USS Boston remained in the harbour as the dispute escalated. Accounts differ over whether people urged her captain to intervene, but he did not start a confrontation with the British frigate. The argument against intervention centres on the danger of turning aggressive commercial rivalries into another war with Britain. Memories of the War of 1812, inadequate naval infrastructure and poor congressional funding form part of that assessment. Meanwhile, the Hawaiian king agreed to receive Paulet and the British representative on 20 February at 11 a.m.
Notable Point · 44:18-46:33
USS Boston and the cost of intervening in Hawaii
The case against USS Boston's intervention rested on naval readiness and the risk of another war with Britain, before the king agreed to a meeting.