The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-01-01
HAPPY PITCAIRN ISLANDERS.
An Interesting Report of an interest
ing People.
The Descendants of the Muffneers of the
ssBounsy' Form the most Moral
and Religious Commu-
nifty on Earth.
London Daily News.I

london Daily News.I
The following report has been received at
the admiralty from Rear Admiral de Horsey,
commandment chief on the Pacific station:
SHAH AT SEA, latitude So ~ south, longi-
tude 1852 so west, Sept. IL, ls1S.-SiR-l request
Won will acouaint the lords commissioners of
the admiralty that Pitcairn Island lay in
my track from Esquimalt to Valparaiso, and
the weather being sufficiently favorable for
landing took advantage of the circumstances
to visit that island for the purpose OF aScer-
tanning the condition OF the innao zap ant anu
age Having sighted Pitcairn st dayngnt on
the Sth inst we t at noon the
following day, when we proceeded on our voy-
age. small and almost inaccessible island
ing in the vast triangle between !
Vancouver, Falkland, and FIJI III; Islands ,ns5
ships and are therefore made the subject OF |
this letter. The population at present num- |
females, a nominal return of whom is fur.
nished In appendix No. L. BY this return 1t |
Of the eeneration which Immediately followed
the mutineers. viz ElIzsoetn Young, aged
about IS, daughter of John Mills, gunner's
mate of the Bounty, and of an Otaheitlan
mother. The oldest men on the island Is
Thursday OCTOBER christian, aged 80, grandson
of Fletcher christian, masters mate of the
Bounty. The population may be be further d e,
bows and 80 girls. The deaths on the island
have numbered about IL in the last ~ years
No contagious diseases visit the Is ana, nor are
the animals subject to disease. lew meol-
cines which were sent from Valparaiso in her
majesty ship Reindeer are administered as
REQUIRED, by the pastor. Pitcairn Island is gov
erned by "magls rate and chief ruler IN sub
ordination 10 her majesty the queen OF Great
Britain" who not only administers the laws,
but also enacts them. There are two
councillors to advise and assist the chief magis-
are convened for consultation when required.
In appendix No 2 L furnish copy of the laws
drawn up by the present chief magistrate on
accession to office, and are evidently culed
puerlie simplicity of the laws is perhaps the
best evidence of the good conduct OF the peo-
pie The law is, in fact, merely preventive, no
case of theft, fornication or use of profane lam
guage apparently the only three crimes con-
Iempiated as possible nsying 1een known 10
The chief magistrate is elected annually on
New Years day, and is open TO re,electlon.
Both sexes of and above the age of IL have
vote. The office is at present filled by MI.
James Russell Nc oy; who is also stsersm an
is the only boat on the island. have address
ed a separate letter to their lordships relative
ment OF the island raised by the chief magis-
tTate. Divine service is held every Sunday at
used by Jonn Adams for that purpose until he
died In 1879. 1t is conducted strictly in accord
gland by Mr.. simon Young, their selected pas
tor. who Is much respected Bible class is
nientlv can attend. There is also a general
meeting for prayer on the first Friday in every
month. Eami V prayers are said in every mouse
the first thing in the morning and the last
thing in the evening, and no food is partaken
of without asking Gods blessing before and
afterward. captain Beechey, writing IS years
ago, says: "These excellent people appear to
live tosether In perfect harmony and content,
lnent, to be vIrtuous, religious, cheerful and
nospitanle; to be patterns of copjugal and pa
rental affection, and to have very few vices"
1 have ventured to quote these words, as they
mold true to this day, the children having fol-
lowed in the footsteps of their parents.
The observance OF sunday is very strict; no
is
cal spirit, as shown on the occasion OF our
visit, which CHANGED to be on sunday, when
everything consistent with not neglecting di-
vine service was done to supply us with re-
fresh Fnents for the crew, the chief magistrate
arguing that it was a good work, and neceS-
.sary, the ship could not wait. OF these
Islanders religious attributes no one can
whose " greatest 1 prRviiegs and pleasure
is to commune in prayer with their God,
who are, moreover, cheerful, diligent, and
probably freer from vice than any other COM
nnator also Re duty of
IN which he is assisted by his daughter, Rosa
prises reading, writing, arithmetic, scripture
history. and geography. The girls learn sew
are taught part-singing very effectively every
child and unmarried woman at present mas TO
attend school from y to II and from TO p.
m. schooling is conducted in the church
house, one end of which is used as a library,
open to all. English is the only Language
aye of course entirely dependent upon
their own resources. They .ow sweet
plenty OF bread fruit but these are nearly ali
dying out. They have also beans. carrots, tur-
nips cabbages and a little maize. Pineappies,
tig trees. custard apples and plenty of oranges
lemons and cocoanuts. Clothing is obtained
alone from passing SHIPS in barter for refresh
ments lew sheep. goats, pigs, fowls, cat,
and dogs There are no springs on the island
but as It rains generally once month, they
have plenty of water, although st times il
former years they have suffered from drouth
No alcoholic liquo. S, except for medical pur
QrunEaru unknown
The houses are Well yenti aied, and furnished
sufficient for their simple wants. Scarcely
any trees fit for TIMBER grow here. There Il
no money on the island except such few COIN
as D:ey be kept as curiosities. The men arr
chi.fsy employed tIlling their grounds, farm
inS. house building, canoe fishing, etc.; thu
women in cooking. sewing, hat and haske
take their share of public work when required
This at present is enlarging the church mouse
The only communication with the quite
world is by means of pa sing ships, averaginl
their way to and from San Francisco; but Ihi
is precarious, as most ships fetch to windwart
are freonentIy unable 10 coInmnnicate1 A
the time of our visit the landing was consid
cred good but it was necessary TO watch for
communication whatever with Otaheite, ane
land. The necessary articles required by tn
islanders are best shown by those we furnish
ed in barter for refreshments, viz: flannel
soap. They also stand much in need OF map
and slates for their schools, ana tools of an
kind are most acceptable. i caused them
be supplied from the public stores with un
ion jack for display on ships arrival, and
pit-saw, of which they were greatly in neeC
This trust will meet with the approval
their lordships. II the munifcent people
England were only aware of the wants of TIL
most deserving little colony they would nc
long go uDsupplled. / would sugge:
that anything desired TO be sent be addresse
TO the care OF the admiral this station
either at Coquimbo or Vancouver Island,
go by first man of-war. II sent by prival
shit dc nv ma in a In
two Years or so two wrecks have occurred; tn
English ship Khandish on Gems Island, an
the. English ship CORVALLIS on Pitcair
Island In both cases the crews took refue
on Pitcairn Island. remaining respectivel
over six weeks and three days, and receivin
every assistance, including food and clothin
from the scanfY s.lnnlIes of the Pitcairn 1