Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-09
MIR. BOUTELLEs RESOLUTION.
The Naval Committee Authorizes I
Favorable Report ON IL.

Favorable Report on Ii.
The House committee on naval affairs
today unanimously authorized favorable
report on Mr.. Bontelle's Hawaiian resolu-
ton. offered by him December Il. The res
olution is as follows:
Whereas 1t appears by certain papers
transmitted by the President in response
to resolution of the House. that the Sec
rotary of the Navy, on the 18th day of
March. 1883. issued Instructions to the ad-
miral commanding the naval forces of the
United States at the Hawaiian Islands to
hold and employ such armed naval forces
subject to the orders of one James H
Blount, said instructions containing the
following words:
You will consult freely with Mr. Blount
and will obey any Instructions you may
receive from him regarding the course to
be pursued at said islands by the force
under your command"
And whereas 1t appears by the same
papers that said Blount did assume to ex-
ercise military command over such armed
naval forces of the United States on the
3lst day of March, 1888, by issuing the fol-
lowing orders to haul down the United
States ensign" and ito embark the troops
Of the United States, to wit:
''HONOLULU, March 81, 1893.
'Sir: You are directed to haul down the
United States ensign from the government
building. and to embark the troops now on
shore to the ships to which they belong.
This will be executed at IL o'clock ON
the LIST day of April.
Il am, sir, your obedient servant,
JAMES II. BLOCNT
Special Commissioner of the United States
Rear Admiral j. s. Skerrett
Commanding Pacific Squadron"
And whereas ii appears by the papers
referred to that the said admiral COM
manding the United States naval forces
on the Pacific station, acting under said
OF said Blount by lowering the United
States ensign and moving the armed forces
OF the United States in obedience" to his
(said Blount's) directions" as is shown
by the following official communication:
~. s: S. Mexican, flagship Of the Pacific
Station:
HONOLULU, Hawaiian Islands
April 1, 1S.S
"Sir-I have the honor to inform Special
Commissioner Blount that in obedience 10
his directions, the United States ensign over
the government building was lowered at IL
a. m. Of this date, and the force Withdrawn
from the building and the place designated
as Camp Boston at the same hour. l learn
that quite a number of people congregated
about the government building at the time
The force OF marines stationed there were
relieved by a force OF the provisional gov
eminent There was no demonstration
made by the populace present: no cheering
nor any signs Of either JOY or grief.
Il went on shore this afternoon and saw
quite an access in numbers of those who
were wearing the annexation club badges
There has been no evidence shown Of un-
ruly or riotous characters. Absolutely there
appears to be peace and quiet.
Very respectfully. your obedient servant
u. s. SkERRETT,
Rear admiral United States navy. com.
handing United States naval forces, Pa
cific Station"
And 4
Blount, at the time of the issuance of said
instructions by the Secretary OF the Navy,
or at the time of said Blounts issuance OF
said military orders to the commander OF
the armed naval forces Of the United States
to haul down the United States ensign, -
and to embark the troops" of the United
States. or at the time of the execution OF
such orders, held any military rank or au-
thority as an officer of the navy OF the
United States. or that he held any consti-
tutional authority by appointment or COM
mission by and with the advice and con-
sent Of the Senate by virtue of which he
could lawfully assume command of the
armed forces of the United States or order
its 'ensign hauled down" from the place
where IL had been raised for the protec.
ton Of the United States legation and the
United States consulate. and to secure the
safety of American life and property:
Therefore.
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Nayy
be. and he is hereby. directed to inform the
House of Representatives by what authori.
ty instructions were issued placing the arm
ed naval forces of the United States and
the use of its ensign under the orders and
control Of said Blount, and that the Secre-
tary of the Navy is further directed to fur
nish the House of Representatives with
copies of all orders. directions Instructions
or official suggestions issued by him or any
officer of the Navy Department or of the
navy since the fourth day of March, 1888
concerning the or movements of the
armed naval forces Of the United States al
the Hawaiian Islands
The resolution was amended to include
March 4. 1892, SO that all the Hawaiian cor
respondence will be submitted