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THE

MUTINEERS OF THE BOUNTY

AND THEIR

DESCENDANTS IN

PITCAIRN AND NORFOLK ISLANDS.

BY LADY BELCHER.

WITH MAP AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

NEW YORK:

HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,

FRANKLIN SQUARE.

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PREFACE.

A PERIOD of thirty-nine years has elapsed since the appearance of a little volume entitled "The Mutiny of the Bounty," which formed one of the series of the "Family Library." The work was favorably received; but did not contain all the information which might have been afforded. It was written by the late Sir John Barrow, then Secretary at the Admiralty, principally from papers which a mutual friend requested might be placed at his disposal by the late Mrs. Heywood, widow of Captain Peter Heywood, R.N., who had been one of the midshipmen in the Bounty.

An accidental circumstance, and the possession of a variety of private documents on the subject, have induced the writer to lay before the public what she ventures to believe will be found to be a more connected and impartial narrative. Many details have come to her knowledge from personal sources and from family manuscripts to which she has had access, in consequence of being the step-daughter of Captain Heywood. Among the documents which she is thus enabled to

publish is the diary of James Morrison, one of the petty officers of the Bounty, and some additional correspondence between Peter Heywood and his relatives.

The principal materials for the history of the descendants of the mutineers during the later years of their residence in Pitcairn Island have been furnished through the kindness of Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby, K.C.B. From these, and from letters communicated by other friends, the writer is also enabled to give an account of the position and welfare of the Pitcairn colony since its removal to Norfolk Island, and to continue the history down to the present year. Among the letters will be found several of much interest from their worthy pastor, the Rev. G. H. Nobbs, from Captain Wood, R.N., contributed by his brother, the Rev. J. G. Wood, and a variety of others hitherto unpublished.

Many acknowledgments are due to friends for the use of photographs and drawings, and for their valuable suggestions during the progress of this work.

LONDON, October 21st, 1870.

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