The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1874-03-04
The Riot of February 18th.

Immediately after the announcement of
the election of Prince KALAKAUA as King
by the Legislative Assembly, which took
place about three o'clock on the afternoon
of the 18th, it became apparent that the
natives who stood around the build
ing were not pleased with the result. No
outbreak occurred till the Committee
which had been appointed to notify the
King of his election attempted to leave
the building and enter the carriage wait
inc to convey them to the Palace. This
Committee consisted of five representa-
tives. The crowd surrounded the carriage
and laid hands on them, and they attempt
ed to defend themselves, as best they could
without weapons Two of them were
badly wounded before they effected en-
trance into the building to which they re-
treated. The carriage was almost instant
" demolished, the spokes and other pieces
serving as weapons to arm the rioters, who
now began to be warmed up for further
destruction. A foreigner by the name of
Foley. British subject, who attempted
to assist the Representatives,, was knocked
down and beaten by the rabble, until the
British Commissioner came to his relief
and escorted him from the scene.
The crowd now rapidly increased, and
became more noisy till about four clock,
when rush was made at the front door
of the building, through which they burst.
The government officers and others inside
succeeded for while to prevent the en-
trance of the rioters, who then broke open
the side and rear doors, and commenced
demolishing the furniture, while a volley
of stones from the crowd broke nearly
every pane of glass and sash in the lower
part of the building, ard some In the sec
ond story. An extra Police force had
been enrolled the day previous, but except
from those stationed inside, little or no
assistance was obtained from the Police,
who simply stood by and looked on, APP
parently sympathizing with the mob. 1t
may be added that none of them were
armed even with batons.
The entire building was now at the
mercy of the mob, and the destruction of
chairs, tables, furniture, papers and books
was executed 50 rapidly that in less than
half an hour the furniture and contents
were thrown out from nearly every room
on the first and second floors. The office
of the Clerks of the Court and the Library
alone were respected. Marshal Parke,
Mr.. Barnard, assistant Clerk, Sheriff Day
ton and two Policemen, guarded these
records of the Court, and pursuaded the
rioters to leave them untouched, as they
were the property of the people. Had the
wills and records on deposit here been de-
stroyed, the loss could never have been
repaired, and the confusion to which it
would have given rise must have affected
every interest in the Kingdom.
In this room where the records were
preserved, were four Representatives, who
remained unframed during the riot The
crowd broke into the library room, and
found one Representative, whom they
robbed of his money and then beat very
severely. The books of the Court library
were left untouched
1t now became apparent that unless an
armed force could be brought in to check
the rioters, the building would be fired,
and the destruction of this and other pro-
perty might follow. An order had been
issued. Immediately after the riot COM
menced, for the Rifles and Artillery Com
panies TO appear on duty, but a sufficient
number of members not having been
found, to be of any service in queling the
mob, all hope of aid from this quarter was
abandoned.
Several gentlemen had been to Queen
Emma, and requested her to call off her
supporters, but no response came from
that quarter. The only alternative, in
this emergency, was to seek aid from the
war vessels in port. About halfpast P.
NJ, written request was sent by the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of
the Government, to the American Min
lister Resident, for a detachment to be
landed from the U. s. ships Tuscarora and
Portsmouth, lying in the harbor. And a
similar request was transmitted to the
British Consul General. These notes we
insert:
DEPARTMENT OF FoREIeN AFFAIRS,
Honolulu, Feb. 18th, 1874.
SIR: A riotous mob having unexpectedly made a
violent attack upon the Court House and the Mem
bers of the Legislature which have not the force
at hand to resist, have to request that you will
cause TO he furnished at the earliest moment pos
sible aid from the U. S. ships "Tuscarora" and
Portsmouth to the Police, in quclling the riot
and temporarily protecting life and property.
Your obedent servant,
CHAs. K. BISHOP.
His Fvcnllpnry Henry Peircc