
port to the President all the facts
you can learn respecting the condi-
ton of affairs in the Hawaiian
Islands; the causes of the revolution
by which the Queens government
was overthrown; the sentiment of
the people toward existing author
ity, and, in general, all that can
fully eniighten the President touch
ing the subject of your mission.
TO enable you to fulfil this charge,
your authority in all matters touch
ing the relations of this government
to the existing or other government
of the Islands, and the protection of
our citizens therein, is paramount;
and in you alone, acting in co-opera-
ton with the commander of the
naval forces, is vested full discrep-
tion and power to determine when
such forces should be landed or
withdrawn.
You are, however, authorized to
avail yourself of such aid and infor-
nation as you may desire from the
present Minister of the United
States at Honolulu, Mr.. John l..
Stevens, who will continue until
further notice to perform the usual
functions attaching to his office, not
inconsistent with the powers en-
trusted to you. An instruction will
be sent to Mr.. Stevens directing him
to facilitate your presentation to the
head of the government upon your
arrival and to render you all needed
assistance.
The withdrawal from the Senate
of the recently signed Treaty of An
nexation, for re-examination by the
President, leaves its subject. matter
in allegiance, and you are not charged
with any duty in respect thereto
1t may be well, however, for you to
dispel any possible misapprehension
which its withdrawal may have ex-
cited touching the entire friendli-
ness of the President and the Gov
ernment of the United States to-
ward the people of the Hawaiian
Islands, or the earnest solicitude
here felt for their welfare, tran
quillity and progress.
Historical precedents, and the
general course of the United States
authorize the employment of its
armed force in foreign territory for
the security Of the lives and pro,
perty of American citizens and for
the repression of lawless and tumult-
uous acts threatening them; and the
powers conferred to that end upon
the representatives of the United
States are both necessary and pro
per, subject always to the exercise
of sound discretion in their appli.
cation.
In the Judgment of the President
your authority as well as that of the
Commander of the naval forces il
Hawaiian waters, should be and il
limited, in the use of physica
force, to such measures as are neces,
sary to protect the persons and pro,
perty of our citizens; and while
abstaining from any manner Of in
reference with the domestic con
Germs of the islands, you should indi
cate your willingness to interven,
with your friendly offices in the in
terest Of peaceful settlement o
troubles within the limits of sounG
discretion.
Should it be necessary to land al
armed force upon Hawaiian terri
tory on occasions of popular dis
turbance when the local authority
may be unable to give adequate pro
lection to the life and property OF
citizens OF the United States, the
assent of such authority should first
be obtained, if il can be done with
out prejudice to the interests in