Jere Krischel at 05:39, 8 February 2006

2006-02-08T05:39:24Z

Ken Conklin at 07:19, 30 January 2006

2006-01-30T07:19:19Z

Jere Krischel at 05:15, 12 December 2005

2005-12-12T05:15:29Z

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1090 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
Mr. DELAMATER. There is a little point there that might or might
not be of use. The Queen's flag, the royal standard I saw lowered
from the palace before Mr. Stevens recognized the new Government. I
understood afterwards that it was raised again. But I saw it lowered
at that time.
Senator FRYE. Tou proceed to say:
"Now, of course Minister Stevens might have recognized it a half
hour earlier than I know anything about. I was not a participant, and
had no claim to inside information, but I was doing all I could to learn
everything that was going on, and as the harmony of action and
information seemed general, I felt that I had correct information as to
the time and sequence of events. Of this I am sure, the Provisional
Government would have succeeded if United States forces had been a
thousand miles away. They had, from my own personal observation,
a force more than double that of the Queen, and composed of such men
as meant business. Among the privates who went on guard duty there
was represented several million dollars.
"As to Mr. Blount, a commission of some kind was expected, and
preparations made to give him a reception, which was nonpartisan.
That is, both sides would take part. Of course, there was no certainty
as to time of his arrival, no cable being connected with the islands. The
vessel came and a committee having representatives of both sides went
out to meet it. A large concourse of citizens of all classes turned out.
A native society of women decorated with garlands of flowers; two
bands, etc., were at the dock and waited hours after the vessel had
anchored. Both sides were ready for a general nonpartisan and enthusiastic
reception."
The CHAIRMAN. What do you mean by both sides?
Mr. DELAMATER. Royalists and annextionists.
Senator FRYE. I read:
"Finally, word came that Mr. Blount declined the reception of any
honors. He was landed and quartered himself at the Hawaiian Hotel,
the most prominent hotel there. He was domiciled in one of the cottages
and remained there during his stay in Honolulu.
" I t was perhaps an unfortunate circumstance that this placed him
in the midst of the most marked royalistic influences, but it can not be
claimed, so far as I know, that he knew of this. He persistently
declined to accept any hospitality from persons of either side so long
as he was "special commissioner." This feature of his conduct was
very marked, and while I have no fault to find with it, was carried, it
seemed to me, to the extent of at least appearing like posing.
"He was soon known as the 'silent man,'as an 'interrogation point,'
and various other appellations, because of his treatment of those with
whom he came in contact. No one seemed able to get the slightest
expression from him as to his opinion on the subject. He seemed ready
to ask questions without limit, of those who called, and to listen in
absolute silence to answers, and of course had his stenographer take
all conversations. His wife was at once made much of, especially by
the prominent American women. One little instance of his full consistency
as to accepting hospitality: Mrs. Day had entertained Mrs.
Blount in the way of private picnics, a lunch party, horseback rides,
etc. One evening about dusk, Dr. and Mrs. Day drove to the Blount
cottage in a two-seated surrey, to ask Mrs. Blount to take a little ride.
Mr. Blount was on the sidewalk by the side of the carrhige when Mrs.
Blount got in and Dr. Day asked him to go. He declined on the ground
he could uot accept any hospitality from anyone.
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 1091
"As an evidence of his courtesy, he received a dispatch from Washington
directing him to appear before the United States consul-general
and take the oath of office as minister. The same dispatch had a clause
stating that a successor to Mr. Severance would soon be sent on. Mr.
Blount had received a good many favors from Mr. Severance. This
part of the dispatch he folded under and concealed from Mr. Severance,
when he appeared with the dispatch as a credential."
Mr. DELAMATER. Of course, I do not know that as a fact; but I got
it from Mr. Severance.
Senator FRYE. YOU say—
"And three days later, of his own motion, gave this to a Eoyalist
paper officially, for publication."
Do you know that1?
Mr. DELAMATER. Yes. I do not know that he gave it to the paper; it
had it officially, and it was published.
Senator FRYE. YOU go on to say:
"And three days later, of his own motion, gave this to a Royalist
paper officially, for publication. His reason, as stated by himself, being
that he was friendly to Mr. Severance, and could not bear to tell him
personally."
" Within a week from his arrival the Royalists started the report that
the Queen was to be restored, and several distinct days were set. My
opinion at the time was that they started them without any foundation.
They claimed to have assurances from Mr. Blount. I did not at the
time believe he had given the slightest encouragement. I am sure the
Provisional people felt the same way at this time, basing their belief on
the utter impossibility of getting anything out of him on their part.
The flag came down. Although Mr. Blount was at the house of Minister
Stevens on the afternoon preceding, and after he had issued his order
to the naval commander, he did not, I am certain, mention the matter
to Minister Stevens, who first heard of it from Mr. Waterhouse, of the
Provisionals, late in the evening.
"Up to this time I did not know Minister Stevens by sight. About
this time a friend urged me to pay him a formal visit as the representative
of my country, etc. I did so on his regular reception day, remained
about ten minutes in general conversation, making no allusion to public
affairs. I called on him once later. These are the only times I met him
in the ten months I was there, and at neither time had any talk with
him about affairs.
"A few days after my first call on Mr. Stevens I made a formal call
on Mr. Blount as a representative of the President and presented my
card, which gave my profession and my American residence. The call
lasted not to exceed five minutes. No conversation on Hawaiian affairs
was had, except he asked me what I thought would be the effect of
lowering the flag and removing the troops. I said I thought it would
prove that the Provisional Government was able to take care of themselves.
I remained as long as it seemed there was occasion. I left
with him my Honolulu address and telephone number, and remarked
that if I could be of any service, would be pleased. My wife and Mrs.
Blount met a good many times socially. My wife called on Mrs.
Blount. This is the only time I met Mr. Blount.
" Within a week after his arrival the people began to wonder that
he was not calling on the leading and prominent men."
Mr. DELAMATER. By calling on him, I do not mean to say that he
was calling on htm socially, but for information.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{p|1090}}
+Mr. {{sc|Delamater.}} There is a little point there that
 might or might not be of
 use. The Queen's flag, the royal standard I saw
@@ Line 10: / Line 9: @@
 time.
-Senator FRYE:  You proceed to say:
+Senator {{sc|Frye.}} You proceed to say:
 "Now, of course
@@ Line 52: / Line 51: @@
 general nonpartisan and enthusiastic reception."
-The CHAIRMAN:   What do you mean by both sides?
+The {{sc|Chairman.}} What do you mean by both sides?
-Mr. DELAMATER:   Royalists and annexationists.
+Mr. {{sc|Delamater.}} Royalists and annexationists.
-Senator FRYE:   I read:
+Senator {{sc|Frye.}} I read:
 "Finally, word came that Mr.
@@ Line 113: / Line 112: @@
 {{p|1091}}
 "As an evidence of his courtesy, he received a
 dispatch from Washington
@@ Line 128: / Line 126: @@
 as a credential."
-Mr. DELAMATER:  Of course, I do not know that as a
+Mr. {{sc|Delamater.}} Of course, I do not know that as a
 fact; but I got it from
 Mr. Severance.
-Senator FRYE:   You say----
+Senator {{sc|Frye.}}  You say----
 "And three days later, of his
@@ Line 141: / Line 139: @@
 you know that?
-Mr. DELAMATER:  Yes. I do not know that he gave it to
+Mr. {{sc|Delamater.}} Yes. I do not know that he gave it to
 the paper; it had it
 officially, and it was published.
-Senator FRYE:   You go on to say:
+Senator {{sc|Frye.}}  You go on to say:
 "And three days
@@ Line 221: / Line 219: @@
 the leading and prominent men."
-Mr. DELAMATER:  By calling on him, I do not mean to
+Mr. {{sc|Delamater.}} By calling on him, I do not mean to
 say that he was calling
 on him socially, but for information.

Template:1090-1091 - Revision history

Jere Krischel at 05:39, 8 February 2006

Ken Conklin at 07:19, 30 January 2006

Jere Krischel at 05:15, 12 December 2005