THE REPORT OF THE HAWAIIAN COMMISSION, APPOINTED IN FOR ANNEXING THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS TO THE UNITED STATES," APPROVED JULY 7, 1898; TOGETHER WITH A COPY OF THE CIVIL AND PENAL LAWS OF HAWAII. DECEMBER 6, 1898.-Read, referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. ·3-31-1934 To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith, for the information of the Congress, the report of the Hawaiian Commission, appointed in pursuance of the "Joint resolution to provide for annexing the Hawaiian Islands to the United States," approved July 7, 1898; together with a copy of the civil and penal laws of Hawaii. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WILLIAM MCKINLEY. December 6, 1898. To the PRESIDENT: UNITED STATES SENATE, Washington, D. C., December 2, 1898. I have the honor to inclose herewith, for transmission to the Congress of the United States, the official report of the Hawaiian Commission, appointed in pursuance of the joint resolution of Congress approved € July 7, 1898, being public resolution No. 51 of the Fifty-fifth Congress, together with an appendix containing copies of certain bills the passage of which is respectfully recommended, and a copy of the civil and penal laws of Hawaii, as modified in conformity with the recommrendations of the commission, and reports from various executive officers of the Hawaiian Government and of committees appointed by the commission. Respectfully submitted. S. M. CULLOM, Chairman. III THE HAWAHAN COMMISSION. REPORT. The commissioners appointed and commissioned by the President in pursuance of public resolution, No. 51, entitled "Joint resolution to provide for annexing the Hawaiian Islands to the United States," approved July 7, 1898, as follows [PUBLIC RESOLUTION-NO. 51.] JOINT RESOLUTION to provide for annexing the Hawaiian Islands to the United States. Whereas the Government of the Republic of Hawaii having, in due form, signified its consent, in the manner provided by its constitution, to cede absolutely and without reserve to the United States of America all rights of sovereignty of whatsoever kind in and over the Hawaiian Islands and their dependencies, and also to cede and transfer to the United States absolute fee and ownership of all public, Government, or Crown lands, public buildings or edifices, ports, harbors, military equipment, and all other public property of every kind and description belonging to the Government of the Hawaiian Islands, together with every right and appurtenance thereunto appertaining: Therefore, Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That said cession is accepted, ratified, and confirmed, and that the said Hawaiian Islands and their dependencies be, and they are hereby, annexed as a part of the territory of the United States and are subject to the sovereign dominion thereof, and that all and singular the property and rights herein before mentioned are vested in the United States of America. The existing laws of the United States relative to public lands shall not apply to such lands in the Hawaiian Islands; but the Congress of the United States shall enact special laws for their management and disposition: Provided, That all revenue from or proceeds of the same, except as regards such part thereof as may be used or occupied for the civil, military, or naval purposes of the United States, or may be assigned for the use of the local government, shall be used solely for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands for educational and other public purposes. Until Congress shall provide for the government of such islands all the civil, judicial, and military powers exercised by the officers of the existing government in said islands shall be vested in such person or persons and shall be exercised in such manner as the President of the United States shall direct; and the President shall have power to remove said officers and fill the vacancies so occasioned. The existing treaties of the Hawaiian Islands with foreign nations shall forthwith cease and determine, being replaced by such treaties as may exist, or as may be hereafter concluded, between the United States and such foreign nations. The municipal legislation of the Hawaiian Islands, not enacted for the fulfillment of the treaties so extinguished, and not inconsistent with this joint resolution nor contrary to the Constitution of the United States nor to any existing treaty of the United States, shall remain in force until the Congress of the United States shall otherwise determine. |