Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-07-23
Misceilany.
From the Boston Mercantile Journal.
PITCAIRN'S ISLAND.

Who has not heard of Pitcairn's Island, in
the Pacific ocean-the solitary spot which
Fletcher Christian, at the head of the mutt
neers OF the Bounty, and their tawny wives,
selected as an asylum, and there planted colo
ny! The history of this colony is one of the
most Interesting pieces of veritable narrative
now eXtant-and proves that truth is STRANGER
| than fiction. Wehave collected from various
quarters some facts relating to the inhabitants
OF this lsland-which have enabled US to pre-
sent our readers with an article of considera-
Bile length, but which we believe many will
deem highly interesting.
In the year 1888, the ship Bounty, Captain
Bligh, sailed from England, for the islands in
the Pacific Ocean, for the purpose Of procur-
ing quantity Of plants ofthe bread fruit and
other tropical trees, to be introduced into the
English West India Islands. He arrived at
Otaheite, one of the Society Islands. on the
18th Of September. He remained there for
twenty-three weeks, and with his whole crew
was treated with much affection and regard
by the natives--which seemed to increase in
proportion TO their stay. The women of Ota-
heite We're represented by Capt. Bligh as be-
Ing handsome, mild, and cheerful in their
manners and conversation-and possessed of
sufficient delicacy to make them admired and
beloved. And it is not surprising that set of
sailors, most of them void of connections.
should form tender ties with these South Sea
Island srs-and regret to quit place like O,a-
heite, where they had the power of fixing
themselves in one Of the finest islands in the
world, In the midst ofplenty, where there was
no occasion to labor, and where the allure
ments OF dissipation are beyond any concep-
ton that can be formed of them.
Accordingly after the Bounty had sailed
from Notwithstanding on board one thousand
bread-fruit plants-a plan was concerted a.
mong portion of the officers and crew, to
take possession of the ship, and return to the
island. The chefofthe mntineers was Fetch
er christian, a young oman and masters mate
OF the Bounty. The whole plan was mana
grd with great adroitness, and was complete
ly successful. 4 few weeks after the ship left
otaheIte, the mutineers took possession with
out any struggle or cppostiom-put Captain
B!lgh, and some Of his officers, and portion
oil the crew into the long boat, supplied them
with provisions, and some other necessaries,
and set them adrift. The boat, after peri
lous voyage of many days, reached an island
in the vicinity Of New Holland--and Captain
Bligh subsequently succeeded in reaching
England in safety.
| Meanwhile Christian and his comrades re-
turned In the Bounty to Otaheite, and there a.
oandoned themselves to pleasure. But Chris
tan had sense enough to know that as soon
as the circumstances of the mutiriy were
known In England, vessel would be des-
patchedto arrestthe mutineers. He therefore
urged his companions TO embark with him in
the Bounty, and with their Otahcite wives
seek a safe asylum in some other land A
part OF them listened to his advice, and left the
island. Those who remained were few
months afterward shot down or captured by
she crew Of British ship, sent out'by the
British government for that purpose.
The beautiful and solitary spot. called Pit
cairns island. wasfrst discovered by Captain
Carteret, On the 4th ofJuly I767-who says /:
Upon approaching it from distance, it first
appears like a girt rock rising out of the sea.
II is no more than FIVE miles in circumference,
| (now known to be miles long and broadly
and unlnhabited. II was, however. covered
with trees, and we saw small stream offresh
water running down the side Of it. would
have landed upon it, but the surf at that sea.
son Of the year was so high as to renderiti i'm
possible. got soundings at the west side of
1t, at somewhat less than mile from the
| shore, In Is fathoms, with bottom Of coral
and sand. II lies in lat. 90 South, long. 1 SO