ABSTRACT
The subject of this chapter is not limited to the French territories in the Pacific Ocean, nor to the presence of French residents in California, it must be understood as a study of the relationship between the French presence in the Pacific Ocean and the French presence in California. The French were in California because they were in the Pacific Ocean, obviously, but inversely their presence in California helps the people understand why they were in the Pacific Ocean. Navy ships were sent to the Pacific Ocean, and in 1839 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appointed an attached to go to California and Oregon to ascertain the political and economic climate. Indeed, the islands were to become the focus of French diplomacy in the Pacific Ocean. The main focus of the French authorities was the protection of French whaling and trade, including French traders in California.
