BY THE 1870s theres considerable speculation among Tongans, European settlers and British administratiors in the South Pacific over who would be the successor to Tupou I after his long reign xtending from his rulership of Haapai since 1820, of Vavau since 1833 and of the whole of Tonga since 1845. Many prophesied that civil war would break out over this ? if nothings done about it. As early as the 1850s the missionaries had repeatedly requested Tupou I to announce his successor. In 1856 Rev. R. Amos wrote of inviting Tupou I and Queen Lupepauu to dine with the Prince at his residence, and how he raised this matter in their discussion: I told his Majesty that some persons blamed him for not publicly proclaiming George (his son Vuna who died in Jan. 1862) as his successor. His reply was It is unnecessary - all the Chiefs know my mind ... he is my only legitimate son - I was never married to the mothers of my other three sons, either after Tonga or Christian fashion - he is too young to proclaim yet, a boy who is still a spider-catcher is not fit to sit with the elders of the people - I shall one day proclaim him as my successor with the title Prince of Haafuluhao.- I stated that it might be well to proclaim George that he might be acknowledged by civilised government.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 05:00:11 +0000
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