The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-02-01

Our readers will remember that some months since,
there was considerable talk in newsF apers about the
offer made by the native authorities of the Navigator
Islands to cede the sovereignty of the group to the
United States, and that Commander Meade Of the
.NaTrGgGHseh had made a treaty, whereby a harbor
(Tutuila) had been secured as n naval depot and
coaling station. We have been permitted to make
the following interesting extracts from a letter re-
Gently received in this city from one of the English
Wesleyan missionaries stationed in Samoa:
1.-The natives of this group are still continuing
their strife. The war is carried on in a very desul-
tory manner. They profess now to be waiting the
arrival of a definite reply from America with respect
to the proposed annexation. You may perhaps like
to know the views of our mission on this subject. 1
think 1 may state them generally in q few words.
There is ssch a lack of authority in any of the
chiefs, so many rival interests which are constantly
giving rise to quarres, and so much jealousy lest one
should become greater than the other, that we are
hopeless of seeing a settled form of government if
the Samoans are left to themselves. The natives also
feel this, and the better part Of them have long
wished either England or America to come and help
them. The last war has made the desire for foreign
help stronger than before. Consequently the protec-
torAte Of America, or the annexation of the Islands,
if the L. S. Government does not leave them TO the
tender nercies OF spectators but takes q paternal
interest in the welfare Of the people, will be welcomed
by nearly all.
We shall welcome the establishment Of a govern
ment in the Islands by the United States which will
do justice to the natives, if such be the intention of
the promoters Of annexation. We sincerely hope that
the Islands will not be left in the hands of a private
and irresponsible company, but anything determined
on and carried out by the L. 5. Government will
secure our hearty support.
1.-The Romish priests are doing all they can to stir
up a spirit of resistance. We, on the other hand,
advise the people to wait quietly for the decision of
the United States; and, should the annexation be
completed, TO go heartily into the movement and
secure for themselves peace and quietness and such
institutions rs shall help them to advance in all that
is good.
can immense quantity Of land has been sold to
the 'Polynesian Land Co.. and TO others in the
Islands. Many of the sales have been made by indi-
viduals who had no right whatever to the land, ard
q great deal has been sold two or three times by diff
ferent purchasers. There will be land disputes IN
TO settle, either by justice or by might. as
soon Is the annexation is completed; and if America
rejects the offer, or leaves them in the hands Of a
private company, there is no knowing what may be
the next. The native war has been kept on much
longer than it would have lasted through the instiga-
ton OF foreign settlers, who have purchased land of
one gar party which they pretend to have obtained
by right Of conquest. but which they cannot hold "