Original 2 page autograph letter signed `Malietoa Laupepa’, dated 1882

Crowned King of Samoa by the German Empire, and the British and American Consuls in 1881, Malietoa presided over the country at a time of its most troublesome history, when Germany, Britain and the United States all had colonial ambitions in the South Pacific. Although a devout Christian, Malietoa Laupepa was involved in numerous tribal wars. This letter, written on cheap, lined paper, is addressed to a `Faifeau’, a priest or pastor, and asks for help in translating an English document