Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/424

 interfere with Bligb*a arrangements, but they were to be] gone in November* Sergeant Wliittle had a lease from Governor Hunter, of Avhich some years were unexpired. Whittle swore that ' Bligh (about Sept. 1807) attended by two dragoons, visited WMttle'ti abode, and threatened to pull down the house- Whittle resorted to his Adjutant, Minehin, for advice, and tection,'^ It is needless to multiply instances,. but there is ample evidence that the coarsb and rash disposition wliicb encountered mutiny in the Btntnttf, displayed itself in Sydney, in the manner reprobated by Harris in the letter , already quoted. I He who is liarsb to opponents is often partial to parti- sans. Crossley was not the only object of his favour. He had made onti Andrew Thomson (an emancipated convict) his bailiff at a farm at the Hawkeabuiy, and entrusted to him a puncheon of sph'its for distribution to settlers. There was conflict of evidence as to the privilege conferred on Thomson, but facts were admitted wbich proved Blights misconduct. Mr. Campbell, the merchant, was one of a bench of magistrates which hiied Thouison for selling for his own prolit the spirits entrusted to liim for distribution- Mr. Campbell, wlio was Treasurer at the time, admitted, that Thomson did not pay the fine, Bligh swore thtitl he did not remit the penalty, and said the magistrates! would be forthcoming to prove the facts; but he waal unable to produce any evidence except the damaguigl admissions of Campbell. The conviction, from the con-i sequences of which Bliglfs favourite thus escaped, took place in the end of 1B07. The court-martial on D'Arcy Wentworth occurred earlie in tho year, Atkins, the Judge- Advocate, swore that' ■ Wliittle declared ('* Trial of Colmiel Johustou," p, *Sm) that Bligli'i. ttibitrary prooeetUngs elestit^yed tlie niaiktt value of his house. BefornT Bligh arrived he cuuld have i>btiiinfid i^iiUU ; afterwurds he could gett» nothing until he '* sji^kld it to (loveruor Jfacquarie for two hundred gallonfti of niu)/' Miicijuaricj when called upon to explain the tranrtaction,.| adutitttid t hat he did, on behalf of the governTiient, pay for land and for housea in spirits. lU- iiiuludtd '*a umall hoitae lielonging to Sergeaiiul nmjnr Whittle, of the l(>2iid Kej^inient, for the accotnuiodalion of thai prenent Pi-ovost-ilarahal. " He added tlmt he never trutfiuked on his ownl account.
 * ' signed the liouse over to his commanding officer'* for pro-