Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p1.djvu/187

 “Government-House, Sydney, March 24, 1808.

“Sir,– I have to acknowledge the receipt of your secretary’s letter of this day’s date, stating, ‘that he is commanded by you to inform me, in answer to my letter of yesterday’s date, that it has been your unceasing study, ever since I was put in arrest, to avoid saying or doing any thing towards me, at which the most scrupulous delicacy could take offence; and that when you caused to be signified, that I should be required to embark on-board the Dart, you naturally concluded I must have understood, that if the requisition was not complied with, it would most certainly be enforced: also, that he is further commanded to acquaint me, that inquiries have been made respecting the Fox, and that the result has not removed your objections to my embarking in that vessel; that, in answer to my observation, that I had expressed great regret that none of the vessels had arrived, which were alluded to in my letter of the 11th ult. he is directed to refer me to that letter, as an evidence, that the Fox cannot be considered as one of the vessels which I signified was to be expected in this month; but that I may not be led into an unavailing controversy on words, he is commanded distinctly to state again, that I shall be expected to embark on-board the Dart on the 1st of April, unless I shall prefer taking my passage in H.M.S. Porpoise, on the conditions already proposed; and that, as the time fixed for the sailing of the Dart is so short, my immediate answer is expected.’

“''In reply thereto, I therefore acquaint you, that the Dart being the only vessel offered, besides H.M.S. Porpoise; and having very sufficient and satisfactory reasons for objecting to proceed in that vessel, as I shall make appear to His MaJesty’s Ministers, and my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, I do, on that account only, agree to take my passage in H.M.S. Porpoise, on the conditions prescribed by you, in your secretary’s letter of the 19th inst. I am, &c.''

(Signed)“.”

“To his Honor Lieut.-Governor Johnstone.

On the 31st of the same month, Commodore Bligh addressed Lieutenant-Governor Johnstone as follows:

“* * * * * * As captain, therefore, of H.M. ship Porpoise, and commodore commanding H.M. ships and vessels in these seas, I do again request to go on-board the Porpoise, where proper accommodations can be fitted up for the officer who attends me officially from you, and with whom I engage to present myself to the first general-officer he finds it his duty to attend on, when we arrive in England.

(Signed)“.”

“Captain Bligh,” continues Lieutenant Kent, “is here seen under his own hand, in a matter the most sacred and binding on a British officer, officially and explicitly surrendering every right of command or interference in the colony, till His Majesty’s pleasure was ascertained on his arrest.

“On the 15th of April, the copy of a letter from Colonel Paterson to