The sun., 1894-08-19

CSsadeuee sr Chiefs s.1 People SD SET
up the Rest Gsver--e.t the Isi.sd.
Ever Ksev-S,-e. The- so-eht A-.ex-
atios 90 the CrIted Ststes-His Over.
throw ssd Deportatior sy . British Ma
val Oaeer-vsIn Attempts to Get Justiee.
The recent death a; Dorchester. Mass Of Col.
\. B. Steinberger. recalls his romantic and ad-
venturous career. in which he made himself
practically king Of the samoan Islands, estab-
lished the only good government the islands ever
had. and then. with the consent OF all the native
chiefs offered the country TO the United States
for annexation. Perhaps had Steinoerger done
for England. Germany. or France what he
had the power and inclination to do for his ma
tive country. he would have received high Of
fee. honor. and great reward. As It was his
almost royal career was cut short when an
English naval Captain carried him of as a
prisoner. and his life ended after fruitless years
Of struggle TO induce his own Government to
press his claim for damages against England.
Steinberger was a native Of Pennsylvania. q
son Of a Pennsylvanisn known as Baron ="
Steinberger. who was q prominent California
argcnaut. He first became prominent in wash
ington in 1870. during the Eranco-Prussian war
when he was the representative Of syndicate
which bid for 75. 900 Enfield rifles in possession
OF the War Department. This negotiation, known
as the French arms contract, was afterward In
vestigatcd by Congress, and Steinberger was a
witness before the investigating committee.
He was soon recognized in Washington as a
man Of uncommon wit and auGacity who had the
faculty OF making many and warm influential
friends. He seemed to have plentiful means,
was a member Of good clubs in this city and
in Washington. entertained others socially IA
much as he was entertained By them. and be-
fore the commencement OF his adventurous
career had assumed prominence at the capital
as a character" combining some of the attri-
butes Of Beau Brummell and Sydney smith. His
title Of Colonel was conferred on him. 1t Is said,
unofficially by Gen. Grant.
He was a man OF small stature. very dark com
plexion, and an excitaOle and voluble tempera-
ment. Although Of German extraction, he had
the airs and graces OF Frenchman. His wife.
who died years ago, was a very charming and
fascinating woman. and was very popular in
Washington society. She was adaughter OF the
late Alfred Ely. once a member Of Congress
from the Rochester. y. Y, district.
The opportunity for his remarkable career
in the South Seas was made by the political Diff
ficulties in the Samoan Islands which resulted
in this petition. presented TO President Grant in
April. 1872:
We, the c,iefs and rulers Of Samoa, deeming
IL necessary for future well being and the bet
establishment OF Christianity, free Institutions,
fellowship Of mankind, protection Of life and prop
erty and to the blessings OF liberty and free
trade ourselves and future generations do petition
the President Of the United States Of America 10
annex these islands to the United States
This petition was presented to Gen. Grant by
W. II. Webb OF New York city, who had large
business interests at the islands and represented
the Samoan chiefs as a special commissioner TO
the United States. In August. 1872, Col. Stein
berger applied to the President to be appointed
as a special commissioner to Samoa. The Pres-
dent referred the application TO Hamilton Fish.
secretary Of State, with the following endorse
ment Oh the letter:
Competent person 10 visit the navigator Islands and
nPSn se5 he he PTsbsn o %
these Islands, but n. in your Judgment It would be
@ Sitioa No With %ie~ to sendRs such ihformstion to
Conzress you might commission Mr.. steinberser for
this duty.
on March 20. 1873. he was commissioned as
a special agent by the Secretary for the sole
purpose OF obtaining full and accurate informa-
was also advised Of the fact that on Feb. il.
1879. Commander Richard w. Meade Of the
Std sns nss had
chief OF the Bay Of Pago Pago. an agreement
granting this Government the privilege, of es:
Pago Pago, Island OF Tutuila. The secretary
added that II is not unlikely that perhaps in the
states may require not only naval station in the
Samoan group. but harbor where their steam
and other vessels also may freely and securely
gard TO the islands will be necessary u enable
the Government here TO determine as 10 the
taiSing that OBJECT" Col. steinberger was to re- re.
ceiye sl2 per day Ia full for all expenses, and
steinberger proceeded 10 San Francisco. where
he chartered and fitted out at his own expense
small schooner pilot boat, on which. on June
ha cd nm
Aug. II at the harbor OF Apia, island OF Upolo,
the scene nineteen years later of the terrible
American. English, and German ships and men.
Col. Steinberger began work with characters
stirring manifesto 10 the samoan chiefs and
rulers. In which he informed them that he had
come from the Great w hlte Chlet OF the nlted
States with his and a great Governments kindly
words Of fellowship and greeting; On Aug y the
grand council OF rulers assembled 70 meet him.
time previous, were at war In his address he
skilfully avoided the annexation issue. An ad-
dress was presented 10 him, signed by the white
residents OF the islands including all the leading
business men and the missionaries, In which he
was urged 10 take steps 70 put stop TO the wars
between the tribes at once. ltwas assumed that
Samoa was 70 be annexed 10 this country.
Col, SIeinberger found the Samoans enter
and were very anxious 10 he taken under the
care and protection OF a nation they had come
once 8 eiegT asTatated @ % Himself inso their oonpeS
confidence, and the SamOans never wavertd in
their almost idolatrOus deyOtlOn 10 MIN IN the
subsequent period OF his sensational and
checkered career among them. During his first
visit he travelled over every part OF the samoan
group; studied the habits, customs, and
traditions OF the people; became fully
with the character Of the
agricultural and mineral resources OF the
islands. and, as his frst Official report proves,
made himself master OF every detail OF impOr-
tance In connection with the islands and people
He reconciled differences OF long standing be-
tween the various chiefs and their clans, remOd-
elled and Tewrote their laws, formulated a new
plan OF government which went into enect ON
the eve OF his departure, and, what was more re-
was the first white man TO whom the
natives showed what was called the Samoan
Constitution. The foundation OF the new form
OF government was laid at the first grand COun-
Gil. on Aug. ~. 1879 and il and the new code OF
laws were promulgated on Oct. y, 1873. IL was
based on what were known and called the Taimua
and Faipule, The Taimua, or House Of MOBILES;
Of seven chiefs and rulers, 20 hold
once for one year and % he the head OF the Gov
ernment The FRipule consisted OF four rulers |
from among the people, chosen by vote Of the |
whose duty IL was TO aid the Taimua. |
They were called GOvernOrs, and their special !
province was 20 put into effect the regulations
and laws made by the House Of Mobiles. In |
framing their new laws. largely under the ad- !
vice and hand OF Steinberger, the SRmOans |
nU m of fheI a ira