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Extract from report of Captain Jones
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At 4 P.M. I resumed my course for Pitcairn's, which Island we made the following morning, the 18th of August, at 8 A.M. At Noon, I hove too about a mile and a half off the North side. Geo. Adams and William Quintal, two of the Natives came on board. At 2 I landed at the N.W. end of the Island, the surf being too heavy to effect a landing nearer the houses. The consequence was, that having to surmount the extreme height of the Island, it was 6 o'clock before I reached their residences, and I remained on shore until 5 P.M. the next day, during which time I was enabled to examine the Journal of their Chief Magistrate Arthur Quintal, meet the assembled Islanders in their School House, settle points of dispute reserved for the decision of the Captain who might visit them, make myself thoroughly acquainted with their present state and wants, and suggest arrangements for the distribution and safe custody of the Arms and Ammunition with which I was directed to supply them. |
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Nothing could have been more opportune than our visit, as an Epidemic had spread among the Inhabitants similar to what is designated in Europe "Influenza" — one fourth of them being affected by the Malady, and they apprehending that it was of a dangerous and contagious nature were in great fear. The Surgeon of this Ship — Dr. Gunn, had landed with me, and we had brought with us a little Medicine Chest I had ordered to be prepared at Callao. I left Dr. Gunn on shore in attendance on the Inhabitants until 4 P.M. on Friday the 20th of August, during which time he had afforded relief to all the individuals affected, in many cases nearly subdued the disease, and by his [kind] and judicious treatment, had quite allayed their fears, and given them confidence in the remedies he prescribed, compounded, and left to be administered by an intelligent person, Mr. Nobbs, the Schoolmaster and Minister. Some new cases appeared on the day of our departure. |
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Dr. Gunn, is of opinion "that the Malady was attributable principally to Atmospheric influence, sultry days being commonly followed by damp and chilly Nights — the habitations being slightly constructed and the inhabitants too scantily clothed to resist such vicissitudes". At the Surgeon’s urgent recommendation, I ordered the Purser to supply the Inhabitants with a bale of flannel containing two hundred and thirty yards. Their traffic with the Whalers visiting the Island being chiefly for old clothes, it is obvious that great risk must be incurred of their catching Infectious diseases, and therefore the great importance of introducing vaccination into the Island. We endeavoured to obtain some Vaccine Symple for this purpose, while at Callao, but failed in so doing. The total number of inhabitants we found and left on Pitcairn’s, was 110, exclusive of two Sandwich Islanders, who had been landed there from an American Whaler with consent of the Natives on the understanding that they were to Return to Woahoo |
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by the earliest opportunity. Many opportunities had offered, but as they had conducted themselves well, the Natives had not insisted on their leaving. I however finding that they did not wish the permanent residence of the Sandwich Islanders amongst them, ordered that they should positively leave by the next Whaler willing to receive them. Which will probably be the first, as they are powerful men and good Sailors. Since the Sparrowhawks departure from the Island on the 9th of November 1839, there has been ten births and two deaths, making the number when she sailed 102. Twenty four Merchant Ships have visited the Island since November 1839. I am pleased to be able to contradict the rumour of the Inhabitants of Pitcairn’s having been in any way molested, or ill treated by the Crews of Ships landing there. The assembled Inhabitants assured me that so far from such being the case they had been fairly, honestly, considerately, and kindly dealt with by all the Vessels |
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that had communicated with them, and they expressed great surprise at its ever having been rumoured that Arms were required for their protection. Notwithstanding their having of late, largely supplied the Whalers touching there with Yams, Poultry, Goats and Pigs, they seem well, indeed abundantly provided with such food and I was gratified to find that they have formed reservoirs for water so as to remove apprehension of that indispensable article ever failing them. They seem to stand most in want of a Forge, being able to make plenty of Charcoal for its use, a hand-mill to grind the Maize, which flourishes here, a couple of stout Whale boats, there only being one old one on the Island, and their means of communication with Ships, or fishing, being in a few very small canoes, able to carry one man each. Clothing also, especially for the Women and children is greatly needed. The variableness of their Climate, and their descent from Europeans, demanding, to secure their health, far more substantial |
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clothing than either their native production Tappa, or the flimsy calicos which they obtain at a costly rate from the American Whalers. At present Money is not used by the Inhabitants, the standard for valuing what they give and take in barter being, a Beef-barrel measure of Yams valued at three hard dollars — but this simplicity of traffic is not likely to last much longer, as they often find that the Merchant Vessels visiting them, and not requiring the produce of the Island, refuse to part with such articles the Natives want, excepting for Money. The purity of morals, and unsophisticated manners of the Natives of Pitcairn’s which so charmed Sir T. Staines when he discovered them twenty seven years since, has, unavoidably, undergone a disadvantageous change from a new generation having arisen accustomed to constant communication and traffic with the Crews of English, French and American Whalers. The Women and Children still possess a single mindedness, |
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simplicity, and innocence which I never met with before, and which would I fear, be in vain looked for amongst any other English talking community — but the men are quite awake to driving a bargin looking after their individual interests, and are fond of fermented liquors. In my opinion, the greatest blessing England could bestow on these, her adopted subjects, would be, to frame for them a simple code of Laws and provide them with a zealous, intelligent, amiable, and pious Pastor (many such are to be found among the Church Missionaries) to maintain and nourish in them, those religious principles, which had so happily been rooted under old Adams’s Patriarchel Government. They are all Episcopalians. While at Pitcairn’s, I had opportunity of referring to Captain Beechey’s published Voyage in these Seas, and there learnt that the Island I saw on the 17th of August, was "Elizabeth", or "Henderson’s" Island, and had been surveyed by him. |
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Surely British Men-of-War ought to be supplied with the most accute Charts that can be obtained — I cannot imagine any blame that could have been imputed to me, had I on a dark night as the 17th was, run my Ship on an Island lying directly in my track, and of the existence of which I had no intimation. I make this comment with all deference, but thinking the Admiralty Hydrographer’s attention may be beneficially drawn to it. At 5 P.M. on the 20th of August I bore up for Otaheite, and after a run of nine days with a fresh Trade wind, I anchored in Matavai Bay, on Monday the 30th instant at 4 P.M. . . . .
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Notes.
Pagination of the original autograph has been maintained. Captain Jenkin Jones (1793-1843) commanded H.M.S. Curaçoai in 1841. Rear-Admiral Charles Bayne Hodgson Ross (1776 — 1849) was Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Station in 1841. |
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Source.
Document no. 66. September 6, 1841. "Extract from report of Captain Jones (H.M.S. Curaçoa) to Rear-Admiral Ross". Page 1277.
This transription 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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