Honolulu 1861: Planning for Celebrations

Celebrations of the 4^th of July, 1861 in Honolulu

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu, Saturday, June 29, 1861.  

The American residents of this city met at the office of A.J. Cartwright, Esq., on Tuesday evening last for the purpose of making arrangements for celebrating the approaching anniversary of American freedom.

The meeting was organized by the appointment of Dr. Gerrit P. Judd as Chairman, and Benj. F. Durham as Secretary.

It having been unanimously determined that the day ought to be observed here with appropriate ceremonies, a Committee, consisting of Messrs. D. Foster, G.P. Judd, J. Mott Smith, C.C. Harris, H.W. Severance, W. E. Cutrell, Samuel James, Alvah K. Clark, A. J. Cartwright, and H.A.P. Carter, were appointed to whom was referred the duty of forming a programme for the celebration, with instructions to report at their earliest convenience.

On Thursday evening an adjourned meeting was held at the same place, which was very numerously attended. The Committee reported the following programme, which was adopted.

ORDER OF EXERCISES

FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

1. Salute of 13 guns at sunrise, from Punchbowl Battery.
2. Commemorative services at Fort Street Church at 10 o’clock, A.M., consisting of prayer, singing of national anthems, and an address from the Rev. C. V. Anthony.
3. Raising of the American Flag at 12, M., at the residence of A.B. Bates, Esq., Nuuanu (who has kindly given the use of his premises for the occasion,) under a salute of 34 guns from Punchbowl Battery, with accustomed honors.
4. Reading of the Declaration of Independence.
5. Collation, at which thirteen regular toasts will be given, and appropriate responses made.
6. Salute of 13 guns from the Punchbowl Battery at sunset.

The feeling manifested at this meeting cannot but be gratifying to all Americans. Several speeches were made, breathing the highest degree of patriotism, and some of our old residents came out with strong Union sentiments, uttered with an earnest enthusiasm that proved that their love of their country and its institutions has not been weakened by long absence.

Mr. Bates requests us to say, that on the occasion of the Celebration, his premises are at the disposal of all American citizens.