CORRESPONDENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 8, 24 November 1877, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

We are always willing to give insertion to letters of explanation or interest, but we wish it to bo distinctly understood that wo do not endorse the opinions expressed, or language used, by oar correspondents. Our ideas of passing events will be found in our local or editorial columns.

TO THK EDITOR OK THE SAMOA TIMES. Sir,—Will you kindly allow me a small space in your valuable sheet, to correct a report that has got into circulation to the effect, that on the clay of the fight at Tutuila, I was in the fort at Aua, helping Mauga's people to fight. In your issue of the 10th instant, I noticed a report of that affair, signed M. Hunkin, in which he asserts, on the authority of rumour, " that on the day of the fight, three gentlemen of another race, assisted by some of the British schooner Canterbury's crew were actively exerting themselves within the fort, not only for defence, but for resistance if attacked." Now, Mr. Editor, I chanced to be in the fortified town of Aua, on the day of the fight, near that place ; and to uncertain knowledge, there was no person of " another race " in the town, except myself and Captain Mair. The facts of the case are simply these : About midday on the 17th, Captain Mair having business with Mauga, 1 gladly availed myself of his kind invitation to visit the fort, and see what -were its capabilities for defence. At that time then: was no fighting at Aua, nor were we expecting any. When about half way from the vessel to that place, a desultory firing commenced about half-a-mile to the right of the town ; it increased to a sharp fire as we landed, and we found we had dropped in for something lively if the invading party should force their way to the fort. Immediately on landing, Captain Muii started to see Manga on purely commercial business, and without any reference to the fight going on. I at the same time starting for an inspection of the works. In less than five minutes after landing, and before I had concluded my examination, the first wounded man was brought in, shot in two places ; 1 extracted one ball, and while dressing his wounds two others were brought in. From that t;m : until I left the fort, I was engaged in dressing wounds. 1, that may be considered assisting th>enemy, 1 plead guilty, and most heartily wish the foreign residents of Tutuila were as free from blood guiltiness as I am. The truth is, the inva lers were so mortified at their utter defeat, that they were fain to attribute it to the assistance re idered by us, rather than to the bravery of the men who were fighting in defence not only of their homes and their lives, but the lives of their wives and children; who the invaders have declared they will exterminate off the face of the earth.

The false report which Mr. Hunkin has aided in circulating is both mischievous and unjust. Mischievous in that it nearly cost me my life, at the hands of the invaders, and unjust as it implies that I am either a knave or a fool, as is any foreigner who aids or encourages these pejr people in making fratricidal war an each other.

Mr. Hunkin's report is very interesting, and very correct; except that he endeavours to cast the mantle of respectability over the invading band of marauders by calling them the Government party; which it was not at the time of the sacking and burning of the towns around Pago Pago harbor. He likewise omited to say that two British subjects, armed with rifle and tomahawk, nearly naked, and painted like veritable savages were among the most active and blood-thirsty of the crowd. One of them boasts of having fired the first shot at Mauga's people, and likewise claims the honor of having shot the first woman.

Fearing to trespass too much on vour space, I will conclude by assuring Mr. Ilunkin, that the defeat of his friends was due to the bravery of Mauga's people, and not to any assistance from throe gentlemen of another race. I am viiuis, &c, \V. Q. Wmoht.