Liliuokalani to U.S. Envoy, Albert Willis

Liliuokalani to U.S. Envoy, Albert Willis

Hawai’i
US
Queen Liliuokalani
Monarchy
Annexation

This letter by Liliuokalani to US envoy, Albert Willis was written four years before the annexation of Hawai’i and is the Queen’s final plea for the kingdom’s rights to stay as it has for centuries. She starts by expressing that the US government and Hawaiian kingdom has had friendly relations and the US’ intentions with Hawai’i are completely wrong and unconstitutional. She cleverly quotes the President himself in saying so and constantly reinforces that she is the constitutional leader of Hawai’i. The letter is essentially a protest against US occupation of Hawai’i, and the Queen is making a statement by not only trying to save her royal status but also defending her people and land. When thinking about the course of events that would follow years after this letter, it is deeply saddening to read how hard the Queen was fighting to keep her reign and people safe.

Queen Liliuokalani, Hawai’i.

University of Hawaii at Manoa Library

http://libweb.hawaii.edu/digicoll/annexation/protest/liliu4.php

20 June 1894

Emma Azid

National Archives, US State Department Files.

English

Textual - handwritten letter

19th century Hawai'i