In 1864 a Jesuit mission was established on Easter Island, at which time the population numbered about 1,500. When H. M. S. Topaze visited the island in 1868 there were about 900 Rapa Nui (Natives of Easter Island) left. In 1870 the Frenchman Dutroux-Bornier transformed Easter Island into a sheep farm, which led to, in about the year 1875, some 500 were removed to Tahiti under contract to work on the sugar plantations of that island. Dutroux-Bornier was killed by Islanders in 1877. In 1878 the Jesuit missionaries (Fr. Alexis Clerc, S.J.) departed from the island, taking with them about 300 of the people, who settled Gambier Archipelago. When H. M. S. Sappho touched at the island in 1882 it was reported that but 150 of the inhabitants were left.
Link (here)
Lithograph from 1860 of the Rapa Nui
Read the book entitled, One of the Jesuits! Alexis Clerc, Sailor and Martyr. It contains a detailed account of the Jesuits missionary activities on Easter Island ( Paasch Eiland ).
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