98 



Attempt to capture Opotuno. 



SAMOAN GROUP. 



Native fono. 

 Its object. 



chief of the neighbouring island of Savaii, had, as 

 has been stated, committed several murders and 

 other outrages. Among other acts, he had taken 

 possession of two boats, sent on shore by the whale- 

 ship William Penn, Captain Swain, of Nantucket, 

 killing the chief mate, and the two boat-steerers. 

 The third officer of the vessel was also wounded, 

 and left for dead upon the beach; he was, however, 

 picked up by some females, who removed him to a 

 hut, where, through their kind attentions, he re- 

 covered. He did not, however, rejoin his ship, 

 but remained for some time on the island. 



The most surprising part of the history of this 

 transaction is, that Captain Toby, of the ship Swift, 

 of New Bedford, afterwards purchased these boats 

 from Opotuno, although he knew that chief had 

 obtained them by murdering this captain's own 

 countrymen. 



Captain Hudson fell in with the Flying-Fish, on 

 his way to Savaii, and took her with him, to aid in 

 carrying on the stratagem by which the watchful- 

 ness and suspicions of the wary chief were to be 

 lulled to rest. 



On their arrival off the part of the island where 

 Opotuno usually resides, they made for the shore 

 under pretence of surveying, and reached the 

 village of Setipetea, which adjoins that where he 

 dwells. We afterwards learned that no sooner 

 had the boats got within the reef, than he prepared 

 for his flight to the mountains. The news of the 

 capture of Tuvai, and the re-appearance of boats 

 from a vessel (the Peacock) which had passed 

 about ten days before, served to put him on the 

 alert. He had, however, become so daring that 

 he did not at once fly, but awaited more decided 

 indications of hostility; and when Captain Hudson, 

 accompanied by only two men, passed through his 

 village, having left his boats only a mile distant, 

 he entertained the intention of shooting him. He 

 had actually cocked his gun for this purpose, when 

 one of his followers advised him not to fire, as he 

 would bring great trouble on the island if he shot 

 a chief. When the boats' crews afterwards entered 

 Opotuno's village, the inhabitants showed much 

 alarm, but the chief was missing. It was therefore 

 considered advisable to make no hostile demonstra- 

 tions; as no good purpose could have been effected 

 by following him to the mountains, where it would 

 have been impossible to apprehend him. 



The boats therefore returned, and although with- 

 out succeeding in the main object of the expedition, 

 something was gained in reviving his apprehensions 

 of being captured. His village was not destroyed, 

 because to do so would have been no injury to him, 

 but only distressing to its poor inhabitants. He 

 would have laughed at the idea of his being 

 punished by the burning of their habitations, as it 

 is said he did so when an attempt was made, 

 during a previous cruise of the Vincennes, by her 

 commander, who visited his village, and burned 

 two or three of his houses. 



The impunity he has hitherto enjoyed has served 

 to render him audacious, and it is not long since he 

 put to death an American seaman, who had been 

 left sick in his charge. 



Opotuno is detested by his brother chiefs, not 

 only for his aggressions upon foreigners, but on 

 his countrymen also. Only a short time before 

 our arrival, he seduced and carried off the wife of 

 Vavasa. This act was considered so outrageous, 



and was so deeply resented, that we were informed 

 a war was only prevented by the near relationship 

 of these two chiefs. The Samoans regard with 

 horror the idea of those connected by ties of con- 

 sanguinity fighting against each other. 



Opotuno is not only related to Vavasa, but is the 

 adopted son of old Pea of Manono, a connexion 

 which was not without its effect in averting 

 hostilities. 



On the 4th of November, a fono was held, ac- 

 cording to the appointment made with Malietoa, 

 in the fale-tele of Apia. All the officers who could 

 be spared from the ships were ordered to attend. 

 Old Pea, the chief of Apia, seemed to be the 

 master of ceremonies on the occasion. Clean mats 

 were spread for the chiefs, and chairs and benches 

 borrowed from the missionaries' houses were placed 

 for us, opposite to them. All the highest chiefs of 

 the " Malo" party were present, except Pea of 

 Manono, and two minor chiefs of Savaii. Malietoa 

 presided. His whole demeanour was dignified, 

 composed, and thoughtful. His personal appear- 

 ance has already been spoken of, and the form of 

 his head, his white hair, and dignified bearing, 

 again reminded us of General Jackson. He is 

 slender and tall, although somewhat bent by age. 

 It was to be regretted that his dress was ill chosen, 

 and rather detracted from the respect he would 

 have inspired had he appeared in his native garb ; 

 he wore pantaloons, a round jacket, and a pink 

 and white striped cotton shirt. 



Tooa, the nephew of Malietoa, who acted as 

 spokesman, and whose countenance betokened the 

 interest he felt in the business, attracted attention 

 in the second degree. Then came Mole, the son 

 of Malietoa, Maletau, their general, the most re- 

 nowned leader in the war of Aana, and Tai-ma-le- 

 lagi, Malietoa's brother. There were also present 

 a number of chiefs of less distinction, among whom 

 was old Pea of Apia ; although he was compelled 

 to take his place, yet he did not fail to be con- 

 spicuous, not merely by his personal appearance, 

 but by his officiousness. 



The proceedings were conducted with great 

 ceremony, but there was a marked difference be- 

 tween this fono and the solemnity of our Indian 

 councils. The Samoan assembly appeared more 

 quiescent, the pi-oceedings exhibited more re- 

 finement, and the customs partook of an Asiatic 

 character. 



In all such meetings a rigid order of precedence, 

 that seems well understood by every one, is esta- 

 blished ; all conversation is carried on in a whisper : 

 no one is seen standing in the presence of a supe- 

 rior, and sitting with outstretched legs is considered 

 indecorous. Articles were never passed over a 

 person, and no native ever ventured to come in 

 contact with a chief. 



The background on the side of the natives was 

 filled up with inhabitants from different parts of 

 the island. 



On the opposite side of the building, the officers 

 of the squadron and the missionaries formed a nu- 

 merous group. Among the latter was our friend Mr. 

 Williams and his son, whom I had appointed to act 

 as consul until the pleasure of the government of 

 the United States was known, and whom it was in- 

 tended to present in this capacity to the meeting, 

 in order that he might be recognized formally by 

 the chiefs; Messrs. Heath, Mills, and Wilson were 



