TUTUILA. 79 



The village of Pago-pago contains about thirty dwellings, and a 

 council-house, which is in use as a church, until the large one 

 they are engaged in building shall be finished. Every village 

 has a council-house for the entertainment of visiters, and the accom- 

 modation of meetings. 



This island is under several chiefs, each of whom rules over a 

 town, district, or bay. The present chief of Pago-pago is Mowna, 

 the adopted son of the last chief, Pomale, who died not long since, 

 leaving an only son, also called Pomale, who from his great modesty 

 lost his inheritance. Mowna was more crafty than Pomale, and 

 understood well his rival's character. After the death of the old 

 chief, these two yoimg men, about the same age, became candidates 

 for the succession. Mowna, through his intrigues, succeeded in 

 getting the whole family together to decide between them. Both 

 Mowna and Pomale were present, the former appearing dejected, 

 silent, and willing to leave the decision to the meeting; whilst 

 Pomale, when asked who should be chief, said with his usual 

 modesty that he was in favour of Mowna, who was accordingly made 

 chief. Mowna, however, is now so in name only, for Pomale rules 

 in fact. This arises from his good character, and the influence he 

 derives from the missionaries, of whom he is one of the most active 

 and pious supporters, and withal a great preacher. So great is the 

 confidence Mr. Mtirray has in Pomale, that he is frequently left to 

 take charge of the congregation, during the absence of Mr. Murray 

 in another part of the island. 



The greatest restraint on the conduct of the chiefs, appears to be 

 the fear of losing the good name of their ancestors, and of not 

 handing it down to posterity pure and unspotted. This feeling seems 

 to govern their conduct, and from the information I received, may be 

 made use of as an appeal to them, to avoid doing evil, and to do 

 right. 



The missionary, the Rev. Mr. Murray, deserves the greatest credit 

 for this state of things. He has unbounded influence over the natives, 

 and deserves it. The ten commandments are the common law of the 

 island, wherever Christianity has taken root, and any infringement of 

 them is surely punished ; the guilty persons being put out of the 

 church, and denied the privilege of attending worship. They are 

 looked upon as having fallen, and are consequently avoided. This 

 fear of public opinion, I was informed, was found to be sufficient to 

 deter them from the commission of crimes and immoral practices. 



