While the negotiations were progressing at Washington, fresh troubles with France had arisen at the islands. A new consul had arrived in 1848, and he soon became involved in quarrels with the native officials. Having communicated his grievances to his home government, on August 12, 1849, two French men-of-war arrived at Honolulu, under command of Admiral De Tromelin, to support the demands of the consul. On the 22d the admiral sent to the king a peremptory demand embracing ten demands, the most important of which was that the duties on French brandy, which it was alleged were prohibitory, should be reduced one half, and that the French language should be used in official intercourse; the others being of a petty character. The demand was accompanied by a notice that a reply was expected within three days, and if it was not satisfactory, the admiral would "employ the force at his disposal to obtain a complete reparation."
The answer did not prove satisfactory, and on the 25th of August an armed force was landed from the war vessels, with field-pieces, scaling-ladders, etc. Possession was taken of the forts and government building, and of all Hawaiian vessels. The forts were dismantled, the guns spiked, the ammunition thrown into the sea, and the king's yacht confiscated. These "reprisals" having been taken, the troops were withdrawn on the 28th, the consul and his family went on board, and the French squadron sailed away.
This outrage led to the dispatch of a special commissioner to France, Dr. Judd, accompanied by two native
