184 LETTER FROM THE ISLANDERS. 
the plain and simple words, found in the Island 
Register, respecting this visit ! * 
The following letter, signed by several of the 
islanders, including the magistrate and the two 
councillors, will speak for itself. It is an answer 
to a communication received from the Rev. J. 
Moody, then chaplain of H.M.S. Thalia, and 
afterwards chaplain at the Falkland Islands : — 
" Pitcairn's Island, South Pacific Ocean, 
"July 20th, 1847. 
" Reverend Sir, — We received on the 26th 
of February last by H.B.M.S. Spy, your ac- 
ceptable present and truly valuable letter, which, 
so far from giving offence, is highly appreciated, 
and has been deposited in the archives of the 
island, to be referred to at public meetings and 
other suitable occasions. We extremely regret 
the circumstances which frustrated your intended 
visit, for we should be in the highest degree de- 
lighted to have made your acquaintance, received 
your advice, and, we trust, in some measure, 
your approbation; for we can assure you the 
report of our splitting into parties, &c. is incor- 
rect. A few years since, a partially deranged 
impostor, named Joshua Hill, alias Lord Hill, 
came here, and made much disturbance ; but he 
was removed by order of the British government. 
Respecting the letter of which you saw a copy 
in the Oahu paper, so far from expressing the 
sentiments of the community, not more than 
three persons were acquainted with its contents. 
* See the Public Register of this date. 
