Parures.. Civilization of the Pacific. ` 75 
Government despotieally ruling foreign possessions. The President is very 
anxious to protect Cuba, San Domingo, the Sandwich Islands, and perhaps 
Samoa; but protection means annexation, and the Senate will pause before 
breaking down the fundamental principles of the Constitution. Cuba may 
be admitted into the Union as a new State, as it very nearly approaches the 
standard of landed area and population required to constitute a State; but 
the other three places will require different treatment. Indirectly, American 
citizens are being encouraged to take such action as will afford the Senate 
an opportunity of publiely endorsing national claims over these particular 
spots should it at any time wish to do so. The cordial reception at Wash- 
ington of any member of the reigning family of the Sandwich Group, the 
Samana Bay Company in San Domingo, Commodore Meade's action with 
respect to Pango Pango harbour, Samoa, and the appointment of an 
American citizen (Colonel Steinberger) to the chief administrative post in 
that group, are instances of this movement, all of which, I believe, receive 
the private support of the President, who is a very strong protectionist, or 
annexationist. There is very little doubt but that the Sandwich Islands 
will eventually fall under the American flag. 
The Friendly Archipelago, or Tonga, is ruled by a native king and 
council of chiefs ;—this group possesses the best native Government in the 
Pacific. King George Tabou administers the greater portion of the execu- 
tive duties of the Government personally, and he administers them well. 
His power is almost absolute. The laws are simple and well framed, the 
king paying much attention to the advice of the missionaries, who, having 
no direct interest in commerce, can best advise him upon questions of a 
conflicting nature. There are many English planters upon the islands, and 
more flocking in. The group is becoming very valuable. One great trouble 
is looming before it—the succession to the crown. The king is over 70 
years of age, and the heirs-expectant are beginning to talk of his successor. 
In the Pacific there are always many claimants for the chief authority, and 
they have each their supporters. The question is generally settled by war, 
and these wars of succession are most cruel and devastating, might usually 
overcoming right. A similar war is likely to happen in Tonga. The real 
well-wishers of Tonga hope that England will interfere and prevent the dark 
cloud from bursting, for it most assuredly will devastate the island, and cost 
hundreds of lives. 
The Tongese are a most warlike race, and the most daring navigators in 
the Pacific. Their sympathies are entirely English, and their chiefs have 
steadily assisted the work of the Wesleyan missionaries ; indeed, but for 
them, Fiji would still be a land of cannibals. The Tongese for more than a 
century have had much influence in Fijian matters, their warriors playing 
