cakobau's claimed position was also undermined by international developments. the united states threatened intervention following a number of incidents involving their consul, john brown williams. his trading store had been looted by fijian natives following an accidental fire, caused by stray cannon fire during a fourth of july celebration in 1849. when his nukulau island house was subjected to an arson attack in 1855, the commander of the united states naval frigate demanded compensation amounting to 5000 pounds for williams from cakobau, as the "tui viti."