POLYNESIA. 29 



their people. As an example of the difference of language above- 

 mentioned, the expression " to come" may be adduced. Speaking of 

 a common man, they would say ua alu mai, he has come ; of a 

 tulafale, ua alala mai ; of a petty chief, ua maliu mai ; of one of the 

 second class, ua susu mai ; while for one of the highest rank, it would 

 be ua afiu mai, and the same expression is also used in speaking of 

 a god. 



There is reason to believe that at some former period a monarchical 

 government prevailed in this group. The title of tupu, or sovereign, 

 is still given to a chief who, in rank, wealth, and influence, is superior 

 to the rest but more as a mark of respect, than as conveying any 

 additional authority. Nor is it now hereditary, whatever it may for- 

 merly have been. The government is carried on after a regular 

 system, somewhat like that of a representative republic. The chief 

 and householders of every town and inferior district meet frequently 

 in council, (or, as it is called, afono,) to decide on all matters of public 

 interest within their limits. The large districts are in like manner 

 regulated by the governing chief, the petty chiefs, and principal land- 

 holders ; and any matter affecting the entire group is determined in 

 a general assembly, or fono, of the high chiefs, each of whom is at- 

 tended by a tulafale, who acts as his adviser, and usually as his orator. 

 The decision is not by voting, but by general consent, the discussion 

 being prolonged until some conclusion, satisfactory to the greater part, 

 and particularly to the most influential, is arrived at. Their deci- 

 sions are termed tulafono, or acts of council. One of the principal 

 prerogatives of the tupu seems to be that of convoking these assem- 

 blies ; though, should he refuse to do so, when circumstances seemed 

 to require it, they would undoubtedly meet without him. 



As might be expected in a government partaking of a republican 

 form, parlies exist in Samoa, which, if not based on such important 

 principles as those of civilized countries, do not yield to them in vio- 

 lence. That party which has the ascendency is termed the maid, or 

 strong ; the other is the vaivai, or weak answering nearly to our 

 " administration" and " opposition." The general government of the 

 country is, in fact, conducted entirely by the former, though the chiefs 

 of the latter generally retain their power in their respective districts. 

 The head-quarters of one party are in the populous district of Aana, 

 or the eastern coast of the island of Upolu ; those of the other, on the 

 small island of Manono, which is only divided from this district by a 

 channel about three miles broad. The two stand to each other very 



8 



