Year: 1864

NoBLss AND REPRESENTATIVES, Gods hand has
been heavy upon Our country since the meeting OF
the Legislature Of 1862. My beloved Brother has
( been taken from the Throne now occupy, to wear
as We believe. an immortal crown, His Son and


Heir having gone before Hin oaly q few months


after being baptized and admitted into The Church


tn the great satisfaction OF My Family, and NAV


say OF the Nation at large, under the sponsorship


that -illustrious Lady whose virtues have added a


new fusfre to the English Throne


Seeing before Me, as now do, so many gentlemen


OF proved loyalty and unquestiouable talents and


al interested in the prosperity of Our common


country, cannot but oner you earnest weicoa,J


IS members Of the first Legislative Assembly, CALLED
together under the provisions Of the Constitution


day Of lsst August


The debates which were lately had in this place,
resulted in much good The principles upon which
the Throne and the political system Of this country
are basei were fully discussed for the first tme and
Sly people have, as consequence, been confirmed in
their belief that Monarchical Government holds out
TO them ihe only guarantee of a permanent indepen-
dence. In calling National Convention, l was
Influenced BY firm conviction Of its being necessary
that the system under which a people lives should
be strictly adapted to its genius and traditions The
Constitution gran ted by King Kamehameha I'LL, in
1852, had undergone several amendments, and other
changes had been proposed but remained in abeyance
That Instrument continued, in many important
poets. to want the adsptedness which refer.
The right to the Throne Of this country. originally
acquired by and birth. belongs heredtarly
TO the family of Kamehameha I. The Constitution
Of 1862 by it's ninetyfourth article, left the heir
20 the Throne free to take oath to support that
Constitution to decline to do so; and its forty
nth article reserved to the Sovereign the right to
conduct personally, in cooperation with the Kuhina
Nui, bat without the Intervention Of Ministry
the approval Of Legislature, such portions of the
public business he might choose TO undertake.
These anomalous provisions appeared TO me to need
s!teration-for such, as have stated it. Was the
construction always given during the late reign
to those articles; and that they also
understood by King Kamehameha I'LL, could be
proved by abundant evidence. Indeed, he would not
have signed the Instrument unless he had been
assured that such was the intent and meaning of
the forty fifth article. By the authority inherent
in myself. called the late Convention to remodel
the Constitution, and the powers belonging to such
Convention have never been disputed On the
contrary, this right of revision by such method
had been distinctly referred to by my Predecessor in
his speech from the Throne, delivered the second
day Of April, 1853. But the Convention, when
assembled, was found to contain elements antagou-
istc to those very ideas of improvement which had
hoped they would have assisted me in carrying out.
On the thirteenth day Of August dissolved that
Convention, and on the twentieth day Of the same
month, by virtue of the same sovereign power which
was exercised by King Kamehameha Ill. in 1862.
caused to be proclaimed new Constitution, which
/ believe to be better adapted to the wants OF the
people. Under this Constitution you now assem-
bled. The changes made were recommended by the
experieo Sc Of twelve years. and provision for
further changes leaves open door for any other
Improvements that the future may suggest. L here
repeat what said the thirteenth Of August, that
when the people through their Representatives shall
express a desire meet in such convention
the then dissolved, shall cheerfully accede
to their wishes.


do not claim that the existing Constitution is not
susceptible of improvement, but l do assert that
IL framed with great care, and that even its
least important provisions subjected to long and
patient consideration. while by the terms Vt its
twenty fourth article it has become imperative upon


y successors, their accession to take oath TO
observe IT..


X The intense afiction into which the Queen Emma
has been plunged by the successive deaths OF her
only Sen and Husband, entities her to the greatest
sympathy. II is not for to urge how far her
beuevoence aud her sfaicton have endeared her to
the people cannot forbear. however, from sug-
gessng whether Lady whose virtues have rendered
her the pride of her country. should not be perms
nently provided for by the nation.


I would also direct your attention TO the circum-
stances. OF His Roysl Hishuess. KEKUANAoA His
life has been devoted the public service! He has
often been placed in situations OF such difficulty az
we Of this day, am thankful to say, seldom en-
his age calls for repose. and his past ser
vice, to demand the gratitude OF those who
havs benefited by the labors Of the prime of his
life


Our relations with other countries we're never on
n satisfactory footing than at this moment, and
continue to receive from all quarters the most
gratifying expressions of good will and smty,
coupled With evidences Of strong interest in the
perpetuify Of my Dynasty and the Independence OF
my Kingdom. Since the Session Of 1852, Treaties
Of Amity and Commerce have been negotiated and
completed between this country and the kingdoms
Of Holland and Belgium, and Treaties Of q similar
character have been negotiated with the Queen Of
Spain and the Eing of Italy. In the OF these
latter, however. some ormsties have yet to be COM
piled with.


An imporfant mission has been con6ded to the
Hon. E. H. Allen, Chancellor and Chief Justice OF
the Kingdom, whom have accredited my Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Penipotentiary TO the
United States l satisfied that he will do his
utmost to promote interests. and secure the
objects Of his mission.


Sir John Bovring still continues to be entrusted
with the important objects committed to his care,
and from his long experience in public business.
and the ready which is accorded to him IN all
the European Courts il is hardly to be supposed but


tothat the already valuable services which he hiss
ererendd others equally important will be added


The favorable report and estimates OF my Minister
OF Finance are proper subjects of congratuiation
By chem you win see that the Finances are in q
satisfactory condition. and there will be no further
the present exigences Of Government which will
continue be conducted with all possible regard TO
Q reasonable economy Our exports likewise have
begun to bear q more satisfactory comparison with
imports.


Justice has continued to be administered during
the last two years in an impartial manner to ali
classes so that not only subjects but those
foreigners who are residents among rs, visit our
shores, find security for life, right and
property


{ Our Agricultural enterprises have been urged
group as TO render the importation OF laborers
necessary. I am Of opinion that the Government Is
the proper agent to carry out such measure, and
that means ought to be PLACED st its disposai 10