The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-07-03
IN OLD HONOLULU
Meeting of Members of
Historical Society.
Interesting Paper and Sketches
By Late Warren
GOOdale.


ciety in the lecture hall of the Y. NJ
G. A. last night, there were present
some 80 of the members. The minutes
of the previous meeting were read and
approved.
NJ. Louis Vossion, French Commits
sioner; United States Minister Sewall
and Messrs. w. w. Goodale, of Ono
mea, and Searle, of Kau, were unani-
mously elected to active membership
in the society.
The first paper of the evening was
an uncompleted paper by the late War
rem Goodale on facts in relation to
Honolulu in the early days. There
were ranged along on the front of the
sage six large Autograph pictures, each
being a large view of the city, sur
rounded by a number of small views of
houses and other interesting things.
Mr.. Frank Damon was given the
paper to read. In this, the late War
rem Goodale first dwelt upon the pic
lures, which he had sent back to the
States, knowing how much value they
would be to the Historical Society.
They were done by Paul Emmett. an
artist. who came to Honolulu during
the early sos to make number of
sketches. These had been drawn on
stone by the artist, Burgess, and lith-
ographed in San Francisco.
The writer deemed it strange that
the artist had failed to make any
sketches of places east of Punchbowl
street, undoubtedly one of the most
interesting spots, historically, that
sHawaii has ever possessed.
After this introduction came sum-
mary of events between the years 1847-
81, which the writer claimed he knew
as much about as any one who had
lived in Honolulu at the time, deny
ing, of course, any egotlsm. In this
part of the paper the various offices
the writer held under the Government
were mentioned. Very interesting was
the description of the high-handed ac-
ton of the French troops from a man
of-war in port The destruction of the
Governors home and the fort were
graphically described.
In the very midst of the paper, the
narrative stops-a stop caused by the
death of the writer, who was prepar
| ing the paper at the time.
The society voted that the paper b.
published in the next report.
| The next and last paper of the even
ing was one written and read by Pro
| fessor Alexander summary of tn
events that led to the serious cons1d
Grafton Of the Treaty Of Annexation t.
the United States in 1854. The grea
number of valuable facts presente'
and the logical arrangement OF tn
same, showed stupendous work an
careful preparation. The material
were collected in 1889. and the pape
was practically finished four years age
Since that time more facts had beer
collected.
In considering the causes which lie
to the application of the Hawaiian Isl
ands to the United States for annexa
| ton, it was first necessary to go bac
a few years.
The matter was first considered i
1851. when trouble occurred wit
France. The King and Privy Counse
searched about for some means OF pro
lection from what promised to be
great menance and found anneXat1o
the ONLY open road. The Government
of the Islands had previously made az
plication to the British Minister, bu
had been refused, the relations VIII
France making it impossible; at tina
time the attitude of the French wa
decidedly obnoxious. Later on, DOT
houses supported the action, the KIN
and the Privy Council had taken IN ID
matter of annexation.
Under the head of filibusters, Pro
fessor Alexander mentioned the fa'
that the Government was very muc
troubled by reports of filibuster1ng e.
neditions from California. One oil
actually come to Honolulu, but TT
i members were given a cold receptlo
and left. =,
Professor Alexander then traced II
growth of sentiment in favor OF anne
alton. emphasizing the Kings anxle'
to be Joined to the United States c
account of troubles that threatened e.
cry moment to descend.
Alexander Liholiho, the heir appa
ent, was opposed to the Annexatle
Treaty. The mass Of native popul
ton had not been consulted IN u
matter, and were, of course, totally i
norant on the subject.
In February of 1854 the annexatlt
matter took more definite shape, al
active steps were taken.
July 4th was celebrated with gre
enthusiasm. Later on. a fleet
French and English men-of-war,
the way to besiege a Russian port, a
rived at Honolulu, and the King W
threatened to pursue the annexati'
scheme no longer, under pain Of son
action on the part Of France and En-
land.
In December of 1854 the King die
and Alexander LiholihO assembled I
throne. All negotiations for annex
ton were broken off by his order
Professor Alexander then read t7
editoriaIs-one from the New Yo
!. Tribune and the other from the He
ald-both dealing with the annexati