The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1876-12-09
SAMOA

The Otago IN. ~ Witness Of November IL,
contains q lengthy letter from q correspondent at
Samoa, giving an account of the proceedings there
since the affair of Capt. Stevens of II. B. NJ. s.
Barracuda in the early part of the present year.
On the 23d of May, Commodore sfoskins arrived 10
H.. b. NJ. 8. Pearl. The Parliament of Samoa
the " Taimua and Faipule"-wrote at once to the
Commodore, asking that he would "look into and
investigate peaceably and with justice all the matters
that occurred to our government through the coming
Of Capt. Stevens to Samoa Commodore Hoskins
replied on the 25th of May, stating his desire to
meet all the chiefs. The meeting accordingly took
place at the seat Of government on the Both, when
the Commodore informed the chiefs that he had
come to o decision. He then proceeded. to make q
long speech, in which he said that the seizure of the
Peerless and the arrest and deportation Of Stein
berger and Cox, were done by the u. s. Consul, who
acted as he had q right and as was his duty to do;
that he wished them to distinctly understand that
there was no probability that Steinberger would
return to the islands; that in the fight with the
Barracouta's men the attack by the Samoans was
treacherous; that he had reported their "treach-
erous conduct - and that be wished to warn them
that he fully anticipated an indemnity would be
required from them to recompense the men who
were wounded and the relatives Of those who were
killed. This was in brief, the Commodore's decision
on the matters in dispute.
After the Commodore had spoken, several chiefs
addressed him in return. They denied the charge
of treachery, or that the Samoans were justly re-
sponsible. One asked the Commodore to explain
81 why he had 50 alluded to the affair." - and to tell
them when he intended holding an investigation
The Commodore replied that he had already been
fully informed of everything by his officials, and
had formed his decision! The Samoan then requested
that his side might also be heard, and the Commo-'
dore replied that he would listen to what they had
to gay, but it could not alter his decision, which had
been already communicated to his Government.
Then Tagaloa spoke at some length, describing how
they were induced by missionaries and consuls to
have a king. That they had made one, and the
consequence was the terrible civil war that caused
90 much misery and bloOdshed among them for the
four years that is lasted. Then came Colonel Stein
berger Just as they were trying to make peace. He
helped them, and they were glad. "Then came
iealousies on the part Of the different consuls, be-
cause we did not advise with, and give them q voice
in the making Of our laws. Captain Stevens came,
and they took advantage of the ship Of war, seized
the Peerless, took Colonel Steinberger a prisoner,
and then the afray on the 18th March took place"
This was Tagaloa's account, and he was followed by
TIE Mamca, who gave the Samoan verslon-in writing
of the fight. 1t said that Captain Stevens had
surrounded Malinuu Point with four armed boats,
besides his guard Of honor, to reinstate Malietoa as
king. That he had ordered his men to disarm the
Samoan people, and that on this being carried out,
one of the guns went Of, and the ARRAY began.
The correspondent of the Witness goes on to say
81 must not trespass further on your space, but
enclose herewith the formal reply OF the Taimua
and Faipule to the Commodore, which was drawn up
and sent the same day Of the meeting. 1t seems to
me a mastery document in both argument and
style. 1t disclaims all desire TO show disrespect to
the government officials Of the great nations and
then states that it is decided in our minds, ~ That
our government will have nothing to do with the
jurisdiction here of the government Of the United
States, and also of other great nations who will do
as they like. (2) That the reason Of the taking Oh
of Colonel Steinberger, our Premier, was q scheme
concocted by Malietoa and other people who helped
him, and also our Government has found nothing to
complain of against A. B. Steinberger. our Premier,
as he never made us false statements; on the con-