This island is known as Palmyra Island, and is situated about a thousand
miles to the southward of Hawaii. The Hawaiian Government claims that it
is one of the dependencies of the Sandwich Island group.

It was discovered by Captain Cook, the famous navigator who explored the
Pacific Ocean in 1768, and secured Australia and New Zealand for the
British.

It has long been marked on the maps as a British possession, but it
appears that it was occupied years ago by Hawaiians, who raised the
Hawaiian flag over it, and claimed it for their Government.

The action of Great Britain in claiming the island at this time is
considered of the highest importance, as it is feared that it may have
been claimed merely for the sake of complicating Hawaiian matters, and
preventing annexation.

Our Government will look very closely into the rights of the affair, and
insist upon their being respected.

The State Department will gather all information possible in regard to
Palmyra Island. Should it be found that Hawaii's claims are good, our
minister in the Sandwich Islands will be instructed to ask the
Government there to protest against the action of Great Britain. The
United States will then uphold this protest, and the officials believe
that it will result in the removal of the British flag from the island.

An American guano company located on Palmyra Island some years ago,
building sheds and a wharf, but after the guano deposit was exhausted