196 LETTERS FROM THE ISLANDERS. 
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." 
Mr. Armstrong, to whom allusion has been 
made above, had for some years shown a warm 
feeling of regard for the happiness and welfare 
of the islanders. He had not only been instru- 
mental in transmitting some valuable presents 
by way of additions to their comforts, but had 
written them encouraging letters by H.M. S. 
Basilisk, Captain H. Hunt, which touched at 
the island in July 1844. He afterwards received 
the following pleasing letters from some of those 
in whom he had taken so warm an interest : 
" To the Rev. William Armstrong. 
" Pitcairn's Island, Aug. 7, 1845. 
' " REV. SIR, Please to receive our united 
thanks for the presents which you have sent us. 
We have prepared some native commodities for 
you, and would have sent them by this vessel ; 
but the weather not being fine, and the captain 
being in great haste, it was delayed until an- 
other opportunity should present itself. The 
inhabitants are doing well ; we have a good 
school, and religion is in a flourishing condition; 
and I trust by the grace of God it will continue 
to be so. God Almighty be with you, and bless 
you now and for ever. Amen. 
"Yours, ARTHUR QUINTAL, JUN. 
"Chief Magistrate. 
