232 LETTERS TO ADMIRAL MORESBY 
first appearance of the Islanders ; for hunger 
had nearly worn them to the bone. Our arrival 
was most opportune." 
During the Admiral's visit, and shortly before 
his departure from the Island, he seized the 
golden opportunity of affording the inhabitants 
good advice on several important points con- 
nected with their peculiar state and position. 
It is, perhaps, scarcely necessary to add that 
the words of so kind a benefactor were received 
and treasured up with respect and gratitude. 
These feelings are best expressed by themselves 
in a letter to the Admiral. 
"PITCAIRN'S ISLAND, 18^ May, 1853. 
" HONOURED SIR, 
" We, the undersigned Magistrate and Coun- 
cillors of Pitcairn's Island, having, according to 
your request, convened a public meeting of the 
inhabitants of this island, have the satisfaction 
to inform you that, as regards your wise pro- 
position for the amendment of certain laws 
relative to the duties of the Chief Magistrate, 
the age at which he and his councillors are 
eligible to hold such offices, &c. &c., we, to- 
gether with the rest of the community, do unani- 
mously and fully acquiesce in your opinion, and 
will lose no time in attending to all your kind 
suggestions. 
" As regards the necessity of removing to 
some other island or place, it is very evident 
that the time is not far distant when Pitcairn's 
Island will be altogether inadequate to the 
