As Kamehameha V. died without appointing any successor, the choice devolved upon the Legislature, which met on the 8th of January, 1873, and elected William Lunalilo, cousin of the late king, by a large majority, amid general rejoicing. During that year, the proposal to cede or lease Pearl Harbor to the United States in consideration of a treaty of commercial reciprocity gave rise to an extensive agitation, which intensified the suspicion and race prejudice that already existed.
The execution of the law for the segregation of lepers helped to widen the breach, and the effects were seen in the mutiny of the household troops in September, 1873, which had the sympathy of the populace.
The King's health was already failing, and on the 3d of February, 1874, he died of pulmonary consumption. By his will he left the bulk of his real estate to found a home for aged and indigent Hawaiians.
ACCESSION OF KALAKAUA.
Again the Legislature was called together to elect his successor on the 12th of February, 1874. The two rival candidates were the Queen-Dowager Emma and David Kalakaua, the latter of whom was elected by thirty-nine votes to six. A large mob, composed of Queen Emma's partisans, surrounded the court house during the election, after which they broke into the building and assaulted the members of the Legislature.
At the request of the Cabinet, a body of marines was landed from the U. S. ships "Tuscarora" and "Portsmouth," and another from H. B. M.'s ship "Tenedos," which dispersed the rioters and guarded the public buildings for a week. Kalakaua was sworn in at noon the next day, and duly proclaimed King.
THE RECIPROCITY TREATY.
During the next year negotiations were opened with the United States for a treaty of commercial reciprocity, which was ratified in June, 1875, and finally went into operation in September, 1876, in spite of bitter opposition in both countries. The development of the resources of the Islands, which has resulted from this treaty, has surpassed all expectation. In connection with it there has also been a large increase of the foreign elements in the population.