MALIETOA AND CAPT GEORGE BROWN, U.S.N.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 4, Issue 173, 20 November 1880, Page 2

MALIETOA AND CAPT GEORGE BROWN, U.S.N.

Address of King Malictoa to Captain George Brown, U.S.N., commanding U.S.S. Alaska, at the Capital of Samoa, Mulinuu, 14th September, 1380. [Translation.]

YOUR EXCELLENCY, —1 will now endeavour to reply to your Excellency's speech to me and my Oovernmont on the 11th inst.

1, I am thankful for tho providence of the King of Heaven, because that wo two are permitted to see each other in theso Islands. Great has btcn my joy, and that, of my Government, on a-eonnt of the peaceful words which you spoke to us on that day, and on account of the regard also or His Excellency, the President of tho United States of America, and his Government, and for his support of me and this new Government, which I have established. 1 am very thankful, and thus also is my Government.

2. As it is thodesiroof His Excellency, the President of the United States of America, for a mutually friendly Government in these Islands, therefore 1 will truly give attention to it that Samoa may be ono under my authority. Then friendship will be obtained by Samoa, and peace will abide in those Islands, according to the desire of your Excellency and of your Government, which you have here inado known unto nie. Especially also is it my desire, and that of my Government, that friendship and peace should grow up among the subjects of my kingdom, and the subjects of the respective Great Governments who have come to these Islands, and thus also with the different Islanders hero in Samoa.

3. I and my Government are also thankful, your Excellency, because of the joint protection according to tho Convention which we made last year with the Consular Representatives of tho Great Governments here in Samoa, and with the naval captains, concerning the territory of Apia, that it should- lie neutral, and have laws, especially for nay dttlieult thing which might arise in these Islands.

4. You also spoke of the subject of (he Treaty made by tliu former Government with tin: Government of the United Shift* of America concerning tliu harbour of Pagopago. Your Excellency, I am now fully enlightened as to that, ami I have already confirmed that Treaty, and 1 and my Government will protect it, because T inn not willing, nor is my Government, to confine our regard to any one nationality; hut my protection and regard are extended equally 1 to (ho subjects of all Governments and their property here in Samoa. As to any contracts coneeruin" any debts even those things shall be left to them (the Old Party) to pay; and anv agreements explanatory of lands shall be examined according to these agreements, because it is not right to confirm unjust sales.

0. As to a letter to Manga, we will also decide whether it is best to send a secretary, nr anyone with whom I have consulted, who shall explain all things to Manga, or whether a letter shall be "sent to him by which to enlighten him of the meaning of the Treaty which I have approved. ' (i. As to your Excellency's remarks that tho Government should seek peace, and that it is a wicked thing for them to light, I will inform yon on this subject, because you are not acquainted with the customs of these Islands :—There was a day when they assembled hero at Mulinuu at a fono (meeting). Then, first, I expressed ray gratitude that we were able to assemble here. Then I commenced my address, saying that they should desist, from making public meetings fn create disturbances, and appoint some representatives to come and assist to establish our Government; but they would not, agree, and they went to Savaii. I nlso sent my letter to them, that, if thev desired their public meeting, to have it at SaWula, and thai it would be wrong to have it in Palauli, because thev had few, and we had many persons there, and some difficulty might spring up; but they would not listen to my authority, and thev hated my instructions. Therefore thev vainly deny that they did not want anv war, when they already had some devices. \\ ill you please taks notice of these words ?

7. As to the nliiofs who nvo now in custody. It is true that these pliiefs are here, but neither I nor mv Government havo ill-useil tlmm, tho»«h these chiefs came not from Savaii to sonk anv peace —tlioy camp because of pints to raise mi ft war against rap, because Hint thin" was decided in the letters which thov hrmieht, which havobeen translated into thpEnglish language, and were seen hv the Governor of Fiji when he was hero last month. I lie chiefs also took an oalll tn keen the agreements made here last vpar. Likewise the chief Aumnuviw (John Hunkin), whose present name is Faiivae. the nnmo of the chief of Tntuiln, took an oath and and subscribed his name to mv Government. Ho also took an oath before Cnptain Bruce, of tlto man-of-war, to his Governwent that ho was about tn give up his (Siunomi) words nnd rustoms, and that, he wns about to obey nnd assist my fiovcrnment in the name of Queen Victoria, And, as I have' learned from Savaii, they went again also to hold secret ennnoHs according to Santoan mistoms, especially also were war weapons flUcovorcd in their boats, though thev bad first promised that they would not take any firearms tn Rnvaii, and it is now known certainly that they had arms. (Sijjncd) I \m Mamktoa Talavoi', Tlie King of bSuinou.