and interests of her citizens required any, and if any what, official action at my hands, and also that I might be enabled understandingly to advise the State Department fully upon the matter." In consequence I am unable to state to you the demands made by the French, the grounds upon which they are based, the reasons for noncompliance on the part of the islands' authorities, or to give any opinion upon the merits of the controversy between the parties. I am advised by Mr. Turrill that an expose of the whole difficulty will be published in a few days by the authorities here, in pamphlet form, when I will forward a copy. Mr. Turrill advises me, also, that he intends forwarding manuscript copies of all the correspondence to your Department. I am waiting very anxiously the arrival of my successor, that I may be relieved and get finally away from all connection with this Government. If ever a foreign representative has been neglected and abused by the administration at Washington then have I been by Mr. Polk's, and all simply because Mr. Buchanan had the manliness to sacrifice me by censuring my official conduct (in laboring to follow out his instructions) in the vain hope of advancing his own political interests. with the American Board of Foreign Missions, and of securing himself from the just charge of neglect and inattention to his public duties in connection with this legation. I hope, most certainly, to see Mr. Eames here in all this month. If he does not reach here by the 1st October I shall feel that I am under no obligation to remain longer, and shall leave the archives of the legation in the hands of some trusty American resident, to be delivered to my successor on his arrival. During my absence from here nothing of any public interest had occurred up to the time of the arrival of the French admiral. Three or four of our whale fleet have returned here from their hunting grounds near the Japan and Northwest Coast. Those now here are bound home, having met with good success. Within the next six weeks 100 or 200 whaleships will have arrived at the different ports of these islands for recruits. The native population continues to disappear very rapidly. It is estimated that 16,000 or 18,000 have died within the last ten or eleven months, out of a population not exceeding 70,000. I have the honor, etc., A. TEN EYCK. SEPTEMBER 4, 1849. P. S.-I was just on the point of closing this dispatch when I received a note from the French consul (copy of which is hereto annexed). Mr. Turril not having condescended to furnish me with a copy of his correspondence with the French admiral, to which allusion is made in the French consul's note, I can do no more than simply acknowledge the receipt of the French consul's note, with the assurance that a copy will be forwarded to the proper department of the Government of the United States. A. T. E. Mr. Ten Eyck to Commodore Jones. [Inclosure in No. 55.] OFFICE UNITED STATES COMMISSION, SIR: On Saturday last, the 25th inst., I reached this place on my return from California, just in time to witness the landing of a body of armed men from the French frigate the Poursuivant and the French steamer Gassendi. It seems that the Admiral de Tromedin had arrived here about the 18th instant from Callao, and the day after the steamer arrived from Tahiti. Under the advice of M. Dillon, the resident French consul, the admiral requested an audience of the King for the purpose of discussing certain differences existing between the French consul and the King's Government. This request the King, by the advice of his ministers, refused. The admiral then, as I understand it, made ten formal demands in writing upon the King's Government and gave them three days to consider and accede to them, advising the King that if they were not complied with within that time he should land a force and take possession of the fort and other Government property. The Government refused compliance with the admiral's demands, and accordingly, on Saturday last, at 3 p. m., he landed a force and took possession of the fort, the custom-house, and the Honolulu House (where the ministers have their offices). He also took possession of the Government schooner, the Kamehameha, and all the small craft in port under the Sandwich Islands flag. All this was done without the slightest opposition being offered by the authorities, the Government, in fact, having ordered that no resistance should be made to any proceedings instituted or conducted by the French forces. Thus matters continued until Wednesday last, when the French guards were withdrawn from the custom-house and the Honolulu House, and all the vessels seized, except the Government schooner, were released. During this day the marines in possession of the fort amused themselves by destroying the powder, the large and small firearms, and whatever property they could find, and towards evening finally marched out and returned on board their vessels. While the French forces were on shore a deputation from the Government visited the admiral on board the steamer, but without any favorable result. M. Dillon had only on Saturday placed his family on board the steamer, and at 3 p. m. hauled down the flag of the consulate, and himself went on board the same vessel. This was the signal for the landing of the French forces. The demands made by the admiral, the response of the Government, and all the correspondence is, I understand, in process of publication; as soon as I can procure a copy I will forward it. I understand from Mr. Turrill, our consul, that this Government have furnished him manuscript copies, which, with a protest sent by him to the admiral, against his proceedings, he will forward you and the Secretary of State. M. Dillon and family leave for France in the admiral's ship early next week, via San Francisco. I forward this by him. What the result of this proceeding on the part of the French forces may be, or what effect it may have upon the future political interests and independence of this Government, is a matter of uncertainty. I fear it will tend to hasten the consummation of the intrigues of Mr. Wyllie, the King's minister of foreign relations, and General Miller, the English consul-general, by inducing the King, ere long, to place himself under the protection of the English. Dr. Judd and the American missionaries will, I believe, counsel this course rather than permit the King to submit to any exactions conflicting with his and their views and policy. During all this proceeding, and while negotiations were being attempted, the English consul-general was constantly consulted and his advice generally followed by the Islands authorities. Mr. Turrill having failed to put me in possession of the papers received by him from this Government, or of copies of his correspondence relating to these difficulties, although I had requested them from him, I am unable to express any opinion upon the merits of the controversy between the French and the Sandwich Islands Government. So far as the conduct of the French in destroying the Government property in the fort is concerned, I do not hesitate to condemn it. The Preble is still here. Capt. Glynn will, of course, report to you the condition of his crew. It must be anything but encouraging, judg ing from what I have seen and hear of their sickness. The French steamer will leave for Tahiti, taking the King's schooner in company, at the same time that the frigate sails for San Francisco. I have the honor, etc., A. TEN EYCK. SEPTEMBER 4, 1849. P. S.-I have opened this to say that the United States revenue brig C. W. Lawrence, Capt. Fraser, has just arrived, forty-five days from Valparaiso. A. T. E. No. 30.] CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES SIR: Rear-Admiral Tromelin arrived here on the 13th August, in the frigate La Poursuivante. The French steamer Gassendi entered this port on the day following. The admiral, on his first arrival, evinced a most friendly disposition, and it was for a while confidently believed that, notwithstanding the embittered feelings of the consul of France, no hostile demonstrations would be made. It was soon apparent, however, that the admiral had placed himself under the control of the consul and would be merely an instrument in his hands. On the 22d of last month demands were made upon this Government jointly by the admiral and the consul. On the 25th this Government sent answers to these demands, declining to comply with the same. On the afternoon of that day troops were landed, the fort taken possession of, and a guard stationed around two public buildings. No opposition whatever was made to the troops. The French held the fort until the 30th, when they abandoned it, destroying everything connected therewith, and doing much damage to the governor's house and the furniture in it. During the time the fort was thus occupied by the French unavailing efforts were made, through the medium of commissioners, to effect an amicable settlement of existing difficulties. I herewith inclose a copy of the correspondence between Admiral Tromelin and myself, also a copy of the proceedings between this GovS. Rep. 227-56 ernment and the admiral and consul, so far as they have been printed. I also send a copy of a letter addressed to me by the minister of foreign affairs, in relation to the mediation of the President of the United States, and my answer to the same. H. B. M. consul-general protested in strong terms against the proceedings of the admiral, and three consuls of the smaller powers also remonstrated against the same. The course taken by the consuls no doubt had a very beneficial effect. Supposing that you may receive a communication upon that subject, I send herewith a copy of the correspondence between Mr. Ten Eyck and myself. It has ever been the desire and aim of this Government, I beleive, to observe faithfully all the provisions of the treaty with France, and they have undoubtedly done so. Why, then, have these demands been made? To one residing here, who has noticed passing events attentively for a year or two past, this question is by no means difficult of solution. Soon after his arrival in Honolulu, the consul of France set on foot certain political intrigues, the object of which was to eject from office one of the King's ministers, for the purpose, as is confidently believed, of providing a place for himself. Failing in these efforts he became embittered against the King's advisers, and seemed determined to gratify his feelings at the expense of this nation. The assault made by the admiral upon this weak, this Christian nation, was unprovoked, and admits of no excuse. There is not one paliating circumstance attending it. When the facts and circumstances connected therewith shall be fully known, the whole civilized world will place upon it the mark of condemnation. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. JOHN M. CLAYTON, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. J. TURRILL. [Translation.] ADMIRAL'S FRIGATE OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, LA POURSUIVANTE, Naval Station of the French Republic in the Pacific Ocean, Honolulu, August 23, 1849. MR. THE CONSUL: The Hawaiian Government, especially in latter times, violated the treaty concluded between France and the Sandwich Islands in a manner which requires a prompt and complete reparation, which divers acts of which some French citizens have been the victims render still indispensable. I have taken, in concert with Mr. the consul of the French Republic in the Sandwich Islands, all the measures compatible with the dignity of France to obtain an amicable arrangement, but the obstinacy of the Hawaiian Government appeared to wish to force me to make use of the means at my disposal to oblige it to understand the voice of reason and justice. In this circumstance and agreeably to the conclusions of the ultimatum sent by me, in concert with Mr. the Consul Dillon, I have the honor of advising you that the delay for the Hawaiian Government to make its answer known will expire on August 25, instant, Saturday, at 3 p. m., after which delay, if the Government of His Majesty Kamehameha III does not give me a complete satisfaction, it will only remain for me to reclaim by force what I have demanded at first through the pacific way of correspondence, and which I have not been able to obtain by means of a conference, which has been refused to me. In informing you of their disposition, Mr. the Consul, I ought to give you here the assurance that the French Republic neither looks to an occupation or a protectorate of the Hawaiian archipelago, but to a complete reparation. I shall give the necessary orders that, in the case of hostilities taking place, the commerce of American proprietors shall be respected as ought to be that of a friendly nation. I have the honor to invite you to make these dispositions known to your fellow citizens, in order that they may take from this day the necessary measures, on their part, to put themselves out of the risk of all hazards that may result from the operations which I may have to order against Honolulu. I pray you to acknowledge the receipt of this notification. Mr. the Admiral, commander-in-chief of the naval station of the French Republic in the Pacific ocean. LEGOARANT DE TROMELIN. To Mr. the Consul of the United States of America in the Sandwich Islands, at Honolulu. UNITED STATES CONSULATE FOR THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, Honolulu, August 24, 1849. SIR: I did myself the honor this morning of acknowledging the receipt of yours of yesterday and in doing so I took occasion to remark that I would reply to your communication as soon as I could procure a correct translation of the same. As far as I have been able to do so, I have communicated the contents of your letter to my countrymen, but I can not well advise them what to do, as I am not made acquainted with the nature of the hostile measures, if any, that are to be used. If the town is to be bombarded, it will be necessary for them to remove their families and valuable effects, to places of safety; but I do not wish to have them put to the great expense and inconvenience of doing so unless the course you may ultimately take shall render that necessary. Since the receipt of your letter, I have examined with much care the several demands which, in connection with the consul of France, you have thought proper to make upon the Hawaiian Government, and I have heretofore read attentively the voluminous correspondence of France and this Government in relation to the claims upon which those demands rest. By that correspondence I am informed that as early as last April a large proportion of those claims, and I believe all that had then been agitated, were, by a resolution of the King in council, referred for final adjustment "direct to the minister of foreign affairs of France," and, although the fact be not material to perfect the case, I will add that it appears from the same correspondence that the consul of France assented to that reference. I am also advised from a source entitled to full credit that some months ago-the exact time I do not recollect-the King appointed a special commissioner to proceed to France for the express purpose of effecting an amicable adjustment of those claims. This reference, beyond all question, removed the claims direct to France for settlement, |