Office of the Historian

Reply of President Roosevelt to the Chiefs and People of the Islands of Manua, August 19, 1904

To Tuimanua, Governor of Manua; Tuiolosega, County Chief of Olosega; Misa, County Chief of Ofu; Asoau, County Chief of Faleasao; Tufele, County Chief of Fitiuta; Logoai, District Clerk of Manua, and the People of the Islands of Manua, Greeting:

Whereas, The Governor and Chiefs and people of the Islands of Manua, of their own free will and pleasure, have expressed their satisfaction with the justice, fairness, and wisdom of the Government administered by the United States since the flag of the United States was raised over their islands June 5, 1900, and,

Whereas, The people of said islands ceded unto the Government of the United States of America, on July 16 [14], 1904, all the islands of the Manua Group, being the whole of the eastern portion of the Samoan Islands lying east of longitude 171 west of Greenwich, and known as Pau [Tau], Olosega, Ofu, and Rose islands, and all other, the waters and property adjacent thereto, together with all sovereign rights thereto belonging, the same to be erected into a Territory or District of the United States, with a view to the promotion of the peace and welfare of the people of those islands, for the establishment of good and sound government, and for the preservation of the rights and property of the inhabitants of said islands, without discrimination; now,

Therefore, I, Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, do hereby express to the Governor, Chiefs, and People of said islands the gratification of the Government and people of the United States in receiving from the Governor, Chiefs, and people of the said islands this token of their friendship and their confidence in the just and friendly intentions of the United States. The local rights and privileges mentioned in said declaration will be respected, and it is our earnest hope that peace, happiness, and prosperity may make their permanent abode with the good people of these islands.

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White House, Washington August 19, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and four.

Theodore Roosevelt

By the President:

John Hay,
Secretary of State