Abstract of offers received for furnishing rations, fuel, and supplies to the United States Marine Corps, under the cognizance of the Quartermaster's Department.

Offers for rations under advertisement dated April 28, 1874:

Offers for supplies under advertisement dated May 1, 1874:

No. 12.

No. 9.1

LANDING OF DETACHMENTS AT HONOLULU.

FLAG-SHIP RICHMOND, SAN FRANCISCO,

March 18, 1874. SIR: I have the honor to inform you to-day by telegraph of the elec· tion of Kalakaua as king of the Sandwich Islands; also the landing of a detachment of seamen and marines from the United States steamships Tuscarora and Portsmouth, by direction of Commander Belknap, senior officer present, for the preservation of peace, the protection of American interests and foreign residents. These men were landed at the request of the authorities, through our minister resident.

A detachment was also landed from Her Britannic Majesty's steamship Tenedos.

The prompt appearance of these detachments restored order, prevented the shedding of blood, and the further destruction of property. Subsequently, the government having made arrangements for the preservation of order, the detachments were withdrawn.

I inclose herewith copy of Captain Hopkins's report.

The Benicia arrived at Honolulu on the 27th ult., and will remain there until further orders.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. M. PENNOCK,

Rear-Admiral, Commanding United States Naval Force on

Hon. GEO. M. ROBESON,

Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

North Pacific Station.

UNITED STATES STEAMER BENICIA, (2d rate,)
HONOLULU, HAWAIIAN ISLANDS,

March 5, 1874. ADMIRAL, SIR: I have the honor to report the arrival from Panama, on the 26th ultimo, of the ship under my command, in obedience to your order dated Honolulu, H. I., November 12, 1873, making a passage of sixty-five days. Having crossed the line to the eastward of the Gallapagos Islands, I made as far as 3° 30′ south, encountering light airs from the southeast, and sailing at the rate of from one to two and a half knots per hour, until well to the northward of the line, which I recrossed in longitude 117° 30' west.

Upon my arrival here, I found the United States steamer Tuscarora, Commander George E. Belknap, and the United States steamer Portsmouth, Commander Joseph S. Skerrett, at anchor. I heard of the death of His Majesty, the late King Lunalilo, whose body was still lying at the Jobani palace; and also of the riot occasioned by the election of his present Majesty King Kalakaua to the throne. Previous to my arrival, at the request of the minister of foreign affairs, through our minister resident, Hon. Henry A. Peirce, a detachment of men were landed by Commander George E. Belknap, senior officer present, from the United States steamer Tuscarora, and the United States steamer Portsmouth, for the preservation of the peace and the protection of the foreign residents, when the riot immediately ceased. A detachment was also landed from Her Britannic Majesty's ship Tenedos. I communicated with his

excellency the governor of Oahu, tendering the usual courtesies, which were accepted, and the national flag of Hawaii was saluted with 21 guns, the salute being returned gun for gun.

The funeral of his late Majesty Lunalilo the First, took place on the 28th of February. A battalion of 300 sailors and marines from the Benicia, Tuscarora, and Portsmouth, consisting of seven companies, under command of Lieut. Commander J. D. Graham, executive officer of the Benicia, were assigned a position in the line, and, with the exception of a detachment from Her Britannic Majesty's ship Tenedos, and one company of native cavalry, formed the only troops present.

After the deposition of the body in the royal mausoleum, the usual volleys were fired by the company of marines under command of Lieut. H. G. Ellsworth, United States Marine Corps, attached to the United States steamer Benicia. The battalion made an excellent appearance, and I was very much gratified at the uniform good conduct of the men. The captains and officers of the three vessels also attended the fuueral in a body.

His Majesty King Kalakaua, having, through his minister of foreign affairs, the Hon. W. L. Green, expressed his pleasure to receive the American officers, I, accompanied by the captains and officers of the several ships, received the honor of being presented to His Majesty, by his excellency (our minister resident) Hon. Henry A. Peirce.

An invitation was extended to His Majesty to visit the American menof-war in the harbor, by the American minister. His Majesty was pleased to appoint Friday, the 6th day of March, when he will be received with the customary honors.

I have the honor to inclose a copy of a communication received from his excellency the minister of foreign affairs, which I shall publish at the first general muster of the ship's company.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. E. HOPKINS, Captain U. S. Navy, Commanding.

Rear-Admiral A. M. PENNOCK, U. S. N.,

Commanding U. S. Naval Force on North Pacific Station.

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,

Honolulu, March 2, 1874.

SIR: The King has commanded me to thank you specially in his name for your attendance at the funeral of his late Majesty, along with your officers, sailors, and marines of the United States steamer Benicia under your command, and which added so much to the solemnity of the occasion.

With the assurance of the highest respect and distinguished consideration, I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, W. L. GREEN.

Capt. Wм. E. HOPKINS,

Commanding U. S. Steamer Benicia.

UNITED STATES STEAMER TUSCARORA, (3d rate,)

Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, February 21, 1874.

SIR: The legislative assembly of this kingdom met in the court-house at this capital, at 12 o'clock noon, the 12th instant, in accordance with

the proclamation of the ministry issued immediately after the death of Lunalilo, the late King.

Three hours were occupied in the preliminaries of organization, when the assembly proceeded to choose by ballot a person to fill the vacant throne.

The result was the choice of Prince David Kalakaua by a majority of thirty-three (33) votes, thirty-nine (39) votes having been cast for him, and six (6) votes for the Queen Dowager Emina.

The grounds of the court-house had been thronged with people from an early hour, many of whom were the adherents of Queen Emma. These latter crowded to the front, and when the result of the balloting became known a fierce murmur of discontent arose among them, some shouting that "Emma was the people's choice; that they had been cheated and would not have Kalakaua for King."

The vice-president of the assembly, himself a partisan of Queen Emma, appeared on the balcony, and endeavored to quiet the people, but no heed was paid him, and when the committee appointed to notify Kalakaua of his election attempted to leave the grounds they were assaulted and forced to retreat into the building. One of them, who had reached his carriage, was torn from it, and barely escaped with his life.

The noise, excitement, and exasperation of the malcontents grew stronger every moment, until finally, some of the more daring spirits began to smash in the windows and doors, which had been closed. Then ensued a scene lamentable to behold. The rioters rushed into the building, and entering the offices of the attorney-general, judges, and marshal, smashed all the furniture and threw it into the street and grounds, together with the books, archives, and other valuable documents and papers.

This work accomplished, they poured up-stairs into the court-room and attacked the members who had voted for Kalakaua, with sticks, brokenchair legs, and anything they could lay their hands on.

Meanwhile, the police had torn off their badges, and mingled with the crowd outside, and, as the volunteer troops could not be trusted, no effort was made to call them out. The government was therefore powerless to act, but still hesitated to ask foreign aid.

Finally, when two or three of the members had been carried out senseless and several others badly hurt, Minister Bishop and the King elect asked, through our minister resident, Mr. Peirce, the intervention of our naval forces here.

Commander Skerrett and myself had accompanied Mr. Peirce, and been present throughout the whole of these proceedings, the more promptly to act should occasion require it.

In the morning I had stationed an officer on board the American bark Murray, lying alongside the wharf, to signal to the ships in case of trouble, and both ships, the Tuscarora and Portsmouth, were prepared to land the forces detailed at a moment's notice.

So soon, therefore, as the request was made, the signal was hoisted, and Commander Skerrett and myself went on board to superintend the debarkation personally.

In scarcely more than fifteen minutes companies comprising one hundred and fifty officers, blue-jackets and marines, including a Gatling gun from the Portsmouth were landed and marched to the scene of action. As the battalion neared the court-house, the rioters ran out of the building from the rear, most of whom went up to Queen Emma's, while a few remained and mingled with the crowd who had taken no part in the disturbance.