The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-09
France and the sandwich Islands

The Courier das Eiats- Uais complains Of the
tone of portion of the press, the Evsaing Post in
cluded, on the relations of France with the Sand
witch Islands. According TO the Courier the pre-.
tensions Of the French limited to a demand of
indemnity for losses, and of modihcat ions of the
tariff, and question of diplomatic etiquette
These "rec lamatons'' date far back as IS47
and have been twice enforced by the presence Of a
fleet once in Louis Pbilippe's time, and once IN
der the republic in 1915. The Courier quotes a
statement Of the affair, written by its editor for the
Phars Of the 2Sth May, 1851:
'In lo41, the French residents of the Sand witch
Islands suffered serious injury, both in person and
property, from the natives. At the same time the
Hawaiian goyernmen mt laid an exorbiiant duty up
on our wines and brGndies, and deprived our
whalers of the privilege of rsproyisionin our ves-
sells or barter, (por rots d'schange.) which they
had always enjoyed. This double viola ton
OF the existing treaties, which guaranteed security
TO French citizens and missionaries, and the adj
mission OF French products under suitable condi-
lions.
-" M. Dillon, the consul of France, had but one
line OF conduct to follow be protested against the
attacks made upon our countrymen, and against
the Prohloitlye duty on brandies; and demanded
an apology and indemnity for the losses, and the
immediate repeal of the tariff But either from
negligence or obstinacy, or perhaps from instga-
tons whose origin need not investigate, the
Hawaiian government showed any thing but zeal
and good Will IN giving us the required satisfac-
ton.
" Two years passed in useless correspondence
At last in 1919, NJ Dillon, despairing of redress
struck his nag, and went on board Of ship-of-war
which had arrived to back his claims He then
sent in his tIliinatIn, and the answer not having
been received at the time appointed be opened
fire a small fort, dismantled it, and seized and
held for some hours two ships which were living
near il.
&" After this demonstration, the French vessels
sailed away, IN the hope that the insuIar authori-
ties, inundated by this commencement of hostil-
titles, would make up their minds to yield to their
demands. But nothing came of it, and after two
years more of futile negotiations again find the
French feet at anchor before Honolulu, to signify
last tatfmaIgrn, accom- panied by the threat of a
blockade in satisfactory answer was not
sent in by the 20th of March, at the latest
This time, the French government made IN adj
ditional demand. IL required that its representa-
tive should have position equal to those Of the
United States and of Great Britain, who have OBJ.
tanned voice in the Council, and frequently pre-
ponderating influence
'sSince then," adds the Co,rrter, 'stwo years
have passed-two years of patience (Iong Glir7ris)
on the part of France, and of backwardness on the
part of the Hawaiians If, after this delay of six
years, France returns TO her position of 1851, she
"a doubly RICH
The Courier, moreover although denying that
France has any anneKiug intentions towards the
Sandwich Islands cannot see any propriety in the
cries raised against her on bare suspicion by the
American press, (which breaches up every morn
ing the annexation OF Cuba IL asserts Also that
this agitation has evident ohject-to hasten the
work Of annexation of the island TO the United
States, which is already half accomplished by rails
ing the alarm against foreign power
Nstc YORK Epeping Post