Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/443

 ABBOTT'S TESTIMONY. 415 which the oflScers were unlawfully pursuing. This view is refuted by the facts and by the writings and sayings of the principal actors in the drama. A striking commentary on the facts is furnished by a letter (13th Feb. 1808) from Major Abbott (to the late Governor King). The writer was the officer whom Bligh had wished to summon to his side. the Governor, but as there are several things done which I disapproved, I am unwilling to take more blame upon myself than I am deserving of. . . . I should tell you that I was appointed to act as Judge-Advocate in the room of Mr. Atkins, but I declined the oflBce. It was then given to Grimes. It was strongly urged, but I persisted in my refusal. . . . I think it likely several of us may be sent for, and particularly Johnston, who, had he followed the advice I gave him previous to his taking the step, that in that case - arresting the Governor — to send for Colonel Paterson"* immediately afterwards, and to go hence with the Governor to account for his conduct, it would show that he had not done so to obtain the command. ... I likewise objected to Vlacarthur's trial since Governor Bligh's arrest, because the Governor could nor would not appear against him now, and Atkins, the former Judge -Advocate, declined to prosecute. . . . a mutiny ; there is no iloubt of it. Never a body of men have behaved themselves more orderly and quiet than the Corps. . . . They were highly incensed at the conduct of the Sydney constables whom Mr. Gore put in, the worst of characters . . . these constables were really encouraged by Gore to insult the soldiers, and I am sorry to say the Governor connived at it. " The soldiery were, therefore, provoked by Bligh before he summoned their officers to answer for " certain crimes," which Crossley declared, and Atkms submitted, amounted to ** usurpation of His Majesty's government," and tended It is clear that nothing savouring of rebellion entered into the minds of Johnston or of those who acted with him. They deposed Bligh for arbitrary proceedings prompted by an ex-convict of low character. They did so, just as officers of a ship might seize a mad captain who, taking the helm, steers straight to a rocky coast. Technically they mutiny, but in spirit they consult the highest interests and preserve the ship. Johnston saved New South Wales from disaster, '* Abbott, however, was the first to sign the address imploring Johnston to make a stipulation, with any senior officer displacing him, that Joltn- ston's acts should be held good.
 * I certainly gave my hearty concurrence to the measure of arresting
 * Had the Governor not been put under arrest there would have been
 * to rebellion or other outrageous treason.'*