ADMINISTERING THE OATH OF OFFICE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 77, 22 March 1879, Page 2

ADMINISTERING THE OATH OF OFFICE.

A meeting of the Taimua aiul Faipule was held at Muliuuu, on Wednesday last, for the purpose of presenting Genoral Dartlett with his commission, and administering to him the oath of his office. There were twenty-four members of the Taimua and Faipule present. At about 4.30 p.m. the business commenced by Tuia rising and saying, I have been appointed by the Taimua and Faipule to deliver your commission to you, and to administer the oath of your office. Every district in Samoa is represented by the Taimua and Faipule present. The commission was thou handed to General Bartlett, after which he took the following oath: — * I most solemnly swenr in the presence of Almighty God, thai I will faithfully support tho* laws of the Samoan Government, and conscientiously and impartially discharge the duties of my office." General Btutlett then said, 1 thank you for the coutidenco you have this day shown in me, and I will try to merit it in the future by giving you my best efforts towards the carrying out of your Government. In my advice to you I will recommend you particularly to conserve all tho interests of tho white residents who have settled here, or who may settle here, and to respect their property, to protect capital, to foster enterprise and commerce, and' to establish such relations with other nations as will make them IMP* t'd. No matter whether the nation !»■ grout or small, the same international laws govern them all. In the wuakness of this Government is its strength; you

threaten no nation by your military or naval form', and the humanitarian syinpithies of England, America, France *ml j tie many will uroteet yoir. I hoj>e tliia wi 1 orove tn lw a nww era in the history o f .-amra, and if I can assist to bring it about f shall be iiu.st happy to do so. Tim -Sumoan Government must dj right. I ii,-it .iie.i they deserve and can command the respect of other nations. Yc.u are advancing in civilisation, and you mut-t advance in liberality of thought and action ; bnikl school-houses, mako roads, ami improve the couulry and people. Tins is not an occasion upon which 1 am culled upon to define a policy. 1 have not yet conferred with the Government upon the matter. Whatever act I perforin in connection with this Government i shall first bo deliberated upon by your I h> vernment, and if you stand by my acts, ther. they will pass, but if you object to tliem then I will abandon them The Taimua and Faipule are the Government I am simply a representative of the Government, ami do not arrogate to myself any power of a personal nature. i There are, unfortunately, some divisions at present in the country, but I hope the differences will be settled without recourse to force being used by the Government The Taimua and Faipule are tlie Government. There cannot be two Governments: no province .an govern in-'o-pendently, and I hope that matters will be laid before the Opposing parties in such a manner that an amicable adjustment of the differences may soon be arrived at. Again I thank you for the confidence you have placed in me 1 shall coin--1 inence my duties to-morrow, and will establish an office at MTdlinuu

Aufa'i, on behalf of the Taiimia and Faipule said, wc-thank you for what you have said, and arc very glad to receive yoj here to-day. We hope you will commence your duties as soon as you can. AVe are. very glad to hear year promises of assistance. We hope you '.'.ill teach us to walk in the right road so that we ran understand which is the oest way, and so that we can be friendly With the different gentlemen from great nations in ibis country. That is all our thanks, and we trust in Almighty God to ielp us. Tko meeting then concluded.