1344                   HAWAIIAN INFORMATION. 
year Mr. Blount presided, and prior to that under the monarchy the 
custom has prevailed for many years. The day was celebrated this 
year with more than ordinary enthusiasm. The English, Japanese, and 
American war vessels were dressed, flags were displayed from all the 
legations and consulates, public buildings and a large number of private

residences were elaborately decorated, and the national salute fired at 
noon. 
The reception at the United States legation was attended by several 
hundred persons, including representatives of the home and foreign 
governments and prominent citizens of all potitical parties. 
I inclose newspaper clippings, giving some of the particulars of the 
.celebration and also the principal address on the occasion. 
With sentiments of high esteem, I am, etc., 
ALBERT S. WILLIS. 
[Inclosure 1 in No. 64.1 
A& FITTING CELEBRATION-THE GREAT HOLIDAY OF AMERICA AND OF HAWAII- 
EXERCISES AT LITTLE BRITAIN-THE PULL TEXT OF THE ORATIONS MADE BY 
VARIOUS SPEAKERS-PATRIOTIC SPEECHES WHICH ALL HAVE THE RING OF TRUE 
BEPUBLICANISM-A LARGE AUDIENCE. 
The one hundred and eighteenth anniversary of the Declaration of the Indepen-

dence of the United States was marked, besides the one great event of the
day, the 
forming of the Republic, by enthusiastic ceremonies at J. N. Wright's place,
Little 
Britain. At half after 10, the hour set for the literary exercises to commence,
the 
large pavilion was filled with those who came to celebrate the day in the
good old 
way by listening to patriotic speeches, and hearing the Declaration of Indepen-

dence, one of, if not the grandest of the world's documents, read. 
The pavilion had been gaily decorated with American flags and with ferns.
On 
the platform were President Dole, Minister Willis, Admiral Walker, Capt.
Barker, 
Capt. Cochrane, J. B. Atherton, P. C. Jones, Prof. W. W. Lovejoy, Leo Cooper,
and 
the newspaper representatives. 
Minister Willis, the president of the day, was introduced by J. B. Atherton.
He 
said: 
"I thank the committee for having given me the honor-of presiding on
this occa- 
sion, and in the name of the great Republic whose representative I am, I
extend to 
the citizens of the United States and to all others who sympathize with republican

institutions, a heartfelt welcome." 
Prof. Lovejoy then offered a prayer, after which the song "1The Battle
Cry of Free- 
dom" was sung by the audience. Mr. Leo Cooper then read the Declaration
of 
Independence, which was greeted with much applause. 
J. B. Castle was next introduced, and said that the paper he was going to
read had 
been prepared by W. N. Armstrong, who had asked him to read it, as he was
awa y 
[Inclosure 2 in No. 64.] 
CAPT. COCHRANE'S ADDRESS. 
Mr. CHAIRMAN, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN: I would that I could also say "fellow-

citizens," but I see so many here who are not yet Americans that perhaps
it were better 
to employ a new expression-fellow-denizens. [This reference to possible annexa-

tion, and to the article so much discussed by the late convention, met with
instant 
recognition.] When your committee did me the honor to invite me to address
you 
upon this famous anniversary, I accepted with much pleasure. It was understood

that I was to make a short address on the Declaration of Independence, and
that 
the oration-a larger contract-was to be awarded to another. Later, I was
asked 
if I would change places, and as the difference was only one of degrees,
I readily con- 
,sented. I met the gentleman who was to be my colleague, ex-Attorney-General

Armstrong, and we agreed to have a conference, that we might not collide.
Next I 
learned that Mr. Armstrong was going to Tibo and that .there would be no
other 
:speaker. You can therefore imagine m~y surprise at learning just  now that
friend 
Armstrong had left his oration behind.