ion and laws have placed
upon Executive power, I have insisted that the autonomy and independence
of Samoa should be scrupulously preserved according to the treaties made
with Samoa by the powers named and their agreements and understanding
with each other. I have protested against every act apparently tending
in an opposite direction, and during the existence of internal
disturbance one or more vessels of war have been kept in Samoan waters
to protect American citizens and property.

These things will abundantly appear from the correspondence and papers
which have been submitted to the Congress.

A recent collision between the forces from a German man-of-war stationed
in Samoan waters and a body of natives rendered the situation so
delicate and critical that the war ship _Trenton_, under the
immediate command of Admiral Kimberly, was ordered to join the
_Nipsic_, already at Samoa, for the better protection of the
persons and property of our citizens and in furtherance of efforts to
restore order and safety.

The attention of the Congress is especially called to the instructions
given to Admiral Kimberly dated on the 11th instant and the letter of
the Secretary of State to the German minister dated the 12th instant,
which will be found among the papers herewith submitted.

By means of the papers and documents heretofore submitted and those
which accompany this communication the precise situation of affairs in
Samoa is laid before the Congress, and such Executive action as has been
taken is fully exhibited.

The views of the Executive in respect of the just policy to be pursued
with regard to this group of islands, which lie in the direct highway of
a growing and important commerce between Australia and the United
States, have found expression in the correspondence and documents which
have thus been fully communicated to the Congress, and the subject in
its present stage is submitted to the wider discretion conferred by the
Constitution upon the legislative branch of the Government.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

[Footnote 27: See p. 612.]

[Footnote 28: See p. 800.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 15, 1889_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the Senate of the
4th instant, a report of the Secretary of State, with accompanying
copies of correspondence, touching recent occurrences in the island of
Hayti, both as relates to the state of the Government there and