Virginia Argus

INTERESTING ARTICLE.

[The following Communication was handed us by a gentleman, who is witness to the facts therein stated; and who thinks, notwithstanding the appearance of eccentricity which the narrative gives, that Mr. Lambert and his associates will found an important and highly valuable settlement.]

Bos. Gaz.

COPY.

KNOW all men by these presents, that I, JONATHAN LAMBERT, late of Salem, in the State of Massachusetts, United States of America, mariner, and citizen thereof, have this 4th day of February, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eleven, taken absolute possession of the Islands of Tristan de Cunha, so called, viz: The great Island, and the other two known by the names of Inaccessible and Nightingale Islands; solely for myself and my heirs forever; with the right of conveying the whole, or any part thereof, to one or more persons, by deed of sale, free gift, or otherwise, as I, or they (my heirs) may hereafter think fitting or proper.

And as no European, or other power whatever, has hitherto publicly claimed the said Islands, by right of discovery, or act of possession, therefore be it known to all nations, tongues and languages, that from and after the date of this instrument; I constitute my individual self the sole proprietor of the above mentioned Islands, grounding my RIGHT and CLAIM on the rational and sure principles of ABSOLUTE OCCUPANCY, and as such holding and possessing all the rights, titles, and immunities properly belonging to proprietors by the usage of nations.

In consequence of this right and title by me thus assumed and established, I do further declare, that the said Islands shall for the future be denominated the Islands of Refreshment, the great Island bearing that name in particular, and the landing place on the north side, a little to the east of the Cascade, to be called Reception, and which shall be the place of my residence. The Isle formerly called Inaccessible shall henceforth be called Pintard Island, and that known by the name of Nightingale Isle shall now be called Lovell Island.

And I do further declare, that the cause of the said act set forth in this instrument, originated in the desire and determination of preparing for myself and family a home where I can enjoy life without the embarrassments which have hitherto constantly attended me, and procure for us an interest and property, by means of which a competence may be ever secured, and remain if possible, far removed beyond the reach of chicanery and ordinary misfortune.

For the above purpose I intend paying the strictest attention to Husbandry, presuming when it is known in the world that refreshments may be obtained at my residence, all vessels of whatever description, and belonging to whatever nation, will visit me for that purpose, and by a fair and open traffic, supply themselves with those articles of which they may be in need. And I do hereby invite all those who may want refreshments to call at Reception, where, by LYING BY opposite the Cascade they will be immediately visited by a boat from the shore, and speedily supplied with such things as the Islands may produce, at a reasonable price.

And be it further known, That by virtue of the aforesaid right and authority above mentioned, I have adopted a flag, which shall forever be the known and acknowledged Standard Flag of these islands. And that a white Flag shall be the known, and considered as the common Flag for any vessel or vessels, in the merchant service, which may Now, or HEREAFTER, belong to any inhabitants of these Islands.

And lastly be it known, That I hold myself and my people in the course of our traffic and intercourse with any other people, to be bound by the principles of hospitality and good fellowship and the laws of nations, (if any there are) as established by the best writers on that subject, and by no other laws whatever, until time may produce particular contracts or other engagements.

J. LAMBERT.

Witness to this signature,

ANDREW MILLET

* This Flag is formed of five diamonds, transversely from corner to corner, and four half diamonds placed on the centre of the tops, bottom, and both sides. The two upper and two lower diamonds are blue next the staff, or halyard, and red on the outermost side—the centre white—the four half diamonds bear the letter W.

Note—Capt. Lovell observes, that having left the above mentioned Jonathan Lambert, accompanied by two persons from Rio de Janeiro, on Tristan de Cunha Island, about the first of January, he proceeded on his voyage, and on his return to the Island, after the space of 34 days, Mr. Lambert had cleared about fifty acres of land, and planted various kinds of seeds, some of which, as well as the Coffee Tree and Sugar Cane, were furnished him by the American Minister at Rio de Janeiro. The above seeds had sprung up, and looked very promising.