Character Analysis
The French, or "Franee" as the islanders call them, are current invading forces at the Bay of Nukuheva. Having planted their flags and installed their army, they are making controlling in-roads on the land of the islanders. For obvious reasons, the Typee aren't too delighted with their presence on the island, and nor is Tommo, who seems to point out how not-great they are at any opportunity. They've installed the chief of the Nukuheva as the island's "king," ignorant to the fact that each tribal land should be regarded as a separate country.
Early on, Tommo tells the story of the British consulate's wife, who demanded to see an admiral before taking down her Union Jack: "'Tell the Pirate your master,' replied the spirited Englishwoman, pointing to the staff, 'that if he wishes to strike these colours, he must come and perform the act himself; I will suffer no one else to do it" (3.9). It's with joy that he relates these French soldiers being smacked-down by this British wife.
By ridiculing the French colonialists, Tommo seems to be saying: I may be a white man, but I'm not one of them.