EMIGRATION TO OTAHEITE. 141 
There having been the fear of a want of 
water at Pitcairn in 1831, the people, eighty- 
seven in number, were removed from the island 
to Otaheite, by order of the British Government, 
in the barque, Lucy Anne, sent from Sydney, 
New South Wales. On being landed at Otaheite 
on March 23d, they were well received by Queen 
Pomare*. 
Captain Sandilands, of H.M.S. Comet, in his 
despatch to Rear-Admiral Sir E. W. Owen, 
K.C.B., gave an interesting report of this case 
of emigration, and of the manner in which the 
voyagers were welcomed by Queen Pomare, 
who was then, and is still, the ruling sovereign 
of Otaheite. At her Majesty's desire, Captain 
Sandilands landed the people of Pitcairn at her 
residence, about three miles from the anchorage, 
where houses were provided for them, until she 
gave up for their temporary use a large dwell- 
ing belonging to herself in the town of Papiete. 
A tract of rich land was also marked out, as 
a desirable territory for their future residence. 
Having assembled the chiefs of the district, the 
Queen, in a speech, formally announced that she 
had assigned this land to her guests from Pit- 
cairn, giving directions at the same time that 
her people should immediately commence the 
construction of houses for the new comers. In 
showing this hospitality, she appears to have 
consulted her own kind disposition, and also to 
have endeavoured to fulfil the promises given by 
her father, the late King Pomare*, who had pro- 
mised them welcome and protection in case of 
need. Nor was this good feeling confined to the 
