He was promoted to Captain (Capitaine de frégate) in 1824. He frequently travelled to Algeria, and had a decisive role in the conquest of Alger, when he established the attack plans. During the battle, he commanded the 20-gun Le Griffon.
He was later put in charge of the Southern Seas command, in the Pacific Ocean. In 1834 he played a key role in protecting French shipping interests against the Peruvians.
He became "Capitaine de vaisseau" on 6 January1834, and accomplished a circumnavigation between 1836 and 1839 on La Venus.
Abel Aubert Dupetit Thouars taking over Tahiti on September 9, 1842.
He was made admiral (French: Contre-amiral) on 12 July1841, in charge of the Pacific Naval Division. His mission was to take possession of the Marquesas Islands. In Tahiti, he entered in a confrontation with the English missionary and Consul George Pritchard (1796-1883), and finally expelled him and established a French protectorate over the territory. He was initially denounced for his actions by the French government, which was fearing a conflict with Great Britain. Relations between France and Great Britain soured considerably during the reign of Louis-Philippe, due to this "Pritchard Affair".
Dupetit Thouars became a Vice-Admiral (French: Vice-amiral) in 1846, and retired in 1858. He died in Paris in 1864.
