Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/425

 DEPORTATION OF SE'lTLEHS FROM NORFOLK Id. 397 Wentworth was. reprimanded in accordance with the sentence-^that Bligh announced his intention to suspend Wentworth ; that Atkins remonstrated against such a procedure, as it was contrary to law to punish a man twice for one offence; and that Bligh retorted: **The law, sir! Damn the law ; my will is- the law, and woe unto the man that dares disobey it/' Atkins also swore that on other occasions when the proceedings of the Court were submitted to Bligh, the Governor used " language which hurt (his) feelings exceedingly." These instances prove that the letter from Harris to King's wife was founded on occur- rences then rife in the colony ; and which were so galling in October 1807, that it was thought by some that the reign of terror under which they were groaning could not last long. Before dealing with Bligh's deposition, it is proper to advert to Norfolk Island. The nephew of Captain Kent, of H.M.S. Buffalo, was acting-commander of H.M.S. Porpoise on the Australian coasts during Bligh's govern- ment, but commanded the Lady Nelson, when he was sent (Sept. 1807) upon the ungracious service of compelling the settlers to leave Norfolk Island. King's remonstrances against the abandonment of the island were not heeded by the Secretary of State. On the 30th Dec. 1806,'^ Bligh was instructed to take measures forthwith for withdrawing the " settlers and all the inhabitants, together with their live and dead stock, the civil and military establishment, and the stock belonging to government." Grants of land were to be made " either in the new settlement of Port Dalrymple, or of Hobart Town," to the different classes of persons removed, Bligh sent Kent with written instructions to Piper, the commandant. "No application is to be made to me (he said) by any settler or person whatever in order to change the Minister's commands ; everything must be done as he has directed." Kent deposed on oath, afterwards, that he carried verbal orders to Piper, **that he was to send the settlers off the island, and in case any of them refused to go, he was to use military force ; and if any of them took
 * Despatch. Mr. Windham to (Jovemor Bligh.