No. 8.
Affidavit of E. C.
Macfarlane.
I hereby depose that on Tuesday, the 17th day of January, 1893, at about 4 p.m. of that day, I was present in the station-house at Honolulu, when Mr. S. M. Damon came to me and asked me to use my influence with Mr. C. B. Wilson (the marshal of the Kingdom) to surrender the station-house, which was the stronghold of Her Majesty’s Government, urging that any attempt to resist the Provisional Government, which had already been proclaimed, would result in bloodshed and considerable loss of life. I agreed with Mr. Damon that that was the only course to pursue, inasmuch as the United States minister, Mr. Stevens, in a letter to the Queen’s cabinet, which letter had been shown to me by Mr. A. P. Peterson, the attorney-general, had already reeognized the Provisional Government, and I felt sure that the U. S. forces from the Boston would undoubtedly resist any attempt made to dislodge the Provisional Government, who were already in possession of the Government building.
I was convinced that it would be useless for the marshal to offer any resistance, for such an attempt would most certainly bring about a conflict with the United States forces, and accordingly I urged Mr. Wilson to give up the station house. He stoutly refused, saying that he was prepared for any conflict which might arise, and that under no circumstances would he surrender unless by written instructions of the Queen and her ministers.
Toward sundown I was summoned to the palace and there met the ministers and other gentlemen whom Her Majesty was consulting about the situation.
Beside the ministers and the two princes there were present Mr. Damon, H. A. Widemann, J. O. Carter, and Paul Neumann. In a few words Her Majesty said she had sent for them to advise with her upon the situation—that the Provisional Government, which had been recognized by the United States minister—had made a demand to surrender the station house and the barracks and asked their advice in the matter.
Mr. Damon said that he was sent as a committee from the Provisional Government to inform Her Majesty that she had been deposed, her ministers dismissed, and likewise the marshal, Mr. Wilson; that the Provisional Government was established and recognized by the United States minister and a demand made by the Provisional Government that the station house and barracks be surrendered.
For himself he would advise her to that course, suggesting that she could make a protest if she desired to do so.
Mr. Carter stated that, in his opinion, there was only one course to pursue, and that was for Her Majesty to comply to the demands, stating that the Provisional Government having been recognized by the United States minister, any attempt to resist would undoubtedly bring about complications with the United States Government. He favored peaceful submission and advised that she make a protest and leave the matter in the hands of the United States Government.
Mr. Widemann advised to the same effect, and referring to the restoration of the islands by Admiral Thomas in 1843, expressed the opinion that the United States, upon a proper representation of all the facts leading up to the present situation, would in the end repeat the action of the British Government and restore the independence of Hawaii.
[Page 638]The protest was prepared by Mr. Neumann and Mr. Carter.
Written instructions were then addressed to the marshal, Mr. Wilson, signed by the Queen and her four ministers, notifying Mr. Wilson that he must surrender the station house to the Provisional Government.
This letter was taken to Mr. Wilson by Mr. Peterson. I accompanied him to the station house. The letter was handed to Mr. Wilson with a verbal message from the Queen that he should make a brief statement to those with him that the Queen had yielded under protest, relying upon the justice of the United States Government to restore her authority, and that she wished her supporters to disperse peaceably and keep quiet. Mr. Wilson spoke a few words to that effect. I remained in the building for sometime afterwards and left about 7 o’clock, up to which time no agent of the Provisional Government had arrived to take possession of the station house.
I have the honor to remain, etc.,
Notary Public, First Judicial Circuit.