Speeches of His Majesty Kamehameha IV. To the Hawaiian Legislature Part 7

OCTOBER 3D, 1859.

_Speech of His Majesty at the Extraordinary Session of the House of n.o.bles held at the Palace October 3d, 1859._

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF n.o.bLES:--I have thought proper to convene you in special session in order to consult on a matter, which in my judgment relates to the highest welfare of the nation. In contemplation of a vacancy in the chief executive office, at all times liable to occur, it is important that the succession to the crown should be definitely established in a const.i.tutional manner. To this subject I invite your attention, in the full confidence that the recommendation I am about to make will receive at your hands a hearty concurrence.

The Const.i.tution points out the mode of procedure to be adopted, and I avail myself of the authority thus vested in me to designate my infant son, the Prince of Hawaii, as my heir and successor to the Throne. Your a.s.sent and co-operation in the measure are required, but I do not doubt your ready and loyal support, not only on grounds relating to the stability of the existing dynasty, but from motives intimately connected with the public good.

PROCLAMATION.

KAMEHAMEHA IV., of the Hawaiian Islands, King, to all Our loving subjects, and others to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:--

Be it known that We, in concurrence with Our House of n.o.bles, hereby appoint and proclaim Our Son, His Royal Highness the Prince of Hawaii, to be Our Successor and Heir to the Hawaiian Throne.

Done at Our Palace, at Honolulu, this third day of October, in the year of Our Lord 1859, and the fifth year of Our Reign.

(Signed,) KAMEHAMEHA.

(Signed) KAAHUMANU.

By the King and Kuhina Nui.

(Signed,) L. KAMEHAMEHA.

MAY 23D, 1860.

_The King's Speech to the Legislature of 1860._

n.o.bLES AND REPRESENTATIVES:--In accordance with the Const.i.tution, I have called you together in Legislative a.s.sembly.

It is with pleasure that I make known to you that my relations with Foreign Powers are in an amicable and satisfactory position, and to the Report of my Minister of Foreign Affairs I direct your attention for information in relation to the Department under his care.

The Chief Justice in his Report has given a general view of the administration of the department of law. There are some portions of the report to which I desire to call your special attention. By reference to the comparative view of convictions contained therein, you will observe that two cla.s.ses of offences against the laws const.i.tute nearly two-thirds of the whole number of convictions. The inevitable effect of these offences is to demoralize and destroy the people, and I would designate as well worthy of your careful consideration and adoption, the recommendations of the Chief Justice in relation to such amendments or alterations of the existing laws as will tend to eradicate or diminish these evils.

The Report of the Minister of the Interior will furnish you with full information in relation to the affairs of his department for the last two years. The financial prospects of the country, as exhibited in the Report of the Minister of Finance, are satisfactory, and I would particularly direct to your favorable consideration his suggestion that provision be made for paying off outstanding liabilities as they become due. I would also call to your attention for careful consideration, his suggestions in relation to the a.s.sessments and collection of taxes, and in relation to the transit duties; also to the proposed alteration in the mode of remunerating District Justices.

The all-important subject of Education now occupies the public mind with more than usual interest, and I particularly recommend to your favorable notice the suggestions of the President of the Board of Education, with reference to subst.i.tuting English for Hawaiian schools, in so far as may be practicable, and also in relation to the granting of Government aid towards independent schools for the education and moral training of females.

Through the laudable efforts of a number of private individuals--whom I take this first public opportunity of thanking--several establishments of this latter description have been inst.i.tuted during the past year; and although thus far little more than a commencement in the good work has been made, their progress has been satisfactory. I dwell on this subject, n.o.bles and Representatives, because our very existence as a people depends on the youthful training of the future mothers of our land, and that must not be jeopardized through lack of effort on our part.

To your careful consideration I recommend the proposed amendments to the Const.i.tution, as pa.s.sed by the last Legislature.

The "Queen's Hospital," at Honolulu, inst.i.tuted for the relief of the sick and indigent, has now been in operation for nine months, and to this praiseworthy inst.i.tution I direct your attention, that suitable provision in aid thereof may be made in the biennial estimates, with a view also that branch Dispensaries may be established at other places in the Kingdom.

In conclusion, n.o.bles and Representatives, I trust that in your deliberations on the necessary business that may come before you, that you will combine care with dispatch, and I will join with you in supplicating the Ruler of all nations for that wisdom which will best direct your efforts.

MAY 30, 1860.

_His Majesty's Reply to Rev. W. P. Alexander, on behalf of the "Hawaiian Evangelical a.s.sociation."_

I a.s.sure you, gentlemen, that no expression of good will towards myself or my people is necessary on your part; that is well known. Nor need I say that the same confidence and friendly regard which was ever cherished towards you by my predecessors is entertained by myself. The feeling with me is not only personal but hereditary.

In regard to those portions of my speech to the Legislature to which you are pleased to refer, I shall certainly rely upon the co-operation of the clergy in carrying into effect any measures that may be adopted for the suppression of those great evils referred to, and I am confident that I shall have it not only in this but in every other good work.

Gentlemen and ladies, I am always happy to see you, while on these yearly visits to the metropolis.

AUGUST 14, 1860.

_His Majesty's Special Message to the House of n.o.bles and Representatives, delivered by the Royal Commissioners._

KAMEHAMEHA IV., by the Grace of G.o.d King of the Hawaiian Islands:

_To His Excellency_ M. KEKUANAOA, _Our Governor of Oahu, and the Honorable_ ELISHA H. ALLEN, Our Chancellor:

GREETING:--We hereby commission you in Our place and stead, to deliver to the n.o.bles and Representatives, Our Message, touching certain alterations proposed to be made in the Const.i.tution of Our Kingdom: And for so doing this shall be your sufficient warrant.

Given at Our Palace in Honolulu, this Fourteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord 1860, and in the sixth year of Our reign.

KAMEHAMEHA.

KAAHUMANU.

At the request of the President, Mr. R. Armstrong read the Royal Message in Hawaiian, after which the Chancellor read the same in English. The following is the English version:

n.o.bLES AND REPRESENTATIVES:--I called the attention of the last Legislature to the amendments of the Const.i.tution.

Experience of the practical operation of that instrument has impressed me with their importance, and in this view that body coincided. But from some omission the publication was not made in conformity to the provision of the Const.i.tution, and hence you have very properly expressed your const.i.tutional inability to pa.s.s finally upon the amendments as adopted by them.

Therefore, it has become my duty to call your attention to some of those amendments, as well as others, which a more mature reflection has suggested.

I regard favorably the eligibility of the Ministers to the House of Representatives. The experience of monarchical governments has ill.u.s.trated the importance of their services to the popular branch. It is a power of selection which may be wisely entrusted to the people to exercise. A property qualification of a limited amount will tend to make the selection from the more substantial men of the Kingdom, and the payment by a salary for their services, I regard as more just than a per diem allowance as now provided. A limited number of appointments to the House of n.o.bles for a term of years may afford that body valuable aid.

When the Const.i.tution was adopted, its provisions in reference to a successor to the throne, were made with especial reference to my Predecessor, who had no lineal heirs.

Additional provisions now seem to be necessary as a protection to the Heir Apparent to the Throne, and so secure beyond reasonable contingencies the stable administration of the sovereignty.

I regard a regency by the Queen, in cases of temporary vacancy of the Throne, or during a minority of the Heir Apparent, as the best means to secure a wise and safe exercise of regal authority, with proper regard to the rights of all persons. It would be a safe depository of power, for no one can feel a more sincere interest for the honor and prosperity of the Kingdom than the Queen Consort, and the mother of the Heir Apparent. Amendments which will secure these objects, you will regard as the part of wisdom to adopt.

There are some minor amendments which will be submitted, to which I do not regard it as essential more particularly to advert. Of their wisdom and propriety I am fully impressed.