or Bonabe, Micronesia. From 1835 to 1839
the persecution of native converts was resumed, but was at last put an
end to by the declaration of rights promulgated June 4th, 1839, and the
king's edict of toleration, issued June 17th.

VISIT OF THE "ARTEMISE."

In consequence of these proceedings the French frigate "Artemise,"
Captain Laplace, was ordered to Honolulu, where it arrived July 9th, 1839.

Captain Laplace immediately sent the Government a peremptory letter
demanding that full religious liberty be proclaimed, and that the sum of
$20,000 be brought on board by noon of the 12th, or hostilities would
commence. The required treaty was signed and the money promptly paid,
and on the 16th, a commercial convention was also signed.

FIRST CONSTITUTION.

The declaration of rights, mentioned above, which guaranteed religious
liberty, produced a feeling of security unknown before, and formed the
first step towards establishing individual property in land. The first
constitution was proclaimed October 8th, 1840. It constituted a
Legislature, consisting of a House of Hereditary Nobles, and
Representatives to be chosen by the people, who voted as a separate
house. It also defined the duties of the Governors and provided for a
Supreme Court.

THE FIRST EMBASSY.

During the next two years the French and English consuls seemed to vie
with each other in the manufacture of petty grievances. Aware of the
dangers impending over it, the Hawaiian Government sent an embassy to
the United States, Great Britain and France, in July, 1842, which
consisted of Messrs. Haalilio, William Richards and Sir George Simpson,
one of the governors of the Hudson Bay Company.

VISIT OF CAPTAIN MALLET.

On the 24th of August, 1842, the French corvette "Embuscade," Captain
Mallet, arrived at Honolulu, having been sent to investigate complaints
of the violation of the Laplace Convention, chiefly relating to local
school matters. Having received an able and courteous reply to his
demands, he informed the king that Admiral Du Petit Thouars might be
expected the next spring to settle these matters.

THE CESSION TO LORD PAULET.

The dispatch of the embassy to Europe and the visit of Captain Mallet
both served to bring to a head the designs of Mr. Charlton, the British
consul. He suddenly left for London, leaving Alexander Simpson as
acting consul, in order to defeat the objects of the embassy. In
consequence of their representations, H. B