The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-02
A SAMOAN INQUIRY.
The Senate Committee Instructed to
Make a Report.

The Senate Committee Instructed to
Make Report.
WASHINGTON, Feb. lin the Serate
this morning Mr.. Salisbury offered a reso-
luton (Which was agreed toy instructlng
the committee on foreign relations to in
uuire into the condition of affairs in the
Samoan Islands and to report at an early
day what measures are necessary and
proper to protect the interests of American
citizens therein, and to discharge any obliga-
tions of the United States to the people of
those islands in the maintenance of their own
local government from the Interference of
any foreign power and to secure the just
rights and interests of the United States in
the future control and government of the
island.
Mr.. Sherman presented letter from the
Sec etary of State, with a copy OF the
formal concession of the the harbor Of
Pango-Pango made to the United States by
the Samoan government in accordance with
the treaty, and it was referred to the COM
mittee on foreign relations.
SECRETARY BAYARDs LETTER
Secretary Bayard's letter to Gen. Sher-
man is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Feb. /, 1889.
Hon. John Sherman, Chairman Committee on
Foreign Relations, United States Senate:
DEAR SIR-Obseryng that the question Of the
rights OF the United States at Pango- Pango har
Dor, Samoa. is under discussion in the Senate,
incloSe for such use as you may deem proper.
a COPY of the deed of transfer of that harbor to
the United States in 1887 copy of which was
sent to the navy department at the time or its
receipt here. Wi h it are two notes of Mr..
Coward who was United States commercial
agent at that station, which are explanatory of
the transfer. Very respectfully yours,
T. f. BAYAaD.
The deed referred to was made OUT on
board the United States ship Adams, in the
hardor Of Pango-Palgo, and reads as fol-
lows:
To Whom IT Muy Concern: Be it known that
we, the undersigned being duly authorized and
empowered by Fsimua and Faipule of the Sa-
moan government, do hereby, on this 5th day Of
August. 1873, transfer TO the government Of the
Unit States the privilege OF using the port Of
Pango Pango and the shores thereof in accord
auce with the provisions of q treaty of friend
ship and comm 3rce concluded at Washington,
in the United States Of America, between the
United states and Samoa. on the 18th day of
January 1878 Faimua Ma Faipula, Lavea
Leitao X, Tuilagi, Lotto. Witness: Gustayus
Coward.
mr.. GowARD's LETTER.
A letter from Coward t. Assistant Secre-
tary Rives, dated Jan. 81, 1889, says that
the four persons signing this instrument
were appointed as commissioners on behalf
of the Samoan authorities in view of the
fact that they were individual owners OF
property along the shore Of the harbor Of
Pango-P Pango. Continuing, the letter says:
In my,opinion this instrument might be re-
garded as transferring TO the United States
title to the land At the time ] was not
authorized or prepared TO accept an absolute
title in fee simple, not knowing how far theUnted
States government desired to proceed in the
matter For that reason the phraseology EN-
ployed was that used in the treaty, leaving
thereby the inter- pretation Of the same
10 tho department. Goat Island was
selected As the place for raising the nag com
memorating this event in consideration Of the
fact that II commanded view OK the whole
harbor with the intention Of not confning the
United Stat 8 government 10 its selection of
anv particular part of the shore for use as a
coaling station during the period covered by
the language Of the treaty. VIZ, ten years or
m ore.
In the House to-day the diplomatic and
consular appropriation bin with the Senate
amendments was referred to the committee
on foreign affairs.