| The Tyler Doctrine | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 5 2010, 06:10 PM (1,935 Views) | |
| United States of America | Apr 5 2010, 06:10 PM Post #1 |
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An Empire for Liberty
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July 30, 1842 In light of the recent war in China and correspondence between the government of the Hawaiian Islands and that of the United States, President Tyler has delivered a special message to Congress on the state of affairs in the Pacific. The President recognized the emergence of the Hawaiian kingdom as a civilized nation through its improvement "of the condition of its people by the introduction of knowledge, of religious and moral institutions, means of education, and the arts of civilized life." Barely two decades ago, the Hawaiian people had no written language, no acquaintance with Christianity, no fixed regulations of government, and provided no legal protection to traveling foreigners. All this has changed as the political and material prosperity of the islands grows with each passing year, no doubt due in part to the American merchant and missionary presence, which constitutes five-sixths of the annual sea traffic there. In light of this, Tyler declared that the islands were entitled to the same privileges enjoyed by all members of the community of nations: "It can not but be in conformity with the interest and wishes of the Government and the people of the United States that this community, thus existing in the midst of a vast expanse of ocean, should be respected and all its rights strictly and conscientiously regarded." The President went on to say that "any attempt by another power, should such attempt be threatened or feared, to take possession of the islands, colonize them, and subvert the native Government" would be perceived with the utmost dissatisfaction on the part of the United States and considered threatening to our interests in the Pacific, in effect extending the Monroe Doctrine over that part of the hemisphere. Nevertheless, he maintained that the United States government seeks "no peculiar advantages, no exclusive control over the Hawaiian Government, but is content with its independent existence and anxiously wishes for its security and prosperity." Tyler further recommended that Congress appoint commissioners and a minister to the Hawaiian Islands as well as appropriate a sum from the treasury for the maintenance of a diplomatic station. |
Embassy of the United States of America ![]() "For more than half a century, during which kingdoms and empires have fallen, this Union has stood unshaken. The patriots who formed it have long since descended to the grave; yet still it remains, the proudest monument to their memory." - Zachary Taylor | |
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2:44 PM Jul 11