Kaʻiulani learned of the overthrow via a short telegram received by Davies on January 30, Queen Deposed', 'Monarchy Abrogated', 'Break News to Princess". In the weeks after the overthrow, Davies wrote to the Hawaiian Minister to the United States John Mott-Smith in Washington suggesting that the Hawaiian electorate vote on a revised constitution for the abdication of the queen and for the placing Kaʻiulani under a council of regency headed by Dole. Davies reiterated this stance in a later address. Davies advised Kaʻiulani to take her case directly to the American people.