The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-05-15
Department of State,

uOW dIlluS
Department of State,
WASHINGTON, March II, 1893.
The HONORABLE JAMES II. BLoUNL
ETC Sir The situation created in
the Hawaiian Islands by the recent de.
position of Queen Liiuokalani and the
erection of a Provisional Government
demands the fullest consideration 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 Isl
ands as his Special Commissioner in
which capacity you will herewith receive
a commission and also letter whereby
the President aCcredits you to the
President of the Executive and Advi
sorry Councils of the Hawaiian Islands
The comprehensive, delicate and
confidential character of your mission
can now only be briefly outlined, the
details of its execution being neCessari.
ly left in great measure to your good
judgment and wise discretion.
You will investigate and fully report
to the President all the facts you can
learn respecting the condition of affairs
in the Hawaiian Islands; the causes of
the revolution by which the Queens
government was overthrow, the sent-
ment of the people toward existing au.
thority, and, in general, all that can fol-
ly enlghten the President touching the
subject of your mission.
To enable you to fulfil this charge,
your authority in all matters touching
the relations of this government to the
existing or other government of the
Islands, and the protection Of our Citi-
zens therein, is paramount and in you
alone, acting in cooperation with the
commander of the naval forces is
vested full discretion and power to de-
termine when such forces should be
landed or withdrawn.
You are, however, authorized to
avail yourself of such aid and informa-
ton as you may desire from the pres
ent 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 entrusted to you. An instruc-
ton will be sent to Mr.. Stevens direct
ing 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 Annex
alton for re-eXamination by the Pres-
dent, leaves its subject matter in abey-
ance, and you are not charged with
any duty in respect thereto. 1t may
be well however for you to dispel any
possible misrepresentation which its
withdrawal may have excited touching
the entire friendliness of the President
and the Government of the United
States towards the people Ct the Ha-
wailan Islands, or the earnest soliCitude
here felt for their welfare, tranquility
and progress
Historical preCedents, and the gen.
eral course of the United States, au-
thorize the employment of its armed
force in foreign territory for the securi-
ty of the lives and property of Amer
lean citizens and for the suppression Of
lawless and tumultuous acts threaten
ing them; and the powers conferred to
that end upon the representatives of
the United States are both necessary
and proper, subject always to the eX
ercise of sound discretion in their
application.
In the judgment of the President
your authority as well as that of the
commander ofthe Naval forces in Haw-
allan waters, should be and is limited,
in the use of physical force, to such
measures as are necessary to protect
the persons and property of our citizens;
and while abstaining from any manner
of interference with the domestic con.
Germs of the Islands, you should indie.
ate your willingness to interfere with
your friendly offices in the interest Of
peaceful settlement of troubles within
the limits of sound discretion.
Should it be necessary to land ar
armed force upon Hawaiian territory
on occasions of popular disturbance
when the local authority may be un
able to give adequate protection to the
life and property of citizens of the
United States, the assent of such
authority should first be obtained, if i
can be done without prejudice to tht
intereStc involved
Your power in this regard shouC
not, however, be claimed to the eXclu
sion of similar measures by the repre-
sentatives Of other powers for the pro
lection of the lives and property o
their citizens or subjects residing in thu
Islands.
While the United States claim nj
right to interfere in the political or do
mestc affairs, or in the internal con
h;cts of the Hawaiian Islands, other
wise than as herein stated, or for tn
purpose of maintaining any treaty 0
other rights which they possess, thi
Government will adhere to its cor
sistent and established policy in relatio
tO than and ~ will NOT aCpuiPCCa 4