the recognition. England and France united in a declaration that they "engage, reciprocally, to consider the Sandwich Islands as an independent state, and never to take possession, either directly or under the title of protectorate, or under any other form, of any part of the territory of which they are composed." The government of the United States was invited to join in this declaration but declined under its general policy of avoiding complications with European powers.[1]
While these negotiations were having such a satisfactory conclusion, the fourth attempt at the overthrow of the island government was being made at Honolulu. The British consul, Mr. Charlton, who had been in controversy over certain claims which he was urging upon the government, left Honolulu without notice and laid his grievances before the commander of the nearest British vessel. Her Majesty's ship Carysfort, Lord George Paulet commanding, made her appearance in the harbor of Honolulu in February, 1843. Finding the king absent, Lord Paulet informed the governor of Oahu that he had come to ask reparation for certain insults offered to her Majesty's representatives and for injuries to her subjects, and requested that the king be immediately notified to return. On his arrival an unsatisfactory correspondence ensued, which ended in a written demand being made upon the king for his immediate compliance with a series of stipulations, unjust in their nature and entirely subversive of his authority.
In view of the threatening attitude of the British commander and of the inability of the king to accede
- ↑ Bingham, 606; For. Rel. 1894, App. ii. 64, 105.
