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Senator Gray. Was it dark when you got it?
Mr Jones Yes, as I remember, it was dark.
Senator Gray. Were you all together when this officer came with these gentlemen who composed the Royal Government?
Mr. Jones. Yes.
Senator Gray. I wish you would try to recollect, if you can—if you can not of course you will say so—the coming in of that officer from Mr. Stevens; I mean, as to the time.
Mr. Jones. I would not attempt to do that, because I really do not remember.
Senator Gray. Of course, if you do not remember you would not attempt to say. This was on the 17th of January, Tuesday?
Mr. Jones. Yes.
Senator Gray. You say, "Many threats were made and many rumors were in circulation every day that caused much anxiety and constant watching. The strain was very great all these days, and so many threats were made we consulted with the advisory council and decided that to bring about a state of quiet we would ask the protection of the American minister, and suggested that the American flag be hoisted on the Government building, which we consented to do, and the flag was raised on the morning of February 1st." Now, when was it that you first consulted in regard to that request to have the American flag raised?
Mr. Jones. I think it was the last day of January, as I remember. We went up to see Mr. Stevens, up to his house, and to the executive council.
Senator Gray. How long before that had you talked it among yourselves?
Mr. Jones. Perhaps for a day or so.
Senator Gray. Who first told you that the troops had been landed from the Boston?
Mr. Jones. One of our German residents told us.
Senator Gray. What did he tell you?
Mr. Jones. He told us that they were landed to preserve life and property.
Senator Gray. That was the language he used, or was it your understanding?
Mr. Jones. No, I think that was his language—the request of the committee, and he probably repeated what he had heard down town.
Senator Gray. I only want your recollection. Do you recollect who it was that so informed you?
Mr. Jones. Yes. I can not call his name. Let me see. I know he is a clerk in F. A. Schaeffer & Co's. I can not call his name just now.
Senator Gray. You say you do not think those native Hawaiians are capable of self-government?
Mr. Jones. I do not think so.
Senator Gray. Do you think they necessarily have to be governed by a more intelligent class for their own as well as for your benefit?
Mr. Jones. I think so.
Senator Gray. You think that the intelligent and those having property interests will have to control the country for the good of those islands?
Mr. Jones. It seems to me so. That is my opinion, although I would give them the same rights that I ask for myself.
Senator Gray. But that is your opinion of what the best interests of the islands require?
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Mr. Jones. Yes.
Senator Gray. Is that the general opinion of those who are associated with you?
Mr. Jones. I think so. Mr. Lance is that gentleman's name. I should be very sorry to live there under native rule entirely, where we pay all the taxes.
Senator Gray. You went out of office on the 12th?
Mr. Jones. Twelfth of January; from the Queen's cabinet.
Senator Gray. Was there a new cabinet formed immediately?
Mr. Jones. Oh, yes.
Senator Gray. Who composed it?
Mr. Jones. Cornwell, Peterson, Parker, and Colburn.
The Chairman. Let me ask you just there. Under the constitution of Hawaii is it necessary before the new cabinet take office that it should be confirmed by the Legislature?
Mr. Jones. No. The Queen appoints, but the Legislature can vote them out. The Queen cannot discharge the new cabinet. What is known as the Cornwell cabinet was voted out.
Senator Gray. Are they voted out directly, or is a vote of want of confidence the process?
Mr. Jones. Yes.
Senator Gray. Then a vote of want of confidence means that the cabinet has ceased to hold office?
Mr. Jones. Yes. If they secure 25 votes, the cabinet must retire.
Senator Gray. Is that a majority?
Mr. Jones. That is a majority. On the 4th of January they brought in a vote of want of confidence in the Wilcox cabinet, and they secured only 19 votes. On the strength of that the minister went up to Hawaii with the Boston and was gone until it came back, on the very day that the Queen undertook to overthrow the Government by proclaiming the new constitution. We felt satisfied that she could not get the Wiicox cabinet out, and he thought there was no need of holding the Boston there any more; that there was no danger.
The Chairman. When did you first become aware of the fact that the Queen intended to abrogate the constitution of 1887?
Mr. Jones. On the evening of the 11th of January.
The Chairman. About what time?
Mr. Jones. It was about half past 6, just after dinner.
The Chairman. Who was your informant?
Mr. Jones. Mr. Henry Waterhouse.
The Chairman. What connection had he, if any, with the Government?
Mr. Jones. None whatever at that time.
The Chairman. Had he previously to that?
Mr. Jones. He had been a member of the Legislature; not that year.
The Chairman. He was a private citizen?
Mr. Jones. He was a private citizen. He got the information from Colburn's brother.
The Chairman. One of the men put into the ministry?
Mr. Jones. Yes.
The Chairman. Did you have any communication with any member of this cabinet upon that subject?
Mr. Jones. No.
The Chairman. None of them gave you any information as to the intention of the Queen to abrogate the constitution of 1887?
Mr. Jones. No.
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