Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-14


They were sent under cover OF n teie-
gram 20 w. a. Cooper. despatch agent
at San Francisco, instructing him TO Tor
ward them to Mr.. willis by steamer
Mariposa to-day.
They follow'
WASHINGTON. January u, 1884
willis. Minister. Honolulu:
"Your numbers Il TO IS, inclusive. show
that you have rightly comprehended the
scope OF your instructions and have. as
far az was In your power discharged the
onerous task conflded 10 you.
"The President sincerely regrets that the
Provisional Government refuses TO ac-
qulesce in the conclusions which his sense
OF right and duty and due regard for our
national honor constrained him to reach
and submit as n measure Of justice TO the
people OF the Hawaiian Islands and their
deposed sovereign. While It is true that
the Provisional Government was created
10 exist only until the islands were an
nexed 70 the United States. that the
Queen finally but reluctantly SURRENDERED
70 an armed force OF this government IL
legally quartered in Honolulu. and repre-
sontatlves Of the Provisional Government
(Which realized its impotency and was
anxious TO get control OF the queen
means OF defence) assured her that II
she would surrender her case would De
subsequently considered by the United
States, the President has never claimed
that such action constituted him an arbi-
traitor IN the technical sense or authorized
him 10 act in that capacity between the
constitutional government and the Pro-
yislonal Government. You made no such
claim when you acquainted that govern
mont with the Presidents decision.
"'rhe solemn assurance given TO the
Queen has been referred to not az au-
thorlty for the President TO act as arbl-
traitor. but as fact material TO the Just
determination OF the Presidents duty IN
the premises.
In the note which the Minister OF
FOREIGN Affairs addressed 10 you on ths
2}d ultlmo Il IS stated in effect, that even
II the constitutional government was sub
vertcd by the action Of the American
minister and an invasion by n military
force OF the United States. the Presidents
authority IS limited to dealing with our own
unfathful officials, and that he can take
no steps looking to 4 correction OF the
wrong done.
THE PRESIDENTS POSITION.
1.-THE President entcrtains a different
view OF his responsibility and duty. The
subversion of tho Hawaiian government
by an abuse Of the authority Of tho United
state was in plain violation Of interna-
tiOnal law. and required the President 70
70 disavow and condemn the act Of our
offending officials, and. within the limits
OF his constitutional power 70 cndeayor
10 restore the lawful authority.
non the 18th ultimo the President sent
a special message 10 Congress communi-
eating copies of Mr.. Blounts reports and
the instructions given to him and 70 You.
a., Ion
OF the House Of Representatives. he sent
copies Of all corrcspOndonce since March
T. 1889. on political affairs and the relations
with Hawaii, Withholding for sufficient
reasons. only Mr. Stevcns's No. 10, Of Oc-
tober 9. 1892 and your No. 3, OF Novein-
Der lG, 1893. The President therein an
nouncod that the conditions Of restoration
suggested b. him 10 the Queen had not
proved acceptable 10 her and that since
the Instructions sent 20 you 10 insist upon
those conditions he had not learned that
t.. Queen was willing 10 assent to them.
"The President thereupon submitted tho
subject 10 the more extended powers and
wider discretion OF Congress, adding the
assurance that he would be gratined 10
cooperate in any legitimate plan which
might be devised for a solution Of the
problem. consistent with American honor
integrity. and morality.
your report shows that on further re-
fection the Queen gave her unqualified
assent I'm writing TO the conditions sug-
gosted, but that the Provisional Govern
rnent refuses to acquiesce in the Presl-
dents decision.
THE matter now being I'm the hands Of
Congress the President will keep that
body fully advised OF the situation. and
will lay before it from time to time, the
reports received from you, including your
No. 8. heretofore withheld, and all instruc-
tons sent to you. In the mean time while
keeping the department fully informed OF
the course oS events, you Will until FUR
ther notice. consider that your special In
structlons upon this subject have been
fully compiled with. GRESHAM