“Department of Foreign Affairs, Honolulu, Feb, 12th, 1874 (to His Excellency Henry A Peirce, Minister Resident of the United States) – Sir: A riotous mob having unexpectedly made a violent attack upon the Court House and the Members of the Legislature, which we have not the force at hand to resist, I have to request that you will cause to be furnished at the earliest moment possible aid from the US ships ‘Tuscarora’ and ‘Portsmouth’ to the Police, in quelling the riot and temporarily protecting life and property.” “Your obedient servant, Chas R Bishop,” (A similar request was made to Major James Hay Wodehouse, HBM’s Commissioner and Consul General) to land troops from HBM’s ship ‘Tenedos’.)

“Nothing but the prompt appearance by these forces on the scene put a stop to the riot, and saved the further destruction of property.” “Commander Belknap and Commander Skerrett of the United States forces took possession of the square on which the court-house is built; and on seeing this, the mob melted silently and entirely away. The armed marines subsequently, at the request of the Hawaiian authorities, guarded the treasury, arsenal, jail, and station-house.” “The British marines were marched to the residence of Queen Emma, and, after dispersing the rioters assembled there, they occupied the barracks and guarded the palace itself.”