Revised Jun 12 2021
British Consulate of the Society Islands
Raiatea October 6th, 1854
To the Inhabitants of Pitcairn's Island.
My dear Friends,
On the 5th of July, I addressed a letter to you acquainting you that Her Majesty's Government had acceded to your request of being removed to Norfolk Island and that they would provide a vessel which should call off your Island towards the close of the present year for the purpose of carrying out that removal.
I have received a subequent Despatch on the subject from the Earl of Clarendon who directed me to acquaint you that Norfolk Island will not be evacuated by its present occupants so soon as had expected and that consequently it has become necessary to postpone for the present any measures for providing a vessel to remove the Pitcairn Islanders to Norfolk Island.
The Earl of Clarendon has lately received the copy of a Memorial addressed by the Pitcairn Islanders to the Queen, requesting to be furnished with a document declaring them to be under Her Majesty's protection, and constituting Pitcairn's Island a British possession.
The manner in which England has always responded to the Pitcairn Islanders when she has been claimed and claimed justly by them as their Fatherland is the best proof that no doubt has ever existed as to the sovereignty of you Island and will I trust be accepted by you as a sufficient answer.
It is I am sure unnecessary for me, after having dwelt on the subject in my last letter, again to direct your attention, to the interest with which you have always been regarded by Her Majesty's Government; indeed it was in consequence of the interest so felt that measures were determined upon to provide for your removal to Norfolk Island.
Believe me to be
My dear Friends
Your faithful and affectionate friend
B. Toup Nicolas