III

Malietoa died in 1841. Among the writings of the Rev. G. A. Lundie, I find the following, dated June 30, 1840, at Pango-Pango:

"Sunday morning's discourse was particularly directed to inquirers. In the afternoon Maliatoa, the high chief refugee from Upolu, was, among others, taken out. He has been a very stupid and very wicked man. He is elderly, and I think the largest man I ever saw—a perfect giant. His legs and arms are of monstrous size, much too large for his huge body. Poor fellow! he tottered to the door, supported by two or three men, and then fell. He has been with Mr. Murray two or three times since, and seems really a subject of the work of the Spirit. The Sabbath-school was one scene of weeping towards the end."

I am unable to affirm definitely that this was the king of all Samoa; but it undoubtedly would seem to have been. Whoever he was, it may be taken that he had fallen foul of the mission in Upolu, and was endeavouring to make his peace.

Anyway, Malietoa, the Tupu of Samoa, died in 1841. On his deathbed he adopted the unique course of trying to divide the hitherto united five titles that conferred the kingship, expressing a vain wish that no other should succeed him in the dignity. His desire is said to have been that his name might descend to posterity as the last King of Samoa. The title of Malietoa went to his brother Tamalelangi. Four of the districts page 64concerned, however, refused to recognize the arbitrary bestowal of their names; but neither could they agree on whom to dispose them; and for a space of nearly thirty years the throne was rendered vacant.