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[Page 5]
The Briton Frigate Commanded by Capt. Sir Thos Staines is just returnd from a Cruize in the South Sea. About three o'clock one Morning she unexpectedly made Pitcairn Island, which is laid down three Degrees of Longitude wide of the truth - - After day light, as the Ship approachd the Island, they observd Fields squared & cultivated, which inducd the Capt to go closer to the Land, when they saw Houses & some people carrying down Canoes to the Waterside. - Soon afterwards they saw the Canoes rowing off towards the Ship, the Men having on Straw Hats, or perhaps Palmetts split, with a Cocks feather across the Crown of them, but were naked above the middle.
When the first Canoe came near the Ship, they were surprised to hear the Rowers call out "give us a Rope", & equally so at finding that they not only all spoke English perfectly well, but the Language of Otaheite also.
They told Sir Thomas that they were the descendants of the Crew of the Bounty, & that the only Survivor, John Adams, was on the Island. - Sir Thomas found on landing that they were in number 41, including Children of three months old, & that they all regarded Adams as their Father. - They took nothing to eat without saying Grace, & prayed every morning at Sun rise. - They all spoke English but none of them could read or write it.
They had Goats & Hogs in plenty, as well as Ducks & Fowls, & also Grain of some sorts, but no Sheep nor Cattle; When they saw the Captain's Cow, they called her a large Goat or a Horned Hog.
Sir Thomas went on Shore with much difficulty, the landing being steep & rugged. He met John Adams dressed precisely like the others. He had a House of two Rooms. a Table, Chairs & Benches, with Window Shutters to pull to at Night. He had some of Capt Bligh's Books, & some Fire Arms in very bad order, but no Ammunition. - They had Implements