not fail to see that the conditions then present could not long prevail. That it was the intent of the queen to create a new constitution, in which should be embodied the most extreme of her political views, soon began to be openly asserted.

At this juncture, new plots and plans appeared. The infamous Louisiana lottery company, which had been driven out of the United States by the force of public sentiment, on the expiration of its charter, was seeking a foothold in Hawaii, whence it might still continue to flood the United States with its alluring circulars, and gather victims. At the same time the machinations of an extensive opium ring became apparent, one that had branches in Vancouver, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Hong Kong. These schemes were managed in a shrewd, unprincipled manner. Shares of stock in the lottery company were distributed to those members of the legislature who were deemed approachable; and an enormous annual gratuity was promised to be paid to the Hawaiian government, should a foothold be given to the company in the Islands. Large bribes were also

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offered by the opium ring, which sought an exclusive franchise.

The sentiment of the more respectable element throughout the city was strongly antagonistic to the granting of these franchises; and personal influence of the strongest character was brought to induce the queen to oppose them, but all in vain. influence was firmly in favor of the projects, and no expostulations served to deter her from her purpose. The opium and the lottery bills were passed, and received her sig

nature.

Her

And now was precipitated the crisis which for months had been rumored. It looked as if, as a compensation for her sympathy and co-operation with the promoters of the lottery and opium franchises, the queen was to be abetted in her long-cherished project of promulgating a new constitution. This instrument, as afterward was disclosed, would have placed American influence and the property of American citizens wholly at the mercy of the queen and her personal adherents. The time for this coup was well chosen, The United States cruiser Boston,

which was stationed at the Hawaiian Islands to guard American interests, had left its anchorage in the harbor of Honolulu early in January, 1893, for a practice cruise, and also to pay a visit at the port of Hilo, in the island Hawaii. Minister Stevens had gone as a passenger on the Boston for a brief absence.

At this juncture the queen announced her intention of abrogating the constitution of 1887, which she had sworn to uphold, and of establishing in its place another, cast by herself and framed to suit her most extreme views.

According to this proposed constitution the members of the house of nobles and of the council of State were to be appointed by the queen at will; and all white men, unless married to native women, were to be absolutely debarred from suffrage.

The city was instantly in a turmoil of excitement; and vigorous protests, both personal and political, were made against the proposed act. The queen had awakened in her native subjects an unwonted interest in affairs political by the assurance that the power was to be taken wholly from the