SUPPLEMENTARY Convention between the United States of America and his Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands to limit the duration of the Convention respecting commercial reciprocity between the United States of America and the Hawaiian Kingdom, concluded January 30, 1875.

Concluded December 6, 1884
Ratification advised by the Senate with amendments, January 20, 1887
Ratified by the King of Hawaii, October 20, 1887
Ratifications exchanged at Washington November 9, 1887

Whereas a Convention was concluded between the United States of Ameica; and His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, on the thirtieth day of January 1875, concerning commercial reciprocity, which the fifth article thereof, was to continue in force for seven years from the date after it was to come into operation, and further, until the expiration of twelve months after either of the High Contracting Parties should give notice to the other of its wish to terminate the same; and

Whereas, the High Contracting parties consider that the increase and consolidation of their mutual commercial interests would be beter promoted by the definite limitation of the duration of the said Convention;

Therefore, the President of the United States of America, and His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, have appointed:

The President of the United States of America, Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, Secretary of State; and

His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands, Henry A. P. Carter, accredited to the Government of the United States as His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary;

Who, having exchanged their respective powers, which were found sufficient and in due form, have agreed upon the following articles:

ARTICLE I

The High Contracting Parties agree, that the time fixed for the duration of the said Convention, shall be definitely extended for a term of seven years from the date of the exchange of ratifications hereof, and further, until the expiration of twelve months after either of the High Contracting Parties shall give notice of the other of its wish to terminate the same, each of the High Contracting Parties being at liberty to give such notice to the other at the end of the said term of seven years or at any time thereafter.

ARTICLE II

His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands grants to the Govrnment of the United States the exclusive right to enter the harbor of the Pearl River in the Island of Oahu, and to establish and maintain there a coaling and repair station for the use of vessels of the United States, and to that end the United States may improve the entrance to said harbor and do all other things needful to the purpose aforesaid.

ARTICLE III

The present Convention shall be ratified and the ratifications exchanged at Washington as soon as possible.

In witness whereof, the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Convention in duplicate, and have hereunto affixed their respective seals.

Done at the city of Washington the 6th day of December in the year of Our Lord 1884.

Frederick t. Frelinghuysen
Henry A.P. Carter

King Kalaukaua in his speech before the opening session of the 1887 Hawaiian Legislature stated:

"I take great pleasure in informing you that the Treaty of Reciprocity with the United States of America has been definitely extended for seven years upon the same terms as those in the original treaty, with the addition of a clause granting to national vessels of the United States the exclusive privilege of entering Pearl River Harbor and establishing there a coaling and repair station. This has been done after mature deliberation and the interchange between my Government and that of the United States of an interpretation of the said clause whereby it is agreed and understood that it does not cede any territory or part with or impair any right of sovereignty or jurisdiction on the part of the Hawaiian Kingdom and that such privilege is coterminous with the treaty"

In correspondence between the two government's representative on December 8, 1887 the United States Secretary Bayard replied as follows:

"No ambiguity or obscurity in that amendment is observable, and I can discern therin no subtraction from Hawaiian Sovereignty over the harbor to which it relates nor any language importing a longer duration for the interpolated Article II than is provide for in article I of the supplementary convention.

I therefor trust that it will be treated as it is tendered in simple good faith and accepted without doubt or hesitation."

Mahalo to Sam Monet (monet@hawaii-nation.org) and the Hawaii Resource Library for providing the text of these documents.

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