Revised Jun 22 2021
The following is an extract from a letter written to the author by Sir Wm. Denison, Governor of New South Wales, who has throughout shown a sincere regard for the Pitcairn Islanders and done them good service:—
"Government House, Sydney, July 14, 1856.
"I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, and to thank you for your book, giving an account of the people of Pitcairn's Island. They are now about to become inhabitants of a richer spot, and one which will, I hope, prove equally congenial to their moral condition. I take, I assure you, a great interest in their welfare, and have done my best in the arrangements which I have made for their settlement at Norfolk Island, to secure a continuance of their present system and habits, so far as these are compatible with the change of place and circumstances.
"It is by no means improbable that I shall visit the island myself, in the course of a few months. I would point out to you, however, that from henceforward the islanders will not require any charitable assistance. They are now occupants of a most fertile island, with stock of all kinds, with tools and appliances for all their immediate wants."
In relating the chief particulars of one of the most extraordinary cases of emigration on record, the author has thought it best to quote the very words of those who have taken leading parts in the events described. The opportunity of reference to these documents may one day prove of greater value than is at present apparent. The following is an estimate of the amount required to defray the expense of the removal from Pitcairn to Norfolk Island:—
Freight and provisions to Norfolk Island. . . £ 4,480
Stores for use of the settlers on their first arrival 900
Contingencies 200
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£ 5,580
The Hobart Town Daily Advertiser, of July 28, 1856, contained the following notice:—
"The Morayshire, Captain Mathers, left Sydney on the 23d of last February, for the purpose of proceeding to Pitcairn's Island, to remove the interesting community of that place to Norfolk Island. Captain Mathers reached Pitcairn's Island on the 22d of April, and sailed thence for Norfolk Island on the 3d of May, having taken on board, in the mean time, the whole population of the island, consisting of 194 souls, viz. 40 adult males, 47 adult females, 54 boys, and 53 girls, together with the whole of their goods and cnattels. The vessel arrived with her interesting freight at Norfolk Island on the 8th of June, all well. On the voyage from Pitcairn's to Norfolk Island there was one birth, a boy, who was named Reuben Denison, after his Excellency Sir W. Denison, the Governor of New South Wales, who has taken the greatest interest in the removal of these interesting-people, and who has done all in his power to provide for their subsistence, and to make them comfortable on taking possession of their new island home. Large quantities of cured beef, maize, vegetables, clothing, &c., have been forwarded by the Sydney Government in the Morayshire for their use. Independently of such supplies, a large quantity of Indian corn, the growth of the island, has been left for their consumption; also 2,000 sheep, and 450 head of cattle, as well as some 500 pigs. Twenty horses have been left on the island.
"The Rev. G. H. Nobbs, the respected pastor and surgeon of the Pitcairners, accompanied them, and, during the passage from Pitcairn to Norfolk Island, he had his hands full in both capacities; all the islanders having been severe sufferers from sea-sickness.
"Captain Mathers speaks in the highest terms of the untiring perseverance of Mr. Nobbs in attending to his charge. But for his exertions, the Captain is convinced many of the islanders would have found a long home in the waters. The Morayshire, on her passage from Pitcairn's to Norfolk Island, encountered very severe weather. The first half of the passage occupied only six days, while the latter half took twenty-five days to accomplish.
"The attention which these people pay to their religious duties is very exemplary, and reflects great credit upon their pastor."
It appeared from this account that Field, an old convict, who had remained in charge of the cattle, &c. on Norfolk Island, had made himself so useful as a shepherd, and teacher of farming, that the islanders recommended him to the Governor of Van Diemen's Land for this purpose. They viewed Field as a reformed man; and their letter on the subject was of a truly benevolent and Christian kind, though perhaps wanting in that prudence and caution so important in their peculiar position.
Field thus obtained a ticket of leave, and the prospect of a conditional pardon; he having been under sentence for life for sheep-stealing. On the sailing of the Morayshire from Norfolk Island, for Sydney, he was placed on board, and was received at the Sydney convict-department, with his provisional discharge about him. After an investigation of the case, and during a week's remand, an intimation was received from Sir William Denison, that he could not permit the man to be returned to Norfolk Island; his Excellency having resolved to allow no convicts to be mixed up with the present inhabitants. In accordance with the Governor's directions, the sitting Magistrate at Sydney ordered Field to be returned to Hobart Town, and then handed over to the Comptroller-General of convicts. In taking this discreet step, the Governor said, that, for the object required by the community, some steady married man, with a family, might be induced to settle on the island.