Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-07-23

we saw 1t at the distance of fifteen leagues.
This island, from being situated far from
the common track of navigation, remained un
visited from the time of the first discovery, I'll
the year 1870, when Fletcher Christian, tn,
chief OF the mutineers of the Bounty, afterex
amlning number Of islands in this part
the Pacific, in search of retired and uninhab
tied island, where he, with his comrades anc
their wives, might sccrete themselves and ent
their days, fixed upon this island. Heacc
dinghy ran the ship ashore-broke her up, af
ter taking out every thing valuable, and will
few Englishmen, the companions of hi:
crime, and some 0taheitan men and women
established himselfor this island. Ten wears
aiterward, Christian was killed by one of the
Otaheitans--and few years after this circum-
stance, the Otaheltan men, instigated by jeal-
ousy, rose upon the English and killed all but
one, named Alexander Smith, who fortunate
ly escaped, and succeeded in concealing him
self. On the following night, the women rose
upon their countrymen, and in turn killed
them all-and thus the Englishman, Smith.
and seven Otaheitan women, were all of the
original settlers who were left alive on the
Eisland.
From that time, although several ships pass
ed the island, none attempted to effect land
ing, until the year 1903, when the ship Topaz,
| " Doohohi wv hCu NC >. dilu IL. l>crklnS,
and commanded by Captain Mathew Folrer.
touched at the place. The Topaz was bound
on sealing voyage in the Pacific, and Capt.
foiger was induced to suppose, from the sit
uation OF Pitcairn's island, that these animals
might abound there-and therefore determin-
ed 10 visit 1t and effect landing. 1t had been
described by former navigators as uninhabited
and he was therefore much surprised to
perceive, on nearing the island, canoe pull
Ing of to the ship-and much more so. when
the man In the canoe, one of whom was a
son of Fletcher Christian. addressed him in
good English, asking who he was, where he
was from, &c. They went on board the Topaz
ana spent short time, when Capt. Folger ac-
cepted their invitation to accompany item on
shore. The account of his interview with
Smith is exceedingly intorestng-butto too long
TO be given here entire. We shall give few
passages, embodying some interesting obser-
vatIons made by Captains Delano and Folger.
Captain Folger remarked that Smith had ia
Ken great pains to educate the inhabitants of
the island In the faith and principles of Christi
ahlty-they were In the uniform practice Of
evening and morning prayer, and were reuu-
larry assembled on Sundays for religious IN
struction and worship. The library and sta
tlonary ot the Bounty furnished item with
the means of considerabl. learning. Smith
had improved himself greatly by the efforts he
was Obliged to make to instruct those under
MS care He wrote and conversed extremely
we'll, and hisjournalwas so handsomely kept
as TO attract ieularattenton---and 10 excite
regret mat there was not timet to copyi it. The
houses In the village were uncommonly neat
They were built after the manner of Otahei-
tans-small trees were felled and cut into
suitable lengths-then driven into the Ground.
and interviewer with split bamboo. They
were matched with the leaves of the plantain
and cocoanut, and the ground neatly covered
with mats, very tastefully wrought.
The young men labored in the fields and
gardens, or employed themselves in different
Kinds OF manufactures, such as canoes, house
mold furniture, implements of agriculture, and
apparatus for fishing. The girls made cloth
OF the bark ola tree, and attended 10 the do
mestic labors. They were cheerful, and as in
dustrlous, healthy, and beautiful, as they were
temperate and simple in their habits. The
provisions set before Captain Folger, consist
ed OF fowls, pork, ard vegetables, cooked with
great heatness and uncommonly well. The
fruits were also excellent. The apron and
shawl, worn by the girls, were made from the
bark OF the cloth tree. This is taken from the
trunk, and beaten till 1t is thin and soft and fit
Tor use. Is natural coleris buff, but it is Owed
is sometimes covered with figures ofanimals.
When Smith was asked by Captain F. ifhe
wished his existence to remain secret, he re-
Piled NO" and, pointing to young and
blooming band by whom he was surrounded,
the descendants of Christian and his cornpan-
Ions, continued, "Do you think any uencould
seek my life with such apicture as this before
his eyes 20
" hen Captain +. was about to leave the
Island, the people pressed around him with
the greatest affection and courtesy. The chro-
nometer OF the Bounty was given him as
present-although of gold, was SO black
with smoke and dust, that the metal could
hardly DC discovered, The girls brought him
some presents Of cloth, which thcy had made
with their own hands, ard which they had
dyed with beautiful colors Their unaffected
and amiabie manners, and their earnest pray
e!s Tor his welfare, made deep impression on
his mind. Captain Folger made as suitable
a return OF presents as was in his power, and
leit this most interesting community, with the
keenest sensations ofregret. Itreminded him
OF Paradise, he said, more than any effort of
poetry or imagination.
Pitcairn island was again visited, Sept II,
1914, By Sir Thomas Staines, and Cap. Pipon.
OF the English Government ships Biiton and
tagus; and the latitude was ascertained to be
% deg. min. S., and 1870 deg. % West.
The description given by Sir Thomas ofthe
island and its inhabitants is quite interesting,
ana July confirms all that was said by Capt.
Folgcr.
lie says this interesting new colony consist.
cd of about &c persons, mostly grown nm
young people, besides number of Infants
/ The young men, all born on the island. were
very athlctick and of.,t,o & no., r - Il.