SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1850. PITCAIRN'S ISLAND.

New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 467, 5 October 1850, Page 2

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1850.

PITCAIRNS ISLAND.

Attention has been lately, from various circumstances, turned to this deeply interesting Island : — deeply interesting not only from its own loveliness, Natnre having endowed it with an almost lavish profusion of her richest gifts, tout also from the romantic history of its inhabitants, which goes far to verify the saying that " truth is stranger than fiction." Some months ago, we inserted in our columns an account of it and of them which we know was read by many here and elsewhere with lively emotion. In various ways, and throngh varied channels, the subject has since been brought under public notice, But we doubt if any-

thing has yet appeared in relation to it more likely at once to grapple the mind of the reader and to give him picturesquely accurate views, than the communications respecting it which, according to the promise in our last, we now proceed to publish. The principal of these (as we before intimated), is from the pen of a gentleman well known here, and whose identity is so thinly veiled in his writing that few of our local readers will have any difficulty in recognising him. Indeed his individualities appear with abundant plainness in his graphic narrative. No one can fail to see that he regards Church of Englandism as not only by far the best of all the " isms' 1 into which the religious world is divided, but with a veneration on which the Bishop of Exeter himself might smile as complacently as it is in his disputatious nature to smile upon anything that is not downright Tractarianism. And no one can fail to see that he finds large fault with the "Grey" system of colonial government, whether dealt out in wholesale by his Lordship in Downing Street, or in comparative retail by his Excellency in New Zealand. We of course are not to be understood as identifying ourselves with — or, in such a connection as this, deeming it necessary to express any judgment at all, — on the views introduced on these and similar topics in the Letter, while we, however, cordially commend it on its general merits to the best attention of our readers. It will be seen that it was intended (and we believe was forwarded) for insertion in the London Times. To the Editor of the Times. San Franciico, Upper California, 31st July, 1850. Sir,— ln the month of March last, myielf and four others were left ashore at Pitcairns Island, by our ship, which was blown off in a gale. Haying thus had forced upon me the advantage of a more protracted residence on the famous reluge of the Bounty mutU nerr*, than hat been hitherto enjoyed by any viiitors, I send you some obserrations upon this — the smallest but not the least interesting of her Majesty's colonies, with the double object of correcting foregoing statements, and of partially repaying obligations which the kindneis and unbounded hospitality of the half-caste natives have laid us under, by drawing attention to the peculiar exigencies of their situation. When it appeared that all chance of rejoining our vessel was gone, and that we muit patiently wait the arrival of a whaler, or of tome colonial craft, putting in for water, the inhabitants seemed to vie with each other in reconciling us to our dependent position—manifesting, a delicacy and natural good breeding that have left an impression which can never be effaced. A single instance will serre to show the spirit in which these good offices were rendered. So soon as it was quite clear that we were abandoned, I called George Adams, my host to a conference. I told him that we could not help remaining a burthen upon his people for a while, but that we must endeavour to make it as light as possible ; that they must give over treating us as guests, and suffer us to live like themselves, in their ordinary way ; that for my own purt, I did not choose i to eat the bread of idleness while all were laboring around me, but that I would earn my living, and could give as honest • day's work in tbo yam plantations as any man on the island. Adams would not listen to the proposal; but said that he had many times more pleasure in seeing me at his house than before ; for that while the ship was here, it might have been supposed that ho looked for some return, whereas now it was quite clear that I had none to make. Being determined, however, to contrive that return of one shape or an other, a lucky thought at last occurred A little old gentleman, one of (he three resident Europeans, and the very impersonation of Master Simon in Brcebrid^e Hall, camo to ask a solution of certain difficulties in music. He had brought out with him, twenty-seven years ago, a few treatises on the subject, over which he had been poring ever since, seemingly without being able to advance a step. I took occasion to remark upon the imperfection of the singing, which was in unison, at bad as well could be, and proposed teaching them all to sing in parts, They caught at the offer with eagerness, and proved remarkably intelligent ; not one out of the whole adult population being deficient in ear, while many where gifted with magnificent voices. On the fourth day of initruction, they sang a catch, in chorus, steadily aud correctly. The well known Baron de Thierry gave lessons in linear perspective, and the use of the pencil, in handling which they soon showed equal proficiency ; each of us in fact diligently contrit uted whit he was able in acquirement to the common stock. Nothing surprised us more than the liltle occasion we found of adapting our remarks or phraseology to their comprehension, soon perceiving that ive might assnme the possession of ac much general iuformation, or of even more, than would be expected among the corresponding class in the old countries ; and that upon subjects which might have been supposed entirely beyond their reach. About the different British colonies and their governments they were specially curious in enquiry, and I was not a little amused at being catechiied, even in this nooksbotten isle, the St. Helena of the Pacific, about the misdeeds of Governor Grey. His reputation, such as it is, appears to travel fait. He has said that he is de. termined to make himself a name, and a name he has got, all over the Southern hemisphere, as well spread and as little to be envied as that of Dante's Florence : " Godi, Firenza, poi che sei si Rrnnde, Che per mare c per terra batti l'alo, E per lo 'nferno il tuo nome si spande." Those gentlemen who arc so greedy of notoriety make dangerous legates : whatever may be their talents, in the pursuit of a double object, they are sometimes temp ed to sacrifice realities to appearances and to forget their mission in themselves. The traditions about the Bounty are already assu* ming a legendary, or even mythic character. Old John Adams' journal ia loit, carried away by the master of a Boston whaler to whom it had incautiously been trusted ; and though a few stray anecdotes remain, nothing like a connected account of the mutiny is now to be recovered. The island verbion, however, is widely different from that put forth by Captain B.igh. His assertion, that connexions formed with lahitian women by his craw were the prime cause of the mutiny il distinctly denied, the outbreak being attributed entirely to his own arrogant and overbearing behaviour, With the subsequent abventures of that doomed ship, her Tiiyages backward and forward between Touboui and Tahiti, the landiug sixteen of their number at the latter island, and the final proceeding of Christian, and eight others, accompanied by Tahitian women, to Pitcairns Island, we have been already made accquuntcd through the narratives of Capping Pipon, Raines

already cremped for room, on an Island clioien by. their progenitors for its very insignificance ; and at the present rate of increase, migration must soon becomo compulsory. But to find a suitable location for them, i§ not so easy a matter. They have been once removed by government to Tahiti, where they remained but a few monthi ; terrified by the mortality which prevailed among themselves, and offended by the looinen of life which they were compelled to witness, they made the best of their way back, sadly thinned in numbers, to the land of their birth, from which it proved a mistaken kindness to have disturbed them. The Queen of Huihine, one of the Society group, has offered them an extensive tract of land, to which the descendants of Puni, a Huihine girl who married one of the Bounty's men, have a family claim. This they have declined to pres*, real properly in that Island being burthened with " benevolence" — forced contributions to the Chiefs on solemn occasions, unfixed in amount — for which they could not obtain a definite promise of being allowed to compound at the outset. Acceptance would in point of fact have been a complete sacrifice of independence. Consul General Millar, at the Sandwich Islands, has likewise made them a proposition, which was gratefully acknowledged, but declined, as unsuitable. They themselves have cast a longing eye on Jaan Fernandez, seemingly forgetful that it appertains to the Chilean republic. Mr. Brodie suggested Norfolk Island ; and certainly, if the penal settlement be abandoned, a more eligible location could be scarcely found. Meanwhile they are laying by what little money is derived from the sale of refreshments to shipping, with a view to purchasing a •mall schooner, by means of which thry may transport their live sioek to a small Island of vi»ry inferior capability, but the only one within any reasonable distance available for this purpose, Do as to appropriate every acre on their own domain to the vie of man alone. But it must eventually rest with the British government to decide whether they still form an entire community, as separate from the rest of the world in manners and cuitoms as in race, or whether they shall be considered as a nucleus of civilization, throwing off periodical swarms to the adjacent groups. Neither scheme is without its own advantages ; but the latter, less in consonance with their own inclinations, might be productive of benefit more widely diffused. Certainly the Home Government has now materials to work with, small in quantity, but of quality such as it never possessed before, which it would be wickedly careless to cast away. The grain of rauatard-sped is there, that may come in time to overshadow the wide Pacific. I obtained a copy of their statutes, which poises&ei but little interest, unless it be shewn with how few lawl a well-tempered society may be governed. They have laid down a rule for themselves, a golden oDe, NEVER TO HAKE A LAW TILI. IT BE WANTBD. Great would be the gain, could Ph^ethon-Sieyes, Lord Grey, our colonial constitution monger, be induced to take a lesson from these practical-minded Islanders. Their code, notwithstanding the age of the settlement, which in these days of mushroom States and Colonies, may be said to enjoy a very respectable antiquity, is consequently still of the most trivial character, relating chiefly to the rights of property, and the allotment of labour due to public works. Criminal law there is none a* yet, for it is not as yet required. With regard to inheritance, property is equally divided among all the children ; a necessary rule, where there is no outlet for younger sons, or any possible chance for their becoming the architects of their own fortunes. Yet the custom of graveUkind has its diiadvantages even here; for besides the complicated subdivision of property, tbe scattering of patches, which it his already led to, it follows that those whose progenitors have deserved best of the State are left worst off in worldly gear. But the Pit cairn people go a Rtep farther than even the Men of Kent, for the son comes into bis inheritance, or the greater part of it, on his wedding day ; the bride contributes her dowry ; so that the young couple are at once placed in a state of independence. But the woman brings likewise a better portion than broad acres, or sheck lei of tested gold, which are of little aceeunt besides the other good gifts which she throws into the matrimonial scale :— Non illara mihi duco dotsm esse qura dos dicitur, Sed pudorem, et pudicitiaoi, et sedatum cupidinem. They boast, and I believe with truth, that not a Eingle faux pas has ever yet occurred. Their constitution is as simple as their code. A magistrate, with two assessors, whose duty is confined to advice, is elected yearly. Suffrage is universal, all the married people being entitled to vote, men and women alike, and all the single over eighteen years of age. The church service is performed in the school house. The islanders are what the descendants of British sailors ought to be, strictly of the Church of England Two-penny tracts are held in small regard ; there is a large chest full, very securely nailed up, in custody of of the schoolmaster, while the Homilies occupy an honorable place on the book shelves of almost every house. Mr. Nobbs, the lay minister, does not venture to administer the Eucharist, for want of holy orders, a deficiency which he much regiets ; for although full pastoral influence is conceded to him, he feels that he has but imperfect right to exercise it, acting under no authority. I remanded him that there once were, and might be still, lecturers in the Church, acting under license, which in his case, might be possibly obtained. To his ministerial functions, he superadds those of schoolmaster and doctor, in the discharge of which he is indefatigable. His pupils do him credit, atid evidently take delight in their lessons. Attendance is compulsory, by law ; for each child the matter receives one shilling per month, which is paid in kind. For his ministerial duties lie is allowed exemption from labour on the public works; for his medical attendance he is remunerated by presents of provisions, which, together with the produce or a patch of land, consti. tutes the whole of his income, leaving him not without anxiety for the prospects of his children, already eleven in number. The language of conversation, among themselves, is fast degenerating into a dialect. They can speak English when they take the trouble, with remarkable purity, but with a formality of expression that shows it to have been acquired from books. For general propriety of behaviour, I have not seen the like of this community, though a wanderer through as many counti ies a« Ulysses. I never heard an oath among them, or even an angry word ; while their scrupulous adherence to truth— the first test which should be applied to claims of regeneration, in failure of which the most obtrusive sanctity may be at once set down for cant — their piactical morality, and strong sense of religion, fr«e from all ostentation of piety, might put very many of " the serious" in Europe to the blush. Let me here take occasion to say « few words about a most acrimonious attack upon Mr. Nobbs, contained in an English comptlaton entitled "The Mutiny of the Bounty," which I did not happen to fall in with until after my depart u« from the uland. In the ssme page, be is at once described as " a person of superior talents and exceeding great impudence," and as "one of those half-witted persons who fancy they have received a call to preach nonsense." He is represented it "a cause of division and dissention," and at "one of

the inferior caite ofevangelicsal." I am not myielf disposed to amwer for any m»n, unlrss, it be under long and intimate acquaintance ; but this much I can venture to say. that although he bac resided tweoty.tbree yean upon the island, it would be hard to find another spotcharacterized by unanimity of feeling so complete ; and that he possessed the full confidence of a people who think for themoelves as sturdily as John Bull himself* His expenses from the gambier Islands, to which he had been driven by Joshua Hill the ex-gov-ernor, were paid by the islanders, whilst on another occasion, and when he spoke of leaving them, at being unable to make any adequate provision for his family, they subscribe land among themselves, to induce him to remain. As to bis preaching he reads it standard sermon, excepting upon the occasions when he cannot find one to suit his purpose. Ai to his religious tenets, 1 obsened, during our many observntions, that they savored more strongly of «' Church of Englnndism" than of Evangelism," or of Calvinism in any shape I can form » shrewd guess as to whence this shnft was shot. I hope, sir, that you will not refuse insertion to the . foregoing observations, gathered during my stay with the most simple, guileless, and affectionate people I ever chanced to be thrown amongst. It has been to me an episode in life, and a very happy one ; for there is luxury in the contemplation of innocence so nearly perfect. Such as a society— so free not only from the grosser vices, but even Jfrom petly bickerings and jealousness from all that host of minor infirmities which •re every where expected and allowed for, as inseparable from human nature when even at the best — must be seen to be believed in. II is the realization of Arcadia, or of what we have been used to suppose had existed only in poetic imagination, the Golden Age. All living as single household, as a commonwealth of brother* and sisters, in patriarchal simplicity, and in equality of condition; the earth yielding abundantly, requiring only so much labor as suffices to preserve its occupants from the lietlessness of inactivity ; with nei ther wealth or want; in enjoyment of an additional pleasurable emotion which the imm»giiirs of classic Eden shave overlooked— warm loyalty towards their Queen and attachment to the mother country ; with a keen perception of their happiness, and gratitude that it has been voughsafed to them, Fortunati, sua gui bona norunt. Yet they also, like all the rest of the world have their skeleton in the house. The smellness of the Island, and rapid subdivision of property upon it, daily proclaims the early and [inevitable dissolution of the united family; and cren should the British government accede to their wish, of transplanting the whols community, root and branch to a more roomy site, still the day of breaking up their native hearths, of sha* king off associations which have been cherished from infancy, is looked forward to with repungance, and with dread* Mktoikos. The other notices in our hands relating to this little colony shall be introduced as opportunity may arise or permit. The following information, however (which we understand to have been supplied by the writer of the foregoing communication to the San Francisco Daily Journal of Commerce), has a value for shipmasters having occasion to call at Fitcairn's Island, which induces us to bring it in here — although we have already afforded a space to the subject which has compelled the displacement, or postponement, of one or two other matters to which we had intended to pay attention in in our present number ;—; — The following i* a list of prices of proviiiom on the island, and the quantity that can be spared, or thcreaabouts, per year :— 300 to 400 bis. Sweet Potatoes, at #2 00 100 to 150 bis. Irish Potatoes, at 3 00 100 to 120 bis. Yams, at 2 0 1200 to 2000 Cocoa Nuts, per 100 2 00 300 to 400 bunches of Plantains, or Bananas— for three bunches, , 1 00 40 dozen Fowls, per dozen 3 00 35 to 45,000 oranges, per 100, 1 00 100 gallons Lime Juice, per gallon 50 Water-melons, Pumpkins, &c ♦ . 200 barrels of Water per day— the casks are rafted by themselves. These prices are fixed, without reference to the productiveness of the season. There is good anchorage to the N.W. in 10 to 20 fathoms, from £ of a mile to 1 mile off shore.

Resident Magistrate's Court. — On Friday last, a case was adjudicated by Captain Beckham which excited considerable interest, and the decision in which afforded another — in addition to the already numerous — evidences of the uprightness, impartiality, and " good conscience" with which justice is administered in this Court. The defendant, Mr. White, of Monganui, was himself, we understand, a Sub - Inspector of Police, and a Resident Magistrate ; and during this trial, he occupied a place on the Bench. The plaintiff, a person named Ellis, claimed the sum of £19 17s. 6d., for services rendered by his wife as housekeeper and cook to Mr. White, from August, 1848, to Dec, 1849, being at the rate of twenty-five shillings per month. The defence against this apparently reasonable demand was, that the defendant had not hired Mrs. Ellis as his servant, but had, as an act of kindness, permitted her aud her two children to live in his house, receiving her services as what he regarded as a fair equivalent for the food given them. The Resident Magistrate stated that as it was clear that the services had been performed, and as the food of two little children could not be considered any sufficient remuneration for such services, he regarded the demand as equitable, and should therefore give judgment in behalf of the plaintiff for the amount claimed.