From 1843 till 1848 the most amicable relations continued to exist between France and the Hawaiian Government. But this state of things was then reversed by M. Dillon, the new French consul, who endeavored to reopen all old disputes and to create new grievances in every possible way. His principal grounds of complaint were the high duty on brandy and the alleged partiality shown to the English language. On the 12th of August, 1849, the French frigate "Poursuivante," Admiral De Tromelin, arrived at Honolulu, and was joined the next day by the corvette "Gassendi."
On the 22d the admiral sent to the king ten demands, drawn up by M. Dillon, allowing the Hawaiian Government three days in which to comply with them.
As these demands were firmly but courteously refused, an armed force was landed on the 25th, which took possession of the deserted fort, the custom house and other buildings, and the harbor was blockaded for ten days. The fort was dismantled and the king's private yacht confiscated by way of "reprisal," after which the "Poursuivante" sailed for San Francisco, taking M. Dillon as a passenger.
The king immediately sent Dr. Judd as special commissioner to France, accompanied by the two nephews of the king, Alexander, the heir-apparent, and Lot Kamehameha.
But on arriving in Paris they found that M. Dillon had preceded them, and still retained the confidence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The embassy, however, agreed with Lord Palmerston upon the basis of a new treaty with Great Britain.
The French corvette "Serieuse" arrived at Honolulu, December 13, 1850, bringing M. Perrin, Commissioner of France, and remained in port three months.
To the surprise of all, he presented again the identical ten demands of his predecessor, and resumed his policy of petty annoyance and interference with internal affairs of the kingdom. At length his attitude became so menacing that the king and privy council passed a proclamation placing the Islands provisionally under the protectorate of the United States. This action was ratified by the next Legislature. Although it was finally declined by the United States, it had the desired effect, and the obnoxious demands were dropped.
Was a very liberal one for the times, and has formed the basis of all succeeding constitutions. The nobles were to be appointed by the kings for life. The representatives, who were to be not less than twenty-four in number, were to be elected by universal suffrage.