Revised Jun 22 2021
It is, perhaps, scarcely necessary to add that the words of so kind a benefactor were received and treasured up with respect and gratitude. These feelings are best expressed by themselves in a letter to the Admiral.
"Pitcairn's Island, 18th May, 1853.
"HONOURED SIR,—
"We, the undersigned Magistrate and Councillors of Pitcairn's Island, having, according to your request, convened a public meeting of the inhabitants of this island, have the satisfaction to inform you that, as regards your wise proposition for the amendment of certain laws relative to the duties of the Chief Magistrate, the age at which he and his councillors are eligible to hold such offices, &c. &c., we, together with the rest of the community, do unanimously and fully acquiesce in your opinion, and will lose no time in attending to all your kind suggestions.
"As regards the necessity of removing to some other island or place, it is very evident that the time is not far distant when Pitcairn's Island will be altogether inadequate |/places/Pitcairn] to the rapidly increasing population; and the inhabitants do unanimously agree in soliciting the aid of the British Government in transferring them to Norfolk Island, or some other appropriate place; and desire that the funds which you have so benevolently and condescendingly (with the assistance of other benefactors) collected in England for the benefit of this community, should be reserved and appropriated in asisting them in such a step whenever it should become necessary.
"With high sentiments of gratitude and respect, permit us, in the name of the community, to subscribe ourselves,
"Your obedient,
"Very humble servants,
"(Signed) ARTHUR QUINTAL, Jun., Magistrate.
"THOMAS BUFFETT, 1st Councillor.
"EDWARD QUINTAL, 2d Councillor.
"To Rear-Admiral Fairfax Moresby, C.B.,
Commander-in-Chief, &c. &c. &c."
To Rear-Admiral Moresby, &c. The Portland.
"HONOURED SIR,—
"We, the undersigned Magistrate and Councillors of Pitcairn's Island, having, after your departure, convened a public meeting of the inhabitants of the island, and your propositions being carefully read over to the people, have the satisfaction to inform you that not an objection is made by the inhabitants against one of your Honour's wise propositions; and that we, together with the rest of the community, do unanimously and fully acquiesce in your opinion, and will lose no time in attending to all your kind suggestions.
"We cannot conclude without expressing our grateful thanks to you for all your kindness to us, expecially for the late supply of sugar and tea you have so condescendingly presented to the community of Pitcairn's Island.
"We sincerely hope and pray that Almighty God will bles your earnest endeaours for our welfare, both spiritual and temporal; and rest asured that our sincere prayers for your eternal happiness shall ever follow you.
"Subscribing ourselves yours affectionately,
"(Signed) ARTHUR QUINTAL, Jun., Magistrate of Pitcairn
"THOMAS BUFFETT, Councillor.
"EDWARD QUINTAL, Councillor."
To Rear-Admiral Moresby, The Portland.
"Pitcairn's Island, Sept. 12th, 1853.
"HONOURED AND RESPECTED SIR,—
"We, the inhabitants of Pitcairn's Island, embrace the earliest opportunity of addressing your Honour, thanking you for your disinterested kindness towards us. Your fatherly kindness, we trust, will be indelibly impressed upon our memory. We may truly say, 'When we were sick you visited us,' and the necessary articles you sent on shore were of great service to us. Through the goodness of the Lord, the sickness did not prove fatal to any, although it was several weeks before we all recovered, and even now some feel the effects of it.
"Will your Honour be pleased to return our sincere thanks to the nobility and gentry who so kindly subscribed to the Pitcairn Fund, to the Committee, and all our kind friends? And we hope, by Divine assistance, we may live as becomes those who are bound by so many obligations.
"By your Honour's suggestion, we have made a small chest of drawers for her gracious Majesty the Queen, which we hope you will have the honour of presenting to her Majesty. It is made of the Island wood; and we should be much pleased if her Majesty would accept it as a token of our loyalty and respect. You know, honoured Sir, our means are very limited, and our mechanical skill likewise, and we hope her Majesty will receive it as the widow's mite—the will for the deed. Will your Honour give our kind respects to your sons, our kind friends Fairfax, and Fortescue, Captain Chads, and especially to our late Pastor, Rev. W. H. Holman, and all the officers and crew of H.M.S. Portland?
"We remain, honoured Sir,
"Your much obliged and grateful Servants,
"The Inhabitants of Pitcairn's Island.
"(Signed) ARTHUR QUINTAL, Magistrate,
"THOMAS BUFFETT, Councillor,
"EDWARD QUINTAL, Councillor,
"In the name and on behalf of the Community."