MEMORIAL OF THE CITIZENRY

To: U.S. Senator SHELBY M. CULLOM, U.S. Senator JOHN T. MORGAN, U.S. Representative ROBERT HITT, SANFORD DOLE, and WALTER F. FREAR, Commissioners of the United States

Greetings:

The undersigned being delegates of the Hawaiian Patriotic League, an organization which is composed of native Hawaiian people from all the districts of the Hawaiian Islands, assembled in a convention held in the city of Honolulu, Island of Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, on the 12th of September, A.D. 1898, hereby respectfully submit to your honorable Commission, the following resolutions:

RESOLUTION

Whereas: On the 17th day of January, A.D. 1893, our beloved Queen, Liliuokalani, noted a protest against the acts of the representatives of the United States of America, in form as follows:

"I Liliuokalani, by the grace of God and under the Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Queen do hereby solemnly protest against any and all acts done against myself and the Constitutional Government of the Hawaiian Kingdom by certain persons claiming to have established a Provisional Government of and for this Kingdom.

"That I yield to the superior force of the United States of America, whose Minister Plenipotentiary, His Excellency John L. Stevens, has caused United States troops to be landed at Honolulu and declared that he would support the said Provisional Government.

"Now to avoid any collision of armed forces and perhaps the loss of life, I do, under this protest, and impelled by said force, yield my authority until such time as the Government of the United States shall upon the facts presented to it undo the action of its representatives and reinstate me in the authority which I claim as the constitutional sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands;" and

Whereas: The receipt of said protest was acknowledged by Sanford B. Dole, chairman of the Executive Council of the Provisional Government, by endorsement thereon; and

Whereas: Grover Cleveland, President of the United States, after a careful review of the facts, stated in a message to Congress, dated the 18th day of December, 1893, as follows:

"As I apprehend the situation, we are brought face to face with the following conditions: The lawful Government of Hawaii was overthrown without the drawing of a sword or the firing of a shot by a process every step of which, it may safely be asserted, is directly traceable to an dependent for its success upon the agency of the United States acting through its diplomatic and naval representatives;" and

Whereas: The so-called Republic of Hawaii by its Executive and Senate formulated a treaty to secure the annexation of Hawaii to the United States, and said treaty having failed of ratification by the Senate of the United States, and by such failure to ratify having become void and of no effect as to Hawaii, because of the terms of Article 32 fo the Constitution of the Republic of Hawaii, which reads:

"The President, with the approval of the Cabinet, is hereby expressly authorized and empowered to make a Treaty of Political or Commercial Union between the Republic of Hawaii and the United States of America, subject to the ratification of the Senate;" and

Whereas: The Senate and House of Representatives of the United States have passed a Joint Resolution for the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands, and such Joint Resolution has not been passed upon by the people of Hawaii, nor by their Representatives in Legislature assembled; and

Whereas: By memorial the people of Hawaii have protested against the consummation of an invasion of their political rights, and have fervently appealed to the President, the Congress and the People of the United States, to refrain from further participation in the wrongful annexation of Hawaii; and

Whereas: The Declaration of American Independence expresses that Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed:

Therefore, be it Resolved: That the representatives of a large and influential body of native Hawaiians, we solemnly pray that the constitutional government of the 16th day of January, A.D. 1893, be restored, under the protection of the United States of America.

And your petitioners continually pray.

ISLAND OF HAWAII

Kalapana, Puna—S.T. Piihonua Puula, Puna—J.N. Kamoku
South Hilo—Henry West and J. Ewaliko
Central Hilo—H.K. Uaea
North Hilo—D.S. Konia
Hamakua—E.W. Kaunamano
North Kohala—Palmer Wood and C.K. Stillman
South Kona—James Kaeo

ISLAND OF MAUI

Wailuku—S.E. Kaina, Thomas Clark, R.H. Makekau and F. Silva Honokohau—Geo. Kauhi
Kaanapali—J.K. Hihio
Makawao—C.K. Pa
Kula—J. Kamakele
Honuaula—Dan. Unekoolani
Hana—G.P. Kanimakaole and Mrs. J.W.H. Momoa
Honokalani—J.W.H. Momoa
Keanae—G.W. Kalohoi

ISLAND OF MOLOKAI

Ualapue—Geo. Kekipi
Halawa—M. Kane

ISLAND OF OAHU

District 1—Sam Kaili
District 2—Aberahama Kaleikau and S.W. Kamahiai
District 3—L.W.P. Kanealii and W.H. Kailimai
District 4—W.K. Nahalau and E.W. Palau
District 5—Asa Kaulia and S.K. Kaloa
Ewa—G.M. Keone

J.K. Kaulia, President
J.K. Kaunamano, Vice-President
E.K. Lilikalani, Vice-President