France had agreed in 1843 to avoid taking possession of Hawaiian territory. Its consul was later told to avoid a belligerent manner, yet believed that displaying a French corvette could force concessions. The complaints concerned Catholic worship and French trade, with religious restrictions also serving to obstruct commercial activity. One demand sought compensation from Hawaii for damage to a French hotelkeeper's property attributed to British sailors. In 1849 about 140 French Marines, supported by sailors and two field pieces, landed and occupied an almost empty fort. They spiked or destroyed the coastal guns, caused roughly $100,000 in damage, and took the king's yacht to Tahiti without returning it. The occupation lasted from late August to 5 September.
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The French occupation of 1849 followed a harsher pattern
French forces pressed religious and commercial complaints, then occupied a fort, destroyed guns and property, and took the king's yacht.