Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p1.djvu/186

 I beg leave to read the correspondence which can be proved by witnesses.”

We select the following from the letters read by Lieutenant Kent at this stage of the proceedings:

“Sydney, 19th March, 1808.

“Sir,– I am commanded by his Honor, the Lieutenant-Governor, to inform you, that the objections expressed in your letter of the 11th ultimo, against the Pegasus, occasioned him to defer making any conclusive agreement for the hire of that vessel, until her repairs should be completed, and he should be enabled by the report of experienced officers and ship carpenters, to form a correct opinion of her condition.

“A survey had, in consequence, been held upon her, and a favourable report has been made; but circumstances have arisen, which have induced her owner to decline freighting her to Government. The Lieutenant-Governor has directed me to enclose a copy of the order and report of survey, that you may be satisfied that he never entertained a thought of sending you home in an unsafe ship.

“I am further ordered to express the Lieut.-Governor’s great regret, that none of the ships have arrived which you appear to have expected this month; and to inform you, that, as the winter season is advancing, he considers himself obliged to hasten your departure.

“You are aware. Sir, that the choice of means to carry this measure into effect, is extremely circumscribed, and that there is no ship in this port, on board which you and your family can be comfortably accommodated, except H.M. ship Porpoise.

“The accompanying copy of a letter to the acting-commander of H.M. ship, and that of his reply, will convince you, that there are insuperable objections to your going on-board the Porpoise, unless, at your own particular request, and under a solemn engagement, on your word of honor as an officer, that you will not attempt to assume any command; and that you will consider yourself in arrest until His Majesty’s pleasure shall be signified on your late supercession.

“On these conditions being acquiesced in, the Lieutenant-Governor has commanded me to inform you, that a requisition shall be made to acting Captain Symons, to receive you and your family on board, and to proceed to England: but should you think it proper, or prudent, to reject this arrangement, much as the Lieutenant-Governor will regret separating you from your family, and being obliged to put you on-board a vessel, in which he cannot procure you suitable accommodation; yet a sense of duty, arising from a regard to the welfare of the colony, and the honor of His Majesty’s service, leaves him no choice but that of sending you home in the ship Dart, now ready to sail. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)“, Secretary.”

“''Wm. Bligh, Esq.''”

