The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1875-08-14

The Samoan Islands.

The Samoan Islands.
The United States steamer Tusca-
rora, having on board Colonel Stein
berger, special commissioner to the
Samoan islands, sailed fom Honolulu
on the 4th of March. The deck cargo
was Of coal and army utensils. The
guns and ammunition we're intended as
presents to the islanders.
Soon after the arrival at Apia a
court Of inquiry, composed of the
officers of the Tuscarora, convened
for the purpose of investigating claims
of Americans against Sam0ans. Thir-
teen claims were brought before the
court resulting from depredations
committed upon real estate and other
property during the late Samoan
wars by the different war parties.
About $l3, 900 was claimed.
Colonel Steinberger's reception was
one which is highly tlattering to the
American people. The marked DEM
onstration OF real pleasure and salts
faction, so distinctly expressed by
these people upon his arrival, sur
prised every one. They had been
anxiously awaiting and praying for
his coming, and his opportune arrival
alone prevented the dissolution of their
then frail government. 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 he has also the sympathy and en-
couragement Of his own government.
On the day appointed as many Of
ficers as possible visited the govern
ment seat, where 10000 natives, rep
resentatives from all the islands were
assembled. Commander Eben read
first his address, presenting Colonel
Steinberger, and replete with words
of encouragement and advice. Then
the Presidents letter was read, one
similar in purport 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, perform
ing feats of arms, athletic feats and
singing, with their greatest warriors
in advance, dressed in war costume
"a clout, ead-dress, and the remain
der of the body smeared with cocoa
nut oily, dancing and handling war
clubs or paddles in a surprisingly
dexterous style. As the party arrived
in front OF the United States repre-
sentative they deposited their sew
eral presents. During this time,
which occupied about three hours,
the greatest enthusiasm prevailed.
1t was by far the most extensive cx-
hibition of the kind ever seen on
these islands. The gifts amounted
to 700 chickens, seventy pigs and
about eight tons Of yams and taro,
besides many cocOanuts. After the
conclusion of this, Colonel Stcinberger
produced and explained to them the
flag which he had brought as their
national emblem, which they unani-
mously approved of and accepted. 1t
was saluted with twenty-one guns.
The bill Of rights and consti-
tuition" presented by Colonel Stein
berger for the consideration of the
Taimua were adopted by them on
the eighteenth of May, with an
alteration Of but one article, which
was that referring to the election of
kings. The original article provided
for the election Of king to serve his
lifetime. There being two old fam
lilies of kings, that of " Malietoa and
"Topua," the "Taimua" consider
ing it justice to both that neither
should have the preference, and also
desiring to respect their ancient Gus
toms and traditions, SO altered the
clause that kings shall serve but four
years, and alternate between those
families. On the event Of the death
of a king before his term shall have
expired, his successor shall be from
the other of the two families. Another
article, which refers to 'premier,'
they did not adopt until Colonel Stein
berger would declare his intention of
accepting it for lifetime, which he
did. After q few days the Taimua
decided that the first king should be
from the Malietoa family, and on the
following day Malieto le Pauper was
elected king. He is a nephew of NAL
ietoa Pea, who is at the head of the
the family. The election took place
on the twenty first Of May, and on
the following day he was installed,
receiving salute of twenty -one guns
from the ship. He is man of pre-
possessing and commanding appear
ance, dignitied demeanor, and appar-
emily well fitted to occupy the high
position Of which he has been called.
San Francisco Chronicle.
The Monroe IntelHgcncer Of the lst
inst. publishes this brief biographical
sketch nf the late Anlrew johnson :.