The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-26
Queen Lii Tells Her Grievances
to Her Friend Blount.
STEVENS A WICKED PLoTTER.
Harrison Also Bad Man, but Cleve-
land Just and Generous.
She Took . Fancy to the Stout Presi-
dent Wnen she Visited Him In This
Country-An Account Of Her Trouble
with Her Cabinet.

volume of the papers accompanying
B.oant's report has been given out by the
state department, consisting of ali the dis
closures made by Biount in dispatches
and with his report from Honolulu. 1t is
the testimony on which he bases his re-
port. Numerous affidaviIs bearing on the
day the provisional government was pro-
Claimed go to show that Minister Stevens
recognized the provisional government
aad troops were landed from the Boston
before the queens forces surrendered to
the provisional government.
The statement that Liliuokalani ad-
dressed to Blount is Of special interest and
importance. On December IL, 1892, she
claims. she received letter from source
she does not divulge. warning her that
American representatives were at that
time preparing FOR annexation of the ISL
ands. She appealed 70 the British COM
missioner, and he advised against her
suggestion 20 lay the matter before ail the
members of the diplomatic corps. Con-
tinuing she says:
'.The morning of January IL 1898. ar
rived with :sA preparations for closing the
legislature. At cabinet meeting told
the cabinet that IL was my intention to
promulgate new constitution. At noon
prorogIiei the Legislature, noticing that
several members of the reform party were
not present On entering the palace,
saw Wilson. and asked il oil were ready
have to be brave today went
to the blue room and awaited the
ministers. After some delay they arrived,
and judged from their countenances that
something was wrong. A few days before
! had planned that would sign the con-
stitution in the throne room in the pres
ence Of the members OF the legislature,
many of y hom had been elected for the
purpose of working for the new constitu-
tion. At the commencement of my reign
petitions were sent from all parts
of the kingdom asking for q new
constitution. A month later with
two members of the legislature I
started in to make new constitution
from that of kamehameha and that of
1857. After completing it placed it in
the hands OF Peterson. asking him to cor
rect and revise ii. He consulted many
lawyers and others regarding il, and when
it was returned found no changes made,
so / concluded that it was all right.
Early in January mentioned to
guards, and Marshal Wilson. my inten-
tion to promulgate the new constitution
and TO prepare themselves to quell any
riot or outbreak from the opposition.
They assured me that they would be
ready, aud gave = strict injunction of
secrecy and showed Wilssn plan OF the
throne room on the day Of the signing
Parker and Cornwall gave me assurances
of their support before their appointment
as ministers, while Peterson understood
my intention, and Colbourn heard it from
Peterson. 1t appears that CoIhourn, on
the morning of January Ii. acted the part
OF traitor by going TO Hartweil, law
yer. and receiving instructions from him
to strongly advise me to abandon the
idea. This was the cause of the delay
in the blue room. When the ministers
arrived l told them everything in the
throne room was ready. | was surprised
when the cabinet informed me that they
aid not think ii advisable for me to take
such steps; that there was danger of an
uprising. etc. I told them I would not
nave undertaken IL il they had not encour-
aged me. They bad led me out TO the edge
of q precipice and were now leaving me to
take the leap alone. 1t is humiliaIing, /
said; why not give the people the consti-
tuition, and will bear the brunt of the
blame. Peterson said he had not read the
constitution. told him he had it in his
possession whole month. The ministers
left Parker to try to dissuade me from
my purpose. and in the meantime they
went 10 the government building TO inform
Thurston aud party of the stand I took.
Of course they were instructed not to
yield. The ministers returned and asked
them 10 read the constitution over, then
asked them what was injurious in the
document. Peterson said some of the
points he thought were not exactly suita-
bic. | told him the legislature
could make amendments. He begged
that should wait for few weeks, and in
the meantime they would be ready 20 pre-
sent it to me. With these assurances |
yielded. and we adjourned TO the throne
room. | stated to the guests present that
nv reason for inviting them was to pro-
mulgate new constitution at the request
Of my people: that the constitution of
lssT was imperfect and full of defects
Turning to the chief justice | asked. Is IL
not so. Mr.. Judd, and he answered in the
affirmative. | then informed the peorle
that under the advice OF my ministers
had yielded, as they promised ths. on
new constitution. / then asked them
to return TO their homes and keen
the peace. | heard comrnotion
below in the yard and hurried TO the front
Seranda, and from there addressed the
people. saying that their wishes for the
new constitution coald not be granted
just then, bat would be AZ some future
day. They must go home and keep
the peace and pray for me, which
they have done ever since Every
thing was Quiet in the nalace ALI
thai night. on sunday Parker advised
me that the reform party Was holding a
meeting. All Sunday everything seemed
quiet. On Monday the ministers issued
notice of the position | took and the at
ietnpts made to promu gate the new con.
sti.nron. At the earnest solicitation of my
people, my native subjects. They
gave assurances that any changes
desired the Fundamental Law of
she land would be sought only by methods
provided in the constitution Itself ana
signed by myself and ministers. Itwas
intended 10 resssIsre the people
"Ahoat O'Clock, hoEever.. iroar. from
the United States ship Boston were landed
by order of Minister Stevens in secret nm
cers'anding with the revolution ary parrv."
The statement Of the circumstances.
tending to the yielding OF authority to the
provisional government does not differ
from the statements already made. After
detailing the subsequent apfeals 10 the
government of the United states she saws:
President Harrison's term expired and
President Cleveland's Inauguration took
place. and / hailed IL IS good omen.
having met h3rs in iss1. while he occupied
the presidential char, and have not
been disappointed Noar arrival brou ght re-
lief 20 our peorle and yaar presence safety.
No docb. the provisional government
would have carried 0ua the extreme meas
uves toward myself and my people. as
you msv already have seen hy their un-
lRst actions II the president had been
indifferent IN usy petitions ana certain II
wazsa have brought serious results 10 my
sell aad t5ranny 20 my ss6lecis Ia sais