UPO LU—MANONO—S AVAIL 109 



the native government, of which, as has been stated, complaint had 

 been made. To the breach of these laws, it was intended that the 

 penalty of a fine should be attached, in order to secure obedience to 

 them. 



The meeting being organized, I in the first place presented Mr. 

 John Williams, as the consul of the United States, whom the chiefs 

 recognised as such with great willingness and satisfaction. 



We then entered upon the discussion of the proposed regulations, 

 which were adopted in a form which promises to be mutually 

 beneficial, being highly advantageous to them, and at the same time 

 insuring a certainty of security to American vessels that may visit 

 the island they could not before enjoy.* 



One of the articles referred to the redress of injuries committed by 

 the natives, and provided for the punishment of those who had been 

 guilty of crime, by giving them up. 



Wishing to rid these islands of a pest both to natives and foreigners, 

 I now, as authorized by the spirit of this article, made a demand for 

 the murderer, Opotuno, and stated that a compliance with this would 

 settle all disputes between us. This demand produced a great 

 sensation among the chiefs, and much excitement prevailed in the 

 meeting. Malietoa, in reply to it, expressed himself strongly in 

 detestation of the character of Opotuno, and stated that his capture 

 by us would give him satisfaction, but argued that the regulations 

 now enacted could not apply to his past misdeeds, and that he 

 would only come within its operation should he be again guilty of 

 like crimes. He in short pleaded that the law could have no ex post 

 facto bearing. 



He next argued, that the inevitable consequence of any attempt on 

 their part to seize Opotuno, would be to involve the whole group in a 

 civil war, for he was not only a powerful chief himself, but connected 

 with others still more so ; and that a civil war was that which he 

 most desired to avoid. He however went on to say, that so far as he 

 was concerned, no opposition would be made to any steps on our 

 part to secure one whom they knew to be guilty of great outrages ; 

 but he could not in any way assist. 



In conclusion, he stated that the islands had, until within the few 

 years that had elapsed since he obtained the command, been the seat 



* A copy of these regulations will be found in Appendix IX. 

 vol. n. 28 



