Pitcairn's Island  Notes  Source  Whalesite

Magistrate Arthur Quintal & Island Councillors Thomas Buffett & Edward Quintal
to Rear-Admiral Moresby,
(May 18, 1853.)

Copy

Honored Sir,

      We, the undersigned Magistrate and Councillors of Pitcairns Island, having according to your request convened a Public meeting of the Inhabitants of this Island, have the satisfaction to inform you that as regards your wise proposition for the amendment of certain Laws relative to the duties of the Magistrate, the Age at which he and his councillors are eligible to hold such offices &c &c we, together with the rest of the Community do unanimously and fully acquiesce in your opinion and will lose no time in attending to all your kind suggestions.

      As regards the necessity of removing to some other Island or place, it is very evident that the time is not far distant when Pitcairn’s Island will

be altogether inadequate to the rapidly increasing population, and the inhabitants do unanimously agree in soliciting the aid of the British Government in transferring them to Norfolk Island or some other appropriate place, and desire that the funds which you have so benevolently and condescendingly (with the assistance of other benefactors) collected in England for the benefit of this Community should be reserved and appropriated in assisting them in such a step when it should become necessary.

      With high sentiments of gratitude and respect permit us in the name of the Community to subscribe ourselves —

To Rear Admiral Fairfax Moresby C.B.
Commander in Chief &c. &c. &c.

      Pagination of the original autograph has been maintained.

      Sir Fairfax Moresby GCB (786 – 1877) was a Royal Navy officer. In 1850 Admiral Moresby became Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Station. His main responsibility was to protect British commercial interests in Valparaíso in the face of unrest among the people of Chile. He also took an interest in Pitcairn Islands at this time and planned the emigration of the islanders to Norfolk Island.

Document no. 71. January 14 &19, 1846. "Magistrate Arthur Quintal & Island Councillors Thomas Buffett & Edward Quintal to Rear-Admiral Moresby". Pages 1342 to 1345.

Pitcairn's Island  Notes  Source  Whalesite