Pitcairn's Island  Notes  Source  Whalesite

Rear-Admiral de Horsey (H.M.S. Shah)
to Admiralty
(September 17, 1878)

No. 284

Sir,

      In my letter No 283 of this date I had the honour to report for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty such general particulars relative to Pitcairn Island as I thought might prove of interest. In Appendix No 2 of that letter I furnished a copy of the only laws existent in the island.

      2. Happily, with so well disposed and conducted a people,

but few laws are required, and in point of fact the very simple ones now in force appear to have answered all purposes.

      3. But the Chief Magistrate, Mr. James Russell McKoy, has represented to me that although his authority has hitherto been sufficient to maintain order amongst his fellow islanders, he has felt the want of proper authorization from her Majesty's Government to fulfil his office of Chief Magistrate. He has represented to me

that shipwrecked seamen or others, perhaps foreigners, occasionally desire to settle on the island much against the will of the islanders, also that in the event, however unlikely, of a serious crime being committed on the island, he would be unable to deal with the offender without perhaps exceeding his authority. Their Lordships will observe that their self made law provides for reference to the Commander of the first of H.M. Ships visiting the island, "from whose decision there is no appeal". But the Chief Magistrate observes that there may be, and have

been, years without a visit from a man of war. I further apprehend that the Commander of one of H.M. Ships has no authority to act in the matter.

      4. I informed the Chief Magistrate that I would forward his representation to H.M. Government, and I accordingly submit the matter for their Lordships consideration. It does appear somewhat anomalous that any portion of British Territory should be devoid of authority from the home government, and I think cases can be conceived in which the absence of

legitimate authority might lead to inconvenience.

      5. With the above view, I submit for consideration whether it is not desirable that the Chief Magistrate should have a commission as such from the proper authority at home. It might be addressed to "The Chief Magistrate for the time being who has been duly elected according to the laws and customs of the Pitcairn Islanders", so as to make it applicable to each succeeding Magistrate. Perhaps some step of this kind, together with instructions for the Magistrate's guidance

would place the government of the island on a more proper footing, I therefore throw out the suggestion for consideration. It would certainly be gratifying to the islanders, who are most loyal, and who as they emphatically declare know no language but English.

      6. The occasional visit of a ship of war is certainly desirable and the advice and decision of her Commander would be gladly taken in any dispute.

      7. In the unlikely case of a serious crime occurring, the best course (in the absence of any

legislation authorizing the Commander of a ship of war to adjudicate) would probably be the conveyance of the offender and witnesses to British Columbia for trial.

I have the honour to be,
            Sir,
Your obedient Servant

      de Horsey

Rear Admiral and
Commander in Chief

      Pagination of the original autograph has been maintained.

      Admiral Sir Algernon Frederick Rous de Horsey KCB DL (25 July 1827 – 22 October 1922) was a Royal Navy officer. From September 20, 1876 until July 21, 1879 he was Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Station at Esquimalt on Vancouver Island. He was promoted to vice admiral November 27, 1879 and to Admiral April 29, 1885. He was also appointed aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria.

Document no. 83. September 17, 1878. "Rear-Admiral de Horsey (H.M.S. Shah) to Admiralty". Pages 1450 to 1463.

Pitcairn's Island  Notes  Source  Whalesite