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Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 1, 6 October 1877, Page 2

WHAT was it that'cw.«l the inhabitants of America to object, to bear the yoke of the mother-country any lunger, when they fought for their independence, and gained, it upon that, to all Americans, glorious 4th of July ? Was it not that hey felt the" were being tyranised over »y the English Government .' Is it not the boast of all citizens of the United States, that it is the country of the free; that the poor and the rich are alike, that even a tailor, if the people think fit to select hirn, may rule tile country as well as the richest, and most learned in the land '< But there are Americans who are uot so liberal as the Constitution of their country is, and who would, we are afraid, if they could, be as tyrannical as ever those British autocrats were who ruled America previous to the coining into existence of the stars and stripes. A few days acjo the American schooner Isabel was hauled out into the stream, and announce'd to sail the next morning for San Francisco. The Captain had been asked to take a native, Mamet., and refused. He werlt to h ; i Consul for his papers, ani to his utter astonishment ! was told, that if he would not take the native he could not get them. We think thii is altogether against the spirit of the 'American Constitution! and wo ; Iso consider that it is the i •istruCtions of American Consuls. But why w.is this step taken on behalf of this native' Trie Captain is informed, that ha is the American M.iil Agent'': What on absurdity; an '-.agent to look after, probably a dozen letters ' No. We do Cot believe .-that all this trouble was t iken to try and.force a vessel to tcke a native as mail-agent For several years the natives hive been k"pt in a continu il the Unite 1 States of America, who, no doubt, for objects of own, have ■mule the natives believe that they could obtain a protectorate or annexation from that country,", knowing air the time, as they must havjj' done, that America would have nothing to do with these islands. Thi3 nuil agent, is no doubt a continuation of the above. Thousands of dollars have, been spent by these unfortunate natives, in sending mftn and letters to Am'urica, through the assurance of various interested individuals, that the time was now ready for them to appeal to the States, and as often as they have appoiled so often have they been disappointed ; so much so, that we believe they have never had one line from America in answer to their letters. It is not the policy of America to annex any country, more particularly a placo so far from them a: this, when there are places much nearer to them that they could have if thev wished it. If there was the slightest possibility of the States taking these islands under their wing wa would not say a word against it; in fact, we should be rather inclined to favor it. But under the circumstances w« look upon it as a downright robbery to get the natives to be continually spending money for an object that can never be realised. Not only is it robbing them of their money, but of their peace, and indirectly of their lives. We are of opinion that if outside influence could lie kept from their camp, these natives are quite able to govern themselves. Let them have a fair trial, and then if they fail we will be content toseok assistance from some other country who are able and willing to take up the task. In the meantime we do not consider it is the duty of any Consul whatsoever, <£> keep back the papers of any vessel evert If he r:-fuse to take a native as a inrlil agent, let alone in any political c ipacity. To show what is the opinion of the

" Xow York Herald," a-j to the probability of tho United States having anything to do with these, islands, we clip the following paragraph, commenting up3o thi report of Air. •». \V, Qrlfßn, when he went to America,' with extraordinary powers from the Srimwin Oovernment : - £>r. Mr. Griffin's Story The naked troth—'a hi Samoa'—of the whole matter, is that several Gorman firms har-e now possession of the extremely limits?.'(fade of the Sdtnoon archipelago; tint some English, and perhaps, an American firm •rant to oust them, and got a foot-hold then, and that these enterprising popple would 111'" to use the power of Dm United Stab i Q ivemment to further their end*. ItUn it ditlinull ifl a Hi Rteitiberger's handsome «if(» tn some Rjutoaa Chiefs ..I oon.lmi I l.'nlted St.-ii ■•■ eann >n, and ituiskei i, tu ul the n •• .di. i i hiefi tn f iv r any project whl hj any one may propose looking to ■ 'l' • i i. and »f"r iirs. Ui mo » gum

the game l- not worth the caudle. Thi poKMlih product* "t lb,- Samoai) Mvhi|n'likgi> are not worth touch mon than the oostuf theuotorioueSteiubecvei expediliou. and any scheme looking to a treaty Of annexation, is simply a job."