Kapena to James M. Comly , United States, July 6, 1878

Mr. Kapena to Mr. Comly.

Sir: Your dispatch of the 1st instant was handed to me by my predecessor, Mr. Peirce, and I hasten to thank you for the kindly considerations towards this government of which it gives evidence.

You state in your dispatch that, in your opinion, “the integrity of the treaty of reciprocity between the United States and the Hawaiian Islands is threatened,” and again, at the close of your remarks, that while you cannot believe that there is real danger of such a result, yet there are circumstances, not necessary to detail particularly, which may excuse the friendly and cautionary mention of the rights and privileges of the United States under the reciprocity treaty

Be assured, Mr. Minister, that His Majesty’s Government will take care that the integrity of the treaty shall not be impaired in any respect whatsoever, and will always thank you for any communication like that which I now have the honor to reply to, whenever you may think that we may be about to fall, through inadvertence, into any course which may appear likely to impair the value of the treaty to the United States.

With the highest respect and most distinguished consideration, I have the honor to be, sir, your excellency’s most obedient servant,