VISIT OF THE JUNO TO PITCAIRN. 319 
rumours of such intention had already reached 
Pitcairn ; and although the mind of the people 
generally was made up, they asked for a day or 
two for inquiry and consultation, before finally 
deciding upon so grave a question, and one so 
closely affecting their future destiny* 
" The following evening a general meeting of 
the community was held, and a very large 
majority at once closed with the offer which had 
been made. Some there were, however, whose 
attachment to Pitcairn was apparently too strong 
to reconcile them to the thoughts of abandoning 
it. Among these was George Adams, the son 
of old John Adams, of the Bounty. All felt the 
necessity of some change, for another subdivision 
of land would reduce the portions to mere insig- 
nificant patches scarcely worth cultivating. All 
felt most grateful for the solicitude and liberality 
manifested in their behalf by Her Majesty's 
Government, but the anticipated removal was a 
melancholy subject for deliberation ; the addresses 
were very abrupt, and in some instances con- 
find to the monosyllable ' Go/ The discussion, 
however, ended by 153, out of a population of 
187, declaring for Norfolk Island ; the rest I 
will not say determined to remain on Pitcairn, 
but they would not then acquiesce in the voice 
of the majority. The lamentable migration to 
Tahiti in 1831, still fresh in the recollection of 
the older and more influential part of the com- 
munity, no doubt prompted misgivings as to 
the present scheme, although they seemed 
greatly reanimated by the assuring prospects 
held out by Sir William Denison's summary, 
X 
