New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-02
AMERICAN RIGHTS IN PAGoPAGO.
opY OF THE DEED TRANSFERRING THE HAR.

BoR no THE UNITED STATES.
Washington, Feb. 1.-The papers relating 10 tne
harbor OF Pago-Pago which Senator sherman an
nounced in the Senate this morning that he had 10
ceiyed from Secretary Bayard are OF interest IN VIC"
OF the prominence given at present to Samoan aaS'
Secretary Bsyard's letter to Senator Sherman Is AS
Department Of State, Washington, Feb. l. 1859
Dear Sir Observing that question Of rights OF the
United States at PagoPsgo Harbor Samoa is uncef o
cusscn 10 the Senate, inelose for sueh uSs - you '
deem proper copy Of the deed Of transfer Of that harbor
70 the United States in 1878 copy OF when was sent
TO the Navy Department o. tho time OF It's receipt heie
with IL sre the notes Coward who was the Oneu
States commercial agent at that station, wmen A'' 'A
planatory of the transfer Very respectfully yours
The deed referred to was made out on board inc
United states steamer Adams, harbor OF Pago-fSso
and reads as follows:
To Whom it may Ocncerns Be 10 known thae We no
Ddessrnea being duly authorized and empowered by the
aua and Taipule of Samoan Government do hereby
ON this sth day August 1873 transfer 70 the Govern
rnent OF the United the privilege Of using the port
Of PagoPago. and the shores thereof In accordance win
the provisions treaty Of friendship and commerce con-
cuded at washington, in the United States OF America
between the United States and Samoa on the seventeenth
day Of January, 1873.
LAvEA LEIATo x. TUILAsL
TAIMUA MA BAIpULE
Witness, GUsTAvUe COWARD.
A letter from Mr. Coward TO Assistant Secretary
Rives. dated January 81, 1889, says that the four
persons signing this instrument were appointed as
Commissioners on behalf OF the Samoan authonues
in view of the fact that they were individual owners
OF property along the shore Of the harbor OF Pago-
Pago Continuing, the letter says:
In my opinion this instrument might be regarded ss
Transforming to the United States title TO the land Az
the time was not authorized, prepared 70 accept an
absolute title in fee simple. not knowing how far the
limited States Government desired to proceed In the matter
Eoy that reason the phrsscogy employed was that ued
IN the treaty leaving thereby the Interpretation OF the
same to the Department Goat Island was seiec'eu a.
the place for raising she Gag communicating TINS eVn
IN consideration OF the that It commanded view OF he
whole hsrbor with the intention Of not conhnhs @o
limited States Government in the selection OF any paucu
lar mart OF the shore as coang station ouns
the period covered by language Of the treaty. "I-eh
years more .s ...o
In the Senate to-day, Mr.. Salisbury offered a reso-
lution which was agreed to, instrncnng ue Com-
Tnittee on Foreign Relations TO inquire INTO the eon
dition OF affairs In the Samoan Islands ana 10 epo.t
what measures are necessary TO protect the lnteTess
az American citizens therein, and 10 dlschargo any
obgatons of the United States TO the people OF tnose
isands in the maintenance OF their own local gov
ernment from the interference OF any foreign f0"9r
and 10 secure the Just rights and interests OF .ne
United States in the future control ana governments
of those islands.