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CHAPTER XI.

THE LOWERING OF THE AMERICAN FLAG.

HE demonstration of the Hawaiian League,

THE

apparently, was not altogether appreciated by the Commissioner. He gave no indication of being pleased either by the reception tendered him or by anything else. He drove at once to Snow Cottage, a bungalow attached to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, which at the time was partially let to adherents of the Queen, and during the entire time of Mr. Blount's occupancy was a royalist rendezvous.

Along with the discourteous message which Mr. Blount was commissioned to deliver to the American Minister, whose authority the obscure Congressman had been instructed to usurp, one equally contemptuous was delivered to Admiral Skerrett, in command of the Pacific Squadron, whose flag-ship, the Mohican, with the cruiser Alliance, had been ordered to join the Boston at Honolulu. The old admiral, who had grown grey in the service of his country, to which he had given the best years of his strength and his youth, was notified that "he was to consult

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1893.]

THE ANNEXATION CLUB.

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freely with Mr. Blount and obey any instructions he might receive from him regarding the course to be pursued in the Islands by the force under his command."

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Professor Alexander in his official report to the United States Senate mildly observed upon this point: "The question whether the President had a constitutional right to clothe his private agent, appointed without the knowledge or confirmation of the Senate, with these extraordinary powers has been fully debated in Congress. And it might be added, it was one of the most stirring debates in which that body ever engaged, even in the troubled days of fugitive slave law agitation, or during the four years of the Civil War. It was boldly declared that the Executive Chief merited impeachment, which he certainly would have suffered at the hands of any other people less lenient than his own.

In the evening at eight o'clock the Annexation Club called upon Mr. Blount, and the Commissioner was informed that the organisation had a membership of two thousand, representing the respectability, intelligence, and material interests of Honolulu. The need of a strong, stable Government was pointed out as necessary to save the community both from internal discord and from foreign interference, and the time was anticipated when Hawaii would become a part of the Republic. Mr. Blount's appointment by President Cleveland was a matter of

congratulation-a hasty conclusion which the Annexation Club was destined to reverse and they felt confident that, upon careful inquiry into the situation, the fact would be disclosed that the establishment of the Provisional Government had been a matter of necessity, of duty performed in the interest of civilisation. The head of the recent Government had disavowed the obligations with which the Constitution of 1887 had invested her, and had announced her intention to rule by royal proclamation, and not by law. The establishment of the Provisional Government, therefore, was the only course that remained to the people. The speaker, Dr. J. S. McGrew, a resident of the Islands for more than forty years and president of the club, said in conclusion: "It is the hope of the members of this association that a treaty of annexation may soon be accomplished between Hawaii and the United States, which, while securing all the safeguards of a free and stable Government to all the natives-aboriginal Hawaiians, as well as to those of foreign ancestry will bring no burdens upon the United States, but, on the contrary, be a source of additional strength and satisfaction."

Mr. Blount's reply to this dignified, straightforward, and truthful presentation of the situation was peevish and petty. He said impatiently: "Gentlemen, you will readily understand I can make no reply to this address. My negotiations will be con

1893.] MR. STEVENS, THE U. S. MINISTER. 153

ducted entirely with your Government." Then he added, as an after-thought, "I am pleased, however, to meet you."

He had listened with stolid indifference, and his manner belied the latter assertion. The Annexation Club departed in no very cheerful frame of mind.

The same evening the President was notified that the American flag, which had been temporarily raised over the Government buildings, would be lowered the following morning, at eleven o'clock. It has been said that the American Minister received no notification, but accidentally heard what was to happen from a neighbour, which, if true, was a gratuitous insult, from which his office, his long and honourable public service, his old age, and his grey hairs should have protected him.

There was just at that time a reason for especial sympathy and consideration. Mr. Stevens was a native of Maine; he had been a friend of Mr. Lincoln, and had held many important diplomatic posts in Europe. He strikingly resembled Mr. Lincoln, and with his knowledge of affairs, his liberal education, and his long residence abroad, he was a man of admirable manner and address.

He occupied a very unpretentious house on Nunanu Street with his wife and two daughters. One of these daughters had acted for many years as her father's private secretary. She was his almost inseparable companion, and he relied greatly upon her

aid and counsel. The Boston was ordered to Hilo for target practice, and Mr. Stevens and his daughter went on the ship as the guests of the officers. They were entertained in Hilo by Mr. Luther Severance, a brother of the American Consul in Honolulu.

The Islands, in the country as well as in the towns and villages, are a network of telephone wires, and communication is maintained in this way between remote plantations.

As the Minister and his daughter were preparing to go on board the Boston to return to Honolulu some one called Miss Stevens over the telephone. It was a friend on a plantation on the opposite side of Hawaii, whom she had promised to visit, and she was reminded of the promise. Miss Stevens replied, asking to be excused, as she felt that she must return with her father, who could not spare her to make the visit at that time. The lady urgently repeated the invitation, and, contrary to the advice of the officers of the Boston, Miss Stevens decided to remain in Hilo and take one of the small inter-island steamers to Hamakua, where her friend resided.

She was reminded how dangerous the landing was at that point; but she still determined to remain, and the Boston sailed back to Honolulu without her. She landed in safety, but upon re-embarking for Honolulu the sea was unusually rough, but she was

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