In 1876 the RN paddle-sloop Barracouta, Commander Charles Edward Stevens, became embroiled in the removal of the 'Premier' of the islands of Samoa in distant Polynesia - the United States army officer Colonel Albert Barnes Steinberger
- whose attention to the rights of the native Samoans causes resentment and finally outright opposition from the American and British traders there.
| Extracts from the Times newspaper | |
| Date | Extract |
| Ma 13 March 1876 | A letter from the Samoan Islands received at San Francisco says that the Commander of the British man-of-war Barracouta, after consultation with the American and British Consuls, has seized the Samoan armed schooner Peerless for carrying arms under the American flag. The schooner was recently purchased at San Francisco by Colonel Steinberger for the Samoan Government. After the seizure she was dismantled and sold by the American Consul. Afterwards a meeting of foreign Residents was held, at which the British, German, and American Consuls were present. Steinberger being called upon, exhibited his commission from the United States Government. A proclamation has been issued by the Commander of the Barracouta and the British, German. and American Consuls, stating that, as Samoa has set aside the legitimate authority of the Represontatives of Foreign Powers, they agree that hereafter that Samoan laws shall not be carried into effect towards foreigners, but that they be governed by their respective Consular Courts. A letter which is evidently written in Steinberger’s interest, says that the British commander has sent to Fiji for another ship, and also that the English will either force the Samoans to send away Steinberger, which the Samoans will not do, or will take the island by force. |
| Fr 17 March 1876 | THE UNITED STATES. PHILADELPHIA, March 16. The House has adopted a Resolution instructing the Committee on Foreign Affairs to inquire into the powers conferred on A.B. Steinberger as Special Agent or Commissioner to Samoa, or Navigator's Island. |
| Fr 14 April 1876 | THE UNITED STATES. PHILADELPHIA, April 13. Samoan advices received at San Francisco state that the King is dissatisfied with Colonel Steinberger, and has called in the aid of the American and British authorities, and has declared that Steinberger is responsible for the troubles with foreigners, and has deposed him. Steinberger is a prisoner on board the British ship Barracouta. |
| Th 4 May 1876 | THE UNITED STATES. WASHINGTON, May 3. Mr. Secretary Fish has laid documents concerning the Samoan Islands before the House of Representatives. They show that Mr. Steinberger, who was recently confined on board the British man-of-war Barracouta, had not, as he alleged, any diplomatic powers from the United States, nor was he authorized to organize a Government in the islands. |
| Ma 8 May 1876 | (By Anglo-American Cable.) May 6. Samoan advices state that the Natives, after Steinberger’s removal, dethroned King Malitoa. Captain Stevens, commanding the British steamer Barracouta, landed with Marines and marched to the Council-house, where the Legislature was assembled, the Captain intending to restore the King. The Natives showing opposition, the Marines were ordered to disarm them, and a battle ensued. Four Marines were killed and eight mortally wounded. Three Natives were killed. The Natives were in overwhelming force. Captain Stevens withdrew with his wounded to his ship, and he afterwards landed with artillery and constructed breastworks. He kept guard for 14 days, but the Natives making no further demonstration, Captain Stevens returned to his ship with three Chiefs as hostages.The British steamer Sapphire arriving, the Chiefs were transferred to her. The Barracouta sailed to the Fiji Islands, taking Steinberger thither. The Barracouta was subsequently ordered to Auckland for an inquiry into the course pursued by the Captain. Steinberger went thither to demand satisfaction. The American Consul to Samoa acted throughout in harmony with the British authorities. The American Government do not consider Steinberger as having any authority from Washington, the Consul only being recognized as the American representative in Samoa. May 7. Mr. Foster, the American Consul at Samoa, has been superseded by James Coe, a friend of Steinberger, now in San Francisco. |
| Ma 15 May 1876 | SAMOA. , as the bearer of a letter to the Samoans from President Grant, and a present of cannon, ammunition, &c. The letter of the American President was vague, but the declarations of the captain of the frigate were more definite, and neither British, German, nor American Consuls questioned Colonel Steinberger's credentials as the recognized agent of the United States Government; while the natives, rejoicing in their anticipated security under the aegis of the United States, received him as the framer of their Constitution, which he produced, and which he took care to have accepted, while the United States ship Tuscarora remained to see him established as “Premier” under the new native King, It is needless to say that the "Premier" was vested with very extensive powers, while the King was practically under his "Mayor of the Palace." Very soon Colonel Steinberger’s mode of life and overbearing conduct aroused a feeling of discontent. The United States Consul, oh the arrival of Her Majesty's ship Barracouta in December last, produced evidence that his countryman was not accredited by the United States Government, and he, together with the other Consuls, requested Captain Stevens, of the Barracouta, to assist them in insisting on the production of Steinberger's credentials. These were not forthcoming, but there were private letters of President Grant, showing that he, despite the refusal of Congress, encouraged the scheme of the Land and Commercial Company. Colonel Steinberger, brought to bay, roused the populace by spreading the report that the English had come to enslave them, take their land, &c. The Consular authorities, headed by the United States Consul, required the deportation of the adventurer, which, as we learn by telegram, has been effected. It is not for me to say how far it is in keeping with the position of the head of a great Republic, when Congress has rejected a scheme to send its author, with official recognition, in a United States man-of-war, and, when unable to supply him with public credentials, to give him a letter of private instruction, which has been shown to residents on the islands. It is evident that the whole difficulty has arisen from this semi-official patronage of a Californian "Ring," whose aim is to get the government of these fertile and populous islands into their own hands.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant, |
| Th 25 May 1876 | The Fighting at Samoa.— The following intelligence has been received at the Admiralty:— "Nominal list of Seamen and Marinese belonging to Her Majesty’s ship Barracouta killed and wounded at Samoa, Navigator's Islands, on the 13th of March, 1876:- William Watson, aged 25, private R.M.L.P., gunshot wound of abdomen, penetrating; died on the afternoon of the 14th from internal intermediary haemorrhage. William Morrison, aged 19, ordinary seaman, gunshot wound of abdomen, penetrating; died half an hour afterwards, William Kelsey, aged 26, private R.M.L.I., gunshot wound of back, penetrating, with injury to the spine. paralysis of the lower extremities, muscular coat of bladder, and sphincter ani; very dangerously; died at 2 n.m. this day (March 20). William James Aldridge, aged 24, private P.M.L.I., gunshot wound of left thigh. with fracture of femur: very dangerously; ball lodged. William Sheppard, aged 24, private R.M.A., gunshot wound of right thigh, perforating without injury to the bone, gunshot wound of left thigh, perforating without injury to the bone, gunshot wound of left buttock, perforating; progressing favourably. William H. Smallridge, aged 24, stoker, gunshot wound of chest, not penetrating; progressing favourably. Henry Parsons, aged 24, private R.M.L.I., gunshot wound of right thigh, perforating without injury to the bone; progressing favourably. John Larkin, aged 22, ordinary seaman, gunshot wound of left thigh, perforating without injury to the bone; progressing favourably. Alexander Beresford, aged 36, private R.M.L.I, gunshot wound of left thigh, perforating without injury to the bone; progressing favourably. Richard Winder, aged 18, ordinary seaman, gunshot wound of calf of right leg, perforating without injury to the bone; progressing favourably. John Costello, aged 21, private R.M.L.I., gunshot wound of right arm, perforating without injury to the bone; progressing favourably.— Samoa, March 20, 1876." |
| Sa 27 May 1876 | We have received letters from Apia, the port of Upolu island, in Samoa, up to the date of the 20th of March. The Samoan or Navigator Islands are a group of nine islands in the Pacific, 400 miles N.E. of Fiji. The soil is rich, and the surface densely wooded. The population is 85,000. According to the American Cyclopaedia 100 white men reside at Apia. Our Correspondent recounts at length events which have now culminated in the death of three British sailors from wounds received in a surprise attack, in the dangerous or severe wounding of seven more, and it is feared also in the murder in cold blood (but this report wants confirmation) of another Englishman, named Creighton, in an island 50 miles away from the original seat of disturbance. The following is an abridgment of the story as our Correspondent tells it:— In the middle of 1873 Colonel A.B. Steinberger arrived in Samoa as United States Commissioner to report on the resources of the group. He took back with him a petition for annexation to the United States, which the American Senate rejected. In spite of the decision of the Senate, Steinberger retained some favour with the Executive, and returned to Samoa on the 1st of April, 1875, in the United States war vessel Tuscarora. With him he brought four pieces of canon and one Gatling gun, which he presented to the natives as a gift from the United States. He also brought ammunition, small arms, a United States steam launch, two United States navy chronometers, and United States navy uniforms, afterwards used to clothe his soldiers. To these he added a letter from President Grant, countersigned by Mr. Hamilton Fish, and addressed to the Samoans, which contained the following among other passages:— 'Being as you are, much nearer to us than any other European nation, on this account alone, it would be naturel, were there no other reasons, that we should take a lively interest in your welfare and In all that concerns you. ... Colonel Steinberger's course during his first mission has so far met my approval, and he seems to have made himself so acceptable to you, that I have authorized him again to visit you for the purpose of informing me of the progress of your affairs since he left you. I pray you, therefore, to receive him kindly and to continue to him the good-will which you showed on the former occasion.' With these recommendations and the moral support of the commander of the Tuscarora (Captain Erbau), Colonel Steinberger procured the acceptance by the natives of a new Constitution, a new flag, and, of himself as irremovable Premier. He entered on his office by the end of May last year. Neither the United States Consul nor his colleagues, the representatives of other countries, had taken part in these proceedings, nor were they invited to take part In them. The Tuscarora left and Steinberger proceeded to promulgate a liquor license law, an internal police law, and a marriage law. He made an inquiry together with a Consular Commission, into some alleged cruelties of Messrs, Godeffroy's overseer, to the labourers on their plantation, and though our Correspondent considers the charges proved, the only result was the imprisonment of the two labourers. Messrs. Godeffroy are a Hamburg firm, and own the largest business in the island. Steinberger had brought with him a schooner, the Peerless, and when a disturbance broke out in the Island of Tutuila he filled this vessel with men and arms and sailed for Tutuila, announcing his intention to shell any village that offered resistance. No opposition was made to his commands, and no punishment was inflicted on any one except one James Sharp, an American negro, who was sentenced by Colonel Steinberger to five years hard labour. Steinberger is charged with having alienated most of the white Inhabitants by his immoralities. On the 12th of December Her Majesty’s sloop Barracouta, 16 guns, came in under Captain Stevens, sent to procure a settlement of some claims of British subjects against the Government of Samoa. Steinberger now removed his guns to an inland fort, and Captain Stevens riding with the British Consul near the fort was stopped by armed men and peremptorily ordered back. On the 17th of December the United States Consul seized the Peerless schooner for a breach of the Neutrality Laws of the United States, in that she was an armed vessel under the American flag without a license. Much ill-feeling was caused by this seizure. The Peerless was indeed owned by Steinberger, and mortgaged to Ford, an American subject. But it was understood that the natives were to pay off the mortgage when it became due, and they looked upon the Peerless as their own. The seizure could not have been carried out had not the British sloop Barracouta been present."On the 19th of December the '‘Marshal of the Kingdom,' an American liquor-shopkeeper, appointed by Steinberger to the command of the police, tore down the proclamations issued by Captain Stevens to deny a rumour which had been industriously spread to the effect that he was about to annex the islands. Captain Stevens rejected a petition from native Chiefs, who asked him to depose Steinberger. His efforts to procure a trial of the British claims which he had arrived to support were frustrated by frivolous delays. On the 27th and 29th of December interviews were held between the King and the representatives of foreign nations, at which the falsity of Steinberger’s pretences to be Special Commissioner for the United States was exposed, In the course of the interviews Steinberger said the Peerless was his own property, and Captain Stevens read, in reply, a letter in which Steinberger informed him that she had been presented to the King. The King, however, in a written address, said he desired to keep his Premier. Captain Stevens then declared that no British subject could be held amenable to laws made by Steinberger. A proclamation to that effect, but extending to the subjects of other foreign Powers, was issued on the 14th of January. 1876, by the Consuls of Great Britain, the United States, and of Germany, with the approval of a public meeting called for the purpose. Fifty-one foreigners, being the majority of the white inhabitants, had previously (on the 28th of December) petitioned Captain Stevens for the removal of Steinberger. A counter-proclamation from the Samoan Government claimed the continued obedience of Europeans. The United States and British Consuls, with Captain Stevens, answered this proclamation by another (Jan. 27), in which the German Consul did not john. He excused himself on the ground of business relations, and of its being unnecessary to make any rejoinder to the absurdities of the Samoan Government. The American negro and the two labourers imprisoned by Steinberger had by this time escaped from captivity. "Steinberger still had a majority among the governing classes. In spite of the course taken by the United States Consul, they still believed he had the support of America. He chartered the schooner Levuka, which sailed on the 24th of January, ostensibly to carry the Samoans' letters to the United States Government, asking for the support which they thought that Government had promised. It is believed, however, that all the despatches she really carried were to Steinberger's supporters in America, giving the word to stir up feeling against alleged British intervention. Mr. Platt, Steinberger's friend, sailed with her. "A fortnight after this an important series of events began. On the 7th of February the cannon and ammunition were returned by the natives from the fort to Mulininu Point. On the same day the King wrote to the United States Consul, saying he was convinced that Steinberger was a 'liar and an impostor' and that he had determined to remove him from office and from the group of islands; that Steinberger had been the cause of all their troubles, of the insults to the Consuls, &c. Unwilling to interfere with an American citizen except through the American Consul, he asked for the Consul's assistance. The King and the Consul having applied to our Consul, Mr. Williams, and to Captain Stevens, Captain Stevens and the two Consuls, with a number of marines and sailors, proceeded to the seat of Government. Here, upon the 6th of February last, they met the King, his Premier, and the Upper and the Lower House. The King then read his Premier’s dismissal and the correspondence with the Consuls. Colonel Steinberger was arrested, marched to the tent, and taken aboard the Barracouta, there to be kept in custody until the United States Consul could find means to deport him from the group. The same night, at 11 p.m.. the King himself suffered at other hands the fate of his Minister, and was seized and carried under a guard to the island of Savai'i, 30 or 50 miles distant. This was done, according to our Correspondent, by the influence of the office-holders under the late Government and the advice of Mr. J.M. Coe, an American, a bitter enemy of Steinberger's till December, 1875, but after that time his firmest friend. The King was compelled to sign a document abdicating the throne, but he contrived to send a messenger to Captain Stevens, and on the 11th of February the Barracouta left for Savai'i, and brought away the King without any trouble. He landed on the 15th of February, with a royal salute from the Barracouta, but did not venture to Mulininu the seat of government. He stayed in Apia with a high Chief, who, under an abolished Constitution, was joint King with him. Four marines were left with him as a guard. "The next troubles which fell upon the island came from the religious difficulty. The Roman Catholic party were anxious to take advantage of the deposition of the King to procure the appointment of a King of their own faith, who by his family was acceptable to a large number of Protestants. War between the two parties was, however, averted. On the 27th of February, Waters, the secretary of Steinberger, and Latrobe, the commander of a meeting of the representatives of all Samoa to listen to his justification of his conduct in removing his Premier (Steinberger), and that the Chiefs had agreed to receive him. On arrival at the public square there was no appearance of members of either the Upper or the Lower House, nor of any preparations to receive the King. Captain Stevens and the Consuls remained outside the House of Assembly with their guard, whose arms were piled, while the King sent messages to the Chiefs announcing his arrival. After about ten minutes a number of armed natives were seen moving about and crossing the road by which we had come from Apia, thus evidently intending to attack the whites at once and to cut off their retreat. A small party of marines, under the command of Lieutenant A. M’Leod, proceeded towards some of them (a distance of 100 yards) to ascertain their intentions, which from their threatening demeanour seemed serious. In a few moments afterwards, and while the armed men were being remonstrated with on their aggressive manner, and the arms of one or two of the most demonstrative had been laid hold of by the Marines, a shot was fired by one of the natives. which was immediately followed by a volley from 30 to 50 men wounding two or three of the Marines. The guard not having their arms loaded when this treacherous attack was made were placed at a great disadvantage, but in a very short time returned the natives' fire in self defence. A very hot engagement then followed, lasting for about 15 minutes, in which, owing to the character of the ground, the dense thicket of bananas and undergrowth, and the number of small houses interspersed, affording good cover, the Guard suffered severely, no less than 11 men being wounded — seven Marines and four sailors, one of whom died in an hour. The number killed and wounded on the native side it is impossible to ascertain, it being variously stated at from 15 to 35. It is known positively, however, that nine natives at least were shot dead, and it is estimated that the total numbers are 12 to 15 killed and an equal number wounded. During the engagement the boats were attacked and some bullets sent into them, one sailor being wounded in the boat in which were the British and American Consuls. During the affair the cannon on Mulinlnu were spiked by Captain Stevens' orders, to prevent the natives using them. "There were taken from the natives 50 rifles, several of them breech-loaders, suppled by Steinberger, the attacking party being largely composed of the soldiers trained by Steinberger and 'Major' Latrobe. These soldiers, it is now believed, were the instigators of the whole affair, it being known that at the time the attack occurred the Taimua and Faipule (members of the Upper and Lower House) were preparing to come to the House to meet the King. Throughout the whole affair the officers and men showed great courage and steadiness, and exhibited the greatest forbearance towards the natives, not firing on those who laid down their arms even when they were taken in the very act of attack. Had they been so minded they might have slaughtered 50 or 60. Numbers waited until the troops were close to them, then fired, and instantly throw down their rifles and surrendered. These people were allowed to escape. The end of the affair was that the armed natives, of whom there were from 200 to 300, were driven off the Poin, with the exception of those who laid down their arms. The captain then demanded a meeting of the Chiefs, and, after representing to them that his men had been treacherously made the object of an unprovoked attack, asked for a guarantee that the attack should not be repeated. Three hostages were given to him. About noon Captain Stevens and the Consuls left, accompanied to the British Consulate by a number of influential Chiefs, who disavowed their participation in the attack. "Special constables were called out, the magazine was seized at the King's request, and the ammunition it contained destroyed. A notice signed by the three Consuls was issued prohibiting the sale of fire-arms or ammunition. Preparations to resist an attack were immediately made at the Consulates; field-pieces were landed and placed in position, barricades were formed, trenches dug, and timber cleared away. Rumours continually reached town that an attack was to be made, but the night passed away quietly. On the next day (March 14) Mr. J.M. Coe was brought to trial, as before detailed. "On the night of the 18th March all English and American residents were called together by their Consuls to hear a statement of the position of affairs, and were asked whether in their opinion Captain Stevens's conduct in remaining ashore with his men to protect the Consulate was likely to put in jeopardy the safety of the White residents by provoking a collision with the Natives. On the 20th a memorial signed by a number of White residents was presented to Captain Stevens, expressing their sympathy with him in the loss of his men at Mulininu on the 13th, and stating their conviction that to the procedure of Mr. Steinberger In Samoa and that of his friends since his arrest must be traced the origin and cause of that affair. The memorial commended the conduct of Captain Stevens’s officers and men, and thanked him for the manner in which he had endeavoured to insure the proper protection and recognition of British interests. "On the afternoon of the 20th a letter was sent to Captain Stevens from a Committee appointed by the foreign residents on the 18th, in which they stated that they endorsed Captain Stevens' acts, and appreciated his exertions for their benefit. They prayed that he would continue to guard the Consulates, as they considered that, so far from provoking or irritating the Natives. the moral effect of a body of armed men ashore was absolutely necessary to prevent the possibility of an attack on the Whites." Out correspondence closes with the 20th of March. The last letter left on that day in the German bark Etienne, chartered by Captain Stevens for Fiji, with the sick and wounded. From the 13th large bodies of armed natives had been known to be moving in different directions, and there were repeated rumours of an assault being intended on the town. The more prudent chiefs were trying to prevent bloodshed, but on the 20th came a report that an Englishman named Creighton, residing on the island of Savai'i, 50 miles from Apia, had been murdered by the natives in revenge for the death of their friends at Mulininu. |
| Sa 8 July 1876 | This article is from the Melbourne Argus (via Trove THE SAMOAN DIFFICULTY. Colonel A. B. Steinberger, the late Premier of Samoa, whose name has become well known through the recent disturbances in those islands which resulted in his arrest and deportation, and in a collision attended with loss of life between the natives and the crew of H.M.S. Barracouta, is at present a visitor in Melbourne. He arrived a few days ago from New Zealand, and is now staying at Menzies' Hotel. He purposes leaving by the uitgoíng mail steamer for London, where he intends to bring the proceedings of Captain Stevens, commander of the Barracouta, under the notice of the British Government, and also to claim redress for the alleged injuries he had suffered. He has furnished as with the following account of the matter: -in 1873 was sent out by the United States Government as special commissioner to Samoa, in order to report upon the character of the islands, their extent, population, resources, &c., and, in fact, to obtain all the information possible, in the interests of the United States Government. I was accompanied in my journey round the islands by the Rev. George Brown, a Wesleyan missionary - a very able man - who was extremely beloved by the natives. I visited every island, every village, and saw almost every chief, and acquired some knowledge of the language. My principal interpreter was Mr. Williams, the English consul, a most excellent gentleman, since dead. With his assistance I created a Government on a settled basis, removed the people from their chaotic state of existence, and put a stop to a great extent, to the internecine war which hitherto had raged with more or less violence among the natives. The Taimua and Faipule, the two Houses of Legislature - the Upper and Lower Chambers - were established. The natives sent a petition to the United States Government, asking that their protection should be extended to the islands; and the white residents, who number somewhere about 200, subscribed a document of a similar character, My proceedings, even at this time, were looked upon with a hostile eye by the missionaries of the London Missionary Society resident there, who, having long held possession of the islands, viewed with jealousy any intrusion upon what they considered their domains. Between the missionaries of this society and the missionaries of the Wesleyan and Roman Catholic denominations there existed a very strong feeling of jealous rivalry. Another matter which led to hostility against me was my discovery of the unjustifiable proceedings of the Polynesia Land Company, a company started in San Francisco under the auspices of Mr. W.H. Webb, and intended to be worked in conjunction with the mail line. The land company was to secure a depôt at Samoa, which it was presumed would be made a port of call for the mail steamers, and it was also thought that a naval depôt and coaling station would be established at the harbour of Pago Pago by the United States Government. I discovered that this company had acquired land from the natives in a most improper manner, obtain-ing possession of large areas, and giving in payment only a few promises and other valueless articles. After spending eight months on these islands, I returned to the United States, and furnished my report to the Secretary of State, who transmitted it to the President and to Congress, In this report I referred in strong terms to the proceedings of the Polynesia Land Company, and my report reaching the islands before I returned there, naturally caused great hostility against me on the part of all those concerned, amongst whom were nearly all the Americans on the islands, including Mr. S.S. Foster, the United States Consul, who was the agent of the company, and who, indeed, was appointed consul through its influence. In February, 1875, I returned to Samoa, accredited as special commissioner for the United States, with sealed instructions from the Secretary of State, and with a sealed letter from the President of the United States (and an open copy for myself), addressed to the native chiefs. I left the United States in the U.S. flag-ship Pensacola, Rear-Admiral John J. Army. On board there were the King of Hawaii and his suite, who were returning from a visit to the States. I was afterwards transferred to the Tuscarora, which was placed in commission to convey me to the islands. I took with me a number of presents from the United States Government to the Samoan chiefs. On arriving at Apia I was received with a salute of 17 guns, and met with a warm welcome. Acting under the instructions of the Secretary of State, a court was held on board the Tuscarora to adjudicate on the claims of Americans against the native population. The court, which was comprised of officers of the vessel, Mr. Andradi, chief engineer, presiding, sat for three weeks. The claims presented amounted to over 26,000dol., but many of them were of the most outrageous and unjust character, and I used all my influence on behalf of the natives. The court only awarded 4,000dol. Thus again I earned the hostility of the whites, who arrayed themselves so strongly against me, aided by the American consul, that Captain Erben, commander of the Tuscarora, was compelled to send an earnest protest to the consul on the subject. The President's letter was read to the chiefs at a large meeting of the natives, held at Mulinuu, the capital, where the natives had assembled from all parts of the islands to the number of about 10,000, and the presents were then distributed. The natives marched in procession, with banners and streamers flying, presenting a spectacle which was admitted by many who had visited foreign countries to surpass all they had ever seen. Upon inquiry I found as on my first visit that the natives had been plundered to a great extent, and I strongly advised them against parting with their land. I addressed the natives on the occasion of this meeting, and told them that the object the United States had in view was neither annexation nor the extension of a protectorate over the islands, but simply the cultivation of friendly relations. At that time there were two kings in Samoa, and the natives were anxious that there should be only one king, and were about to proceed to the election. The missionaries of the London Missionary Society entreated me to throw the weight of my influence in favour of the younger Malietoa, which I did, and the result was his election as king, I then drew up a constitution. After the departure of the Tuscarora the entire native population, and the better class of the whites, insisted upon my accepting the position of Premier. I did so, and forwarded to Washington my resignation as an officer of the United States Government, which I may say the Secretary of State has never yet accepted. I received no pay for the position of Premier, nor did my three clerks, but my Chief Secretary, Mr. William Williams, a brother of the English consul, was paid by me. The U.S. Government had provided me with a steam tug, nautical instruments, medicines, and hospital stores, to be used as I deemed prudent in the islands. Any natives suffering from illness who came to me I supplied with medicine gratuitously, a proceeding which did not meet with the approval of Dr. Turner, one of the missionaries of the London Society, who remonstrated with me for giving the medicine to the natives without charge, saying they were an ungrateful lot, and that I should get on much better by charging them for everything. Another thing that provoked hostility and bitterness on the part of Dr. Turner was the fact that Monsignor Elloy, Roman Catholic bishop, was invited with other missioners to the meetings of council. The yacht Peerless was my private property. She was armed only with a bronze howitzer, which was placed on board by Captain Erben. She never left the Islands but once, and then only to convey Mr. Foster, the consul, and his family, on a visit to Tonga. I allowed the use of her to officers of the Government on their journeys from island to inland, and missionaries and teachers were allowed free passages. The natives, in fact, came to look upon the vessel as their own property, and when she was seized, they said. "Our road is gone," meaning their means of travelling from one island to another had gone. In attempting to solidify the Government, I divided the island into eight districts, appointing a governor, secretary, and treasurer to each. A common-school system of education was established, and I used all my influence to put on end to the internecine wars which had before prevailed. Taxation there was none except a small capitation fee of one dollar, and the revenue required to support the Government was derived principally from the land. Disputes between the natives were settled by judges, and when appeal was made to me I would endeavour to settle the matter through the agency of the judges, in order to educate the natives up to the system. H.M.S. Barracouta arrived at Samoa on December 12. Captain Stevens went down to Malua, 12 miles below the port of Apia, to wait the representatives of the London Missionary Society. Immediately on the arrival of the Barracouta I sent Major Latrobe, my aide-de-camp, in a boat carrying the Samoan flag, to offer to the captain and officers our hospitality, and to ask that salutes might be interchanged. He was not well received by Captain Stevens, and all our overtures were treated with absolute contempt. I found that there was an attempt on the part of Dr. Turner and other missionaries to induce the natives to believe that I was acting without authority from the United States, and that it was the intention of England to take possession of the islands; also, that the Barracouta had come down there about the matter, and that a bigger war ship from Fiji was soon to arrive. Dr. Turner and the American consul who I may mention had a personal hostility against me because I refused to deport a man named Edwards, with whom he had had a street brawl, and who had been acquitted by a jury on the charge of assaulting him - appeared to be quite en rapport, and they endeavoured to induce Captain Stevens to seize the Peerless, and to arrest me. Captain Stevens fell into the snare, and on the 17th December the Peerless, which at the time had only two men and a cook on board, was seized. I sent a protest to Captain Stevens respecting the matter, pointing out that the vessel was private property, and asking why, if the American consul had any grounds of complaint, he had not made them to the commander of the Tuscarora when that vessel had been in harbour. Notwithstanding my protest Captain Stevens towed the vessel alongside the Barracouta, took out the foremast, and unshipped the rudder, and sold the vessel at private sale at midnight to Captain M'Kenzie, giving his written guarantee for title. Immediately afterwards, Captain Stevens wrote to the King inviting him to lunch on board his ship. I advised the King to go, but to go in his own barge, under his own standard, and I drew out an acceptance to the invitation. The seizure of the Peerless, however, had created a great disturbance among the natives, and the Government, meeting without consulting me, determined not to allow the King to go on board the Barracouta, as they were alarmed for his safety. I expostulated with them, but without avail. Captain Stevens then desired to have an interview with the Government and the two Houses, which was agreed to, but he sent stating that he would come with an armed escort. This was regarded by the natives as an insult, as the officers of the Tuscarora had gone among them unarmed. The natives said, "We will have an armed escort for the King also." Being desirous of avoiding a collision, I said "No," and I immediately sent all the armed guards to a fort in the interior, under Major Latrobe, with orders that no man was to leave the fort. I felt at that time that I was doomed, but I was determined to prevent the loss of life, if possible. The natives becoming alarmed for my safety, endeavoured to carry me away into the interior, but I would not go. Captain Stevens had the interview with the Houses, as he desired, and nearly the whole of his talk was about my protest against the seizure of the Peerless. He declared that he had nothing to do with the seizure, for which the American consul was responsible, and he denounced me as an unprincipled adventurer, who had come there to enslave the people. He made use of many contemptuous and opprobrious epithets against the President of the United States and against the commander of the Tuscarora. His speech was taken down by a stenographer, and forwarded to Washington. The meeting lasted three days, and Captain Stevens left in an angry passion, demanding that they should get rid of me, and wrote an insulting letter to the Government, saying that if they wanted to speak to him further they would have to go to the British consulate. On the 8th February I was seized by an armed force from the Barracouta, consisting of marines and blue jackets. Captain Stevens read a paper purporting to be signed by the King, who had been induced to go on board the Barracouta, and had there been prevailed upon to sign some paper authorising my removal. He arrested me, and placed me in the hands of the first lieutenant, Mr. M'Leod. Fearing a disturbance with the natives I said to Mr. M'Leod that it would be better to leave for the Barracouta at once. The news of my arrest caused a commotion among the chiefs, who deposed the King, and determined to banish him, They imprisoned him for a few days, and then banished him. The King made a confession respecting the manner in which he had been induced to sign the document, and this was forwarded by the Government to the United States. I am not personally aware of what took place after my arrest, as I was not permitted to communicate with any of my friends. An order was given by Captain Stevens to shoot me if I made any attempt to escape. By the officers of the Barracouta, other than the captain, I was treated with every possible kindness. I was brought to Fiji, and there forcibly landed, notwithstanding my protest. I afterwards went to Auckland, and there I fitted out a vessel, in which I sent a special agent to Samoa, with letters to the governors and chiefs, urging them to have no bad feeling against the King or against the white residents, but to draw up a protest against the high-handed proceedings of Captain Stevens, and to forward the same to the British Government, claiming redress for the injuries inflicted on them, and also to ask the sympathy and assistance of the German and United States Governments. It is my intention to proceed to England by the outgoing mail, and there to lay my case before the American ambassador, Judge Pierpoint. A narrative of the proceedings which took place after the arrest of Colonel Steinberger is furnished by Mr. J.M. Coe, who was also arrested at a later date, and conveyed to Fiji. Mr. Coe states that after the arrest of Colonel Steinberger, a council was held to determine the course to pursue. The King, Malietoa, was present, and a strict inquiry was entered into why the Premier had been arrested, and who had been the cause. The King confessed that he had been on board the man-of-war the night before, and that Captain Stevens and Dr. George A. Turner had persuaded him to write a letter to the United States consul to remove the Premier. Both Houses were very indignant, and immediately ordered the arrest of the King, who was dethroned. All was done in the course of half an hour, Malietoa being a prisoner actually before Colonel Steinberger had reached the Barracouta, It was determined to deport Malietoa from the island of Upolu to the island of Savaii, as he had proved himself a traitor to the Government, and on the night of the 8th February he was sent to Savaii. The Taimua notified their action to Captain Stevens and the consuls, and Captain Stevens wrote to them, stating they had acted unwisely and done very wrong. The Barracouta steamed to Savaii on February 11, to bring back the King, and on the evening of the following day returned to Apia with the King, who remained on board for three days, and was then landed and placed in a house in front of Dr. Turner's, and was guarded by four marines. Malietoa told Captain Stevens he was afraid to go on shore, as his people would shoot him and cut his head off. Malietoa remained in that house for 13 days, guarded by the marines, Captain Stevens during the time endeavouring to induce the Taimua to reinstate the King, The Samoans refused, and asked that their Premier should be restored to them: but Captain Stevens said that Steinberger would not be permitted to put his foot on shore again in Samoa, and that Malietoa should be reinstated before the Barracouta left the islands, Mr. Coe was arrested, and sent on board the Barracouta on the charge of creating civil strife and obstructing the proceedings of the foreign representatives. Finding the attempts to reinstate Malietoa on the throne were unsuccessful, Captain Stevens and the consuls determined to make a bold effort to re-enthroned the ex-King by landing 170 men, together with the officers of the Barracouta, all armed. Concerning the affray which ensued Mr. Coe gives the following account:- "On the 13th of March Captain Stevens and his officers, accompanied by the British and American consuls and ex-King Malietoa, Dr. Geo. A Turner, and armed force, marched to the Government premises at Mulinuu, On reaching there it was found that the Taimua and Faipule had assembled, and were prepared to receive them. Seats were offered to the captain and consuls, Malietoa, and Dr. Turner inside the house, and the officers, with the men, remained outside. The Taimua and Faipule, representing the Government of Samoa, had taken the precaution of having all their soldiers called in from the camp of instruction, two miles in the interior, to be prepared for any emergency, as it had been rumoured that Captain Stevens intended to burn their houses at Mulinuu if they refused to receive Malietoa. Captain Stevens when sitting in the Government-house perceived in the huts on the opposite side of the road that Samoan soldiers were there with their guns, and issued orders to the first lieutenant to proceed to those huts end disarm all the Samoans he saw with guns. Mr. M'Leod, first lieutenant, obeyed orders, and went with a file of blue jackets to disarm the Samoans, The first man he came across in the hut was a chief of inferior rank. Mr. M'Leod demanded his gun, which the chief declined to surrender. Mr. M'Leod then laid hold of the gun and attempted to force it away from him, but the Samoan was too strong for him, and soon regained possession. By this time the Samoan was on his feet and exchanging words with Mr. M'Leod. The report of a rifle was soon heard, and in an instant the native chief lay a corpse in the hut. A bullet from the Snider rifle of a blue jacket outside of the hut had pierced his heart, and killed him instantly, The Samoans soon mustered, and formed in line of battle, the Barracouta's men doing the same. Firing was kept upon both sides for 10 to 15 minutes, when the Samoans retreated behind cocoanut and bread fruit trees, and fired occasional shots from there, the Barracouta following their example. The skirmish lasted in all half an hour, when a flag of truce (a white flag) was sent by the Samoans to where the representatives of the Government were assembled, with Captain Stevens, the consuls, Malietoa, and Dr. Turner. Captain Stevens demanded that they should surrender their arms, and 56 guns, with cartridge boxes, were surrendered. A short speech was made by one of the Taimua, stating that it was not the desire of the Samoans to fight, or have any trouble with the man-of-war of the white people, but when it was forced upon them they had to fight; all they wanted was to he left to themselves, and not be interfered with. In the affray, the Barracouta lost three men, killed, and eight seriously wounded. The loss of the Samoans was three killed, and five slightly wounded. Captain Stevens afterwards arrested three of the representatives, and took them on board the Barracouta as prisoners. On March 15, 40 blue jackets were landed, and earthworks were thrown up around the British Consulate; but after guarding the place for 14 days, no attack occurring, or being longer feared, the men were withdrawn. On March 29, the Sapphire arrived, bearing orders to Captain Stevens from Commodore Hoskins to proceed to Auckland. The Samoan prisoners were transferred to the Sapphire, and the Barracouta proceeded to Auckland via Fiji. At Levuka Captain Stevens was informed by the officials of the Colonial Government that he could not keep Messrs. Steinberger and Coe as prisoners on board his ship in British waters, and on the 5th April be landed them on a strange shore, and destitute. After the arrest and imprisonment of Colonel Steinberger, his personal property, private papers, Samoan Government archives, and property were seized by Mr. Foster, the United States Consul, and sold at public auction, and the private property of Mr. Coe was also seized. The steam launch taken to Samoa by the Tuscarora, and presented by the United States Government to the Samoan Government, was seized by Mr. Foster and sold for 1,000dol. Mr. Coe, after being released at Fiji, proceeded at once to the United States to lay the case before the Washington Government. It appears that he has been appointed American Consul at Samoa, in place of Mr. Foster, as the Missouri Republican. a St. Louis paper, of May 11, under date from San Francisco of May 5, states:- "Despatches have been received here from Washington, displacing Foster, American Consul at Samoa, and appointing in his place James M. Coe, who arrived here to-day, by the steamer Zealandia, from Fiji." The above account, it must he remembered, in the ex parte statement of Colonel Steinberger and Mr. Coe. The weekly Alta California states that Mr. Fish, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, "with his usual lack of American spirit, has been pleased to deny Colonel Steinberger’s citizenship, bat produces no proofs.” |
| Th 17 August 1876 | SAMOA. APIA, April 5. My last letter, which was dated Match 20, mentioned that the Etienne bark had been chartered by Captain Stevens to convey the men wounded at the attack at Mulinuu on March 13 to Fiji. On Match 21 she sailed, taking with her eight wounded seamen and marines under the care of Dr. Scanlao. At this time reports reached town that the natives intended to attack the British Consulate, which was guarded by a force of special constables and by seamen and guns from Her Majesty's ship Barracouta. It was said that they wished to seize the British and American Consuls and some of the officers and men of the Barracouta as hostages in place of the hostages that Captain Stevens had on board the vessel. Monseigneur Ellos, the Bishop of the French Catholic Mission, visited the remainder of the Taimua and Faipule (upper and lower house) at Jainso, to which place they had retreated on the 13th inst., and used his influence to cause a peaceful settlement of affairs. In consequence of this a deputation of Chiefs waited on Captain Stevens and Mr. Williams on the 22d of March at 10 a.m. to arrange for a meeting of the Taimua and Faipule with the Consuls. This being agreed upon, at 2 p.m. on the 22d, the Taimua and Faipule, and several other Chiefs, Governors, and Judges, bringing with them the Bishop as interpreter, met at the British Consulate Captain Stevens and the British, American, and German Consuls, and a few white residents. Dr. G.A. Turner, of the London Missionary Society, was present as Captain Stevens's interpreter.The chiefs expressed their wish for peace, and said they would not any longer deceive the Representatives of Foreign Powers. They requested that the guns and men might be removed from the Consulate. Captain Stevens replied that he was glad they wished for peace, and told them that he had only protected Malietoa (the late King) from personal harm at his own request, and that as far as he or the Consuls were concerned, the Samoans were at liberty to appoint any one they pleased to be King. He also said that they had been deceived if any one had told them that his protection of Malietoa meant anything more than the preservation of that chief from bodily harm. He and the Consuls would consult on the question of the removal of the guns and men, and give them an answer the next day. On the next day (the 23d) they met again, and Captain Stevens read the answer of himself and the Consuls to the request that the guns and men should be removed from the Consulate. On condition that all armed strangers should be at once sent to their districts, and that the Governors of the districts should write to Captain Stevens to say that all people belonging to them had returned home, the men and guns would be removed. Tho Chiefs promised compliance with these conditions, and asked that no protection should in future be granted to any Samoan except through them. Captain Stevens reiterated his assurances of the previous day, and asked the Chiefs what they intended to do with Malietoa, who was now in their hands, having been taken from under Captain Stevens's protection some days before by his friends. They said they would consider the matter and reply on the 24th inst. On the 24th the Chiefs wrote saying that they would send Malietoa and his friendly Chiefs who were with him back to their homes in peace, also that the armed men were dispersing to their homes. On this day there were issued two proclamations, signed by the British, United States, and German Consuls, one forbidding the carrying or discharge of firearms by any person, and the other prohibiting the sale of liquor to any person other than Europeans or Americans. On this day also a British subject, Samuel Dean, a storekeeper, who had refused when summoned by his Consul to act as a special constable, and had disputed the Consul's authority on the matter, was fined £5 and compelled to act. On the 25th of March Malietoa and the Chiefs with him were taken peaceably away by one of the Judges (Lentele) to be returned to their homes. The armed men are rapidly dispersing to their homes in the different districts. On the 27th of March, at 6 a.m., the guns and men were removed from the British Consulate and taken on board the Barracouta, it being considered that no immediate danger to white residents is now to be apprehended. The special constables also discontinued duty on this day, having been on duty since March 13. On the 29th of March, Her Britannic Majesty's ship Sapphire, 1,800 tons, 14 guns, Captain E. Murray, arrived from Syduey, viâ Fiji. She brought instructions to Captain Stevens to repair at once to Auckland to meet the Commodore and the assembled Squadron there. The Barracouta accordingly left this port on March 30 for Auckland, viâ Fiji, taking Messrs. A.B. Steinberger and J.M. Coe. A large meeting was held on March 20 at Leulumoega, 20 miles from this place, at which it was determined to reinstate Malietoa as King, and to deprive the Taimua and Faipule who oppose him of office. On the 31st of March the Taimua and Faipule were notified of the result of this meeting. The Sapphire lies here to protect the interests of the White residents until the arrival of the Commodore, who is expected in about six weeks. The three hostages and the two labourers, Joe and Vaneveti, were transhipped to her from the Barracouta. Everything remains quiet at present, and nothing it is thought will be done until the Commodore's arrival. |
See also: 'The Adventures of an American Premier in Samoa, 1874-1876' by J.W. Ellison; The Pacific Northwest Quarterly, October 1936, Vol. 27, No. 4 (October 1936), pages 311-346
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