CHAPTER X. 
SOME ACCOUNT OP THE LAWS OF PITCAIRN THE ISLAND 
REGISTER REUBEN AND FRANCIS NOBBS REUBEN'S LETTER 
TO ADMIRAL MORESBY REUBEN'S LAST ILLNESS HIS DEATH* 
SOME account of the Laws of Pitcairn will 
be expected "by tlie reader. The simple code 
of the Islanders, whilst they inhabited that spot, 
will serve to show with how few laws a right- 
minded Christian community may be governed. 
Early in their history they laid down a rule for 
themselves, never to make a law until it should 
t be wanted. 
LAW RESPECTING THE MAGISTRATE. 
The Magistrate is to convene the public on 
occasions of complaint being made to him ; and 
on hearing both sides of the question, commit 
it to a jury. He is to see all fines levied, and 
all public works executed ; and every one must 
treat him with respect. He is not to -assume 
any power or authority on his own responsi- 
bility, or without the consent of the majority 
of the people. A public journal shall be kept 
by the magistrate, and shall from time to time 
be read ; so that no one shall plead ignorance 
of the law for any crime he may commit. This 
journal shall be submitted to the inspection 
of those captains of British men-of-war which 
occasionally touch at the island. 
