 CHAPTER 8 PART 1 OF THE EVENTFUL HISTORY OF THE MUTANY AND PARADICAL SEASURE OF HMS BOUNTY – IT'S CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCES – this is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. RECORDING by Brett Downey THE EVENTFUL HISTORY OF THE MUTANY AND PARADICAL SEASURE OF HMS BOUNTY by Sir John Barrow CHAPTER 8 PART 1 THE LAST OF THE MUTANIERS Who by repentance is not satisfied, is nor of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased by penitence the Eternals wrath appeased. Twenty years had passed away and the bounty and Fletcher Christian and the Paradical crew that he had carried off with him in that ship had long ceased to occupy a thought in the public mind. Throughout the whole of that eventful period, the attention of all Europe had been absorbed in the contemplation of enterprises of great pith and moment, of the revolutions of empires, the bustle and business of warlike preparations, the movements of hostile armies, battles by sea and land, and of all the pomp and circumstance of glorious war. If the subject of the bounty was accidentally mentioned, it was merely to express an opinion that this vessel, and those within her, had gone down to the bottom or that some savage islanders had inflicted on the mutineers that measure of retribution so justly due to their crime. It happened, however, some years before the conclusion of this war of unexampled duration, that an accidental discovery, as interesting as it was wholly unexpected, was brought to light. In consequence of an American trading vessel having by mere chance approached one of those numerous islands in the Pacific, against whose steep and ironbound shores the surf almost everlastingly rolls with such tremendous violence as to bid defiance to any attempt of boats to land, except at particular times and in very few places. The first intimation of this extraordinary discovery was transmitted by Sir Sidney Smith from Rio de Janeiro and received at the Admiralty, 14 May 1809. It was conveyed to him from Valparaiso by Lieutenant Fitz Morris and was as follows. Captain Folger of the American ship Topaz of Boston relates that upon landing on Pitcairn's Island in latitude 25 degrees two minutes south, longitude 130 degrees west, he found there an Englishman of the name of Alexander Smith. The only person remaining of the nine that escaped in his majesty's late ship Bounty, Captain William H. Bly. Smith relates that after putting Captain Bly in the boat, Christian, the leader of the mutiny, took command of the ship and went to Otehiti, where the great part of the crew left her, except Christian, Smith and seven others, who each took wives and six Otehitian men servants. And shortly after arrived at the said island, Pitcairn, where they ran the ship on shore and broke her up, this event took place in the year 1790. About four years after their arrival, a great jealousy existing, the Otehitians secretly revolted and killed every Englishman except himself, whom they severely wounded in the neck with a pistol ball. The same night, the widows of the deceased Englishman arose and put to death the whole of the Otehitians, leaving Smith, the only man alive upon the island, with eight or nine women and several small children. On his recovery, he applied himself to tilling the ground so that it now produces plenty of yams, coconuts, bananas and plantains, hogs and poultry and abundance. There are now some grown-up men and women, children of the mutineers, on the island. The whole population amounting to about thirty-five, who acknowledged Smith as father and commander of them all. They all speak English and have been educated by him, as Captain Volger represents, in a religious and moral way. The second mate of the Topaz asserts that Christian, the ringleader, became insane shortly after their arrival on the island and threw himself off the rocks into the sea. Another died of fever before the massacre of the remaining six took place. The island is badly supplied with water, sufficient only for the present inhabitants and no anchorage. Smith gave to Captain Volger a chronometer made by Kendall, which was taken from him by the governor of Juan Fernandez. Extracted from the logbook of the Topaz, 29th September, 1808. Signed, William Fitzmorris, Lieutenant, Valparaiso, October 10th, 1808. This narrative stated two facts that established its general authenticity. The name of Alexander Smith, who was one of the mutineers, and the name of the maker of the chronometer with which the bounty was actually supplied. Interesting, as this discovery was considered to be, it does not appear that any steps were taken in consequence of this authenticated information. The government being at that time probably too much engaged in the events of the war, nor was anything further heard of this interesting little society until the latter part of 1814, when a letter was transmitted by Rear Admiral Hothen, then cruising off the coast of America from Mr. Folger himself to the same effect as the preceding extract from his log, but dated March 1813. In the first mentioned year, 1814, we had two frigates cruising in the Pacific. The Britain, commanded by Sir Thomas Staines, and the Togus, but Captain Pipon. The following letter from the former of these officers was received at the Admiralty early in the year 1815. Britain, Valparaiso, 18th October, 1814. I have the honor to inform you that on my passage from the Marquesa Islands to this port on the morning of the 17th September, I fell in with an island where none is laid down in the Admiralty or other charts. According to the several chronometers of the Britain and Togus, I therefore hoped to until daylight, and then closed to ascertain whether it was inhabited, which I soon discovered it to be, and to my great astonishment found that every individual on the island, 40 in number, spoke very good English. They proved to be the descendants of the deluded crew of the bounty, who, from Otehiti, proceeded to the above mentioned island where the ship was burnt. Christian appeared to have been the leader and sole cause of the mutiny in that ship. A venerable old man named John Adams is the only surviving Englishman of those who last quitted Otehiti in her, and whose exemplary conduct and fatherly care of the whole of the little colony could not but command admiration. The pious manner in which all those born on the island have been reared, the correct sense of religion which has been instilled into their young minds by this old man, has given him the preeminence over the whole of them, to whom they look up as the father of one and the whole family. A son of Christian was the first born on the island, now about 25 years of age, named Thursday October Christian. The elder Christian fell a sacrifice to the jealousy of an Otehitian man within three or four years after their arrival on the island. The mutineers were accompanied thither by six Otehitian men and twelve women. The former were all swept away by desperate contentions between them and the Englishmen, and five of the latter died at different periods, leaving at present only one man, Adams, and seven women of the original settlers. The island must undoubtedly be that called Pitcarn, although erroneously laid down in the charts. We had the altitude of the meridian sun close to it, which gave us 25 degrees, four minutes south, latitude, and 130 degrees, 25 minutes west, longitude, by the chronometers of the Britain and Tagus. It produces in abundance yams, plantains, hogs, goats, and fowls. But the coast affords no shelter for a ship or vessel of any description, neither could a ship water there without great difficulty. I cannot, however, refrain from offering my opinion that is well worthy the attention of our laudable religious societies, particularly that for propagating the Christian religion, the whole of the inhabitants speaking the Otehitian tongue as well as the English. During the whole of the time they have been on the island, only one ship has ever communicated with them, which took place about six years since, and this was the American ship Topaz of Boston, Mayhew Folger Master. The island is completely ironbound with rocky shores and the landing and boats must be at all times difficult, although the island may be safely approached within a short distance by a ship, signed T. Staines. Such was the first official account received of this little colony. As some further particulars of a society so singular in all respects were highly desirable, Captain Pipon, on being applied to, had the kindness to draw up the following narrative, which has all the freshness and attraction of a first communication with a new people. Captain Pipon takes a more extended view in his private letter, footnote 37, of the condition of this little society. He observes that when they first saw the island, the latitude made by the Tagus was 24 degrees, 40 minutes south, and longitude 130 degrees, 24 minutes west. The ships being then distant from it five or six leagues, and as in none of the charts in their possession was any land laid down in or near this meridian, they were extremely puzzled to make out what island it could possibly be. For Pitcairns Island, being the only one known in the neighborhood, was represented to be in the longitude 133 degrees, 24 minutes west, footnote 38. If this new discovery, as they supposed it to be, awakened their curiosity, it was still more excited when they ran in for the land the next morning on perceiving a few huts neatly built amidst plantations laid out apparently with something like order and regularity. And these appearances confirmed them more than ever that it could not be Pitcairns Island, because that was described by navigators to be uninhabited. Presently they observed a few natives coming down a steep descent with their canoes on their shoulders, and in a few minutes perceived one of those little vessels darting through a heavy surf and paddling off towards the ships. But their astonishment was extreme when, on coming alongside, they were hailed in the English language with, Won't you heave us a rope now? The first young man that sprang with extraordinary alacrity up the side and stood before them on the deck said, in reply to the question, who are you, that his name was Thursday October Christian, son of the late Fletcher Christian, by an Othesian mother, that he was the first born on the island and that he was so called because he was brought into the world on a Thursday in October. Singulally strange as all this was to Sir Thomas Staines and Captain Pipin, this youth soon satisfied them that he was no other than the person he represented himself to be and that he was fully acquainted with the whole history of the bounty. And, in short, that the island before them was the retreat of the mutineers of that ship. Young Christian was, at the time, about 24 years of age, a fine tall youth full six feet high, with dark, almost black hair, and accountants open and extremely interesting. As he wore no clothes except a piece of cloth round his loins and a straw hat ornamented with black cocks feathers, his fine figure and well-shaped muscular limbs were displayed to great advantage and attracted general admiration. His body was much tanned by exposure to the weather and his countenance had a brownish cast, unmixed, however, with that tinge of red so common among the natives of the Pacific Islands. Added to a great share of good humor, we were glad to trace, says Captain Pipin, in his benevolent countenance all the features of an honest English face. He told them he was married to a woman much older than himself, one of those that accompanied his father from Otehiti. The ingenuous manner in which he answered all questions put to him, and his whole deportment, created a lively interest among the officers of the ship, who, while they admired, could not but regard him with feelings of tenderness and compassion. His manner, too, of speaking English was exceedingly pleasing and correct both in grammar and pronunciation. His companion was a fine handsome youth of seventeen or eighteen years of age, of the name of George Young, son of Young the Midshipman. If the astonishment of the two captains was great on making, as they thought, this first and extraordinary discovery of a people who had been so long forgotten, and in hearing the offspring of these offenders speaking their language correctly, their surprise and interest were still more highly excited when, on Sir Thomas Staines taking the two youths below and setting before them something to eat, they both rose up, and one of them, placing his hands together in a posture of devotion, pronounced distinctly and with emphasis, in a pleasing tone of voice the words, for what we are going to receive, the Lord make us truly thankful. The youths were themselves greatly surprised at the sight of so many novel objects, the size of the ship, of the guns, and everything around them. Observing a cow, they were at first somewhat alarmed and expressed a doubt whether it was a huge goat or a horned hog, these being the only two species of quadrupeds they had ever seen. A little dog amused them much. Oh, what a pretty little thing it is, exclaimed Young. I know it is a dog, for I have heard of such an animal. These young men informed the two captains of many singular events that had taken place among the first settlers, but referred them for further particulars to an old man on shore, whose name, they said, was John Adams, the only surviving Englishman that came away in the bounty at which time he was called Alexander Smith. This information induced the two captains to go on shore, desirous of learning correctly from this old man the fate, not only of Christian, but of the rest of his deluded accomplices who had adhered to his fortunes. The landing they found to be difficult and not wholly free from danger, but with the assistance of their two able conductors, they passed the surf among many rocks and reached the shore without any other inconvenience than a complete wedding. Old Adams, having ascertained that the two officers alone had landed, and without arms, concluded they had no intention to take him prisoner, and ventured to come down to the beach, from whence he conducted them to his house. He was accompanied by his wife, a very old woman, and nearly blind. It seems they were both at first considerably alarmed, the sight of the king's uniform, after so many years, having no doubt brought fresh to the recollection of Adams the scene that occurred in the bounty in which he bore so conspicuous a part. Sir Thomas Staines, however, to set his mind at ease, assured him that so far from having come to the island with any intention to take him away, they were not even aware that such a person as himself existed. Captain Pipin observes that although in the eye of the law they could only consider him in the light of a criminal of the deepest dye, yet that it would have been an act of the greatest cruelty and inhumanity to have taken him away from his little family who, in such a case, would have been left to experience the greatest misery and distress, and ultimately, in all probability, would have perished of want. Adams, however, pretended that he had no great share in the mutiny, said that he was sick in bed when it broke out, and was afterwards compelled to take a musket in his hand, and expressed his readiness to go in one of the ships to England, and seemed rather desirous to do so. On this being made known to the members of the Little Society, a scene of considerable distress was witnessed. His daughter, a fine young woman, threw her arms about his neck, and treating him not to think of leaving them and all his little children to perish. All the women burst into tears, and the young men stood motionless and absorbed in grief. But on there being assured that he should, on no account, be molested, it is impossible, says Captain Pippin, to describe the universal joy that these poor people manifested, and the gratitude they expressed for the kindness and consideration shown to them. They now learned from Adams that Fletcher Christian, on finding no good anchorage close to the island, and the bounty being too weakly manned again to entrust themselves in her at sea, determined to run her into a small creek against the cliff, in order the more conveniently to get out of her such articles as might be of use, or necessary, for forming an establishment on the island, and to land the hogs, goats, and poultry, which they had brought from Otehiti, and having accomplished this point, he ordered her to be set on fire, with the view, probably, of preventing any escape from the island, and also to remove an object that, if seen, might excite the curiosity of some passing vessel, and thus be the means of discovering his retreat. His plan succeeded, and by Adams' account, everything went on smoothly for a short time. But it was clear enough that this misguided and ill-fated young man was never happy after the rash and criminal step he had taken, that he was always sullen and morose, and committed so many acts of wanton oppression, as very soon incurred the hatred and detestation of his companions in crime, over whom he practiced that same overbearing conduct of which he accused his commander Bly. The object he had in view when he last left Otehiti had now been accomplished. He had discovered an uninhabited island out to the common track of ships, and established himself and his associates. So far, there was a chance that he had escaped all pursuit, but there was no escaping from those rods of scorpions and those whips of steel which conscience shakes. The fate of this misguided young man, brought on by his ill treatment both of his associates and the Indians he had carried off with him, was such as might be expected. He was shot by an Otehitian while digging in his field, about eleven months after they had settled on the island, and his death was only the commencement of feuds and assassinations, which ended in the total destruction of the whole party, except Adams and Young. By the account of the former, the settlers from this time became divided into two parties, and their grievances and quarrels proceeded to such a height, that each took every opportunity of putting the other to death. Old John Adams was himself shot through the neck, but the ball having entered the fleshy part only, he was unable to make his escape, and avoid the fury of his assailants. The immediate cause of Christian's murder was his having forcibly seized on the wife of one of the Otehiti men, which so exasperated the rest, that they not only sought the life of the offender, but of others also, who might, as they thought, be disposed to pursue the same course. This interesting little colony was now found to contain about forty six persons, mostly grown up young people, with a few infants. The young men all born on the island were finally formed, athletic and handsome, their countenances open and pleasing, indicating much benevolence and goodness of heart, but the young women particularly were objects of attraction, being tall, robust and beautifully formed, their faces beaming with smiles, and indicating unruffled good humor, while their manners and demeanor exhibited a degree of modesty and bashfulness that would have done honor to the most virtuous and enlightened people on earth. Their teeth are described as beautifully white, like the finest ivory, and perfectly regular, without a single exception, and all of them, both male and female, had the marked expression of English features, though not exactly the clear red and white that distinguish English skins, theirs being the color of what we call brunette. Captain Pipein thinks that from such a race of people, consisting of fine young men and handsome well-formed women, they may be expected to arise hereafter in this little colony, a race of people possessing in a high degree the physical qualifications of great strength, united with symmetry of form and regularity of feature. But their personal qualifications, attractive as they were, excited less admiration than the account which Adams gave of their virtuous conduct. He assured his visitors that not one instance of debauchery or immoral conduct had occurred among these young people since their settlement on the island, nor did he ever hear or believe that any one instance had occurred of a young woman having suffered in decent liberties to be taken with her. Their native modesty, assisted by the precepts of religion and morality, instilled into their young minds by John Adams, had hitherto preserved these interesting people from every kind of debauchery. The young women told Captain Pipein, with great simplicity, that they were not married and that their father, as they called Adams, had told them it was right they should wait with patience till they had acquired sufficient property to bring up a young family before they thought of marrying, and that they always followed his advice because they knew it to be good. It appeared that, from the time when Adams was left alone on the island, the sole survivor of all the males that had landed from the bounty, European and Othetian, the greatest harmony had prevailed in their little society. They all declared that no serious quarrels ever occurred among them, though a few hasty words might now and then be uttered, but to make use of their own expression, they were only quarrels of the mouth. Adams assured his visitors that they were all strictly honest in all their dealings, lending or exchanging their various articles of livestock or produce with each other in the most friendly manner, and if any little dispute occurred, he never found any difficulty to rectify the mistake or misunderstanding that might have caused it, to the satisfaction of both parties. In their general intercourse, they speak the English language commonly, and even the old Othetian women have picked up a good deal of this language. The young people, both male and female, speak it with a pleasing accent, and their voices are extremely harmonious. The little village of Pitcarn is described as forming a pretty square, the house of John Adams, with its outhouses, occupying the upper corner near a large banyan tree, and that of Thursday October Christian, the lower corner opposite to it. The center space is a fine open lawn where poultry wander, and its fenced round so as to prevent the intrusion of the hogs and goats. It was obviously visible, from the manner in which the grounds were laid out, and the plantations formed that, in this little establishment, the labor and ingenuity of European hands had been employed. In their houses, they have a good deal of decent furniture, consisting of beds and bedsteads with coverings. They have also tables and large chests for their clothing, and their linen is made from the bark of a certain tree, and the manufacture of it is the employment of the elderly portion of the women. The bark is first soaked, then beaten with square pieces of wood, of the breadth of one's hand, hollowed out into grooves, and the labor is continued until it is brought to the breadth required, in the same manner as the process is conducted in Otehiti. The younger part of the females are obliged to attend, with old Adams and their brothers, to the culture of the land, and Captain Pipon thinks, this may be one reason why this old director of the work does not countenance two early marriages, for, as he very properly observed, when once they become mothers they are less capable of hard labor, being obliged to attend to their children, and, judging from appearance, one may conclude, says the captain, they would be prolific, that he did not see how it could be otherwise, considering the regularity of their lives, their simple and excellent though epistemious mode of living, their meals consisting chiefly of a vegetable diet, with now and then good pork and occasionally fish. The young girls, although they have only the example of the Otehiti mothers to follow in their dress, are modestly clothed, having generally a piece of cloth of their own manufacturer, reaching from the waist to the knees, and a mantle, or something of that nature, thrown loosely over the shoulders, and hanging sometimes as low as the ankles. This mantle, however, is frequently thrown aside, being used rather as a shelter for their bodies from the heat of the sun, or the severity of the weather, then for the sake of attaching any idea of modesty to the upper part of the person being uncovered. It is not possible, he says, to behold finer forms, than are exhibited by this partial exposure. Captain Pipin observes, it was pleasing to see the good taste and quickness with which they form little shades or parasols of green leaves to place over the head or bonnets to keep the sun from their eyes. A young girl made one of these in my presence with such neatness and alacrity, as to satisfy me that a fashionable dressmaker of London would be delighted with the simplicity and elegant taste of these untaught females. The same young girl, he says, accompanied them to the boat, carrying on her shoulders, as a present, a large basket of yams, over such roads and down such precipices, as were scarcely passable by any creatures except goats, and over which we could scarcely scramble with the help of our hands. Yet with this load on her shoulders she skipped from rock to rock like a young row. But, says Captain Pipin, what delighted us most was the conviction which John Adams had impressed on the minds of these young people, of the propriety and necessity of returning thanks to the Almighty for the many blessings they enjoy. They never omit saying grace before and after meals, and never think of touching food without asking a blessing from him who gave it. The Lord's Prayer and the Cree they repeat morning and evening. Captain Pipin imagines the island to be about six miles long and perhaps three or four miles broad, covered with wood, the soil apparently very rich, and the variety of products great and valuable. But much labor would seem to be required to clear away the woods. The dimensions here given, however, are much greater than they have subsequently been found to be. The visitors, having supplied these poor people with some tools, kettles and some other articles, such as the high surf would allow them with the assistance of the natives to land. But to no great extent, the two officers again passed through the surf with the same assistance and took leave of these interesting people, satisfied that the island is so well fortified by nature as to oppose an invincible barrier to an invading enemy, that there was no spot apparently where a boat could land with safety, and perhaps not more than one where it could land at all. An everlasting swell of the ocean, rolling in on every side, is dashed into foam against its rocky and ironbound shores. Such were the first details that were received respecting this young settlement. It may here be remarked that, at the time when Folger visited the island, Alexander Smith went by his proper name, and that he changed it to John Adams in the intermediate time between his visit and that of Sir Thomas Staines. But it does not appear in any of the accounts which have been given of this interesting little colony when or for what reason he assumed the latter name. It could not be with any view to concealment, for he freely communicated his history to Folger, and equally so to every subsequent visitor. The interesting account of Capt. Sir Thomas Staines and Pipon in 1814 produced as little effect on the government as that of Folger, and nothing more was heard of Adams and his family for twelve years nearly, when, in 1825, Captain Beachy, in the Blossom, bound on a voyage of discovery, paid a visit to Pitcairn's Island. Some way of fishing ship, however, had touched there in the intermediate time, and left on the island a person of the name of John Buffett. In this man, said Captain Beachy, they have very fortunately found an able and willing schoolmaster. He had belonged to a ship which visited the island, and was so infatuated with the behavior of the people, being himself naturally of a devout and serious turn of mind, that he resolved to remain among them, and, in addition to the instruction of the children, he has taken upon himself the duty of clergyman, and is the oracle of the community. Its Causes and Consequences Part 2 The Last of the Mutineers On the approach of the Blossom towards the island, a boat was observed under all sail, hastening towards the ship, which they considered to be the boat of some whaler, but were soon, agreeably, undeceived by the singular appearance of her crew, which consisted of old Adams and many of the young men belonging to the island. They did not venture at once to lay hold of the ship till they had first inquired if they might come on board, and on permission being granted, they sprang up the side and shook every officer by the hand with undisguised feelings of gratification. The activity of the young men, ten in number, outstripped that of old Adams, who was in his sixty-fifth year and somewhat corpulent. He was dressed in a sailor's shirt and trousers, and a low crowned hat, which he held in his hand until desired to put it on. He still retained his sailor's manners, doffing his hat, and smoothing down his bald forehead whenever he was addressed by the officers of the Blossom. The young men were tall, robust, and healthy, with good-natured countenances, and a simplicity of manner, and a fear of doing something that might be wrong, which at once prevented the possibility of giving offence. Their dresses were whimsical enough. Some had long coats without trousers, others trousers without coats, and others again waistcoats without either. None of them had either shoes or stockings, and there were only two hats among them, neither of which, Captain Beachy says, seemed likely to hang long together. Captain Beachy procured from Adam a narrative of the whole transaction of the mutiny, which however is incorrect in many parts, and also a history of the broils and disputes which led to the violent death of all these misguided men, with the exception of young and Adams, who accompanied Christian in the bounty to Pitcurn's Island. It may be recollected that the bounty was carried away from Otahiti by nine of the mutineers. Their names were one, Fletcher Christian, Acting Lieutenant, two, Edward Young, Mid Shipman, three, Alexander Smith, Alias John Adams, Seaman, four, William McCoy, Seaman, five, Matthew Kintow, Seaman, six, John Williams, Seaman, seven, Isaac Martin, Seaman, eight, John Mills, Gunnersmate, nine, William Brown, Botanist Assistant. They brought with them six men and twelve women, natives of Tabuay and Otahiti. The first step after their arrival was to divide the whole island into nine equal portions, to the exclusion of those poor people whom they had seduced to accompany them, and some of whom are stated to have been carried off against their inclination. At first they were considered as the friends of the white men, but very soon became their slaves. They assisted in the cultivation of the soil, in building houses, and in fetching wood and water, without murmuring or complaining, and things went on peaceably and prosperously for about two years. When Williams, who had lost his wife about a month after their arrival, by a fall from a rock while collecting birds' eggs, became dissatisfied and insisted on having another wife, or threatened to leave the island in one of the bounty's boats. Being useful as an armorer, the Europeans were unwilling to part with him, and he, still persisting in his unreasonable demand, had the injustice to compel one of the Otahitans to give up his wife to him. By this act of flagrant oppression, his countrymen made common cause with their injured companion, and laid a plan for the extermination of the Europeans. But the woman gave a hint of what was going forward in a song, the burden of which was, why does black man sharpen axe to kill white man? The plot thus being discovered, the husband who had his wife taken from him, another whom Christian had shot at, though it is stated with powder only, fled into the woods and were treacherously murdered by their countrymen. On the promise of pardon for the perpetration of this foul deed, tranquility thus restored. Matters went on tolerably well for a year or two longer. But the oppression and ill treatment which the Otahitans received, more particularly from Quintel and McCoy, the most active and determined of the mutineers, drove them to the formation of another plot for the destruction of their oppressors, which but too successfully succeeded. A day was fixed for attacking and putting to death all the Englishmen while at work in their respective plantations. Williams was the first man that was shot. They next proceeded to Christian, who was working at his yam plot and shot him, Mills confiding in the fidelity of his Otahitian friends, stood as ground and was murdered by him and another. Martin and Brown were separately attacked and slain, one with a maul, the other with a musket. Adams was wounded in the shoulder, but succeeded in making terms with the Otahitans, and was conducted by them to Christian's house, where he was kindly treated. Young, who is a great favorite of the women, was secreted by them during the attack and afterwards carried to Christian's house. McCoy and Quintel, the worst of the gang, escaped to the mountains. Here, says Captain Beachy, this day of bloodshed ended, leaving only four Englishmen alive out of nine. It was a day of emancipation to the blacks, who are now masters of the island and of humiliation and retribution to the whites. The men of color now began to quarrel about choosing the women whose European husbands had been murdered, the result of which was the destruction of the whole of the former, some falling by the hands of the women and one of them by Young, who it would seem coolly and deliberately shot him. Adams now proceeded into the mountains to communicate the fatal intelligence to the two Europeans, McCoy and Quintel, and to solicit their return to the village. All these events are stated to have happened so early as October 1793. From this time to 1798, the remnant of the colonists would appear to have gone on quietly, with the exception of some quarrels these four men had with the women and the latter among themselves. Ten of them were still remaining, who lived promiscuously with the men, frequently changing their abode from one house to another. Young, being a man of some education, kept a kind of journal, but it is a document of very little interest, containing scarcely anything more than the ordinary occupation of the settlers, the loan or exchange of provisions, the dates when the sows furrowed, the number of fish caught, etc., and it begins only at the time when Adams and he were sole masters of the island, and the truth therefore of all that has been told rests solely on the degree of credit that is due to Adams. McCoy, it appears, had formerly been employed in a Scotch distillery and, being much addicted to ardent spirits, set about making experiments on the T-Root, Trecina Terminalis, and, at late, unfortunately, succeeded in producing an intoxicating liquor. This success induced his companion, Quintel, to turn his kettle into a still. The consequence was that these two men were in a constant state of drunkenness, particularly McCoy, on whom it seemed, it had the effect of producing fits of delirium, and, in one of these, he threw himself from a cliff and was killed on the spot. Captain Beachy says, the melancholy fate of this man created so forceful an impression on the remaining few that they resolved never again to touch spirits, and Adams has, I believe, to this day, kept his vow. Some time in the following year, that is, about 1799, we learned from Adams, says Captain Beachy, that Quintel lost his wife by a fall from the cliff, while in search of birds' eggs, that he grew discontented, and, though there were several disposable women on the island, and he had already experienced the fatal effects of a similar demand, nothing would satisfy him but the wife of one of his companions. Of course, neither of them felt inclined to exceed to this unreasonable demand, and he sought an opportunity of putting them both to death. He was fortunately foiled in his first attempt, but swore openly he would speedily repeat it. Adams and Young, having no doubt he would follow up his intention, and, fearing he might be more successful in the next attempt, came to the resolution that, as their own lives were not safe while he was in existence, they were justified in putting him to death, which they did by felling him as they would an ox with a hatchet. Such was the melancholy fate of seven of the leading mutineers, who escaped from justice only to add murder to their former crimes, and such, it may be added, was the polluted source thus stained with the guilt of mutiny, piracy, and murder, from which the present simple and innocent race of islanders has proceeded. And what is most of all extraordinary, the very man from whom they have received their moral and religious instruction, is one who is among the first and foremost in the mutiny, and deeply implicated in all the deplorable consequences that were the result of it. This man and Young were now the sole survivors out of the fifteen males that had landed upon the island. Young, as has been stated, was a man of some education, and of a serious turn of mind, and as Beachy says, it would have been wonderful, after the many dreadful scenes at which they had assisted, if the solitude and tranquillity that ensued had not disposed them to repentance. They had a Bible in a prayer book, which were found in the bounty, and they read the church service regularly every Sunday. They now resolved to have morning and evening family prayers, and to instruct the children, who amounted to nineteen, many of them between the ages of seven and nine years. Young, however, was not long suffered to survive his repentance. An asthmatic complaint terminated his existence about a year after the death of Quintel, and Adams was now left the sole survivor of the guilty and misguided mutineers of the bounty. It is remarkable that the name of Young should never once occur in any shape as connected with mutiny, except in the evidence of Lieutenant Hayward, who includes his name in a mass of others. He neither appears among the armed nor the unarmed. He has not stated to be among those who were on deck, and was probably, therefore, one of those who were confined below. Bly, nevertheless, has not omitted to give him a character. Young was an able and stout semen. He, however, always proved a worthless wretch. If the sincere repentance of Adams, and the most successful exertions to train up the rising generation in piety and virtue, can be considered as expatiating, in some degree, his former offenses, this survivor is fully entitled to every indulgence that frail humanity so often requires, and which indeed has been extended to him by all the officers of the Navy who have visited the island, and witnessed the simple manners and the settled habits of morality and piety which prevailed in this happy and well-regulated society. They have all strongly felt that the merits and redeeming qualities of the later years of his life have so far atoned for his former guilt, that he ought not to be molested but rather encouraged in his meritorious efforts, if not for his own sake, at least for that of the innocent young people dependent on him. Still, it ought never to be forgotten that he was one of the first and most daring in the atrocious act of mutiny and piracy, and that, had he remained in Otehiti and been taking home in the Pandora, nothing could have saved him from an ignominious death. His pretending to say that he was in his cot, and that he was forced to take arms, may perhaps be palliated under his peculiar circumstances, wishing to stand as fair before his countrymen, as his case would admit, but it is not strictly true, for he was third upon the deck armed, and stood sentry over Bly, with a loaded musket and fixed bayonet. The story he told Abici, respecting the advice stated to have been given by Mr. Stewart to Christian, to take possession of the ship, is, as has been shown, wholly false, but here his memory may have failed him. If any such advice was given, it is much more likely to have proceeded from young. He also told two different stories with regard to the conduct of Christian. To Sir Thomas Staines and Captain Pippin, he represented this ill-fated young man as never happy, after the rash and criminal step he had taken, and that he was always sullen and morose, and committed so many acts of cruelty as to incur the hatred and detestation of his associates in crime, whereas he told Captain Beachy that Christian was always cheerful, that his example was of the greatest service in exciting his companions to labor, that he was naturally of a happy, ingenuous disposition, and won the good opinion and respect of all who served under him, which cannot be better exemplified, he says, than by his maintaining, under circumstances of great perplexity, the respect and regard of all who were associated with him up to the hour of his death, and that, even at the present moment, Adams, in speaking of him, never omits to say Mr. Christian. Why indeed should he? Christian was a gentleman by birth, and an officer in his majesty's service, and was, of course, always so addressed. But why was he murdered within two years, one account says nine months, after the party reached the island? Captain Beachy has answered the question, for oppression and ill treatment of the Othahetans. End note, 39. At Christian, so far from being cheerful was, on the contrary, always uneasy in his mind about his own safety, is proved by his having selected a cave at the extremity of the high ridge of craggy hills that runs across the island, as is intended place of refuge, in the event of any ship of war discovering the retreat of the mutineers, in which cave he resolved to sell his life as dearly as he could. In this recess he always kept the store of provisions, and near it erected a small hut, well concealed by trees, which served the purpose of a watch house. So difficult, says Captain Beachy, was the approach to this cave, that even if a party were successful in crossing the ridge he might have bid defiance as long as his ammunition lasted to any force. The reflection alone of his having sent a drift to perish on the wide ocean, for he could entertain no other idea, no less than nineteen persons, all of whom, one only accepted, were innocent of any offense toward him, must have constantly haunted his mind, and left him little disposed to be happy and cheerful. The truth is, as appears in Morrison's journal, that during the short time they remained at Tebuai, and till the separation of the mutineers at Otehiti, when sixteen forsook him, and eight only, of the very worst, accompanied him in his quest of some retreat. He acted the part of a tyrant, to a much greater extent than the man who, he says, drove him to the act of mutiny. After giving an account of the manner of his death, Captain Beachy says, Thus fell a man who, from being the reputed ringleader of the mutiny, has obtained an unenviable celebrity, and whose crime may perhaps be considered, as in some degree, palliated, by the tyranny which led to its commission. It is to be hoped, such an act, as he was guilty of, will never be so considered. If mutiny could be supposed to admit of palliation, a fatal blow would be struck, not only at the discipline, but at the very existence of the navy. Any relaxation in bringing to condyne punishment, persons guilty of mutiny, would weaken and ultimately destroy the efficiency of this great and powerful machine. Nor, indeed, is it at all necessary that the punishment for mutiny should admit of any palliation, whenever an act of tyranny, or an unnecessary degree of severity, is exercised by a commanding officer, let the fact only be proved, and he is certain to be visited with all the rigor that the degree of his oppressive conduct will warrant. Had Christian but waited patiently the arrival of the bounty in England, and the alleged conduct of Bly toward his officers and crew had been proved, he would unquestionably have been dismissed from his majesty's service. With regard to Adams, though his subsequent conduct was highly meritorious, and to him alone it might be said is owing the present happy state of the little community on Pitkerns Island, his crime, like that of Christians, can never be considered has wiped away. Sir Thomas Staines, the first British officer called at the island, it may well be supposed had the struggle on this trying occasion between duty and feeling. It was his imperative duty to have seized and brought him a prisoner to England, where he must have been tried and would no doubt have been convicted of a crime for which several of his lesser active accomplices had suffered the penalty of death. Though he might, and probably would, from the length of time and circumstances in his favor, have received the King's pardon. Perhaps, however, on the whole, it was fortunate that in balancing, as it is known this gallant officer did, between the sense of duty and the sense of feeling, the latter prevailed, and justice yielded to mercy. Had a bligh or an edwards been placed in his situation, it is to be feared that, judging from their former conduct, passion in the one and frigidity in the other, would most likely have consigned the criminals to captivity and irons, and the innocent and helpless family solely depended on him to misery and destruction. And yet, in so doing, they would not have deviated from their strict line of duty. The blossom was the first ship of war that John Adams had been on board since the mutiny, and, as Captain Beachy observes, his mind would naturally revert to scenes that could not fail to produce a temporary embarrassment, but no apprehension for his safety appeared to form any part of his thoughts, and, as every person endeavored to set his mind at rest, he soon found himself at ease and at home. It was several hours before the ship approached the shore, and the boats put off before she came to anchor. On account of the rocks and formidable breakers, the party who went on shore were landed by the young men, two at a time, in their wellboat. The difficulty of landing, says Captain Beachy, was more than repaid by the friendly reception we met with on the beach from Annie Young, a very interesting young woman, the daughter of Adams. In her eagerness to greet her father, she had outrun her female companions, for whose delay she thought it necessary in the first place to apologize by saying they had all been over the hill in company with John Buffett to look at the ship and were not yet returned. It appeared that John Buffett, who was a seafaring man, had ascertained that the ship was a man of war, and, without knowing exactly why, became so alarmed for the safety of Adams that he either could not or would not answer any of the interrogatories which were put to him. This mysterious silence set all the party in tears. As they feared he had discovered something adverse to their patriarch, at length his obduracy yielded to their entreaties. But before he explained the cause of his conduct, the boats were seen to put off from the ship, and Hannah immediately hurried to the beach to kiss the old man's cheek, which she did with a fervency demonstrative of the warmest affection. Her apology for her companions was rendered unnecessary by their appearance on the steep and securitous path down the mountain, who, as they arrived on the beach, successfully welcomed us to their island, with a simplicity and sincerity which left no doubt of the truth of their professions. The whole group simultaneously expressed a wish that the visitors would stay with them several days, and on their signifying a desire to get to the village before dark and to pitch the observatory, every article and instrument found a bearer, along a steep path which led to the village, concealed by groups of coconut trees, the females bearing their burdens over the most difficult parts without inconvenience. The village consisted of five houses on a cleared piece of ground sloping toward the sea. While the men assisted in pitching the tent, the women employed themselves in preparing the supper. The mode of cooking was precisely that of Otehiti, by heated stones in a hole made in the ground. At young Christians the table was spread with plates, knives, and forks. John Buffett said grace in an emphatic manner, and this is repeated every time a fresh guest sits down while the meal is going on. So strict are they in this respect, that it is not deemed proper to touch a bit of bread without saying grace before and after it. On one occasion, says Captain Bicci, I had engaged Adams in conversation, and he unconsciously took the first mouthful without having said grace. But before he had swallowed it, he recollected himself, and feeling as if he had committed a crime, immediately put away what he had in his mouth, and commenced his prayer. Their rooms and tables are lighted up by torches made of dodo nuts, alluritis trebola, strung upon the fibers of a palm leaf, which form a good substitute for candles. It is remarkable enough that although the female part of the society is highly respected, yet in one instance a distinction is kept up, which in civilized countries would be deemed degrading. It is that which is rigidly observed in all the South Sea islands, and indeed throughout almost the whole Eastern world, that no women shall eat in the presence of her husband. And though this distinction between man and wife is not carried quite so far in Pitcurn's island, it is observed to the extent of excluding all women from table when there is a deficiency of seats. It seems they defended this custom on the ground that man was made before woman, and is entitled therefore to be first served. A conclusion observes Beachy. That deprives us of the company of the woman at table, during the whole of our stay at the island. Far, however, from considering themselves neglected, they very good naturally chatted with us behind our seats, and flapped away the flies, and, by a gentle tap, accidentally or playfully delivered, reminded us occasionally of the honour that was done to us. The women, when the men had finished, sat down to what remained. The beds were next prepared. A mattress composed of palm leaves was covered with native cloth made of the paper mulberry tree, in the same manner as in Otehiti. The sheets were of the same material, and it appeared from their crackling that they were quite new from the loom, or rather the beater. The whole arrangement is stated to have been comfortable and inviting to repose. One interruption only disturbed their first sleep. This was the melody of the evening hymn, which, after the lights were put out, was chanted by the whole family in the middle of the room. At early dawn they were also awakened by their morning hymn, and the family devotion, after which the islanders all set out to their several occupations. Some of the women had taken the linen of their visitors to wash. Others were preparing for the next meal, and others were employed in the manufacture of cloth. The innocence and simplicity of these interesting young creatures are strongly exemplified in the following description. By our bedsides had already been placed some ripe fruits, and our hats were crowned with chaplets of the fresh blossom of the no-no or flower tree, merinda citrifolia, which the women had gathered in the freshness of the morning dew. On looking round the apartment, though it contained several beds, we found no partition, curtain, or screens. They had not yet been considered necessary. So far, indeed, from concealment being thought of when we were about to get up, the women anxious to show their attention assembled to wish us good morning, and to inquire in what way they could best contribute to our comforts, and to present us with some little gift which the produce of the island afforded. Many persons would have felt awkward at rising and dressing before so many pretty black-eyed damsels, assembled in the center of a spacious room. But, by a little habit, we overcame this embarrassment, and from the benefit of their services in fetching water as we required it, and in substituting clean linen, for such as we pulled off. Their cottages are spacious and strongly built of wood, in an oblong form, and, thatched with the leaves of the palm tree, bent round the stem of a branch from the same, and laced horizontally to rafters, so placed as to give a proper pitch to the roof. An upper story is appropriated to sleeping, and has four beds, one in each angle of the room, and large enough for three or four persons to sleep on. The lower is the eating room, having a broad table with several stools placed round it. The lower room communicates with the upper by a stout ladder in the center. Immediately round a village are small enclosures for fattening pigs, goats, and poultry, and beyond them are the cultivated grounds producing the banana, plantains, melon, yam, taro, sweet potato, tea tree, cloth plant, with other useful roots, fruits, and a variety of shrubs. Every cottage has its outhouse for making cloth, its baking place, its pigsty, and its poultry house. During the stay of the strangers on the island, they dine sometimes with one person, sometimes with another, their meals being always the same, and consisting of baked pig, yams, and taro, and sometimes sweet potatoes. Goats are numerous on the island, but neither their flesh nor their milk is relished by the natives. Yams constitute their principal food, either boiled, baked, or mixed with coconut, made in the cakes, and eaten with molasses extracted from the tea root. Taro root is no bad substitute for bread, and bananas, plantains, and a poi are wholesome and nutritive fruits. The common beverages water, but they make tea from the tea plant, flavored with ginger, and sweetened with the juice of the sugarcane. They but seldom kill a pig, living mostly on fruit and vegetables. With this simple diet, early rising, and taking a great deal of exercise, they are subject to few diseases, and, Captain Beachy says, they are certainly a finer and more athletic race and is usually found among the families of mankind. The young children are punctual in their attendance at school, and are instructed by John Buffett in reading, writing, and arithmetic, to which are added precepts of religion and morality, drawn chiefly from the Bible and prayer book, then which, fortunately, they possess no others that might mystify and perplex their understanding on religious subjects. They seldom indulge in jokes or other kinds of levity, and Beachy says, they are so accustomed to take what is said in its literal meaning, that irony was always considered a falsehood in spite of explanation, and that they could not see the propriety of uttering what was not strictly true, for any purpose, whatever. The Sabbath is wholly devoted to the church service, to prayer, reading, and serious meditation. No work of any kind is done on that day, not even cooking, which is prepared on the preceding evening. I attended, says Beachy, their church on this day, and found the service well conducted. The prayers were read by Adams and the lessons by Buffett. The service being preceded by hymns. The greatest devotion was apparent in every individual, and in the children there was a seriousness unknown in the younger part of our communities at home. In the course of the litany they prayed for their sovereign and all the royal family, with much apparent loyalty and sincerity. Some family prayers which were thought appropriate to their own particular case were added to the usual service. And Adams, fearful of leaving out any essential part, read in addition all those prayers which are intended only as substitutes for others. A sermon followed, which was very well delivered by Buffett, and least any part of it should be forgotten or escape attention, it was read three times. The whole concluded with hymns, which were first sung by the grown people, and afterwards by the children. The service thus performed was very long, but the neat and cleanly appearance of the congregation, the devotion that animated every countenance, and the innocence and simplicity of the little children, prevented the attendance from becoming wearisome. In about half an hour afterwards, we again assembled to prayers, and at Sunset Service was repeated. So that, with their mourning and evening prayers, they may be said to have church five times on a Sunday. Perhaps it will be thought by some that they carry their seriousness too far, and that the younger people are not allowed a sufficient quantity of recreation. The exercise and amusement of dancing, once so much resorted to in most of the islands of the Pacific, is here almost excluded. With great difficulty and much in treaty, the visitors prevailed on three grown-up ladies to stand up to perform the Otehitan dance, which they consented to with a reluctance that showed it was done only to oblige them. It was little more than a shuffling of the feet, sliding past each other, and snapping their fingers. They did not long continue this diversion, considering it as too great a levity, and only the three before mentioned ladies could be prevailed on to exhibit their skill. They appeared to have little taste for music, either instrumental or vocal. Adams, when on board the blossom for two or three days, made no difficulty in joining in the dance, and was remarkably cheerful. But on no occasion neglected his usual devotions. Captain Beachy has no doubt of the sincerity of his piety. He slept in the same cabin, but would never get into his cot until the captain was in bed, and supposed to be asleep. When in a retired corner of the cabin, he fell on his knees and performed his devotions. And he was always up first in the morning for the same purpose. This good old man told Beachy one day that it would add much to his happiness if he would read the marriage ceremony to him and his wife, as he could not bear the idea of living with her without its being done, when a proper opportunity should offer, as was now the case. Though Adams was aged and the old woman had been blind and bedridden for several years, Beachy says he made such a point of it that it would have been cruel to refuse him. They were, accordingly, the following day, duly united, and the event noted in a register by John Buffett. The marriage that takes place among the young people are, however, performed by Adams, who makes use of a ring for such occasion, which has united every couple on the island since its first settlement. The regulated age under which no man is allowed to marry is twenty, and that of the woman eighteen. The restrictions with regard to relationship are the same as with us, and are strictly put in force when parties are about to marry. Adams also officiates at Christenings. Captain Beachy observes that these amiable people rigidly adhere to their words and promise, even in cases where the most scrupulous among Europeans might think themselves justified in some relaxation of them. Thus, George Adams, in his early days, had fallen in love with Polly Young, a girl somewhat older than himself. But Polly, for some reason or other, had unconsciously declared that she would never give her hand to George Adams, who, however, still hoped she would one day relent, and, of course, was unremitting in his endeavours to please her. Nor was he mistaken. His constancy and his handsome form, which George took every opportunity of displaying before her, softened Polly's heart, and she would willingly have given him her hand. But the vow of her youth was not to be got over, and the lovesick couple languished on from day to day, victims of the folly of early resolutions. This weighty case was referred to the British officers, who decided that it would be much better to marry than to continue unhappy in consequence of a hasty resolution made before the judgment was matured. But Polly's scruples still remained, and those who gave their decision left them unmarried. Captain Beachy, however, has recently received a letter stating that George Adams and Polly Young had joined hands and were happy, but the same letter announced the death of John Adams, which took place in March 1829. The demise of this old patriarch is the most serious loss that could have befallen this infant colony, the perfect harmony and contentment in which they appear to live together, the innocence and simplicity of their manners, their conjugal and parental affection, their moral, religious and virtuous conduct, and their exemption from any serious vice are all to be ascribed to the exemplary conduct and instruction of old John Adams. And it is gratifying to know that five years after the visit of the Blossom, and one year subsequent to Adams' death, the little colony continued to enjoy the same uninterrupted state of harmony and contentment as before, in consequence of a representation made by Captain Beachy, when there, of the distressed state of this little society, with regard to want of certain necessary articles, his majesty's government sent out to Valparaiso to be conveyed from thence for their use, a proportion for sixty persons of the following articles. Sailors' blue jackets and trousers, flannel waistcoats, pairs of stockings and shoes, women's dresses, spades, mattocks, shovels, pickaxes, trowels, rakes, all of which were taken in his majesty's ship, Serenga Padham, commanded by Captain the Honorable William Waldegrave, who arrived there in March 1830. The ship had scarcely anchored when George Young was alongside in his canoe, which he guided by a paddle. And soon after, Thursday October Christian, in a jolly boat with several others, who, having come on board, were invited to breakfast, and one of them said grace as usual, both before and after it. The captain, the chaplain, and some other officers accompanied these natives on shore. And, having reached the summit of the first level or plain, which is surrounded by a grove or screen of coconut trees, they found the wives and mothers assembled to receive them. I have brought you a clergyman, says the captain. God bless you, issued from every mouth. But does he come to stay with us? No, you bad man, why not? I cannot spare him. He is the chaplain of my ship. But I have brought you clothes and other articles which King George has sent you. But, says Kitty Quintel, we want food for our souls. Our reception, says Captain Waldengrave, was most cordial, particularly that of Mr. Watson, the chaplain. And the meeting of the wives and husbands, most affecting, exchanging expressions of joy that could not have been exceeded, had they just returned from a long absence. The men sprang up to the trees, throwing down coconuts, the husks of which were torn off by others with their teeth, and offering us the milk. As soon as we had rested ourselves, they took us to their cottage, where we dined and slept. Captain Waldengrave says it was highly gratifying to observe their native simplicity of manners, apparently without guile. Their hospitality was unbounded, their cottages being open to all, and all were welcome to such food as they possessed. Pigs and fowls were immediately killed and dressed. And when the guests were seated, one of the islanders, in the attitude of prayer, and his eyes raised towards heaven, repeated a simple grace for the present food they were about to partake of. Beseeching, at the same time, spiritual nourishment at the end of which each responded, amen. On the arrival of any one during the repast, they all paused until the new guest had said grace. At night they all assembled in one of the cottages to hear the afternoon church service performed by Mr. Watson. And Captain Waldengrave describes it as a most striking scene. The place chosen was the bedroom of one of the double cottages, or one with an upper story. The ascent was by broad ladder from the lower room through a trapped door. The clergyman took his station between two beds, with a lamp burning close behind him. In the bed on his right were three infants sound asleep. At the foot of that on his left were three men sitting. On each side and in front were the men, some wearing only the simple mara, displaying their gigantic figures, others in jackets and trousers, their necks and feet bare. Behind stood the woman in their modest homemade cloth dresses, which entirely covered the form, leaving only the head and feet bare. The girls wore, in addition, a sheet knotted in the manner of a Roman senator's toga, thrown over the right shoulder and under the left arm. When the general confession commenced, they all knelt down facing the clergyman, with her hands raised to the breast in the attitude of prayer, slowly and distinctly repeating the confession after the clergyman. They prayed for the king of England, whom they consider as their sovereign. A sermon followed from a text which Captain Waldegrave thinks was most happily chosen. Fear not, little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. At the conclusion of the service they requested permission to sing their parting hymn, when the whole congregation, in good time, sang, depart in peace. Captain Waldegrave, like all former visitors, bears testimony to the kind disposition and active benevolence of these simple islanders. The children, he says, are fond and obedient. The parents affectionate and kind towards their children. None of the party ever heard a harsh word married use of by one towards another. They never slander or speak ill of one another. If any question was asked as to the character or conduct of a particular individual, the answer would probably be something of this kind. If it could do any good, I would answer you. But as it cannot, it would be wrong to tell tales. Or if the question applied to one who had committed a fault, they would say, it would be wrong to tell my neighbor shame. The kind and benevolent feeling of this amiable people is extended to the surviving widows of the Otahtimen, who are slain on the island, and who would be left in a helpless and destitute state, were it not for the humane considerations of the younger part of the society, by whom they are supported and regarded with every mark of attention. CHAPTER VIII. OF THE EVENTFUL HISTORY OF THE MUDINY AND PARADICAL CESUAR OF HMS BAUNTY. IT'S CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCES. THIS IS A LIBRAVOX RECORDING. ALL LIBRAVOX RECORDINGS ARE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE VISIT LIBRAVOX.ORG. RECORDING BY BRETT DAWNE. THE EVENTFUL HISTORY OF THE MUTINY AND PARADICAL CESUAR OF HMS BAUNTY BY SIR JOHN BARROW. CHAPTER VIII. THE WOMEN ARE CLOTHED IN WHITE CLOTH MADE FROM THE PAPER MULBARY. THE Dress extending from the shoulders to the feet, in double folds, and so loose as entirely to conceal the shape of the person. The mothers, while nursing, carry the infant within their dress. As the child advances in growth, it sits across the hip of the parent with its little hands clinging to the shoulder, while the mother's arm passing round it keeps it in safety. The men and boys, except on Sunday when they appear in English dresses, generally wear only the mara or waist cloth, which passing over the hips and between the legs is knotted behind. The climate is in fact too hot for cumbersome clothing. The women, when working, use only a petticoat with a jacket. The men are stated to be from five feet eight inches to six feet high of great muscular strength and excellent figures. We did not see, says Captain Walgrave, one cripple or defective person, except one boy, whom, in the most good-humored way and laughing heartily, they brought to me observing. You ought to be brothers, you have each lost the right eye. I acknowledge the connection and no doubt for the future he will be called the Captain. Captain Beachy has given a more detailed account of the physical qualities of the Pitcairn Islanders. He says they are tall, robust and healthy. Their average height, five feet ten inches. The tallest man measured six feet and one quarter of an inch. And the shortest of the adults, five feet nine inches and one eighth. Their limbs well proportioned, round and straight. Their feet turning a little inwards. A boy of eight years measured four feet and one inch. Another of nine years, four feet three inches. Their simple food and early habits of exercise give them a muscular power and activity not often surpassed. It is recorded on the island that George Young and Edward Quintal have each carried, at one time, a kej anchor, two sledgehammers and an armorer's anvil, weighing together upwards of six hundred pounds. And that Quintal once carried a boat twenty-eight feet in length. In the water, they are almost as much at home as on land and can remain almost a whole day in the sea. They frequently swim round their little island, the circuit of which is at the least seven miles. And the women are nearly as expert swimmers as the men. Female descendants of the Otehiti women are almost as muscular as the male and taller than the generality of the sex. Polly Young, who was not the tallest on the island, measured five feet nine inches and a half. Features of both men and women are regular and well-formed, eyes bright and generally hazel, though in a few instances blue. The eyebrows thin and rarely meeting, the nose a little flattened and being rather extended at the nostrils, partakes of the Otehiti character, as do the lips which are broad and strongly sulkated. Their ears moderately large and the lobes are invariably united with the cheek. They are generally perforated when Young, for the reception of flowers, a very common custom among the natives of the South Sea Islands. Hair black, sometimes curling, sometimes straight, teeth regular and white. On the whole they are a well-looking people. Captain Beachy says, the women have all learned the art of midwifery. The parturition generally takes place during the nighttime, that the duration of labor is seldom longer than five hours and has not yet, in any case, proved fatal. But there is no instance of twins, nor of a single miscarriage except from accident. Infants are generally bathed three times a day in cold water and are sometimes not weaned for three or four years. But when that does take place they are fed upon papoe, made of ripe plantains and boiled taro root, rubbed into a paste. Mr. Collie, the surgeon of the Blossom, remarks that nothing is more extraordinary than the history of the island than the uniform good health of the children. The teething is easily got over, they have no bowel complaints and are exempt from those contagious diseases which affect children in large communities. He offered to vaccinate the children as well as all the grown persons, but they deemed the risk of infection of smallpox to be too small to render that operation necessary. That's proof how very much simple diet and constant exercise tend to the healthful state of the body. The skin of these people, though in such robust health compared with that of the Europeans, always felt cold, and their pulses always considerably lower. The doctor examined several of them. In the four noon he found George Young's only 60. Three others, in the afternoon, after dinner, were 68, 72, and 76, while those of the officers who stood the heat of the climate best were above 80. It is impossible not to feel a deep interest in the welfare of this little society, and at the same time an apprehension that something may happen to disturb that harmony and destroy that simplicity of manners which have hitherto characterized it. It is to be feared, indeed, that the seeds of discord are already sown. It appears from Captain Waldgrave's statement that no less than three Englishmen have found their way into this happy society. One of them, John Buffett, mentioned by Beachy, is a harmless man and, as it has been stated, of great use to the islanders in his capacity of clergyman and schoolmaster. He is also a clever and useful mechanic, has a shipwright and joiner, and is much beloved by the community. Two others have since been left on the island. One of them, by name John Evans, son of a coachmaker in the employ of Long of St. Martin's Lane, who has married a daughter of John Adams, through whom he possesses and cultivates a certain portion of land. The third is George Hun Nobs, who calls himself pastor, registrar, and schoolmaster, thus infringing on the privileges of John Buffett, and being a person of superior talents, and of exceeding great impudence, his deprived Buffett of a great number of his scholars, and hence a sufficient cause exist of division and dissension among the members of the little society, which were never known before. Buffett and Evans support themselves by their industry, but this Nobs not only claims exemption from labor as being their pastor, but also as being entitled to a maintenance at the expense of the community. He has married a daughter of Charles and granddaughter to the late Fletcher Christian, whose descendants, as captain of the gang, might be induced to claim superiority, and which, probably, might be allowed by general consent, had they but possessed a moderate share of talent. But it is stated that Thursday, October, and Charles Christian, the sons of the cheap mutineer, are ignorant, uneducated men. The only chance for the continuance of peace is the general dislike in which this Nobs is held, and the gradual intellectual improvement of the rising generation. Footnote 40. It seems that Adams, on his deathbed, called all the heads of families together, and urged them to appoint a chief. This, however, they have not done, which makes it the more to be apprehended that Nobs, by his superior talent or cunning, will force himself upon them into that situation. Captain Waldgrave thinks, however, that Edward Quintow, who possesses the best understanding of any on the island, will in time arrive at that honor. His only book is the Bible, but is quite astonishing, he observes, what a fond of knowledge he has derived from it. His wife, too, is stated to be a woman of excellent understanding, and their eldest boy, William, has been so carefully educated that he excels greatly all the others. The descendants of Young are also said to be persons generally of promising abilities. How the patriarch Adams contrived to instill into the minds of these people the true principles of religion and morality is quite surprising. He was able to read, but only learned to write in his latter days, and having accomplished this point, he made a scheme of laws by which he succeeded to govern his little community in the way we have seen. Celebration of marriage and baptism were strictly observed, according to the rights of the Church of England, but he never ventured on confirmation in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. He taught the children the Church Catechism, 10 Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Creed, and he satisfied himself that in these were comprised all of the Christian duties. By the instrumentality of these precepts, drawn from the Book of Common Prayer and the Bible, footnote 41, he was enabled, after the slaughter of all his associates, to rear up all the children in the principles and precepts of Christianity in purity of morals and in a simplicity of manners that have surprised and delighted every stranger that has visited the island. Captain Walgrave says they are so strongly attached to those beautiful prayers that are found in the liturgy of the Church of England that there is no danger of a dissenting minister being received among them. It is to be hoped this may be the case, but it may be asked, will they escape from the snares of George Hunt knobs? It would seem, indeed, that this man has already thrust upon them what he calls a code of laws, in which he enumerates crimes such as murder and adultery, unknown and unheard of among these simple people since the time that Adams was sole legislator and patriarch. Punishment of adultery, to give a specimen of knobs legislation, is whipping for the first offense to both parties and marriage within three months. For the second, if the parties refuse to marry, the penalties are forfeiture of lands, property, and banishment from the island. Vendors are to be tried before three elders who pronounce sentence. It is quite clear this silly person does not understand what is meant by adultery. As to the tenure of land, it is fortunately provided for previous to his arrival on the island. The whole island, it seems, was partitioned out by Adams among the families of the original settlers, so that a foreigner cannot obtain any except by purchase or marriage. Captain Waldgrave reckons that eleven-twelfths are uncultivated, and that population is increasing so rapidly that in the course of a century the island will be fully people and that the limit may be taken at one thousand souls. The rate at which population is likely to increase may, perhaps, be determined by political economists from the following data. In 1790, the island was first settled by fifteen men and twelve women, making a total of twenty-seven. Of these were remaining in 1800, one man and five women, with nineteen children, the eldest nine years of age, making in the whole twenty-five. In 1808, Mr. Folger makes the population amount to thirty-five, being an increase of ten in eight years. In 1814, six years afterwards, Sir Thomas Stain states the adult population at forty, which must be a mistake as fourteen years before, nineteen of the twenty-five then existing were children. In 1825, Captain Beachy states the whole population at sixty-six, of whom thirty-six were males and thirty females. And in 1830, Captain Waldgrave makes it amount to seventy-nine, being an increase of thirteen and five years, or twenty percent, which is a less rapid increase than might be expected, but there can be little doubt it will go on with an accelerated ratio, provided the means of subsistence should not fail them. Captain Waldgrave's assumption that this island is sufficiently large for the maintenance of one thousand souls is grounded on incorrect data. It does not follow that because one-twelfth of the island will maintain eighty persons, the whole must support nine hundred and sixty persons. The island is not more than four square miles, or two thousand five hundred and sixty acres. And as a ridge of rocky hills runs from north to south, having two peaks exceeding one thousand feet in height, it is more than probable that not one-half of it is capable of cultivation. It would seem indeed from several ancient morays being discovered among these hills, some stone axes or hatchets of compact balsaltic lava, very hard and capable of a fine polish. Four stone images, about six feet high, placed on a platform, not unlike those on Easter Island, one of which has been preserved, and is the rude representation of the human figure to the hips, hewn out of a piece of red lava. These remains would seem to indicate a former population that had found it expedient to abandon the island from its insufficiency to support it. Captain Beachy observes that from these images and the large piles of stones, on heights to which they must have been dragged with great labor, it may be concluded that the island was inhabited for a considerable time, and from bones being found, always buried under these piles and never upon the surface, we may presume that those who survived could have the island in their canoes to seek an asylum elsewhere. It appears from Beachy that Adams had contemplated the prospect of an increasing population with the limited means of supporting it, and requested that he would communicate with the British government upon the subject, which he says he did, and that through the interference of the Admiralty and Colonial Office, means have been taken for removing them to any place they may choose for themselves. It is to be hoped, however, that no such interference will take place. For half a century at least, there is no danger of any want of food. The attempt, however, was made through the means of a Mr. Knot, a missionary of Otehiti, who being on a visit to this country was authorized on his return to make arrangements for their removal to Otehiti if they wished it, and if Pamar, the king of the island, should not object to receive them. And he carried a letter to this chief from Lord Bathurst, acquainting him with the intention of the British government, and expressing the hope that he would be induced to receive under his protection, of people whose moral and religious character had created so lively an interest in their favor. But it fortunately happened that this missionary passed the island without stopping, and Mr. Joshua Hill subsequently proposed their removal to New South Wales, but his vessel was considered too small for the purpose. Two years after this, as difficulties had occurred to prevent the above mentioned tensions from being carried into effect, Sir George Murray deemed it desirable that no time should be lost in affording such assistance to these islanders, as might, at all events, render their present abode as comfortable as circumstances would allow. Telearrangements could be made for their future disposal, either in one of the society islands, as originally proposed, or at one of our settlements on New Holland. The assistance here alluded to has been afforded, as above mentioned, by his majesty's ship, Syringa Patam. It is sincerely to be hoped that such removal will be no longer thought of. No complaint was made, no apprehension of want to express to Captain Waldgrave, who left them contented and happy, and Captain Beechie, since his return, has received a letter from John Buppet, who informs him of a notification made by Knot, the missionary at Otehiti, that the king was willing to receive them, and that measures would be taken for their removal. But, he adds, the people are so much attached to, and satisfied with, their native island, as not to have a wish to leave it. Breaking up of this happy, innocent, and simple-minded little society, by some summary process in consigning them to those sinks of infamy on New Holland, or Van Demon's land, or to mix them up with the dram-drinkers, the psalm-singers, and the languid and lazy Otehitians, would, in either case, be a subject of deep regret to all who take an interest in their welfare. And to themselves would be the inevitable loss of all those amiable qualities which have obtained for them the kind and generous sympathy of their countrymen at home. We have a person who acts as consul at Otehiti, and it is to be hoped that he will receive instructions on no account to sanction, but on the contrary to interdict, any measure that may be attempted on the part of the missionaries for their removal. Perhaps, however, as money would be required for such a purpose, they may be considered safe from that quarter. The time must come when they will emigrate on their own accord. When the hive is full, they will send out their swarms. Captain Beachy tells us that the reading of some books of voyages and travels, belonging to Bly and left in the bounty, had created a desire in some of them to leave it, but that family ties and an ardent affection for each other, and for their native soil, had always interposed on the few occasions that offered to prevent individuals going away singly. George Adams, however, who had failed when the blossom was there to soften the heart of Polly Young, and had no wife to detain him, was very anxious to embark in that ship, that he might see something of the world beyond the narrow limits of his own little island, and Beachy would have taken him, had not his mother wept bitterly at the idea of parting from him, and wished to impose terms touching his return to the island that could not be acceded to. Pitcarne Island lies at the southeastern extremity of a chain of islands, which, including the society and friendly islands, exceed a hundred in number, many of them wholly uninhabited, and the rest but thinly peopled, all speaking the same, or nearly the same language, which is also spoken by the natives of Pitcarne Island. And all of the two groups are richly clothed with the spontaneous products of nature fit for the use of man. To all these they will have, when necessity prompts them, easy means of access. No large vessels are required for an immigration of this kind. The frailest barks and single canoes have been driven hundreds of miles over the Pacific. The Pitcarners have already proceeded from the simple canoe to row boats, and the progress from this to small deck vessels is simple and natural. They may thus, at some future period, which is not at all improbable, be the means of spreading Christianity and consequently civilization throughout the numerous groups of islands in the Southern Pacific, whereas to remove them, as has been imprudently suggested, would be to devote them at once to misery and destruction. That there is no deficiency in the number and variety of plants producing food and clothing for the use of man will appear from the following list, which is far from being complete. Indigenous Cocos nusifera, coconut Moussa perotisica, plantains Moussa sepeitum, bananas Diascoria sativum, yams Convolvulus batitas, sweet potatoes Arom escalantum, taro root Arom castatum, yappa Rosantia paparifera, cloth tree Dracania terminalis, tea plant Alaritas chaloba, doodoo Morinda centrifolia, nono Tonina, a large temperature Ficus indica, banyan tree Morris chinesis, mulberry Pendanus odoratissimus, and a great number of other Indigenous plants, some of which are useful and others ornamental. Introduced Arto carpus incisa, breadfruit Cucurpita citrullus, watermelons Concurpita pepo, pumpkins Solanum escalonum, potatoes Nicosiana tobacum, tobacco Citrus lamnomium, lemon Citrus arantium, orange Besides these, they have European peas Beans and onions, sugarcane, ginger, pepper, and turmeric. In fact, situated as the island is, in a temperate climate just without the tropic, and enjoying abundance of rain, there is scarcely any vegetable, with the exception of a few of the equinoxial plants, that may not be cultivated here. The zeemaze or Indian corn would be infinitely useful both for themselves, their poultry, and their pigs. As a great part of the island is at present covered with trees, which would necessarily give way to an extended cultivation, and as trees attract rain, Captain Waldgrave seems to think that when these are removed, showers will be less frequent. But there is little fear of this being the case. The central ridge, with points that exceed 1100 feet in height, will more effectually attract and condense the clouds than any quantity of trees growing at a less elevation. And there can be little doubt that plenty of water will be found by digging at the foot of the hills or close to the seacoast. The climate appears to be unexceptionable. During the 16 days of December, the height of summer, that the blossom remained there, the range of the thermometer on the island, from 9 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon, was from 76 degrees to 80 degrees. On board ship from 74 degrees to 76 degrees. From whence Captain Beachy places the mean temperature during that time at 76.5 degrees. In winter, he says the southwestern winds blow very cold and even snow has been known to fall. Not one visitor to this happy island has taken leave of its amiable inhabitants without a feeling of regret. Captain Beachy says, when we are about to take leave, our friends assembled to express their regret at our departure. All brought some little present for our acceptance, which they wished us to keep a remembrance of them, after which they accompanied us to the beach, where we took our leave of the female part of the inhabitants. Adams and the young men pushed off in their own boat to the ship, determined to accompany us to sea, as far as they could, with safety. They continued on board, unwilling to leave us, until we were a considerable distance from land. When they shook each of us feelingly by the hand, and amidst expressions of the deepest concern at our departure, wished us a prosperous voyage, and hoped that we might one day meet again. As soon as they were clear of the ship, they all stood up in their boat, and gave us three hearty cheers, which were as heartily returned. As the weather became foggy, the barge towed them towards the shore, and we took a final leave of them, unconscious, until the moment of separation of the warm interest their situation and good conduct had created in us. Happy, thrice happy people! May no improper intruders thrust themselves into your peaceful and contented society. May the Providence which has hitherto protected you still continue to pour down those blessings upon you, of which you appear to be so truly sensible, and for which you are justly thankful. May it throw round the shores of your enviable little Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword, to guard its approaches from those who would endanger your peace, and above all shield you from those who would perplex and confuse your unsophisticated minds by mysterious doctrines which they do not themselves comprehend. Remain steadfast to the faith which your late father and benefactor has instilled into your minds, called from the precepts of your Bible, and be content for the present to observe those simple rules for your religious and moral conduct, which he has taught you, and which he drew pure and undefiled from that sacred source, and be assured that, so long as you shall adhere to the line of conduct you have hitherto pursued, and be contented with your present lot, your happiness is secure, but once admit ignorant or false teachers among you, and from that period you may date the commencement of misfortunes and misery. End of Chapter 8 Part 3 Recording by Brett Downing Conclusion of the eventful history of the mutiny and paradical seizure of HMS Bounty, its cause and consequences. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Denny Sayers. The Eventful History of the Mutiny and Paradical Seizure of HMS Bounty by Sir John Barrow Conclusion Many useful and salutary lessons of conduct may be drawn from this eventful history, more especially by officers of the navy, both old and young, as well as by those subordinate to them. In the first place, it most strongly points out the dreadful consequences that are almost certain to ensue from a state of insubordination and mutiny on board a ship of war, and the equally certain fate that, at one time or other, awaits all those who have the misfortune to be concerned in a transaction of this revolting nature. In the present instance, the dreadful retribution which overtook them, and which was event, in a most extraordinary manner, affords an awful and instructive lesson to seamen, by which they may learn that although the guilty may be secured for a time in evading the punishment due to the offended laws of society, yet they must not hope to escape the pursuit of divine vengeance. It will be recollected that the number of persons who remained in the bounty after her paratical seizure, and of course charged with the crime of mutiny, was twenty-five, that these subsequently separated into two parties, sixteen having landed at Ottahete, and afterwards taken from thence in the Pandora as prisoners, and nine having gone with the bounty to Pitcairn's Island. Of the sixteen taken in the Pandora, one, Mr. Peter Haywood, midshipman, sentenced to death, but pardoned. Two, James Morbison, Boson's mate, sentenced to death, but pardoned. Three, William Muspratt, commander, steward, sentenced to death, but pardoned. Four, Thomas Birkitt, seamen, condemned and executed. Five, John Millward, seamen, condemned and executed. Six, Thomas Ellison, seamen, condemned and executed. Seven, Joseph Coleman, armorer, condemned and executed. Eight, Charles Norman, carpenter's mate, tried and acquitted. Nine, Thomas McIntosh, carpenter's crew, tried and acquitted. Ten, Michael Byrne, seamen, tried and acquitted. Eleven, Mr. George Stewart, midshipman, drowned in irons when the Pandora was wrecked. Twelve, John Sumner, seamen, drowned in irons. Thirteen, Richard Skinner, seamen, drowned in irons. Fourteen, Henry Hillbrandt, cooper, drowned in irons. Fifteen, Charles Churchhill, master at arms, murdered by Matthew Thompson. Sixteen, Matthew Thompson, seamen, murdered by Churchhill's friends in Otehete. Of the nine who landed in Pitcairn's island, one, Mr. Fletcher Christian, acting lieutenant, acting lieutenant, murdered by the Otehetans. Two, John Williams, seamen, murdered by the Otehetans. Three, Isaac Martin, seamen, murdered by the Otehetans. Four, John Mills, gunner's mate, murdered by the Otehetans. Five, William Brown, botanist's assistant, murdered by the Otehetans. Six, Matthew Keenthal, seamen, put to death by Young and Adams in self-defense. Seven, William McCroy, seamen, became insane and killed by throwing himself from Iraq. Eight, Mr. Edward Young, midshipman, died of asthma. Nine, Alex Smith, alias John Adams, seamen. Died in 1829. Young officers of the Navy, as well as the common seamen, may also derive some useful lessons from the events of this history. They will see the melancholy results of affording the least encouragement for seamen to depart from their strict line of duty, and to relax in that obedience to the orders of superiors by which alone the discipline of the service can be preserved. They will learn how dangerous it is to show themselves careless and indifferent in executing those orders by thus setting a bad example to the men. It ought also to enforce on their minds how necessary it is to avoid even the appearance of acting in any way that can be considered as repugnant to or subversive of the rules and regulations of the service, and most particularly to guard against any conduct that may have the appearance of lowering the authority of their superiors, either by their words or actions. No doubt can remain on the minds of unprejudiced persons, or such as are capable of weighing evidence, that the two young midshipmen, Stuart and Haywood, were perfectly innocent of any share in the transaction in question, and yet because they happened to be left in the ship, not only contrary to their wish and intention, but kept down below by force, the one lost his life by being drowned in chains, and the other was condemned to die, and only escaped from suffering the last penalty of the law by a recommendation to the royal mercy. The only point in which these two officers failed was that they did not at once demand permission to accompany their commander while they were allowed to remain on deck, and had the opportunity of doing so. The manly conduct of young Haywood throughout his long and unmerited sufferings affords an example of firmness, fortitude, and resignation to the divine will that is above all praise. In fact, nothing short of conscious innocence could have supported him in the severe trials he had to undergo. The melancholy effects, which tyrannical conduct, harsh and approprious language, ungovernable passion, and a worrying and harassing temper on the part of naval commanders, seldom fail to produce on the minds of those who are subject to their capricious and arbitrary command, are strongly exemplified in the cause and consequences of the mutiny in the bounty as described in the course of this history. Conduct of this kind, by making the inferior officers of a ship discontented and unhappy, has the dangerous tendency, as in the case of Christian, to incite the crew to partake in their discontent, and be ready to assist in any plan to get rid of the tyrant. We may see in it, also, how very little credit a commander is likely to gain, either with the service or the public at large, when the duties of a ship are carried on, as they would appear to have been in the Pandora, in a cold, phlegmatic and unfeeling manner, and with an indifference to the comfort of all around him, subjecting offenders of whatever description to unnecessary restraint, and a severity of punishment which, though strictly within the letter of the law, contributes in no way to the ends of discipline or of justice. The conduct of Bly, however mistaken he may have been in his mode of carrying on the duties of the ship, was most exemplary throughout the long and perilous voyage he performed in an open boat on the wide ocean, with the most scanty supply of provisions and water, and in the worst weather. The result of such meritorious conduct holds out every encouragement to both officers and to men, by showing them that, by firmness and perseverance, and the adoption of well-digested measures, steadily pursued in spite of opposition, the most hopeless undertaking to all appearance may be successfully accomplished. And lastly, the fate that has attended almost every one of those concerned in the mutiny and piracy of his majesty's ship, Bounty, ought to operate as a warning to and make a deep impression on the minds of our brave seamen, not to suffer themselves to be led astray from the straightforward line of their duty, either by order or persuasion of some hot-brained, thoughtless or designing person, whether they're superior or equal, but to remain faithful under all circumstances to their commanding officer as any mutinous proceedings or disobedience of his orders are sure to be visited upon them in the long run, either by loss of life or by a forfeiture of that liberal provision which the British government has bestowed on its seamen for long and faithful services. PS. Just as this last sheet came from the press, the editor has noticed, with a feeling of deep and sincere regret, a paragraph in the newspapers said to be extracted from an American paper stating that a vessel sent to Pitcairn's island by the missionaries of Oteete has carried off the whole of the settlers to the latter island. If this be true, and the mention of the name of not gives a color to the transaction, the cherubim must have slept, the flaming sword have been sheathed, and another Eden has been lost. In what is worse than all, that native simplicity of manners, that purity of morals, and that singleness of heart which so peculiarly distinguish this little interesting society are all lost. They will now be dispersed among the missionary stations as humble dependents, where kitty quintal and the rest of them may get food for their souls, such as it is in exchange for the substantial blessings they enjoyed on Pitcairn's island. End of the conclusion. Read by Dennis Sayers in Modesto, California for LibriVox.