Christian and his party-Pitcairn's Island-Folger's Account-Landing of nine mutineers and others at Pitcairn-Dreadful deaths of Christian and others John Adams turns to God-Instructs the children- The state of Pitcairn in 1814 described-Account Invitation to Admiral Moresby-Visit of an English admiral to the island-His letters and those of his secretary and chaplain-Arrival at Valparaiso— Mr. Nobbs in England-His ordination-His inter- view with the Queen and Prince Albert-Return homeward by Navy Bay and the Isthmus of Panama -Intelligence from Pitcairn―The first communion Some account of the laws of Pitcairn-The Island Register-List of vessels mentioned in this work HOME OF THE MUTINEERS. CHAPTER I. BOUNTY-BREAD-FRUIT-TAHITI-FAREWELL TO TA- In the year 1787, an armed ship, called the Bounty, was fitted out by the English government, to proceed to the South Sea islands for plants of the bread-fruit tree, which afforded to the inhabitants of those islands, and of Tahiti especially, the greater portion of their food. This step was taken in consequence of representations made to George the Third, king of England, by merchants and planters interested in the English West Indian possessions. The command of the ship was given to Lieutenant William Bligh, who was then about thirty-three years of age; and had been sailing-master under Captain Cook, 9 being four years with that great navigator in the Resolution. He was appointed in August, 1787, both commander and purser of the Bounty, which was stored and victualled for eighteen months. Besides this provision, he had supplies of portable soup, essence of meat, sour-krout, and dried malt; to which were added some articles of iron and steel, trinkets, beads, and looking-glasses, for traffic with the natives. The plants (the best he could obtain) he was to convey to the West Indies, in order to cultivate them if possible for the support of the slave population-it having been the opinion of Sir Joseph Banks, who had visited Tahiti with Captain Cook in 1769, that the bread-fruit tree might be successfully cultivated in those colonies. The bread-fruit grows on a tree which is about the size of a common oak, and, toward the top, divides into large and spreading branches. The leaves are of a very deep green. The fruit springs from twigs, and grows to the size of a young infant's head. It has a thick rind; and before becoming ripe, it is gathered, and baked in |