Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-07-23
No. IS.

friend. Our readers are aware that after his
death, the whole colony at Pitcairn's Island,
having greatly increased in number, were re-
moved by the British Government to Otaheite,
doubtless with the mistaken idea ofimproving
their condition. Here they stayed but short
time. Change of climate, manners, style OF
living, &c., had its usual enect-and many of
them pinned away and died. They were also
disguised with the loose licentious manners Of
the Otaheitans, as well as with the vices of
those who called themselves civilized. Dis
ease and sorrow reduced them from a happy,
cheerful and prosperous people, TO handful
OF miserable beings-looking back Upon the
past but without hope for the future. These,
at last, worn down by disappointment and
chagrin, gladly accepted the offer of the CAP
tain OF the Charles Daggett ofSalem, to trans
port them to their native land-to which they
returned soon after the year 1880.
An article appeared not long since in tho
Sailors Magazine, published at New York,
describing the fate ofthe remnant of those I'M
fortunate beings after their return to the island.
We have said that their morals had been in
considerable degree corrupted by their resi-
dence among the dissolute Otaheitans, and
several OF their number died soon after they
returned to the island. The English govern.
ment sent out to them a respectable gentle
man. named Joshua Hill, to reside with them.
IN the capacity Of a teacher and magistrate,
and to be sort of superintendent over their
concerns. He arrived there in October 1889,
and found among them three unprincipled
English sailors, who seemed to exercise
great and evil influence over the minds of this
Interesting peopie.-Dy the representations of
Mr.. Hill, however, Capt. Freemantle of the
Royal Navy was induced TO investigate tho
conduct OF these men, and they were ordered
off the'island-and Mr.. Hill applied himself
zeaiously TO the work OF moulding them anew,
and for about twelve months, the interval
these three ''workcrS cfiniquity'' were absent,
every thing 'went on in the most happy man.
ner-churclIi school, temperance society.
prayer meeting. and a little government estab-
lished, for the sake of good order, of three ell
ders, three sub-alders, ard three of the Young
men, as cadets, &c. But while these three
wicked men were stopping at Tahiti, "a sink
Of wlckedness, what Oahu once was y they
petltoned the British commodore, on the coast
Of Peru and Chilli, and through all sorts of
deceiving him, he unfortunately al.
lowed himselfto be imposed unon. and actin
ally allowed them to return again to Pitcairn!
From which period the island became per-
lect Pandemonluu, SO much so, that the lives
OF all thnse who d..red'to oppose their saIanic
ways were really unsafe; and together with
all such as vcnturcd their adhesion to peaca,
and good order, were daily expos
ed. And the natives being naturally ex-
remely timid, and easily influenced, there was
great falling off in their neral conduct
j he course pursued by the sailors, was most
shameful. The crimes ofdfuhkenness, licen-
'iousneSs ana even murder, were practised o.
oeniy. Mr.. Hill, however, was determined
10 60 on in the best manner in his power, I'm
Ill the arrival of ship Of war, when he hoped
10 prevail on the Captain to remove these un-
p!iEcipled scoundrrls again from the island
In his Letter dlted Valparaiso. January 10, no
says, Il hive transmitted full account to the
British government In regard TO the inhabi-
tants ct Pitcairn's Island, (about che hundred
immortal souls) AID if a suitable superin.en-
lant, ola good moral character, duly armed
as to authority, he not soon sent to them, they
must inevitably be lest"
Whether the British government have list
,ned to this appeal or not. is not known tous.-
But the fate Of this people must deeply inter-
est the phiianttrcpist-and we cannot but
hope that good cotnsels will yet prevail a.
mong them, and that they may yet, by the
exertions and influence Of good men, be req
tored TO that state Of moral purity which they
long cherished under the guidance of the pa
triafch Smith, Or, is he was ailerward called,
John Adams.
The latest intelligence from Pitcairn's t.
land was received here in May oflast yearly
the barGue Kent, Capt. Steele, OF Boston,
This vessel touched there in November, 1888,
On her passage from California. The three
English sailors We're then there, but were ra-
theruapopular among the natives, and did
not appear TO exercise that evil influence over
their minds. is described By Mr.. Hill.
Those who visited the bagQue appeared re-
markabiy correct in their department, reprov-
ed the seamen for using profane language,
and IN Il manner which seemed to be The Off
spring Of true devotion, asked blessing be-
fore meat. The inhabitants then numbered
ninety six souls. They appeared to be indus.
trous and contented with tLoir lot. and when
questioned, expressed 30 wish to eove ,l.s
island.
Ptcoirn's Island being well wooded ard
watered, and blessed with fertile soil. pro-
ducing abundance Of yams, corn, bread fruit,
NC, IS capable Of supporting 1000 SOULS
Whaling ships, and vessels bound to this
country from the north west coast Of America,
can be furnished with supplies at this isIand,
which will be brought off in canoes belonging
to the ratve5. as 10 ships boat can live in the
heavy surf, which continually beats on tho
shores. Thus In a commercial as well'as in
psychological point Of view, this island is Of
considerable Importance.
4 Rich House Nc$f.--'Three years ago. Mr..
John G.. Marshall, then doing an active bust.
ness I'm tt1i5 Cite had I,iS ,o,o.. J-..--- =