Office of the Historian
  1. Home
  2. Historical Documents
  3. Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 5, 1881
  4. Document 393

No. 389.
Mr. Comly to Mr. Evarts .

Legation of the United States,
Honolulu , January 17, 1881. (Received February 7.)
No. 147.]

Sir: I have the honor to transmit copy of a note from the Hawaiian minister of foreign affairs, containing information of a proposed tour of King Kalakaua around the world, accompanied by Attorney-General Armstrong, and his chamberlain, Colonel Judd.

I take the occasion to say that my relations with the King and his ministers have been of the most friendly and cordial nature since the receipt of the dispatch from the Secretary of State approving my course in the Moreno-Bush affair.

The King’s ministers gave him a banquet last Friday night, where about one hundred guests were entertained. No full report of the speeches can be had in time for this mail. The King, suspending his usual rule, replied in person to the toast to his health, and his speech [Page 617] contained significant statements as to his future policy, and an acknowledgment of errors in the past, which he hoped would prove a lesson for the future. I will forward copies of the full report, if any shall be made in time for the mail. If not, will forward by next mail.

I have, &c.,

JAMES M. COMLY.
[Inclosure in No. 147.]

Mr. Green to Mr. Comly .

Department of Foreign Affairs,
Honolulu , January 14, 1881.
No. 4.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that His Majesty proposes to leave Honolulu for a trip around the world by the steamer which leaves for San Francisco Monday next, the 17th instant. His Majesty proposes to proceed from thence to Japan, China, Singapore, and Calcutta; thence overland to Bombay and across the Isthmus of Suez, expecting to arrive in Europe in May or June next. He will visit some of the principal cities of Europe, and from thence will return to this kingdom by way of the United States, expecting to arrive here about the month of October next.

His Majesty proposes to preserve a strict incognito during the trip, and will travel as Alii Kalakaua.

I take this opportunity to renew the assurances of the highest respect and consideration with which I have the honor to be, sir,

Your most obedient servant,

W. L. GREEN,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.