The Hawaiian gazette., 1876-03-08
From Samoa.
HIgh-handed Proceedings OF American and Brit.
Ish Authorities.

| By the mail steamer from Auckland, we re-
ceived vague reports Of trouble in the Samoan
group, between the native authorities and the
foreign consuls, backed by British war yes.
sci, during which the American yacht Peerles,
was seized, sold and carried off to New Zeal
and. These reports were very indefinite and
we were unable from the Auckland papers to
gather any reliable statement regarding theiI
origin On Friday last, the German brig Ls-
cula arrived here from Samoa bringing letters
and Mr. F. Plat, bearer of dispatches to the
Q. S Government. From various sources we
have gathered the following facts concerning
the troubles.
1t will be remembered that Col. Steinberger
left Honolulu last spring in the U. S. S. TaScd-
rora, for the purpose of organizing the native
government of Samoa, he having been invited
TO do so by the Samoan chiefs. On his arriva!
there, constitution was framed and promulga-
ted, similar in some of its details to the Ha-
waiian constitution. This was followed by the
election of the principal chief Malietoa as king
of the Samoan group, and the organization of a
BONeIuiHtut Will OOl. SteIuOeISeI Us ltS pre-
mier. Laws were prepared and promulgated
through theislands, and the machinery of gov
eminent set at work, as far as practicable.
Among their laws were some levying taxes,
and to collect duties on imported goods.
No sooner was this new order of things es-
tablished, than opposition to the government
began to develop from foreigners who
before had been without restraint and preferred
to remain as they had been without law
Among these was a foreigner from FIJI named
Young, who after journeying through Samoa,
to learn the strength of the opposition, re-
turned to FIJI and reported that the inhabitants
in Samoa were ripe for annexation to Great
Britain.
The statement of this emissary appears to
have been credited, for, early in December the
British war ship Barracuda arrived at Apia,
bringing Mr.. Layard, British Consul General
in the Tonga group, who had been so active
and so skillful in bringing about the annexa-
ton of the FIJI group to the British Empire
Soon after the arrival of the ship, Capt Ste
vens convened meeting Of some of the natives |
and foreign residents TO inquire into the causes
Of dissatisfaction. Mr.. Foster, the American
Consul of the port appeared to be the principal |
person having grievances, and was only too |
ready to avail himself of British war vessel, |
as it had been reported that the Captain of the
Tascd'ord had told him that he was acting as
consul without official authority. The result
IF the meeting was, that a list of five or six
grievances was prepared TO place before the
King. Among number of chiefs collected to
support the opposition, only two could be found
vho objected to Malietoa's government and pre-
erred to remain as formerly, without law and
rider These two chiefs, however, when ar
ested and brought before the king, begged his
'ardon, and alleged that they did not IN
erstand what they were doing. They also
igned letter to the Captain of the Barrdoou-
Z to the same purport.
Shortly after this meeting, the u S. Con-
III requested the Captain of the Barracuda ;
} assist him in seiziug the schooner Peerless as
piratical craft, because she had on board a
un and eight or ten carbines, placed there by
apt. Erben of the Tasoarora. This vessel
as in the service of the Samoan Government,
nd carried the Samoan as well as the Ameri-
IN flag. Capt Stevens replied that he would
ot render assistance unless the American Con-
IL declared that he could not seize the vessel
one, which the latter notified him he could [
1t do. The schooner was then boarded by
ritish officers, hauled alongside the Bura-
utd, stripped of her rigging, her masts and
oder taken out and placed on board the Bar
leoma and her armament sent to the residence 5
the American consul. She was afterwards .
Id at private sale, for about 900, and taken 4
Auckland. The sale was made privately, ! d
is supposed to prevent German house which
Id a mortgage on her, from purchasing and