Revised Jun 21 2021
Certain misrepresentations concerning Mr. Nobbs, which are alluded to by Admiral Moresby, in his letter contained in the Preface, took their rise at about this time.
It is fortunate for any one who may have been misrepresented by Mr. Hill, that he wrote in June, 1834, a long letter, full of his own praises, which has been published,* and which sufficiently shows into what sort of hands the islanders of Pitcairn had fallen during the time of Hill's influence. The author cannot refrain from quoting a specimen of this epistle:—
"I have visited the falls of Niagara and Montmorency, the natural bridge in Virginia, the great Reciprocating Fountain in East Tennessee, the great Temple of Elephanta at Bombay. I have dined with a prince as well as with a princess; and with a count, a baron, an ambassador, a minister (ordinary and extraordinary), and have travelled with one for some weeks. I have dined with a Chargé d' Affaires, and lived with consuls, &c. I have visited and conversed with 'Red Jacket' the great Indian warrior: I have visited and been visited by a Bishop. I have frequently partook of the delicious Hungarian wine (tokay), Prince Esterhazy's; as also of Prince Schwartzenburgh's old hock, said to have been 73 years old; and I was intimate with the brother-in-law of this last German nobleman. I have dined with a principal Hong merchant at Canton. I have sat next to the beautiful Madame Recamier, and Madame Carbanus, at the great dinner parties. I have written to the Prime Minister of England; and have received the late Earl of Liverpool's answer, with his thanks, &c. I was at Paris when the allies were met there. I have visited and breakfasted with the late Warren Hastings, Esq., at his seat in Gloucestershire. I have had permission with a party of friends to hunt over his grounds. Entertained, &c., two or three days at the sporting lodge of an Earl, now a Marquis.
"I have made a crimson silk net for a certain fashionable Marchioness, which she actually wore at her next great party of five or six hundred persons. I have danced with the Countess Bertrand, i.e. Mademoiselle Fanny Dillon, before she married the Marshal. I was at Napoleon's coronation. I have been invited to the Lord Mayor's, and to the dinner of an Alderman of London."