3-1312
69. Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 (2nd ed 1851)
69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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69 a
Extract from Walter Brodie, Pitcairn’s Island, and the Islanders in 1850 b (2nd ed 1851)
March 1850 c
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders Notes of Admiral Moresby’s address to the Pitcairn Islanders on b Tuesday the 17th May 1853.—
17 May 1853 Your Pastor has requested you to remain after this General thanksgiving to hear the observations I have to make on various c circumstances that have been brought to my notice, they are meant for your future benefit but I request you will keep in mind that they are not intended to dictate what is to be performed, but given as from a friend for your consideration. d The simple but effective rules which old John Adams left are still sufficient for most local purposes if regarded with due observance, the Magistrate also performing his duty in the Spirit of the oath which he takes on his election. This book which contains e some of your early laws & regulations has neither date or signature, some of them have been modified as you saw occasion but there is no record. I recommend you to have these laws and regulations fairly f transcribed
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70. Address by Rear-Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders
70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders b
17 May 1853
c
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders transcribed – Your Register continued & carefully preserved. I am b told that some of the Younger members of your Community are averse to having a Register kept. The Magistrate by his oath is 17 May 1853 compelled to keep a Register and must produce it when a case is referred to by any of Her Majesty’s Officers. The Young men so c outnumber the mature in age, that great mischief might result on putting a question of this sort to the vote especially under circum- stances of excitement, in fact this has already occurred and your fast increasing numbers require a remedy to this growing evil, a d more watchful and experienced guide than when your community consisted of children of the first generation of those who landed from the “Bounty”. —
I have read the laws & regulations that have been regis- e tered, have been informed of those that have been modified, and of the customs that have by usage become a law. I think by extending the spirit of the first article of the law which I see by Brodie’s Book was established the 30th day of November 1838 on the occasion of f Captain R. Elliot’s visit: - a desirable object will be gained with
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders b
17 May 1853
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to with a due consideration for the Public good. Pitcairn Islanders After the Regulations for the Appointment of the Magistrate established in 1838 I recommend you to add: – b
17 May 1853 The Chief Magistrate should be exempt from personal labor in all public works, his duty being to superintend the performance of
them and the equal distribution of their expense. c
The Chief Magistrate has not the power of making new laws or subtracting from those existing.
The Chief Magistrate must be 28 Years of age, the d Councillors 25 Years of Age.
Individuals must have obtained the age of 20 to entitle them to vote for the election of a Chief Magistrate or Councillor or at a Meeting called for the Public Service. e
No new law can be established or a present one revoked without a majority consenting at a public meeting summoned by
the Chief Magistrate at the instance of at least one third of the f Householders or Elders. If a majority of two thirds fails to carry the proposition it is to be referred ten days after to a meeting of the Elders, a majority of whom will decide the question.
The g
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders b
17 May 1853
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders The right of voting as an Elder is vested in Married Householders, widowers or widows being 25 Years of age. b
Bachelors and Spinsters not householders at 28 Years of age. 17 May 1853 The Chief Magistrate is to take cogniance of all complaints or breaches of the law, in the first instance in trifling circumstances c he must endeavour to judge between the parties complaining and arrange their differences, should his attempt be unsatisfactory he must call the councillors to his assistance, before them a rehearsing is to take place and the verdict of the Majority given:- should d this again fail the parties are to be warned that all reasonable expenses for loss of time must be paid. A jury of the elders must be summoned and their verdict considered decisive. In all public meetings when an equal number of votes occur for and against, the e Magistrate shall have the casting vote.
The Magistrate must keep a List of voters and on a Jury being summoned he is to place the names carefully concealed from f view in a Bag or Box from which before a Councillor and the Parties accusing and accused
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders b
17 May 1853
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders accused, or before the parties litigating, he is to cause the neces- sary number of names for forming a Jury to be drawn, should any b be objected to by the parties, the reasonableness of such objection is to be decided by the Magistrate and Councillors, and if approved, 17 May 1853 other names are to be drawn to complete the number.
In all cases where the Public good is concerned and the c assistance of persons required by the Magistrate, his summons is to be immediately obeyed under penalty of fine to the amount awarded by the Magistrate and Council or Jury of Elders if referred to. d A person refusing to serve on a Jury without any reason- able objection shall likewise be fined in the manner above specified.
The Magistrate according to his oath must keep a Register of such proceedings as may involve any question where life or e property is concerned or that may be necessary to refer to Her Majesty’s Officers visiting Pitcairn.
The addition of the foregoing will I trust ensure the happy f continuance of your present unity and give weight to the experience of age.
You have nearly all conversed with me g
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders b
17 May 1853
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders
me on the late famine and the prospect of removal before your b numbers exceed the ability of the soil to support you; the scarcity 17 May 1853 has shown how soon and unexpectedly the necessity may arise – it is for yourselves to consider this serious question, whether Bee like you would swarm away or one and all prefer searching for a more c extensive land. You have friends who are willing to assist you but you must not be dependant. Great exertion and fixed resolution to meet difficulties will be required & sacrifices of present comfort, but all for the sake of your children. You must teach them not to be de- d pendant for although they may be launched well they cannot always be taken in tow nor must you rely now on periodical supplies or relief. Mr Nobbs your Pastor will tell you how he was received and the circumstances of your Island life enquired into by our Gracious e and Beloved Queen and her Royal Consort the Price Albert; he will tell you that many great and good persons have interested themselves in your welfare and why? because, where — had been sown and their increase only anticipated a good harvest has been f gathered.
It is delightful to witness your Pastor’s return g
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders b
17 May 1853
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders return and very gratifying to have your estimation of Mr Holman’s b Ministry. We have all been made happy in relieving your wants.
17 May 1853 I said no new law was necessary, but let me recommend one new Custom. That every house should possess sufficient brooms for the girls to sweep inside the house and the Boys outside c twice a day and the collection of your refuse should be daily placed where it would come in season as manure for your crops. Act up to the old saying – “The city is soon clean when every man sweeps before his own door”. d
I would recommend also that a book should be procured to register your Laws and Regulations, signed and dated by the Magistrate and Councillors specifying that they are those now in e force and witnessed by your Pastor, the Magistrate and Councillors and that you should refrain from bartering away your provisions before a sufficient store is in hand for your future wants.
I must leave you on Thursday. You need not hurry over f your consideration of
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders b
17 May 1853
c
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70 a of my propositions. Send the result of your meeting by the first Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to opportunity. Pitcairn Islanders May God bless you.
b
17 May 1853
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70 a
Address by Rear- Admiral Moresby to Pitcairn Islanders b
17 May 1853
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71 a
Magistrate (Arthur Quintal) & Island Councillors Copy (Thomas Buffett & b Edward Quintall) Pitcairn’s Island to Rear-Admiral 18th May 1853. Moresby
Honored Sir, c We, the undersigned Magistrate and Councillors 18 May 1853 of Pitcairns Island, having according to your request convened a Public meeting of the Inhabitants of this Island, have the satisfaction to inform you that as regards your wise proposition for the amend- d ment of certain Laws relative to the duties of the Magistrate, the Age at which he and his councillors are eligible to hold such offices &c &c we, together with the rest of the Community do unanimously and fully acquiesce in your opinion and will lose no time in attending to e all your kind suggestions.
As regards the necessity of removing to some other Island or place, it is very evident that the time is not far distant when Pitcairn’s Island will f be
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71. Magistrate (Arthur Quintal) & Island Councillors (Thomas Buffett & Edward Quintal) to Rear-Admiral Moresby
71 a
Magistrate (Arthur Quintal) & Island Councillors (Thomas Buffett & b Edward Quintall) to Rear-Admiral Moresby
c
18 May 1853
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71 a
Magistrate (Arthur Quintal) & Island Councillors be altogether inadequate to the rapidly increasing population, and (Thomas Buffett & the inhabitants do unanimously agree in soliciting the aid of the b Edward Quintall) to Rear-Admiral British Government in transferring them to Norfolk Island or some Moresby other appropriate place, and desire that the funds which you have so benevolently and condescendingly (with the assistance of other benefactors) collected in England for the benefit of this Community c
18 May 1853 should be reserved and appropriated in assisting them in such a step when it should become necessary.
With high sentiments of gratitude and respect permit us in d the name of the Community to subscribe ourselves –
Your Obedient very humble servants e (signed) Arthur Quintal [Junr] – Magistrate Thomas Buffett – 1st Councillor Edward Quintal – 2nd Councillor
f To Rear Admiral Fairfax Moresby C.B. Commander in Chief &c-&c-&c-
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71 a
Magistrate (Arthur Quintal) & Island Councillors (Thomas Buffett & b Edward Quintall) to Rear-Admiral Moresby
c
18 May 1853
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to Copy b Rear-Admiral Moresby H.M. Ship Dido Valparaiso 15th Dec. 1853 c 15 December 1853 Sir, After receiving your final orders on the 29th September, I immediately parted company from your Flag, and on leaving the anchorage at Valparaiso, I got a strong Coast wind from the d Southward which enabled us to make the Island of Ambrose on the third day when we continued our course to the W.N.W. till in the Latitude of 22S., and having then a brisk trade wind we e
Rear Admiral Fairfax Moresby C.B. Commander in Chief f — &c — &c — &c —
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72. Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to Rear-Admiral Moresby
72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to Rear-Admiral b Moresby
15 December 1853 c
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
we hauled more to the Westward with every prospect of making a rapid passage to Pitcairns, but the trade wind having failed shortly c 15 December 1853 after, I was compelled to stand again to the Northward and got as far as 20º S, every attempt after that to get to the Southward was always accompanied with the loss of the trade and even light west- erly winds, so that it was not till the evening of the 2nd November, d that I was enabled to run up to Pitcairns.
2. The Chief Magistrate with a party then came off from the shore to welcome us, and remained on board all night and were truly grateful at the many tokens of remembrance from yourself, e Captain Chads
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
c 15 December 1853
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
Chads, and the Portland’s Officers and Crew together with all the
presents from their friends in England and Valparaiso, their devoted c 15 December 1853 loyalty on receiving the picture of the Queen was most gratifying. They were busily employed on the next and following days in landing the cattle, and packages &c many of which were very large,
and had to be opened and taken piecemeal through the surf, which d was done with great alacrity, although two whale boats and 24 hands were absent in freeing a whaler with 15 feet of water in her hold that had been scuttled by a couple of wretches of the Crew,
with the intention of sinking her off the Island her state was doubtful e for some time but gaining upon her at last they succeeded in
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
c 15 December 1853
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby in stopping 8 auger holes of ½ inch bore, adding another proof of their readiness to help all who are in distress around them. c 15 December 1853 3. In landing, I was met by the whole population, with their highly esteemed and Reverend Minister Mr. Nobbs at their Head, and I am happy to add that owing to the supplies left by yourself in
the Portland last May, they speedily recovered from the effects of d the famine and with one exception the whole Island was in perfect health.
4. During my stay on shore I assembled the inhabitants, and acquainted them in compliance with your order, that their memorial e relative to Norfolk Island had been forwarded by you from Callao last June. I f
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
c 15 December 1853
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
I also read to them your caution relative to excess during the visits of Ships of war, and I am happy to add that during the Dido’s stay, c 15 December 1853 with the exception of a single glass of wine to drink the Queen’s health, they abstained from all wines or spirits, but it is impossible to disguise the intoxicating delight that the presence of a man of War causes to all, both young and old. d
5. I took the opportunity of attending their Divine Service on Sunday when the whole adult congregation received the Sacrament from their Minister Mr Nobbs and I feel it must be gratifying to all e who are interested in their welfare to hear of their increasing
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
c 15 December 1853
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby increasing respect and attachment to him since his return among them as their ordained Minister, respected and beloved as he has c 15 December 1853 ever been, all were perfectly aware of the additional advantages which his ordination has conferred upon them. The person who had the Medical charge during Mr Nobbs absence still continues to act, yet every case is superintended by Mr Nobbs himself, and on our arrival we found he had a patient suffering from ovarian d dropsy, and during our stay he had to attend a young woman nearly burnt to death, and a premature birth, and although our Surgeon or his Assistant, was soon after in attendance to whom he resigned the cases yet everything had been done by Mr. Nobbs that their e professional experience
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
c 15 December 1853
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
experience could approve, and all appeared unanimous that no one could be better adapted to their general wants. c 15 December 1853 6. With reference to the Provisions which you entrusted to my discretion, I have left them on the Island. Their yam harvest had been a fair average, but owing to a long drought, great fears were entertained for the potatoe crop on which they are equally de- d pendant. One whaler only had been supplied for the year, yet there was not in the Island a single yam, potatoe, hog or goat available for traffic, although they would exchange them for an equal amount of nutriment in biscuit or flour, their famine has taught them a good e lesson, for in many houses I saw parcels
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
c 15 December 1853
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby parcels of biscuit tied up to the beams to await their pending scar- city, under these circumstances I was induced to leave the supplies c 15 December 1853 with directions that they were to be reserved for the contingency.
7. It has long been their custom to leave any case at issue for the decision of a captain of a Man of War as a final appeal only one was left for me to decide, it had previously been before d the Magistrate and submitted to a jury, and on my confirming the opinion of their own tribunal, they all shook hands immediately.
8. I trust I may be allowed to add my testimony to their already e established reputation for morality and virtue, with the Scriptures
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
c 15 December 1853
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
Scriptures daily even hourly in their hand, it is impossible that any
can act from higher principles or purer motives, and all their im- c 15 December 1853 pulses happily appear for good, while their goodness even inclines them to judge charitably of the faults of others, but so simple and confiding is their nature, that any designing person thrown among
them might easily destroy their peace and harmony, it has never d been my lot to witness a community more entitled to admiration and respect, and with this estimation of their character it is impossible to separate the credit that is due to Mr Nobbs, who has been their
friend and teacher for 25 years, and is now happily their spiritual e guide and Minister. Mr Nobbs is now
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
c 15 December 1853
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
now deprived of the assistance of his three eldest sons and his
declining years are ill adapted to supply the increasing wants of c 15 December 1853 a numerous young family, and if his frugal and often scanty meal which must ever be wrung by hard labour is considered any addition that could be made to his salary would enable him to increase his
sphere of usefulness and enhance the respect that is now due to his d sacred calling a glance at the Public records of the Island, where their delight is expressed at Mr. Nobb’s return and he is welcomed back as their “worthy Pastor and dear kind friend”, will express their
feeling towards him better than any comment of my own. I am the e bearer of a letter, and a small specimen
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
c 15 December 1853
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead specimen of Pitcairn Cabinet work for the Queen entrusted to your
(H.M.S. Dido) to th care, previous to my departure on the 7 November they assembled b Rear-Admiral on our Quarter Deck and sang our National Anthem when I took my Moresby leave and in furtherance of your orders proceeded to replenish our water at the Gambier Group.
c 15 December 1853
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72 a
Extract of report from Captain Morshead (H.M.S. Dido) to b Rear-Admiral Moresby
c 15 December 1853
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73 a
Rear-Admiral Moresby to Admi- ralty enclosing three letters from Pitcairn- d. b ers, including one to Forwarding letters from Pitcairns Isl the Queen [Nereus] at Valparaiso 31st December 1853 c 31 December 1853 Sir, 3 Enclosures Enclosed are the copies of two letters I have received from the authorities at Pitcairns Island also one addressed to Her most Gracious Majesty, the offering mentioned in the letter I shall bring d with me to England, waiting their Lordships instructions
The Secretary e of the Admiralty
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73. Rear-Admiral Moresby to Admiralty enclosing three letters from Pitcairners, including one to the Queen
73 a
Rear-Admiral Moresby to Admi- ralty enclosing three letters from Pitcairn- b ers, including one to the Queen
c 31 December 1853
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73 a
Rear-Admiral Moresby to Admi- ralty enclosing three letters from Pitcairn- b ers, including one to the Queen instructions thereon. I have the honor to be, Sir c 31 December 1853 Your obedient servant
Fairfax Moresby
d Rear Admiral and Commander-in-Chief
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73 a
Rear-Admiral Moresby to Admi- ralty enclosing three letters from Pitcairn- b ers, including one to the Queen
c 31 December 1853
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74 a
Letter from Magis- trate and Council- lors to Rear-Admiral Moresby Copy b (First enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853) Pitcairn Island Septemr 12th 1853 c
Honoured and respected Sir, 12 September 1853
We the inhabitants of Pitcairns Island embrace the earliest opportunity of addressing your Honour thanking you for your disen- d terested Kindness towards us your fatherly kindness we trust will be indeliably impressed upon our memory. We may truly say when we were sick you visited us and the necessary articles you sent on shore were of great service to us. Through the goodness e of
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74. Letter from Magistrate and Councillors to Rear-Admiral Moresby (First enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
74 a
Letter from Magis- trate and Council- lors to Rear-Admiral Moresby b (First enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
c
12 September 1853 d
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74 a
Letter from Magis- trate and Council- lors to Rear-Admiral Moresby b (First enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December of the Lord the sickness did not prove fatal to any although it was 1853) several weeks before we all recovered and even now some feels the effects of it. c
12 September 1853 Will your honour be pleased to return our sincere thanks to the nobility and Gentry who so kindly subscribed to the Pitcairn
fund, to the committee and all our kind friends and we hope by d divine assistance we may live as becomes those who are bound by so many obligations.
By your honours suggestion we have made a small chest of drawers for her gracious Majesty the Queen which we hope you will e have the honour of presenting to
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74 a
Letter from Magis- trate and Council- lors to Rear-Admiral Moresby b (First enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
c
12 September 1853 d
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74 a
Letter from Magis- trate and Council- lors to Rear-Admiral Moresby b (First enclosure to Moresby’s letter of to Her Majesty. It is made of the Island wood and we should be 31 December 1853) much pleased if Her Majesty would accept it as a token of our loyalty and respect. You know Honored Sir our means are very c limited and our mechanical skill likewise and we hope Her Majesty will receive it as the widows mite the will for the deed. 12 September 1853 Will your honour give our kind respects to your Sons our kind friends Fairfax and Fortescue, Captain Chads and especially to d our late Pastor Revnd W. H. Holman and all the Officers and Crew of H.M.S. Portland. We remain, honored e
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74 a
Letter from Magis- trate and Council- lors to Rear-Admiral Moresby b (First enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
c
12 September 1853 d
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74 a
Letter from Magis- trate and Council- lors to Rear-Admiral Moresby honored Sir your much b (First enclosure to obliged and grateful servants Moresby’s letter of 31 December the inhabitants of 1853) Pitcairn Island.
c (Signed) Arthur Quintall
12 September 1853 Magistrate Thos Buffett
Councillor d Edwd Quintal Councillor
In the name and on e behalf of the Community
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74 a
Letter from Magis- trate and Council- lors to Rear-Admiral Moresby b (First enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
c
12 September 1853 d
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Letter from Magistrate and Councillors to Rear- Copy Admiral Moresby b (Second enclosure to Moresby’s letter Honored Sir, of 31 December 1853)
We the undersigned Magistrate and Councillors c of Pitcairns Island having after your departure, convened c. 18 May 1853 a public meeting of the inhabitants of this Island, and your propositions being carefully read over to the people, have d the satisfaction to inform you, that not an objection is made by the inhabitants against one of Your Honours wise propo- sitions, and that we together with the rest of the community do unanimously and fully acquiesce in your opinion, e and
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75. Letter from Magistrate and Councillors to Rear-Admiral Moresby (Second enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
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Letter from Magistrate and Councillors to Rear- Admiral Moresby b (Second enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
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c. 18 May 1853 d
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Letter from Magistrate and Councillors to Rear- Admiral Moresby b (Second enclosure and will lose no time in attending to all your kind suggestions. to Moresby’s letter of 31 December We cannot conclude without expressing our grateful thanks 1853) to you for all your kindnesses to us especially for the late supply c of sugar and tea you have so condescendingly presented to the
c. 18 May 1853 community of Pitcairns Island.
In conclusion we beg to say that we sincerely hope and d pray that Almighty God will bless your earnest endeavours for our welfare both spiritual and temporal, and rest assured that our sincere prayers for your eternal happiness shall ever follow you. e Subscribing ourselves yours affectionately,
(Signed) Arthur Quintal Junr.
Magistrate of Pitcairn f Thos Buffett Councr Edwd Quintal
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Letter from Magistrate and Councillors to Rear- Admiral Moresby b (Second enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
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c. 18 May 1853 d
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Letter from Inhabitants of Pitcairn Island to Her Majesty the b Queen Copy (Third enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853) Pitcairn Island c July 27th 1853.
27 July 1853 May it please your Majesty, We your Majesty’s loyal and devoted subjects the inhabit- d ants of Pitcairns Island, avail ourselves of an opportunity just offered us, to assure your Gracious Majesty of our loyal attachment to your person and Government.
The recollections of your Majestys Ships visits to our Island e will be preserved with pride and gratitude, and we desire to express in the most unqualified manner our thanks f
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76. Letter from Inhabitants of Pitcairn Island to Her Majesty the Queen (Third enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
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Letter from Inhabitants of Pitcairn Island to Her Majesty the b Queen (Third enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
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27 July 1853 d
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Letter from Inhabitants of Pitcairn Island to Her Majesty the b Queen (Third enclosure to Moresby’s letter of thanks for these gracious marks of Royal favour. We humbly trust 31 December 1853) we may be allowed to consider ourselves your Majesty’s subjects; and Pitcairns Island a British Colony as long as it is inhabited by us c in the fullest sense of the word.
27 July 1853 Several years since the Captain of your Majesty’s Ship Fly took formal possession of our little Island and placed us under d your Majesty’s protection, and if your Majesty’s Government would grant us a document declaring us an integral part of your Majesty’s dominion, we should be freed from all fears (perhaps groundless) on that head; and such a gracious mark of Royal favour would be e cherished by us to an exertion in the discharge of the various
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Letter from Inhabitants of Pitcairn Island to Her Majesty the b Queen (Third enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
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27 July 1853 d
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Letter from Inhabitants of Pitcairn Island to Her Majesty the b Queen (Third enclosure to Moresby’s letter of various duties incumberent on British subjects. 31 December 1853) The Commander-in-Chief for the time being in the Pacific Ocean, has permitted a Ship of War to visit us occasionally, and we c humbly trust your Majesty will be pleased to permit those visits to be 27 July 1853 continued; if your Majesty’s Government should think fit to remove us to some other place. d At the suggestion of our worthy benefactor Rear Admiral Moresby we have ventured to present your gracious Majesty with a small chest of drawers of our own manufacture from the Island
wood; the native name of the dark wood is miro, the bottoms of the e drawers made of the breadfruit tree; our means are very limited; and our mechanical
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Letter from Inhabitants of Pitcairn Island to Her Majesty the b Queen (Third enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
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27 July 1853 d
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Letter from Inhabitants of Pitcairn Island to Her Majesty the b Queen mechanical skill also; and we will esteem it a great favour if your (Third enclosure to Moresby’s letter of Majesty would condescend to accept it as a token of our loyalty and 31 December 1853) respect to our gracious Queen.
In conclusion we beg to add our earnest desire and prayer, c that your Majesty may long live to govern those whom God has 27 July 1853 placed under your Majesty’s care and protection; may he strengthen protect and prosper you is the earnest desire of d Your Majesty’s loyal and devoted subjects the inhabitants of Pitcairns Island e
(Signed) Arthur Quintal Junr. Chief Magistrate of Pitcairns Island f
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Letter from Inhabitants of Pitcairn Island to Her Majesty the b Queen (Third enclosure to Moresby’s letter of 31 December 1853)
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27 July 1853 d
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British Consul (Toup Nicolas) to Inhabit- ants of Pitcairn Island British Consulate of the Society Islands b Raiatea October 6th 1854
6 October 1854 To the Inhabitants of Pitcairn’s Island c My dear friends,
On the 5th of July I addressed a letter to you acquaint- ing you that Her Majesty’s Government had exceeded to your d request of being removed to Norfolk Island and that they would provide a vessel which should call off your island towards the close of the present year for the purpose of carrying out that removal. e
I have received a subsequent Despatch on the subject from the Earl of Clarendon who directs me to acquaint you that Norfolk Island will not be evacuated by its present f
occupants
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77. British Consul (Toup Nicolas) to Inhabitants of Pitcairn Island
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British Consul (Toup Nicolas) to Inhabit- ants of Pitcairn Island b
6 October 1854
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British Consul (Toup Nicolas) to Inhabit- ants of Pitcairn Island b
occupants so soon as was expected and that consequently it has 6 October 1854 become necessary to postpone for the present any measures for providing a vessel to remove the Pitcairn Islanders to Norfolk c Island.
The Earl of Clarendon had lately received the copy of a Memorial addressed by the Pitcairn Islanders to the Queen d [3-1386] requesting to be furnished with a document declaring them to be under Her Majesty’s protection, and constituting Pitcairns Island a British possession.
The manner in which England has always [responded] e — — — to the Pitcairn Islanders when she has been claimed as their — Fatherland and is the best [proof]
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British Consul (Toup Nicolas) to Inhabit- ants of Pitcairn Island b
6 October 1854
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British Consul (Toup Nicolas) to Inhabit- ants of Pitcairn Island b
6 October 1854 no doubt has ever existed as to the soverienty of your Island and
will I trust be accepted by you as a sufficient answer. c
It is I am sure unnecessary for me after having dwelt on the subject in my last letter, again to direct your attention, to the interest with which you have always been regarded by Her Maj- esty’s Government; indeed it was in consequence of the interests d so felt that measures were determined upon to provide for your removal to Norfolk Island.
Believe me to be e My dear Friends Your faithful and affectionate [friend] B. Toup Nicolas f
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British Consul (Toup Nicolas) to Inhabit- ants of Pitcairn Island b
6 October 1854
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