October 29, 1863: Treaty with Spain
A treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation was secured between “His Majesty the King of the Hawaiian Islands” and “Her Majesty the Queen of Spain” in London on October 29, 1863. The plenipotentiary listed for the Queen of Spain was Don Juan Tomas Comyn. Sir John Bowring was listed as the Hawaiʻi plenipotentiary. Ratification of this treaty was not completed until 1870 due to a number of unforeseen events, including Queen Isabella’s deposition in 1868. Moreover, just one month after this treaty was concluded, King Liholiho passed away on November 30, 1863. Charles Harris, the Minister for Foreign Affairs announced on September 2, 1870, “And whereas, the said Treaty has been now duly ratified by His Majesty the King, and His Highness the Regent of Spain, and ratifications exchanged, the said Treaty has become a part of the law of this Kingdom, and all the provisions thereof are to be observed.” Treaty with Spain, Haw. Gazette (Sept. 7, 1870) (available online).
Below are excerpts from the Hawaiian language version of this treaty. Transcripts for these excerpts are also provided.
Available in Foreign Office & Executive – Treaties, Spain.
O ke Alii, ka Moi o ka pae Aina Hawaii ma kekahi Aoao; a o ka Moi ke Alii wahine o Sepania ma kekahi Aoao, no ko Laua manao e hoooluolu aku i ka hana kalepa iwaena o ka pae Aina Hawaii a me ko Sepania, a e kokua wehewehe aku ia mea ma ka Olelo kuikahi aloha a me ke kalepa a me ka hooholu moku, ku pono i ka paa mau ana i na pono like no kela aoao keia aoao no na Aupuni elua; Nolaila, ua hoonohoia no keia oihana ko laua mau Luna mana nui, Oia hoi . . . .
Available in Foreign Office & Executive – Treaties, Spain.
No ka oiaio o ia mau mea, ua kau na Lunanui o na aoao elua, i ko laua mau inoa, a ua hoopili aku hoi i ko laua mau sila.
Kakau palua ia ma Ladana i keia la iwakalua kumamaiwa o Okatoba i ka Makahiki o ko kakou Haku, hookahi Tausani, ewalu haneri a me kanaono kumamakolu.