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sit, and which the Queen used when she read her proclamation. After waiting some little time they commenced, and I believe it was about the funniest affair I ever saw in my life—a circus.
The procession was headed by two or three lackeys, and then followed the governor of Oahu, father to the heiress apparent, dressed in a gaudy uniform covered with gold and orders; the chamberlain with attendants all dressed up in uniform, and then came Her Majesty, with a long train, and four lackeys in knee breeches carrying the train, and then the two royal princesses, ladies in waiting, a staff, the four ministers, and other attendants. It was a very amusing scene. Afterwards the proclamation was handed to her in a portfolio, when she stepped to the front of the rostrum and began reading, first in English and then in Kanaka. I do not believe there were more than one or two white members of the Legislature present at the time. The Kanakas and every one were decorated with the various orders of Kamehameha I and Kalakaua, consisting of great big stars stretched out on the breast. It was quite a circus and very amusing.
The Chairman. Were any of them wearing wreaths of flowers?
Mr. Young. No; I did not see any of them.
The Chairman. Do you know what that signifies in Hawaii—the wearing of wreaths of flowers?
Mr. Young. No, I do not. I have heard a great many reasons. But the nearest I could get to it was simply a decoration and ornament. A natural passion for flowers.
The Chairman. Not a badge of office?
Mr. Young. No; simply an ornament—decoration.
The Chairman. Do you remember the Queen's proclamation of prorogation of the Legislature?
Mr. Young. No. I think it was simply to thank them for the faithful performance of their duty, and now that the Government was at peace with everybody, etc., she thanked them for their attendance, and so on—really a complimentary affair; and then wound up by declaring this Legislature prorogued.
The Chairman. That meant that there was to be a new election?
Mr. Young. Yes; the Legislature meets every two years.
Senator Butler. How long had that been in session?
Mr. Young. We arrived in Honolulu about the 24th of August, and I think they had been in session since about the 1st of July. They continued in session up to January 14.
Senator Butler. When it was prorogued by the Queen?
Mr. Young. Yes.
The Chairman. The two houses sit together?
Mr. Young. Yes.
The Chairman. Nobles and representatives?
Mr. Young. Yes.
Senator Butler. IS that the usual way?
Mr. Young. Yes.
Senator Butler. The Queen always appears and prorogues the Legislature?
Mr. Young. Yes. The nobles and representatives sit in joint session
Senator Gray. Vote together?
Mr. Young. Yes; and the ministers sit with them and vote.
Senator Gray. The vote is not taken in each house separately; the roll is not called separately?
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Mr. Young. I have been there and I thought they voted right along as they called the roll.
Senator Gray. And questions are decided by a majority of the whole vote?
Mr. Young. Yes; I have also seen them vote aye and no, by holding up their hands.
The Chairman. Immediately after this legislature was prorogued, what became of the Queen? Where did she go?
Mr. Young. She passed into a large room on the left facing the rostrum; a large reception room about twice as large as this, where she held her reception.
The Chairman. Did you go in?
Mr. Young. Yes; I passed on through the door. The consul told me he was going back to the office. I told him I was there in an official capacity, and I felt it my duty to go through with it.
Senator Gray. You wauted to see the sights of the side circus?
Mr. Young. Yes; the Governor of Oahu, Mr. Cleghorn, stopped me at the door and talked to me in a nervous strain as though to retain me. I passed in and bowed to the Queen and her ministers standing on the right, her aids, and passed on through the door. The Queen looked at me rather savagely, and did not return my salutation with any cordiality at all. I noticed that she acted in a peculiar way. First when she was reading her proclamation I thought she had a little stage fright, but in this reception room I saw that she was under the influence of a stimulant, in fact she was drunk. There is no question in my mind about it at all. Then I passed out into the yard and started to go over into the palace, and I was advised not to go. Then I was told again on the outside that as soon as the Queen came over to the palace she was going to promulgate the new constitution. I was also informed that at the palace the night before there had been placed four or five pieces of artillery, enfilading the approaches to the palace, and that the Queen's household was said to be under arms. I thought affairs looked very serious, and that it was my duty to go immediately on board ship and inform my commanding officer, which I did.
The Chairman. Who told you that?
Mr. Young. Different people.
The Chairman. Can you name them?
Mr. Young. Yes; Judge Hartwell was one who told me, and I was also told by a half-white Kanaka. I do not know his name. I was told by two or three persons.
The Chairman. Did you see those brass pieces?
Mr. Young. Yes.
The Chairman. Where were they?
Mr. Young. I did not see them that day.
The Chairman. Where were they when you did see them?
Mr. Young. Down in the yard of the palace when I saw them.
Senator Butler. Is that palace located in an open reservation?
Mr. Young. Yes; it is a square, a perfect square, and right in the center of this square is the palace. In the top of the palace, the upper part of the palace, there are two halls. They cross each other at right angles. I had this statement confirmed afterward by some of the people stationed there. Wilcox, who was asked to take command of these pieces but refused, told me so afterwards. They were planted at the end of each one of these corridors.
Senator Butler. Is the palace surrounded by streets on each side?
Mr. Young. Yes.
S. Doc. 231, pt 6----44
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