WAR ON SAVAII.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 1, 1 March 1845, Page 4

WAR ON SAVAII.

It is with deep and unfeigned regret, that we have to record facts of a painful nature. After nearly 14 years slumber the demon of war has again been aroused. The Faasaleleaga, and the Falelua, are two contiguous districts, on the Island of Savaii, which have been at variance for the last 18 months. The cause is said to have been some bad language used by some of the Falelua people, highly disrespectful to the people of Safotulafai, (the leading land in the Faasaleleaga district,) at which they were so greatly incensed that they could not be appeased. Against every remonstrance from the missionaries, and the well disposed portion of the population of the island, in November 1843 Safotulafai declared war. The Falelua, seeing that war was inevitable, consulted their missionary, whose advice to them was, not to fight but to run; as most consistent with the Gospel which he preached, and their own safety, which lay near to his heart. Accordingly on the 15th December they deserted their lands to the mercy of the invaders. On the 27th of the same month, the Faasaleleaga forces entered the Falelua, and commenced the work of destruction, by killing pigs, cutting down fruit trees, destroying plantations, burning houses, and dragging the very dead from their graves to be exposed to such indignities as are revolting to the feelings of enlightened humanity : such a display of heathenish rage has not been known in Samoa since the days of the Aana war in 1830.

Having spent their anger, in laying waste the land, the Faasaleleaga decided not to pursue the objects of their wrath, and returned from the scene of desolation. The Falelua in the mean time went to the n. w. side of the island, where, burning with revenge, they made every effort to get up a party to assist them in revenging their injuries. It may be mentioned, that the teachers, Church members, and candidates, accompanied them while thy ran from the war, but, when they sought the means of revenge, they nobly declared that they could not accompany them in that: they remained on the s. w. side of the island in the district under the charge of Mr Chisholm, whose testimony to their becoming deportment is highly creditable to their characters as professors of religion. After a long and fruitless effort to get up a war, the Falelua returned quietly to their lands in the month of October 1844, and commenced building their houses, and planting their taro patches. We visited them in January, when we were highly delighted to see how well they were getting on in restoring three villages to that neatness and order which generally characterize the Samoan settlements. In returning from our visit, we were cheered by the hope of again prosecuting our work among them in peace. But alas! it was to be otherwise, for on the afternoon of Monday 27th January, a battle was fought, in which there was one man killed and several wounded. While Palauli, (the two lands Satupaitea and Palauli constitute the Falelha ditrict,) were fishing, a small armed party from Salelologa (a land of the Faasleleaga,) entered Palauli, it is said with no intention to fight. Palauli immediately left their fishing, and took to arms : hence the fatal collision.

On Tuesday 28th January, a strong force entered Palauli. Things were now wearing the wildest aspect. The interference of Manono was requested, an island of great influence among the Samoans from time immemorial ; accordinly a party from Manono crossed over to Satupaitea in order to reconcile the parties at variance, but they were not listened to, Safotulafai were bent upon fighting. Palauli fled into the bush, leaving their aged and infirm in Satupaitea, which took no part in this affair, under the protection of the Manono party. The Faasaleleaga pursued and overtook them early in the mornig of the 30th January, when a battle took place which lasted some hours. Palauli being overpowered by numbers, broke up and retreated in great confusion, to wander in the bush, in dreadful anxiety both for their own safety and that of their families, whom they left at Satupaitea. Had it not been for Manono, great cruelties might have been committed on that day. Seven on the side of Palauli, and two on that of Faasaleleaga were killed, and a considerable number on both sides were wounded. Palauli is again a desolate land. On Tuesday 25th Febuary, the Faasaleleaga held a meeting to which Manono was invited, and went accordingly, when it was decided that Palauli be permitted to return to their lands. It is to be hoped they will return and take possession of their lands in peace. Some of them at present remain in a hostile position, but in the approaching moon, Manono is to take back their Chief and endeavour to induce them quietly to settle down in peace, as Safotulafai is now pledged not to renew the war.

While such a state of things is deeply to be deplored. The missionary cannot but derive consolation from the fact that there are not a few, who, from their avowed attachment to the Gospel of Christ have made a noble stand against such wickedness. May God in his mercy hasten the day when all shall become the willing subjects of the “ Prince of peace.” Feb. 1845. A. MACDONALD.