The United States Government and Colonel Steinberger.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1972, 5 June 1876, Page 2

The United States Government and Colonel Steinberger.

In telegrams received by the San Fraiacisco mail it was stated that in Congress Hamilton Pish, on behalf of the American Government, had repudiated Colonel Steinberger, and had stated that an intimation to that effect had been forwarded to the American Consul in Samoa. By the Martha, from Tonga yesterday, we learn that the dipmtches evidently referredto by Mr Hamilton Fish were received in the island on the 26tb of April, subsequent to the event 3 which resulted in the Colonel's expulsion from Samoa. These documents place beyond question the fact that Steinberger held no official appointment from the Washington Government, and as they embody a resume of the whole case, which has attracted much interest here, we republish. them :— No. 18. " Deportment of State. "Washington, January 12. 1876. "Samuel S. Foster, Esq., " Consul of the United States, " Apia. " Sir, —I have to acknowledge the receipt , of your despatch. No. 30, of the 3rd of October last. 16 relates to the status of Colonel A. B. Steinberger in Samoa, and the request of certain missionaries to be informed whether Colonel Steinberger is authorised by the United States to form a government in Samoa, and whether he will be retained in power in the Islands by force. In reply, I have to inform you that Colonel Steinberger first went to the Samoan Islands in 1873 in the capacity of Special Agent of the United Stated Government to make observations, and report npon the character and conditions of the Islands and their inhabitants. After some months spent on the Islands he returned to this country and made hi 3 report. In December, 1574, he was directed to proceed again to the Islands in the capacity of Special Agent, for the purpose of presenting a letter from the President, and a number of presents from the government to the Taimua of Samoa. He has fulfilled his mismon, made his report, end tendered his resignation as Special Agent, which has been accepted, and any official or semi-official connection be may have had with tbis government is terminated. His first visit to the Islands was merely for the purpose of observing and reporting upon their condition ; his second visit was to fulfil certain duties in regard to which he was specially instructed, and which have been fulfilled. On neither occasion did his visit have any diplomatic or political signification whatever. Colonel Steinberger was not authorised or empowered by the United States to form a government in Samoa, or to pledge the United States to sustain in any way, direptly or indirectly, any government that he might form or assist in forming. The United Skates Consul is the only representive of the United States in the Samoan Islands, and you will so inform the missionaries and others interested.

" Your obedient Servant,

" J. A. Campbell, " Third Assistant Secretary." "We hereby certify that the above and foregoingis a trueand correcfccopy of despatch, received at the United State 3 Consulate, Apia, on the twenty-sixth day of April, 1876. "S. F. "Williams, "H.B.M. Acting Consul. " Th. Weber, " Imperial German Consul." No. 19 " Department of State, "Washington, January ISish, 1876. " Samuel S. Foster Esq. " Consul of the United States. "Apia. "Sir,—ln reply to your despatch No. 28 of tho 3rd of October last, in regard to the action of Colonel Steinberger in remitting the fine imposed by you on the cook of the schooner Peerless for an assault on the mate of that vessel, I have to inform you that you are hereby instructed to remonstrate with the Government of Samoa, in the narno of the United States Government for the unwarrantable action of Colonel Steinberger in interfering with your official duties. " Your obedient servant, J. A. Campbell, "Third Assistant Secretary. "We hereby certify that the above and forepoins is a true and correct copy. "S. W. Williams, " H.B.M. Acting Consul. Th. Weber, " Imperial German Consul."