Statesman; born in
Schuylkill county, Pa., Dec. 25, 1840; educated at
Princeton, and studied law; engaged in the manufacture of fire-arms about 1867.
In April, 1872, the chiefs of the Samoan or Navigator Isllands petitioned for annexation to the
United States.
On March 29, 1873,
Steinberger was appointed a special commissioner to “obtain accurate information in regard to the
Navigator Islands.”
On his arrival at
Apia he met the chief rulers, but avoided the subject of annexation, while the former openly pressed it. In December, 1873,
Mr. Steinberger returned to the
United States and submitted a report which led to a memorable discussion in Congress.
In December, 1874, he was again sent to the islands.
Shortly after his arrival a new constitution was adopted, Malietoa, a powerful chief, was made king, and
Mr. Steinberger prime minister and chief-justice.
In October, 1875, a special agent was sent from
Samoa to the
United States with the draft of a treaty.
Meanwhile complications arose involving the new government, the
United States,
England, and
Germany.
On Feb. 8, 1876, after charges had been preferred against
Mr. Steinberger, he was placed on board the British vessel
Barracouta, which landed him at
Levuka,
Fiji Islands, on March 29.
Later he reached the
United States and sought damages for his deportation, and also for the part in the affair taken by
Mr. Foster, the United States consul at
Apia.
Foster was recalled and
Captain Stevens of the
Barracouta was summoned to
England for trial.
Although
Mr. Steinberger was praised for his conduct at
Samoa in the reports of
Mr. Griffin,
[
405]
the United States consul who succeeded
Foster at
Apia, nothing was ever done to vindicate him. He died in
Dorchester, Mass., May 2, 1894.
