New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-07-28
The Samoan islands

ia. United States steamer Tussarc.s
iaviH. on board Colonel SteiubePger. spe
s.!ai commissioner to the Samoan islands
sa!ieti from Honolulu on the fourth 9
March. The deck cargo was Of coal an,
arm: utensils. The guns and ammunition
acre intended as presents to the islanders
soon alter the arrival at Apia court o
;sg giry. composed of the officers of the Tus
carGra, convened for the purpose OF il
vestigating claims of Americans agains,
ssmoans. Thirteen claims were SrOugh,
before the court resulting from depreda
IONS committed upon real estate and other
property during the late Samoan wars by
she different war parties. Abou: $4,000
was claimed.
Colonel Steinberger's reception was one
which is highly tlattering to the American
people. The marked demonstration of real
pleasure and satisfaction, SO distinctly OK.
pressed by these people upon his arrival,
surprised every one They had been anxious.
~ awaiting and praying for his coming, and
his opportune arrival alone prevented the
dissolution of their then frail existing gov.
eminent. All POLITICAL and personal feuds
ceased to exist, and all looked to him to
guide and instruct them. He has every
thing at his command to further his ends, as
one more universally respected and beloved
than he is could not be; and be has also the
sympathy and encOurag ement of his own
government.
On the day appointed as many officers as
possible visited the government seat, where
1000 natives, representatives from all the
Islands, were assembled. Commander Eben
read first his address, presenting Colonel
Steinberger, and replete with words of en-
couragement and advice. Then the Presi-
dents letter was read, one similar in pur.
port to the former, and lastly that of Colonel
Steinberger. After this the representatives
from the different districts Of the island
marched up in regular order, performing
feats of arms, athletic feats and singing,
with their greatest warriors in advance,
dressed in war costume Ia clOut, head dress,
and the remainder of the body smeared
with cocoanut OILY, dancing and hand
ling war-clubs or paddles in a sur
prisingly dexterous stvle. AS the party
arrived in front of the United States repre-
sentative they deposited their several
about three hours, the greatest enthusiasm
prevailed. 1t was by far the most extensive
exhibition of the kind ever seen on these
Islands. The gifts amounted to ZOO
chickens, seventy pigs and about eight tons
of yams and tarO, besides many cocoanuts
After the conclusion of this, Colonel Stein
berger produced and explained to them the
emblem, which they unanimously approved |
of and accepted. 1t was saluted with |
lwenty-One guns.
The "bill of rights" and constitution" |
presented by Colonel Steinberger for the |
consideration of the "Taimua' were adopt
sd by them on the eighteenth of May. with |
but an alteration Of one article. which was
that referring to the election OF kings. The
original article provided for the election of
a king to serve his lifetime. There being
two old families of kings that of "Malietoa"
and "Topua," the ''Taimua" considering it
justice to both that neither should have the
preference, and also desiring to respect
their ancient customs and traditions, so
altered the clause that kings shall serve
but Tour years. and alternate between
those families. On the event Of the
death OF king before his term
shall have expired, his successor shall
be from the other of the two families.
Another article, which refers TO 'pre-
mier," they did not adopt until Colonel
stsinberger would declare his intention of
accepting it for a lifetime, which he did.
Gtter few days the Taimua decided that
The first king should be from the Malietoa
family, and on the following day NIalieto le
Sauper was elected king. He is nephew
If Malietoa Pea, who is at the head of the
.tnily. The election took place on the
twenty first Of May, and ON the following
lay he was installed, receiving salute Of
wenty -one guns from the ship. He is a |
nan of prepossessirg and commanding ap-
learance, dignified demeanor, and appar.
'ntlv well fitted to occupy the high position
It trust 10 which he has been called. San |
fiUusiscn Chronicle