Revised Jun 19 2021
In Captain Beechy's report of Pitcairn’s Island, December, 1825, he says, that when Pitcairn’s Island was reported to be in sight from his ship, “every person came upon deck, the excitement and interest was so great. Shortly afterwards a boat, containing old Adams and eight of the islanders, came alongside. But before they ventured to take hold of the ship, they inquired if they might come on board; and upon permission being granted, they sprang up the side, and shook every officer by the hand with undisguised feelings of gratification.
"It was the first time Adams had been on board a ship of war since the mutiny, and his mind naturally reverted to scenes that could not fail to produce a temporary embarrassment, heightened, perhaps, by the familiarity with which he found himself addressed by persons of a class with those whom he had been accustomed to obey. Their dress, made up of the presents which had been given them by the masters and seamen of merchant and whale ships, was a perfect caricature.
"It was many hours after they came on board, before the ship could get near the island, during which time they so ingratiated themselves with us, that we felt the greatest desire to visit their houses, and rather than pass another night at sea, we put off in the boats, though at a considerable distance from the land, and accompanied them on shore. The difficulty of landing was more than repaid by the friendly reception we met with on the beach from Hannah Young, a very interesting young woman, the daughter of Adams.
"It appeared that John Buffett, who was a seafaring man, ascertained the ship was a man-of-war, and not exactly knowing why, became so alarmed for the safety of Adams, that he either could not or would not answer any of the interrogations which were put to him. This mysterious silence set all the party in tears, as they feared he had discovered something adverse to their patriarch. At length his obduracy yielded to their entreaties; but before he explained the cause of his conduct, the boats were seen to put off from the ship, and Hannah immediately hurried to the beach to kiss the old man’s cheek, which she did with a fervency demonstrative of the warmest affection.
"Before long we were all summoned to a hot supper, which consisted of a pig. Welcome, cheer, hospitality, and good humour, were the characteristics of the feast; and never was their beneficial influence more practically exemplified than on this occasion, by the demolition of nearly all that was placed before us.
"The next morning, when we were about to get up, the women, anxious to show their attention; assembled to wish us good morning, and to inquire in what manner they could best contribute to our comforts, and to present us with some little gift, which the produce of the island afforded.
"All that remains to be said of these excellent people is, that they appear to live together in perfect harmony and contentment; to be virtuous, religious, cheerful, and hospitable beyond the limits of prudence; to be patterns of conjugal and parental affection; and to have no vices. We remained with them many days, and their unreserved manners gave us the fullest opportunity of becoming acquainted with any faults they might have possessed.”