Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-12

pathy and respect on receiving the civilites o
this lonely but confding little community, and re
turned their humble hospitalties with such libe
ralty as his captain felt authorised to admit. L
is. however, on the arrival of Queens ship tina
the enthusiasm of the islanders is naturally mos
excited: and who can think unmoved ofthe TWEEN
ty-one guns salute from the stately structure OF
the bosom of the ocean, returned by the single sol
itary gun in the island? If anything could raise
in our estimation the character of British nava
officers it is the accounts of their doings in these
distant regions, to be found in this little volume
The tears have several times quvered in our owr
ewes, when reading the extracts here given from
the journals and dispatches of captains and admi
rails. all of whom have exhibited noble spirit o.
tenderness and dignity in dealing with this little
community. We would have every young officer
in Her Majesty's navy read this record of manly
sympathy and pety on the part of those intrusted
with high and distant commands by the Queen o
Great Britain-symbolling at once of the authori-
ty and power of the sceptre which she wields land
the gentle spirit of benignity and piety which an.
mates her heart. But we shall Yet our admiral
speak for himself.
THE ADMIRAL ON THE ISLAND.
Before, however, we come to this great event,
we must return for minute to the pastor OF Pit
cairn. On the Goth July, l847, memorial was
addressed to the chaplain of H.M.S. Ihalia, sign
ed by seven of the islanders, including the chiet
magistrate! and the t,co councillors (tor such they
have Explanatory of their position and their wants
Their prominent want they shall themselves e1-
plain.
'.One thing more, before we conclude, we earn
estly present to your consideration; and as 1t comes
in an especial manner within the province of your
holy office, we would indulge the hope that our
application will be attended with success. The
case in question is this: Our teacher who has been
with us for nineteen years in that capacity. and
whose services to US are invaluable, has never re-
ceived the license or sanction of tho proper author
ity in that Church of which we are a component
part. This circumstance is source ofmuch anX-
iety, both to him and us; and as our numbers a
mount to | SO (7l males and 67 females) J, and are
rapidly increasing, we do most urgently, but most
respectfully solicit your application to the proper
quarter for pastoral letter, inducing or sanction
inc our teacher into the holy office he has for so
LONG a space of time increasingly, untringly, and
worthily filled on this island. That he is deserv-
inc such mark of ecclesiastical appreciation and
favour, is justly and cheeridlly acknowledged by
the whole community and of the great benefit
which will accrue to US theretrom, no one can be
more competent to Judge than yourself"
Rear admiral Fairfax Moresby, commander-in-
chief in the Pacific, had long felt deep interest
in the welfare of the Pitcairn islanders, and in the
month of July, 1851 received the following beau
tful and affecting invitation to visit the island,
signed by thirteen female inhabitants, In the name
Of all their sex on the island -
''PIrcMRN, july 2eth 1851.
''HoNoURABLE SIR,-From the kind interest
you have evinced for our little community in the
letter which you have sent our excellent and wor-
thy pastor. Mr.. Nobbs,we are emboldened to send
you the following request, which Is that you will
visit us before you leave this station or 1t is i'm
possible for you to do 81, certainly we, as loyal
subjects of cur gracious Queen, ought to be visited
annually, if not more, by one of her ships of war
1--WE have never had the pleasure of welcom-
ing an English admiral to cur little island, and we
therefore earnestly solicit visit from you. How
inexpressibly happy shall we be, if you should
think fit to grant this our warmest wish! We
trust that our very secluded and isolated position,
and the very few visits we have of late had from
British ships of war, will be sufficient apology fol-
addressing the above request to you. With fer
vent prayers for your present and future happiness
and for that of our Queen and nation,-Ne re
main, Honoured Sir, your sincere and atectlonate
well wshers."
Signed by thirteen females, SIN the
name and on behaFof all the rest
of female seq on the lsland."
Who could resist this? Not an admiral in the
service of the Queen of Eng and-least of all good
Admiral Moresby; and year afterwards-vz.
on the 7th August lS52-at noon,a ship was des-
cried in the far distance, which at sunset was sus
Il; oc, hriof inht
ed in feverish excitement. Before sunrise the
people were on the look i-out from the precipice in
front of the town, waiting for the report of a gun
to confirm their hopes. BY and by, hark the
booming of cannon electrified the little town =
And as the stately ship drew near. behold-an
admiral's flag waving proudly in the wind !
Would we had room for the description of this sig
nal event, given by Mr.. Nobbs, and the official
despatch of the admiral containing an account Of
his landing, and three days. stay. 1t was Sunday
morning. and he took his chaplain and several Of
ficers with him, all attending divine service, the
chaplain preaching in the afternoon.
=
Here is Mr.. Nobbs' own vivid picture of the
noble old ad.nira's departure from the island:
..And now comes the leave taking. The ven-
erable and benevolent commander in-chief of her
Maesty's forces in the Pacific, standing on the
rocky beach at Bounty Bay (the very spot where
the mutneers had landed sixty years before)-
himself the Oldest person there, by fifteen years
surrounded by stalwart men and matronly wo-
men Youths, maidens, and little children-every
one in tears, and most deeply affected, formed
truly impressive scene. The boat was some time
in readiness before the admiral availed himself o
an opportunity to embark. Some held him by the
hand, the elder women hanging on his neck, and
the Younger ones endeavoring to obtain promise
that he would revisit them. As a number OF ouI
men went on board with the admiral, similar
scene occurred there and as the last boat pushed
off from the ship, some of the hardy tars standing
in the pangway. were detected hastily brushing
away tear. The frigate now stood in for the
last time; and, hosting the royal standard, fired
salute of twenty-one guns. The tars manned the
rigging, and gave three hearty cheers, and one
cheer more The islanders responded; the band
struck up God save the Queen and the stately
Portland started on her track"
We said that this is picture, as vivid as word;
can paint it, and worthy of the richest pencil al
the command of the Royal Academy.
The islanders could only be induced. with ex-
treme difficulty, to part with their pastor for q
while, when it came to the point, ardently as they
had desired that he should be invested with the
character ofa clergyman of the church of England
On the admira's promising, however, to leave his
own chapain at the island till their pastors return
they allowed him to go. Listen to the testimony
of the admiral's plain as TO the people among
whom he had been placed for a while.
"September 5th, 1852.
''The accounts of the virtue and piety of these
people are by no means exaggerated. have nj
doubt they are the most religious and virtuou;
community in the world and during the month:
have been here, have seen nothing approach
ing quarrel, but perfect peace and goodwill a
mong all" He also found Pitcairn, as did hi:
admiral, a "paradise !"
(Io be concluded)