Revised Jun 22 2021
This letter was soon followed by one from Mr. Fortescue Moresby, dated "Portland, at Caldera, 17th December, 1853." The following are extracts:—
"The mail has this moment arrived from the South, bringing us the news of the Dido's return from Pitcairn's Island. As she sails in less than an hour, you will excuse my condensing the news we have received, the Admiral having directed me to write to you, as he says he feels sure you will be glad to receive any news from the island, in which you have taken so great an interest.
"Captain Morshead writes as follows:—
"'On landing, I was met by the whole population, with their highly esteemed and reverend minister, Mr. Nobbs, at their head; and I am happy to add that, owing to the supplies left by yourself in the Portland last May, they speedily recovered from the effects of the famine; and, with one exception, the whole island was in perfect health. During my stay on shore I assembled the inhabitants, and acquainted them, in compliance with your order, that their memorial relative to Norfolk Island had been forwarded by you from Callao last June.
"'I took the opportunity of attending Divine Service on Sunday, when the whole adult congregation received the Sacrament from their minister, Mr. Nobbs; and I feel it must be gratifying to all who are interested in their welfare to hear of their increasing respect and attachment to him, since his return amongst them as their ordained minister, respected and loved as he has ever been; all were perfectly aware of the additional advantages which his ordination has conferred upon them. The person who had the medical charge during Mr. Nobbs's absence still continues to act, yet every case is superintended by Mr. Nobbs himself, and on our arrival we found he had a patient suffering from dropsy; and during our stay he had to attend a young woman nearly burnt to death, as well as to attend to another serious case; and although our surgeon or his assistants were soon after in attendance, to whom he resigned the case, yet everything had been done by Mr. Nobbs that their professional experience could approve, and all appeared unanimous that no one could be better adapted to their general wants.
"'I trust I may be allowed to add my testimony to their already established reputation for morality and virtue. With the Scriptures daily, even hourly, in their hands, it is impossible that any can act from higher principles or purer motives; and all their impulses happily appear for good, while their goodness ever inclines them to judge charitably of the faults of others. But so simple and confiding is their nature, that any designing person thrown amongst them might easily destroy their peace and harmony. It has never been my lot to witness a community more entitled to admiration and respect; and, with this estimation of their character, it is impossible to separate the credit that is due to Mr. Nobbs, who has been their friend and teacher for twenty-five years, and is now happily their spiritual guide and minister. A glance at the public records of the island, where their delight is expressed at Mr. Nobbs's return, and he is welcomed back as their "worthy Pastor" and "dear kind Friend" will evince their feeling towards him better than any language of my own.'
"The steamer only stays here an hour, and is at this moment fretting like a curbed horse under our stern, waiting for the Admiral's despatches."