The decision of the Supreme Court that the term of the last Cabinet expired with the King, gave her an opportunity (which she improved), to dictate terms in advance to the incoming Cabinet, and to secure control of all appointments. The legislative session of 1892 was protracted to eight months chiefly by her determination to retain her control of the Executive, as well as to carry through the opium and lottery bills. Meanwhile she had caused a Constitution to be drawn up, which would practically, have transformed the government from a limited to an absolute monarchy, besides disfranchising a class of citizens who paid two-thirds of the taxes. This Constitution she undertook to spring upon the country by a coup d'etat, on
the day of the prorogation of the Legislature, January 14th, 1893.
Fortunately, at the critical moment, when her preparations were complete, her Ministers shrank from sharing the responsibility of such a revolutionary act, and induced her to postpone it. In such an undertaking to hesitate is fatal.
Again there was a general uprising of the conservative part of the community similar to that of 1887. But this time public opinion condemned all half way measures, and declared the monarchy to be forfeited by its own act.
The Reform leaders reorganized their forces, and formed a Provisional Government, which was proclaimed January 17th, 1893 from the Government Building. The U. S. S. "Boston," which had unexpectedly arrived from Hilo on the day of the prorogation, landed a force on the 16th, to protect the lives and property of American citizens, in case of disorder or incendiarism. The Queen's ministers availed themselves of the presence of these troops on shore as an excuse for their inaction, and persuaded the Queen to resign under protest, and to appeal to the government of the United States.
A treaty of annexation was soon after negotiated with the United States during President Harrison's administration, which was withdrawn by President Cleveland immediately after his accession. The failure of his attempt to restore the monarchy by diplomacy is well known.
THE REPUBLIC OF HAWAII.
During the next year a convention was elected, which sat in Honolulu during the month of June, 1894, and framed a new Constitution for the country, and the Republic of Hawaii was formally proclaimed July 4, 1894.
Another royalist conspiracy was formed during the fall of that year, which resulted in the insurrection of January 6th,
1895, which was promptly crushed by the patriotic citizens of the Republic.