The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-05-12

Pitcairn Island, that remotest and
least-yisited of the inhabited South Pa
citic islands, has lately been put in
pleasant communication with San Fran
cisco through the agency of some ship
wrecked sailors, who were kindly cared
for by its people The romantic story of
how the little isle was peopled by the
mutineers of the English ship Bounty,
ninety years ago, has been told in
widely-circulated, charming narrative,
and this glimpse of the present life of
the islanders, afforded by the San Fran
cisco Bulletin, is quite idylhc. 1t says:
The reports given by the wrecked sailors
OF the simple honesty of the islanders, of
their purity Of character and industry,
| awakened considerable interest in them
among the merchants in this city, who
contributed considerable quantity of
useful articles, which were sent to them
by different vessels. Among the cap
tains who were particularly interested in
helping these interesting and peculiarly
situated people was Capt. Scribner, of
the ship st. John, who arrived again at
this port Saturday last Capt. Scribner
never fails to heaye to when passing Pit
cairn Island for the purpose of having a
few words with his isolated friends, who,
in turn, have in him nearly the only com
municator with the outside world.
This people Numbering now about
eighty-seven) are without law or money,
governed, if such a term can be used, or,
perhaps, more properly led, by Mr..
Young, who acts as their leader, preacher
and school-master, and in all matters re-
quiring arbitration or decision is recog-
nized as the high tribunal While the
goods, which were sent from San Fran
cisco, were being packed, twelve-year-
old daughter of one of our merchants,
James B. Stetson, thought she would
send some articles to some little girl of
the same age. So she packed Il box,
containing some dolls, pictures, fancy
articles, ETC., and her photograph in a
letter, and directed the box: ITO any
girl about twelve years of age on the
Pitcairn Island" In the letter she gave
the number of school children, churches
| inhabitants, etc, of this city, all of
which were astonishing to the young ISL
anders. The thingwas nearly forgotten
when, few weeks ago, this little Cir
received a package of four letters from
her Pitcairn friends. 1t appears that q
vessel bound for Liverpool passed neal
the island, and the letters were sent on
board and by the captain placed in the
Postoffice at Liverpool which in due
time reached San Francisco The letters
are well written, and would compare
favorably with those of girls of the same
age among US. One was from Sarah r
Young, aged nine years; one from Sarah
Emily Mccoy, aged eleven years; one
from Amelia Ann Mccoy, aged nine
| years. The letters contain the warmest
expressions of gratitude that anyone il
the great unknown world should think OF
them in such manner. They write that
they have gathered box of oranges in
hope that some passing vessel would STOP
so that they might put it on board tc
send as slight reward for the kindness
They describe their school-house-whicf
they use for church purposes also-they
say they are very proud and thankful FOL
the organ which was sent them from SaI
Francisco, and have given it very
| prominent position in the building. The
letters are full of thankfulness for the
kindness of the people of San Francisco
who have so literally rewarded them fol-
their hospitality to the .ship-wrecket
sailors, and for which they expected
nothing In a postscript added to tn,
letter of her daughter, mother apollo
gizes for the appearance of her daugh
ter's letters by saying she has only
written on paper but very few times il
her life. One letter from a, young lad,
of twenty-three is most excellently com
posed and beautifully written. h