[13][14] Gibson was widely credited with encouraging Kalākaua to make rash political moves, which eventually led to the imposition of the 1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

[15][16] Though the 1887 Bayonet Constitution dislodged Gibson from all cabinet positions undying loyalty to Hawaiian sovereignty kept him in the crosshairs of pro-annexationists, a majority of which were either American or New England missionary descendants.

Animosity peaked and Gibson was abducted to a Honolulu wharf where he escaped lynching by conceding to forced exile and promptly retreated to San Francisco in July 1887.

[17] Convalescing there between the Occidental Hotel and St. Mary's Hospital the penultimate Prime Minister of the Hawaiian Kingdom succumbed to pneumonia and a private battle with tuberculosis January 21, 1888.

[5] Gibson's modest estate, including the ranch on Lana'i and a noble residence across from 'Iolani Palace, was bestowed to his daughter Talula and (her husband) Fred Hayselden.

Probate failed to uncover evidence of any public or private financial misdealing and the man's respectable cash reserve adequately satisfied outstanding debts.

And it was for this reason that he (was) seized by a mob composed of the ‘Missionary Party’ armed with rifles and marched down the public streets to the wharves; not an atom of respect being shown to the gray hairs of the old man who had occupied for years the highest position in the King's cabinet…against whom no charge, political or criminal, was ever made.” Strategically aided by American diplomatic and military interplay, annexationists ruled the day, however, and semblance of Gibson throughout Hawai’i, as well as the kingdom he so loved itself, suffered a meticulously planned and well executed demise by adversaries.

Still a pariah in most Latter-Day Saint circles opinions typically reflect those expressed by Mormon historian Samuel W. Taylor, who refers to Gibson as an imposter and manipulator of the church and Brigham Young.