The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-01-23

One of the most interesting points
brought out in yesterdays testimony be-
fore the Military Commission was that
given by John Cummins, duplicating
Rudolph Spreckels in the plans of the
rebel leaders. It was not altogether un-
expected and created an "I told you so''
impression about town, rather than any
great surprise.
When the Court opened, the audience
that had gathered to listen to the morn
ing proceedings was composed largely Of
ladies. They give every appearance Of
being quite as interested in the sessions
of the Court as the men who vent TO the
field.
After the reading of the minutes Of
Mondays session, Judge-Advocate Kin
ney called John Oummins to the witness
stand. Mr.. Cummins stated that his
presence as a witness was at his own re-
quest, no threats or promises from the
Government having been used to indu-
ence him in any way he came to tell
his story of what he knew of the events
during. and previous to the rebellion.
Mr.. Cummins stated that he first knew
| that arms were to be brought to the
country on the evening of December Sd,
the day when Major Seward returned
| from the Coast. This statement was af-
| terward modified, MIR. Cummins calling
| to mind visit received from Nowlein
| some two weeks before Stewards arrival.
| Nowlein came to my house and asked
| me if had any guns. l said yes, and
1 - uwuH1f h h0A -
| Nowlein said, "When the time comes
want them" to which / replied that !
| wanted them for my own protection.
| Nowlein then said that the cold man.
would be back and that he had gone to
the Coast to get arms.
| When Seward returned I told him
| had heard that he had been after arms,
and asked as to the success OF his work.
| He said that he had not done the work
himself, but had seen that it had been
done and, generally speaking, had been
very successful. He said the last he had
seen of the arms, they were on tug
hoat being transferred to schooner that
had gone to sea. Seward took the steamer
from San Francieco few days later.
l told Seward was very sorry he had
mixed up in the affair, as I feared it
ToT,Id make trouble for my family. Se-
ward replied, "Don't be afraid; all the
blame will be put on DE" then told
him that suspicion woutd be cast on me
because of his being 81 intimate with
the family. "
| I asked Seward about the money with
which the work was done, and he said
he had received letter from the Queen
telling him to so to Caliiornia, where
Mr.. Spreckels Would furnish him with
the necessary funds. think it was ku-
dolph Spreckels; understood the Queen
had given Seward q letter to Rudolph
Spreckels asking him to assist Seward In
bis work. did not see the letter.
I remarked that Spreckels had been
in this country and had but just returned
to San Francisco. Seward then said
MIR. Follis did the work. Witness said
he knew Follis; he, with Spreckels and
otherr, having been at his house; didn't
know what his business was. No one in
the family but myself knew of what was
going on.
Monday passed without any event OF
note. On Tuesday the boy brought
horse from Koolau. Johnny keoka said
that on the previous Saturday seward
had spoken to him; said Seward told
him to go to little island and watch for
a schooner Shortly after this talk We
three met; tod Johnny he was doing
something very improper. at this time
/ saw Seward give Keoka $40 In gold.
, which was to be used to buy tood and
provisions; did not hear much Of con-
!, versation; Johnny said boat bad ar
rived. at this time Seward asked john
; ny to send two horses for the use OF TWO
{ of Nowlein's men, who were 10 go on
board the vessel.
!, A few days after Johnny came up ana
/ said nothing had been seen oil me yes
sell; also, that he was going 10 IeaVe
Nowleln's men; this was the laet l sa"
OF Johnny. In feE days kaulI came ia
We met in Major se%sros Srn s;ISta5 Loo% and n5
! told us the vessel had oeen slgn.eo, Nl a:lu
one man had been left on board; major