Convicts and Sailors

The first papalagi, such as Roggeveen in 1782, came in search of treasure (gold, spice, silver) but found none. After the massacre of several of La Perousse's crew in 1787, Samoa acquired a hostile reputation throughout the South Seas.⁹ This reputation for ferocity decreased as traders, whalers and beachcombers from Europe, America and Australia entered Samoa in the early

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decades of the nineteenth century.

The first papalagi, who ‘settled’ in Samoa, came during the end of I'amafana's reign about 1800. Folk history has it, that these men were primarily escaped convicts and sailors. Some of them were ‘adopted’ by leading chiefs, and their knowledge of firearms and new crafts put to good use. Some squabbled while drinking, and killed one another. Others fell under the ‘uatogi’ of the Samoans. The most colourful of these men was known as the ‘Tevolo o Tome’ (‘Tom, the Devil’ or ‘Irish Tom’.) He settled in Manono with one of the leading families, Tualauipopotunu. ‘Irish Tom’ helped the Manono people in their wars against other districts. He had numerous wives and servants; quickly acquired a reputation for meting out instant death to anyone who offended him; lost the support of even the chiefs who had offered him protection; was killed while shaving, by four taulele'a (untitled men).

The influence of these papalagi elements on Samoan life was slight and was quickly erased by the powerful influence of Jehovah.