1866 it united with the same powers to secure a convention by
which Japan bound herself to establish certain tariff
regulations.

Nor were the relations of the United States with the Pacific
Ocean and its shores confined to trade and international
obligations. The American flag waved over more than ships and a
portion of the Pacific coast. Naval officers more than once
raised it over islands which they christened, and Congress
authorized the President to exercise temporary authority over
islands from which American citizens were removing guano and to
prevent foreign encroachment while they were so engaged. In the
eighties, fifty such islands of the Pacific were in the
possession of the United States.

In 1872 an American naval officer made an agreement with the
local chieftain of Tutuila, one of the Samoan Islands, for the
use of Pago Pago, which was the best harbor in that part of the
ocean. The United States drifted into more intimate relationship
with the natives until in 1878 it made a treaty with the Samoan
king allowing Americans to use Pago Pago as a coaling station. In
return the United States agreed: "If unhappily, any differences
should have arisen, or shall hereafter arise, between the Samoan
government and any other government in amity with the United
States, the government of the latter will employ its good offices
for the purpose of adjusting those differences upon a
satisfactory and solid foundation." In 1884 the Senate insisted
on securing a similar harbor concession from Hawaii, and within
the next few years the American Navy began to arise again from
its ashes. The obligation incurred in exchange for this