Revised Jun 3, 2021
“H.M. Sloop Comet; Port Jackson,
“May 26th, 1831*.
∗[This date is in error. On the following page it is referred to as being dated Apr 19, 1831, and another typescript copy I have from the Royal Geographical Society has it dated Apr 9, 1831. One of the latter two would be the likely date.]
SIR,—I have the honour to report to your Excellency the proceedings of H.M. sloop under my command since the 5th of last November, when I communicated to you my intention of putting to sea, upon the arrival of the Colonial barque Lucy Anne, from Norfolk Island. That vessel arrived in this port on the 4th of December, and was immediately got ready for sea, with all the arrangements deemed necessary by His Excellency the Governor and myself for proceeding to Pitcairn’s Island, for the removal of its inhabitants, or such of them as were desirous of removing. I put to sea with the Lucy Anne in company, on the 27th of December, and arrived at the Bay of Islands, in New Zealand, on the 21st of January. Both ships having completed their water and wood, I put to sea on the 26th, and arrived off Pitcairn’s Island on the 28th of February; and being guided on shore by the natives, who came off in their canoes, I landed the same day, and made known to the inhabitants the subject of the expedition. On the second day, I assembled all the heads of the families, and having most fully explained to them that they were perfectly at liberty, either to remove to Otahite or remain where they were, I directed Mr. Henry, who was employed by the Colonial Government of the colony to accompany the expedition, to give them every information in his power—which, from his being thoroughly acquainted with the manners and laws of Otahite, as well as being present at the meeting held by the late King Pomare and the chiefs, when the promise of land, protection, and assistance was made to Captain Laws, of H. M. S. Satellite, as set forth in his letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty, —he was well calculated to afford. One half of the inhabitants gave me in their names, having resolved to remove to Otahite; and on the following day, the remainder came to the same resolution. The whole immediately commenced making preparations for embarking, by carrying down to the landing-place yams, potatoes, and household goods, which were continued to be embarked on board the ships until the 7th of March; on the morning of which day all the inhabitants were embarked on board the Lucy Anne, being eighty-seven in number. I have very great satisfaction in reporting to your Excellency that this service was executed in the short space of four days, the merit of which is entirely due to Lieut. H. F. Peake, of this ship, whose zeal and judgment in directing the embarkation, under the great natural difficulties he had to contend with in the face of a most perilous surf entitle this officer most fully to this public expression of my acknowledgments. I arrived at Otahite, and anchored in Papiete harbour on the 23rd of March; and found the island, under the government of Queen Pomare, daughter of the late King Pomare, I regret to say, upon the very eve of a civil war; but which, I have great pleasure in making known to your Excellency, terminated by the opposing parties coming to actual hostilities; and that previous to my leaving Otahite, the governors of provinces, and the chiefs opposed to the Queen and her party, having amicably arranged their difficulties, had returned from Papiete to their own provinces, with their numerous armed followers. Although the island was in the most disturbed state on my arrival, I was greatly relieved from the anxiety for the situation in which I was placed with the inhabitants of Pitcairn’s Island, by receiving from the Queen and her chiefs on the one side, and the hostile party on the other, assurance that the promises made by her father the King Pomare and them would be most strictly executed. I therefore, at the request of the Queen, landed the people of Pitcairn at the residence of the Queen, about three miles from the anchorage, where houses were provided for them, and at which place they remained until the contending parties returned to their homes; when the Queen gave up for their use a large dwelling, belonging to herself, in the town of Papiete. Previous to their removing to this place, a beautiful tract of very rich land, and belonging to the government of this island, was well examined by the Missionaries, myself, Capt. Walpole, and Lieut. Peake, and determined to be a very eligible territory for their future residence.
“Having made known to the Queen this determination, the Queen assembled the chiefs of the district in my presence, and formally communicated to them that she had assigned this land to the inhabitants of Pitcairn—giving orders at the. same time, that her people should immediately commence the construction of houses, when they had made an election of a site suited to their wishes; and the materials for erecting those houses were in considerable forwardness previous to my departure. It will be gratifying for your Excellency to know, that a feeling of great regard was universally manifested to this people by the Otahitians, who endeavoured with great diligence to find out those who were their relatives, in which they were oft successful; and in one instance, a woman came a considerable distance, and discovered in one of the four remaining Otahitian women a sister. I have been thus particular in these points, in order to show upon what ground I conclude there is every reason to hope the change from Pitcairn’s Island to Otahite will be attended with advantage to them. On my arrival at Pitcairn’s Island, I found them exceedingly distressed for water, and what they had was procured with difficulty; and although the fertility of this island has reared a comparatively numerous population, yet this very circumstance, from their increasing numbers, renders the necessity for emigration the more obvious. The gentlemen composing the Christian Mission at Otahite afforded me every service in their power. My thanks are due to Capt. Walpole, of H. M. 39th Regiment, who accompanied me, in the interest he took in the transactions of this voyage, as well as to my officers and crew.
“Hoping that your Excellency will approve of my proceeding,
“I have the honour to be, &c.;, &c.;,
“(Signed) ALEXANDER SANDILANDS,
“Commander.
“To His Excellency, Rear Admiral Sir E. W. C. R. Owen, K.C.E., Commander in Chief.”