Satisfaction demanded hj France. — Covert Objects. 207 



2000 Spanish piastres. At the same time a treaty was con- 

 cluded between the French Government and Queen Pomare, 

 by which from that time all subjects of the King of France 

 were to be at liberty to visit and reside in the Society Is- 

 lands without molestation, and were to enjoy similar privi- 

 leges with the English.* 



To this treaty the French captain, La Place, who, in 

 April, 1839, anchored in Papeete harbour for repairs to his 

 frigate, the Artemise, added another article, which was 

 countersigned by the Queen and the principal chiefs, and 

 authorized the free celebration of the rites of the Catholic 

 religion.f 



Had these demonstrations on the part of France had for 

 the sole object the protection of the interests of Catholicism 

 and French subjects, no civilized power could have objected 

 to an act which, in entire consonance with the more humane 

 and enlightened spirit of the 19th century, asserted the equal 

 rights of every form of religious worship. 



But she was not content with removing obstacles or assert- 

 ing rights ; political aims, as it proved, were being advanced 

 under cover of a struggle on behalf of the Catholic Church ; 



* " I am," wrote Queen Pomare, to the then King Louis Philippe, " only the ruler of 

 a small, insignificant island. May wisdom, renown, and power ever attend your 

 Majesty ! Cease then your anger, and pardon the error I have committed." 



t This additional article ran as follows : " The firee exercise of the Catholic religion 

 is permitted in the Island of Tahiti, and in all the other possessions of Queen 

 Pomare. The French Catholics shall enjoy all the privileges accorded to the Pro- 

 testants, hut they shall nevertheless 7iot he e7ititled to meddle, under any pretext, in the 

 religious affairs of the country. Done at Tahiti, 20th June, 1839." 



