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Extract from despatch of
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. . . .
. . . arrived off Pitcairn’s Island the 11th January 1837, but in consequence of the heavy Surf upon the beach, I was not able to effect a landing until the 12th. I immediately proceeded to the Village, and having assembled the whole of the Inhabitants informed them that I had been sent by the British Government to examine into and settle all differences existing between them. I regret to state that I found this once happy and exemplary people in a truly pitiable state; they were divided into two parties, one, in favour of Mr Hill, the other in favour of Mr Nobbs: both Englishmen, who had been residing some time upon the Island. Each had established a Church and School, and a great deal of animosity and bad feeling was existing between the two parties. After investigating all their complaints, it appeared to me quite evident that Mr Hill had been the principal cause of all their dissensions. Upon his first arrival |
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on the Island, he deceived these poor ignorant people by telling them that he was sent out by the Government to regulate the internal affairs of the Island, and obtained an influence over them, which he exercised with severity and oppression. His conduct in many instances has been most cruel and unjust, especially towards three Englishmen, who had married and settled upon the Island; he flogged two of them for trifling offences, and did all in his power to separate them from their Wives and families; the majority of the people complained bitterly of his tyrannical conduct, and after I had undeceived them as to the authority he had assumed coming from the British Government, they all, with the exception of two Men, were anxious that he should be removed from the Island, and that Mr Nobbs should remain as their Teacher and Schoolmaster, to which I gave my consent, although I did not consider him a fit person for that situation. I remonstrated with Mr Hill upon his tyrannical tyrannical |
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conduct to these poor people, and desired him to give up his Church and School, and not to interfere with them again in any way: this he consented to, and promised to leave the Island, by the first opportunity. I hope that what I have done will be the means of restoring that good feeling, which formerly existed in this small Society, although I fear that unless some person with authority from the Government is sent to superintend their internal affairs, that there will be constant quarrels and disturbances upon the Island. I distributed the Stores sent by the Government equally amongst the different families, and left Pitcairn’s Island on the evening of the 13th Ultimo for Valparaiso. I have the honour to enclose various documents received from you. — I have the honour &c. |
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Notes.
Captain Lord Edward Russell (1805 – 1887) – later Admiral Lord Edward Russell, CB – was a British naval officer and Whig politician. From 1834 to 1838 Russell was Captain of H.M.S. Actaeon in the British Pacific Squadron. Sir Francis Mason (1779 - 1853) was Commodores of the Pacific Squadron in 1837. His was subsequently Rear-Admiral of the Red and Vice-Admiral of the White. While in the Pacific his flagship was H.M.S. Blonde. |
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Source.
Document no. 59. January 1837. "Extract from despatch of Captain Russell (H.M.S. Actaeon) to Commodore Mason". Pages 1392 to 1397.
This transcription was made from a documents in a collection of documents at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa Library.
Last updated by Tom Tyler, Denver, CO, USA, Aug 17 2022.
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