4 P.M.
`` Sir , '' he wrote to Sewall , `` I have the honour to inform you that , to my regret , I am obliged to consider the municipal government to be provisionally in abeyance since you have withdrawn your consent to the continuation of Mr. Martin in his position as magistrate , and since you have refused to take part in the meeting of the municipal board agreed to for the purpose of electing a magistrate . The government of the town and district of the municipality rests , as long as the municipality is in abeyance , with the Samoan government . The Samoan government has taken over the administration , and has applied to the commander of the imperial German squadron for assistance in the preservation of good order . '' This letter was not delivered until 4 P.M. By three , sailors had been landed . Already German colours flew over Tamasese 's headquarters at Mulinuu , and German guards had occupied the hospital , the German consulate , and the municipal gaol and courthouse , where they stood to arms under the flag of Tamasese . The same day Sewall wrote to protest . Receiving no reply , he issued on the morrow a proclamation bidding all Americans look to himself alone .