Evening star., 1905-09-27
THANKS OF MANUANS
Grateful for Gifts From This
Government.
WRITE TO PRESIDENT
PROUD OF RELATIONS TO THIS
COUNTRY.
Native Governor Declares That People
Desire Only to Be Good
Citizens.

yelt sent letter, expressing the gratif1ca-
| ton of the government and people Of the
| United States to the six principal chieftains
of the Manuan group of the Samoan Is
| lands for their voluntary concession of the
islands to the United States He also for
| warded at the same time to these chieftains
six watches and six medals. which were
properly inscribed. The following letter
of thanks to the President on behalf of the
people of Manua has just been received at
the Navy Department from Tuimanua, the
governor of Manua:
The Governors Letter.
'It is indeed with difficulty that I ad-
dress your excellency, for / indeed feel my
weakness and realize that / only represent
| a small portion of people, when compared
| to the population of the different states in
our beloved country.
"Yet 1 fully realize and know that 1t Is
a duty devolyfng upon me CTuimanua) as
governor of Manua to write few words
to your excellency to express unto you the
thanks gratitude and pleasure of the people
here in Manua for your kindness toward
us and for the nice remembrances. namely,
watches medals and documents OF thanks
which you so kindly forwarded to the lead
ing chiefs of this group of islands by ms
excellency Capt. C. B. T. Moore, and (which
were received by us on the 18th day of
A priI in the year one thousand nine hum
dred and five.
'It was unanimously resolved by the
leading people of Manua in a council con-
vened here in Manua that CTuirnanua), In
behalf of the people, forward to your ex-
cellency our heartfelt thanks for the many
blessings we have been the recipients of
since the noble country of which you stand
at the head has taken charge or SAID Is
lands.
"Also, that 1 forward our reasons for
knowing that we have derived great benefit
since the limited States government mas
taken control of the Manua islands.
therefore humbly submit the following:
Partition Of the Islands.
"On the 18th day of April in the year
one thousand nine hundred Captain B. F.
Tfley arrived here in Manua on the trans
port Abarenda and revealed unto US the
decision that had been arrived at by the
three governments, viz United states, Eng
land and Germany, and said that the eastern
half of the Samoan group of Islands had
been given to the German government. He
Captain Tilley) made the assertion that 1t
was for our benefit to accept the United
States government, as he said 1t would pro-
tect us against any other country coming
here and infringing upon our rights and
besides that, the government would not IN
terfere with any old customs or traditions
of the Manua people as long as they did
not trespass upon the high and holy laws
of the United States then established. Also
that this government stood for purity and
liberty and granted the same privilege unto
all of It's inhabitants as long as they used
said liberty for the upbuilding of mankind
Our beloved flag of the stars and
Stripes was raised over these islands on
the 5th day of June, In the year 1900, and
since then all laws coming from the United
States have been obeyed by the people,
with few exceptions, and those who have
failed to abide by the same have been pun
ished.
Attitude Of Naval Governors.
"During the time that Capts. Tiliey. Ser
bree. Underwood and Moore have resided
| here they have shown us that they have
been laboring here in our behalf, and we
can truthfully say that they have admins
tered justice and caused US to realize and
understand more fully how thankful we
should consider ourselves in securing
good a government to take the RESPONSE
biity of looking after and taking care of
our interests. 1t has been their main de-
sire to plant into our hearts a friendly feel
ing for one another and for all mankind.
"It is very clear to US that through the
administration of the United States govern
ment will acquire all the arts of civil
ization, and be able to become more thor
oughly acquainted with the outside world
and its dealing with one another, and also
that we will become a better class of people
and be worthy to be called true citizens of
the best country in all the world.
Sentiment of the People.
"At the present time all people here ex-
press their JOY and pleasure at the good.
fair and just dealing of Capt. C. B. T.
Moore. 1t has not been long since we were
permitted to enjoy short visit with him,
he having come over here in the Adams.
'It is, indeed pleasing to me for this
grand and glorious privilege which am
realize that L and the people whom I repre-
sent are very Insignificant in your sight;
yet at the same time it is sincere wish
and desire that we may always merit the
kind consideration of our government Of
the United States. and also the President,
and we also agree and make known Cat the
present time) to your excellency that it Is
our only desire and hope to become good
citizens at all times, and always be found
honoring and sustaining the laws of the
United States.
with greatest respect, I beg to remain
your obedient servant" etc.