The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-21


the country must predict Ior them future pros
perity and wealth.
THE AMERICAS MISSION UNDER COLONEL STEIN
BERGEH-AID TO CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT.
That portion or my letter which Will most In
terest YOU Will be undoubtedly the mission OF
Colonel StenOerger The principal OBJECT oft Is
10 aid those people In the formation and establish
ment OF permanent and stable government aud
TO teach them that strength, unity and success
can only be reached IN this Napier. He has
every faoilIty a. his comm nd to enable him TO
fully accomplish this END, as one more universally
respected, admired and beloved ny people than
no is by these natives could not be.
HIS wish IS law, and his opporlune arrival pre-
vented me dismembermenJ OF their unsubstantia
and IRAN toy government, which mad reached the
end OF its rether, several nigh chiefs having with
drawn from IL previous TO our arrival
DON'T WANT A "KINGLY CRowN.n
He could be their king to-day If ne so desired,
and not dissenting voice would be heard. Such
a man was needed here, and much real good will
he 90 for tnem. They had been Chrstianlzed and
taught many things by the missionaries and are
prepared for the important step they are now
taking. only having required what they now have
one to guide and direct them ia whom they could
place implicit confidence.
cOUNcIL WITH THE KINGS AND CHIEFS.
On the lst OF April Commodore Erben, with Col
onel SteinberRer, had an interview with the kings
and council at Mdlinuu, which is the present gov
eminent seat. for the purpose OF officially INFORM
ing them Of tue arrival OF this snip with Colonel
SteInbeTger on board. They at that time APP
pointed day for the iormal reception OF the letter
to them from the President OF the Unlted States,
as also the presents sent by our government
PRESENTS TO Tue UNITED STATES SHIP
AT this meeting the petty cnie Of all the viii
lagos gave presents TO the snip. There were 450
chickens. seven pigs and abou ton OF yams.
THE MoNARcHIco- EMocRATIo AssEMBLAGE.
The 22d inst. was then se.ected as tie ay upon
which they could bring together ali the chiefs
from tire different islands 10 order 10 hold a grand
'Tavo" (counclD. That DAY was indeed memoir
able one, not only 10 US. bnt TO me SamOans For
two weeks previous all MonCno Savan and
Upolu were preparing for this day. Let me go
back two days and describe everything N detail
On the 20tn he natives from tue other Islands and
different districts began to arrive 1t was
A STRANGE AND INTERESTING SIGHT
to watch the many war canoes as they passed the
ship, decorated in their grandest style aud re-
mindTng one OF his young days and Of the grand
entrance of a circus into a country village horses
decorated, troupe IN uniform, band playing and all
made as attractive with 1lms, and temporary
material as possible.
In this case the canoes were prop lied by from
twenty to forty paddles, Gro wded with natives
Enthusiastically dressed and having in the bow Of
each warrior artistically dressed IN lava-lava
or clout the remainder OF his body smeared with
cocosnut oil (whlcn, by the way, Is an imposition
on mosquitoes and other small nuSances with
wlngsl and above all looned most gorgeous
headdress, which consisted OF kind OF crown off
ferently decorated aud surmounted by immense
masses OF long human hair. Much tact Is required
to keep this on.
or warrior, was dex'erously handling paddle or
spear and dancing or rather performing series
OF contoruons Of the body and limbs, ridiculous
and at the same time novel to see.
FORMAL PROCEEDINGS.
On the day appointed most OF the Officers of the
ship proceeded to the government headquarters
where we found assembled ABOUT 10000 natives.
Com nander Erben first read his letter presenting
Colonel Steinheger and giving them some good
advice and announcements.
TIE Colonel then read President Grants letter.
which was similar in purport to that OF Com
mander Erben.
Then the Colonel read his address, which en-
close.
THE NATIVE ORATORS.
After this the natives OF the different districts
OF The Islands marched up in regular order, per-
forming ieats OF arms, athletic feats. ana singing,
with war chiefs In advance oancing ana swinging
war clubs and dressed in war costume 10 our
front, where they deposited tue pr SAINTS. Dur
Ing all this time, some three hours, tle greatest
enthusiasm prevailed.
THE GIFTS
amounted to 700 chickens, 10 nogs ana about eight
tons Of vans and taro. besides a large number OF
cocoanuls II you undersi God the limited means
OF these people you would also tue surprisingly
hospitabe spirit oil the gifts.
THE FAsCINATIoNs OF sAvAGERY.
It is an injustice to taem to attempt, as also an
imposslbihry. TO describe the scene-it was sucn
a grand display of sayagery that It's attractive
ness and fascination defy description.
THE NEW FLAG.
THESE ceremonies over, at about four O'Clock
Colonel Steinberger showed TO the Council OF
Tajmua The flag that he haa brought for them,
whcn ne proposed they should sccep pit as na-
tonal emblem. THIS dag Is composed OF seven
stripes, red and white alternating. each repre-
sentlng an island. The field is OF blue. with
single wnte star, which represents the govern.
ment island OF Upou.
This nag was adopted and q few days afterward
hoisted at noon ana saluted by US with twenty
one guns.
THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTION
which were written and presented by Colonel
Stelnberger lot consideration and adoption by the
Talmua ives OF the people), was
adopted by them on The 1Stn OF MAY with out one
alteration OF the original. That was tne article
referring TO the future kings. Tue lgnal article
provided for a KING elected 70 hold once Tor his
lie ttme, &c. This they, IN order to AVOID fu Ure
dissenIions and lll-ieeings, would not approve.
owing TO the fact that there exists two Old iami-
lies OF kings in Samoa. and they desired to respect
their ancient customs and traditio s 80 far in
This respect that the future kings shall alternate
between these two families OF "Maietoan and
'Tupua; 80 that article was altered with this
md IN view. Kings Will serve Ior Jour years
)nly, and alternate between these families.
THE CHEF OF THE CABINET.
Another article, which refers to a Premier,
ihey old or would not adopt until they had re-
,sIved the COlonel's consent to accept it for MS
lie time.
NEW ROYAL DYNASTY.
AM