The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-01-01
Opinions of Presidents of the
United States Concerning the
Control of Hawaii.
PRESIDENT JOHN TYLER.

PRESIDENT JOHN TYLER.
Extracts from special message to the
Senate relating to Hawaii, December
81, 1872
.'It cannot but be in conformity with
the interest and wishes of the govern
ment and the people of the United
States that this community (HaWaii)
...... should be respected, and all its
rights strictly and conscientiously re-
garded. Tits near approach to this
continent, and the intercourse which
American vessels have with it-such
vessels constituting fve-sixths of all
which annually visit it-couid not but
create dissatisfaction on the part of
the United States at any attempt by
any other power, should such attempt
be threatened or feared, to take pos
session of the islands, colonize them
and subvert the native government"
(vol. 2, Rep. Sen. Com. on For. Rel.
concerning Hawaiian Islands. p. 8479
PRESIDENT WILLARD FILLMORE.
President Fillmore was even strong
err than President Tyler in his express
sions that the United States must keep
foreign countries out of Hawaii.
See dispatches of Webster and Clay
ton, Secretaries of State under Fill
more, printed herewith, written by or
der of the President.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN PIERCE.
President Pierce adopted fully the
views OF his predecessors concerning
Hawaii, and caused a treaty annexing
Hawaii to the United States to be ne
gotiated in 1854.
PRESIDENT JAMES BUCHANAN.
President Buchanan agreed with the
other American statesmen of his time,
and in a dispatch dated September 8,
1S49, when he was Secretary of State,
stated that English or French control
of Hawaii would be highly injurious
to the interests of the United States"
PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON
1868.
The following is an extract from the
annual message of President Johnson
to the Fortieth Congress, December IS,
1868:
Il am aware that upon the question
of further extending our possessions It
is apprehended by some that our po-
liticaI system cannot successfully ne
applied to an area more extended than
our continents but the conviction is
rapidly gaining ground in the Aneri
cilities for intercommunication be-
tween ali portions of the earth, the
principles of free government, as en-
braced in our constitution, if faithfully
maintained and carried out, would
prove of sufficient strength and breadth
to comprehend within their sphere and
influence the civilized nations of the
world.
1.-THE attention of the Senate and of
Congress Is again respectfully invited
to the treaty for the establishment of
commercial reciprocity with the Ha-
waiian Kingdom, entered into last year
and already ratified by that govern
ment. The attitude of the United
States towards these islands is not
very different from that in which they
stand towards the West Indies. 1t is
known and felt by the Hawaiian gov
eminent and people that their institu-
lions are feeble and precarious; that
the United States, being so near a
neighbor, would be unwilling to see
the Islands pass under foreign control.
A reciprocity treaty. while it could not
materially diminish the revenues of the
United States, would be a guarantee
of the good will and forbearance of all
nations until the people of the islands
shall of themselves. at no distant day.
voluntarily apply for admission into
the Union"
PRESIDENT U. S. GRANT.
President T. s. Grant favored an
nexation to control Hawaii. (See dis
patches OF his Secretary of State, Will
liam II. Seward. printed herewith.)
In February, 1871, he sent a confiden-
tiaI message to Congress. accompany
ing a strong letter from q. S. Minister
Pierce. recommending annexation, and
commencing the subject to the con-
sideration Of the Senate.
PRESIDENT CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
President Arthur was in full sympa-
thy with American control of Hawaii.
tSee dispatches of Secretary of State
Blaine, dated December 1, 1881, printed
f1erewith)
PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRI-
SON.
Extracts from special message to
Senate. February Is. 1898, accompany
ing the Annexation Treaty:
THE influence and interest of the
United States in the islands must be
increased, and not diminished. 1890.
cit is essential that none of the great
powers shall secure these islands Such
a possession would not consist with
our safety ana with the peace OF the
world
PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Extracts from message to Senate.
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