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The CHAIRMAN: So that the advocacy and promotion of British interests in Hawaii, you think, were as manifest as those of the American interests?
Mr. BELKNAP: Beyond a doubt. Wherever you find an American minister or consul in any part of the world attempting to further the interests of the United States the English always secretly undermine the efforts of the consul and minister. That has been my observation the world over.
Senator BUTLER: Do you think that proceeds from the English people realizing the fact that the commercial competition is to be between the two great nations?
Mr. BELKNAP: I think it does in a measure. If any American goes beyond a native of Great Britain, it is continually a thorn in the side of the English people.
Senator FRYE: Now I will be pleased to have you go on with your statement.
Mr. BELKNAP: I told Mr. Pierce that I would do everything possible. I arranged that day a system of signals by which Mr. Pierce could signal to me on board the ship if he found it necessary.
The CHAIRMAN: Was there at that time any outbreak or riot?
Mr. BELKNAP: No.
The CHAIRMAN: Simply expectation?
Mr. BELKNAP: Yes.
Senator FRYE: An outbreak liable to occur at any time?
Mr. BELKNAP: Yes.
The CHAIRMAN: You made arrangements beforehand for the landing of the troops?
Mr. BELKNAP: Yes. There was a British man-of-war In the harbor, and we did not want him to get ahead of us. We arranged a system of signals with lanterns and rockets at night and a flag by day. On the morning of the meeting of the Legislature I determined to attend and witness the proceedings in company with the minister. Capt. Skerrett and I---- Capt. Skerrett commanded the Portsmouth which arrived in Honolulu the morning after we did---- went to the legislative hall. We staid there and saw the organization of the Assembly. As a ballot was about to take place we left the hall and remained outside. Perhaps in a quarter of an hour after that the voting was finished and the ballots were counted, and it was found that Kalakaua had received 39 votes and Queen Emma 6. Kalakaua was declared elected. As soon as this news was given outside of the court-house, where the Legislature was in session, the adherents of Queen Emma broke out into a riot. They rushed up the back way, through a door in the back, into the hall, or through the windows out into the legislative assembly and then began to club the members and senators, I do not know which, broke chairs, smashed tables and windows, and threw all they could lay their hands on out into the street. A large party of them assembled about Queen Emma's residence, and they were making threats to devastate the town.
While this riot was in progress I said to Mr. Pierce, "I had better land the force now." He said: "No; wait a little while." Finally, Mr. Bishop, who was prime minister, minister of foreign affairs under the King-elect, said to Mr. Pierce: "We would like to have the force landed now." So that I immediately sent a messenger down to the wharf where D. C. Murray lived, and had a signal run up. In about ten minutes our men were landed---- 180 men, seamen, officers, and