The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-11-02

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. rs, 1896.
Hon. joan w. Foster, San Fran
cisco, Cal.
Sir: You were Secretary OF State
in the Cabinet OF President Harri-
son when, early in 1893, a treaty was
negotiated by you, on behalf of the
United States, with certain gentle-
men protesting to represent the
government OF the Hawaiian Islands,
the object of which treaty was Tho
absorption of our native land, and
the extinction of The Hawaiian Ma
tion, by the United States. You are
now on your way to Honolulu, aud
reports and interviews published in
the press of this city represent you
as being bent upon the further pro-
motion of the project of annexation,
which was stayed by the act of
President Cleveland, out OF regard
for the political rights aud desires
of the Hawaiian people.
We are native Hawaiians, mem
bers OF the musical organization
formerly existing under the name Of
tho Royal Hawaiian Band. We are
absent from our native land against
our desire, having been denied the
privilege Of earning livelihood in
the land OF our birth, by the usurp-
ing and non-representative parties
who, since January IL, 1898, have
ruled Hawaii at the point of the
bayopet, such denial beiug hasei
upon our refusal TO swear allegiance
to tie usurpers, and to foreswear he
forms OF government under which
we were born, and had always lived,
until the date named, and which
had existed in Hawaii from time
immemorial.
We assure, aud belieye that, in
your relationship OF the treaty man
toned, you acted iu ignorance Of the
conditions existing ia Hawaii, OF the
means by wbi,h the partes claming
to be the government OF, and seek
ing to convey our country to for
eign nation, obtained their lease Of
power; and OF the true sentiments
Of the people justly entitled to speak
for Hawaii, upon the subject of its
absorption by the United States.
We, therefore, welcome the prospect
OF your visit in our country at this
time, and trust you will hold your
self in receptive mood, for the ac-
curing Of information upon the true
conditions u Hawaiian sentiment
concerning political annexation to
America. And we have every con-
tidence, in view OF yngr known rep
utation as promoter OF political
equality aud justice, and as all ad-
vocate and exemplar Of true repub-
lican principles OF government, that
you will no', after learning the
sentiments OF the Hawaiian people
upon this momentous question, fur
ther seek to have imposed upon
them political condition from
which they shrink with dread, and
with grave forebodings az 10 its effect
upon their future as people.
The proverbal devotion OF the
American people to the priuciple,
expressed by your President Lincoln
OF government Of the people, by
the people, and for the people,"
should, we hunhly submit, now sug-
gest TO this great nation the pre-
priety Of deferring any iu,ther steps
looking towards the political annex
alton OF Hawaii until the will OF tho
qualified voters Of cur country, as
tested by the constitutional pro-
visions existing January II, 1893,
shall have been formally registered
through the midium OF a plebiscitc.
With sincere wishes for your
health and enjoyment, upon your
proposed trip, we remain, sir, on
behalf OF the Band.
(Sign'd.) JOE. X. KAAUA,
Sol. a. Hiram,
JOSEPH AEA,
SAM'T X KAMAKAIA