Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-21
Mr.. BlOunt's Instructions.

!
return home.
Mr.. BlOunt's Instructions.
The full text of the instructions given to
Mr.. Blount by Mr.. Gresham, dated March
II, 1888. is follows:
Inc situation created in the Hawaiian Is
lands by the recent deposition of Queen
| Liliuokalani and the erection of a proyis-
| ional government demands the fullest con-
| slderation of the President, and in order to
obtain trustworthy information on the SUBJ
| Ject, as we'll as for the discharge of other
! duties herein specified, he has decided to
| dispatch you to the Hawaiian Islands as
MS special commissioner in which capaci-
| " you VIII herewith receive a commission
| ana also letter whereby the President
| accredits you to the president of the execu-
| I'VE ana advisory councils of the Hawaiian
| Islands.
The comprehensive delicate and conf
! Dental character of your mission can now
! only be briefly outlined, the details of its
| execution being necessarily 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 revo-
| luton by which the queens government
| was overthrow, the sentiment of the peo-
! pie toward existing authority. and. in gen.
! eral. all that can fully enlighten the Presi-
|
To enable you to fulfil this charge your
authority in all matters touching the rela-
| tiers of this government to the existing
| or other government of the islands and the
protection of our citizens therein, is para
mount and in you alone. acting in COOP
GRAFTON with the commander OF the naval
forces, is vested full discretion and power TO
determine when such forces should be land
! ed or withdrawn
You are. however. authorized TO avail
yourself of such aid and Information as
UaAII
of the United States al Honolulu Mr. John
L. Stevens, who will continue until further
notice to perform the usual functions at
tachng to his office not Inconsistent with
the powers intruSted to YOU. An instruc-
ton Will be sent to Mr.. Stevens directing
him 10 facilitate your presentation TO the
mead or the government upon your arrival,
and to render YOU all needed assistance
| The withdrawal from the Senate of the
recently-signed treaty of annexation for
re-examination by the President leaves its
subject matter In allegiance. and you are
not charged with any duty in respect there
to. 1t may be well. however for you to dis
pei any possible Misrepresentation which its
withdra wal may have excited touching the
entire friendliness of the President and the
government of the United States toward the
people of the Hawaiian Islands, or the
earnest solicitude here felt for their welfare
tranquility and progress.
Historical precedentS and the general
course of the United States. authorize the
employment of its armed force in foreign
property of American citizens and for the
repression of lawless and tumultuous acts
threatening them, and the powers conferred
to that end upon the representatives of the
United States are both necessary and prop
er, subject always to the exercise of a sound
discretion in their application.
In the judgment of the President your
authority. well as that of the commander
of the naval forces in Hawaiian waters,
should be and is limited in the use of ply
steal force to such measures as are neces-
sary to protect the persons and property of
our citizens and while abstaining from
any manner of interference with the do
nestle concerns of the islands. you should
Indicate your Willingness to intervene with
your friendly offices in the interests of a
peaceful settlement of troubles within the
limits of sound discretion.
Should ii be necessary to land an armed
force upon Hawaiian territory on occasions
of popular disturbance, when the local au-
thOrty may be unable to give adequate pro-
lection to the life and property of citizens
of the United States, the assent Of such au-
thOrty should first be obtained if it can
be done without prejudice to the interests
involved
Your power in this regard should not.
however be claimed to the exclusion. of
similar measures by the representatives of
other powers for the protection of the lives
and property of their citizens or subjects
residing in the islands.
While the United States claim no right
to interfere in the political or domestic af-
fairs or in the internal conflicts of the Ha-
waiian Islands otherwise than as herein
sta ted, or for the purpose of maintaining
any treaty or other rights which they pos
sess, this government will adhere to it's con-
sistent and tablished policy in relation to
them, and it will not acquiesce in domestic
Interference by other powers.
The foregoing general exposition of the
Pre- sidents views will indicate the safe
courses within which your action should
be shaped and mark the limits of your dis
erection in calling upon the naval command
err for cooperation.
The United States revenue cutter Rush
is under orders to await you at San Fran