MR. NQBBS'S ARRIVAL AT PITCAIRN. 219 
are but weak to convey our thanks ; but such as 
they are, we hope you will accept of them as 
flowing from sincere and grateful hearts ; and 
that the Giver of all good gifts, who has declared 
that < it is more blessed to give than to receive,' 
may ever bless and preserve you and yours, is 
the sincere desire of 
" Your loving children, 
" MATTHEW M'CoY, 
" Chief Magistrate, &c. &c. 
" To Rear- Admiral Fairfax Moresby, Commander-in-chief 
of H.M.S. in the Pacific." 
Many persons in this country, who felt a deep 
interest in Pitcairn's Island and its Pastor, when 
they considered the uncertainty of human life, 
and the dangers and difficulties of the passage 
between London and Pitcairn a distance of 
more than thirteen thousand miles could not 
but be anxious to hear of Mr. Nobbs's safe return 
to the scene of his labours. They therefore sym- 
pathised not only with him, but with the ener- 
getic and disinterested Admiral Moresby, when 
it became known that the valuable deposit, en- 
trusted by the islanders to that officer's care, 
had under Divine Providence been safe in his 
hands, and had been happily restored to theirs. 
The following is an extract from a letter from 
Mr. M. Fortescue Moresby, R.N., son and 
Secretary to the Commander-in-chief, dated 
H.M.S. Portland, 25th June, 1853 : 
" On Friday, the 15th of April, 1853, we 
sailed from Valparaiso, having Mr. Nobbs, and 
his children, Reuben and Jane, on board, in 
order to return them all to their island home. 
