New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-01-12
SPECIAL TO THE TINEA>
NEW ORLEANS, January 6, 1873.
PAGO.PAGO.

The above May not be a very eomprohen-
siye heading, and many readers never be
fore saw the word; yet it is one of the finest
harbors in the world, and, what Is better, it
has recently been virtually given to the
United States by its owners, and will here.
after be one of cur most important naval
and commercial stations. Where is iti of
course is asked. Commander Charles
Wilkes, in the narrative of the United
States Exploring Expedition, which he
commanded thirty years ago, says of Pago-.
Pago harbOr, that 'it was ikened to the
valley of Rasselas changed into lake."
But where is it It is tie finest harbor
known IN the Southern Pacific; it is in the
centre of Tutuila (which it penetrates to
the centre), and is the key to the ten
Samoan or Navigators Islands, the remark
able beauty and richness of which group
have been extolled by ali who have visited
that portion of the globe from the days Of
Cook and PeyrOuse to the present time.
These islands extend through four de-
grees of longitude, from 1850 to 1880 west,
and from I3o 39 to 40 3V south latitude, be-
ing about midway between the Sandwich
Islands and Australia. on the line OF the
steamships plying between San Francisco
and Australia.
When the International railroad through
Texas shall have been completed to Hazat-
Ian, on the Pacific, and line Of steamers
shall ply thence to Australia, PagO-PagO
harbor will be on this line. These islands
have been hitherto under the control of in
dependent chiefs, and this station OF Pago-
Page before our recent possession of it has
remained uncontrolled by any great power.
year or so ago the San Francisco and
Australian line of steamers selected it as
coaling station. Soon atterward active
efforts were made by Great Britain and by
Prussia, to secure its commercial control
A year ago New Zealand, on the part of
the former, made a full report in its favor,
but too late. The officer had barely left the
islands last January, when the United
States aloop of war, Narragansett, Com
nander K. w. Meade, acting under iRstrue-
tioRs FROM our governments, appeared at
Page Pago, and procured by treaty the per-
petUal right Of the United States TO use this
harbor as naval and commercial station
The Germans wore very near success, war
vessel of that nation entering the harbor to
obtain it only a few days alter Commander
Meade had completed his negotiations. But
not Only the Germans, but all other Euro
peans upon these islands strongly favor
having American laws established over this
archipelago.
. Missionaries have been established over
these islands (which had up to that date
been barbarous) since 1880. Now the entire
population 10 Christian, mostly of tho
Presby terian and Congregational societies,
with few Romanists. Some 100000 acres
OF land have already been sold to Citizens
of San Francis co, who propose to supply
the Pacific coast wi b sugar. coffee a,xs cot
ton from that quarter. An engraving Civ.
ing q fine view et tile beautiful harbor can
be seen on page seventy -cno OF the seeon3
volume ot Wilkes Expedition A taOr.
.ugt examination was made OF th5s group
Of islands by the Uaite3 States vessels un
der Wilkes, and the island Of TSsRila being
the most central. Pago-Pago bar Dor was Sc
lected by ViDeennes for the astronomical
ebservatiors, the rest of The group being
reserved for the Peacock and Flying Fish
vessels. Tbo readess CT the REPUBLICAS
will doubtless hereafter eften hear of Pago-
Pago. Is is easily found by those who seek
h, t.. it har mouth three quarters OF a
.ui'a de, aanked by unmistakable land
1latAs OF mountains, respe clively 2fT and
1870 feet high, with soundiDgs inside of
thirty-six fatsODs-the most perfectly land
locked harb0r that exists.
Now Tor SANTANA and the Sandwich
Islands. If tho United States do not an
mex or appropriate them, Great Britain or
pFaszia HAll, and, saYa the Phiadel phia
North Amer lean, "the 9nettisn before the
American people rs whether. Uhibs We see
kngland grssping every insular or distant
territory that she can lay her hands upon,
We shan abstain entirely and saFrendar
the whole 1eld to aes."