Revised Jun 12 2021
[I first discovered this article on PapersPast in New Zealand, thus the Otago Witness. As it suggests it was taken from the Alta California, but I have since discovered that it was published in many papers, including the New York Times of Feb 27, 1871.]
(Alta California, 18th February.)
We publish below a touching appeal from some lonely islanders in the South Pacific, for shipmasters to touch at their island home. The letter was written, it will be noticed, last October; it was taken ty the captain of the ship Whittington, which sailed hence 25th August, 1870, for Liverpool. The captain mailed tbe letter from Edinburgh, Scotland, 26th January, 1871, accompanied by the following note:—
"Edinburgh, 25th January, 1871.
"Eds. Alta.—On my passage home from your port, I called at Pitcairn'a Island, being nothing out of my way, but rather the means of shortening the passage by going due south when out of the trades, thereby passing quickly through the light winds. I found some 70 persons on the island—a healthy and moral people, and obtained several hundred oranges and limes, by giving them a little medicine and clothing. The latter they stand much in need of, the women particularly being very short. Some charitably disposed person coming that way with a stock of women's and men's second-hand olothing, would confer an everlasting favour upon them. There is plenty of goata and wild pigs, and water.
"I am not bound to California this voyage, or I would certainly do all I could to bring things with me from here. Excuse this, and oblige me by inserting the matter.—Yours, &c.,
(Signed) " John Purdy,
"Master Whittington."
"Pitcairn's Island, 6th Oct., 1870.
"Mr Editor—As many ships pass this island on the route to and from San Francisco, but at too great, a distance to board them in our eanoes, it is our opinion that they do not know the island to be inhabited. There are no dangers of rocks or shoals, and if they come within a mile they would most always get a supply of fruit, &c. We number 60 or 70 persons, and we always like to shew hospitality to strangers, and hear the news. This is the third day we have seen ships pass, and this day one is standing in, by which we send this. The landing is on the north side of tbe island.
"If, dear Sir, you would have the kindness to give this a place in your valuable paper, you will greatly oblige your humble servants,
"THE COMMUNITY OF PITCAIRN'S ISLAND."