Admiral Firmin Didot Despointes led a French expedition to New Caledonia, where he formally took possession of the territory in the name of France. This event was part of a strategic effort to expand French colonial interests in the Pacific, where British influence was growing. New Caledonia, a group of islands that lay east of Australia, was considered vital for trade routes and as a base for French operations against potential rivals. The expedition involved landing on the main island, Grande Terre, where Despointes held a ceremonial raising of the French flag, signifying the official claim to the territory.

The formal declaration of possession was also influenced by the broader geopolitical context of the era, namely the competition between European powers for colonial dominance in the South Pacific. France was motivated by national pride and the strategic benefits of controlling New Caledonia, including its resources and potential as a penal colony. The location provided a valuable waypoint for French naval operations and allowed France to project its power further across the region.

After the ceremony, the French established a more permanent presence on the islands, leading to the eventual settlement and development of New Caledonia. This act of claiming territory exemplified the imperialist attitudes of the time, reinforcing the notion that European nations had a right to claim and govern lands inhabited by indigenous peoples. This event set the stage for New Caledonia's integration into the French Empire, which would have lasting implications for its cultural and political landscape.