UPOLU — M ANONO — S A V AIL 107 



inhabitants showed much alarm, but the chief was missing. It was 

 therefore considered advisable to make no hostile demonstrations; 

 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 without 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 distress- 

 ing 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 aggres- 

 sions 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 consanguinity, 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, according 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 appearance has already 

 been spoken of, and the form of his head, his white hair, and digni- 

 fied bearing, again reminded us of General Jackson. He is slender 



