HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.                   333 
Mr. Adee to Mr. Stevens. 
No. 31.]                          DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 
Washington, July 14, 1890. 
SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 27, of the 26th 
ultimo, announcing a recent change in the cabinet of His Majesty and 
communicating a sketch of its members. 
I am, sir, etc., 
ALVEY A. ADEE, 
Acting Secretary. 
Mr. Wharton to Mr. Stevens. 
No. 2.]                         DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 
Washington, August 16, 1890. 
SIR: I inclose for your confidential information copy of a letter 
recently received from the Acting Secretary of the INavy, transmitting 
one from the commander in chief of the United States naval force in 
the Pacific station, in regard to political affairs in the Hawaiian Islands.

The letter in question seems to confirm the general tenor of your dis- 
patches on the same subject. 
I am, etc., 
WILLIAM F. WHARTON, 
Acting Secretary. 
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine. 
[Confidential.] 
No. 30.]                       UNITED STATES LEGATION, 
Honolulu, August 19, 1890. 
SIR: I regret to be obliged to report to the Department of State 
that the political affairs of this island Kingdom have recently assumed 
a less assuring aspect. It is well known that the present constitution 
was gained by the people, especially by the property holders andbusiness

men, in 1887, much as the Magna Charta of England was gained by 
the barons from King John in 1215. Kalakaua has always been rest- 
less under this constitution, to which he has solemnly sworn. The 
result of the elections last February encourages him to hope that the 
constitution might be so changed as to restore to him much of his 
former autocratic power. A movement has been put on foot to this 
end. A popular delegation, composed mainly of the less intelligent 
natives, led chiefly by unscrupulous demagogues, has formally marched 
to the palace and presented petitions in a revolutionary sense, asking 
the call of a constitutional convention. The King, without having 
consulted or received the sanction of his cabinet, has commended the 
objects of these petitions in a message to the Legislature. 
The constitution specifically provides how it may be amended, which 
is by voting proposed amendments by the Legislature, which amend- 
ments must be resubmitted and voted by another Legislature two years