Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p1.djvu/202

 “Q. Did Captain Bligh open the despatches that were offered him by the prisoner, before he ordered him to deliver them to Major Johnstone? – A. They were directed to him as Governor Bligh, and he did not open them.

“Q. As the commodore sent Lieutenant Kent’s acting order through Major Johnstone, did he consider that the only channel of communication with the ships of war that was open to him? – A. He did, at that time, certainly.

“Q. Was the intention with which the prisoner left Port Jackson, on the second occasion, never made known to Commodore Bligh, previous to his sailing? – A. It was, by Major Johnstone and Colonel Foveaux, by letters.

"Q. Could the prisoner, at that time, communicate with the commodore through any other means? – A. The communication went through Major Johnstone and Colonel Foveaux. The commodore was himself prohibited from communicating with the prisoner; as it would have been dangerous for him to have done it. I have mentioned before that he did call once, and I spoke to the wrong time: I think I said he called after he received his commission; but it was before the correspondence with Major Johnstone respecting his commission. I do not think the prisoner could communicate, except through them (Major Johnstone and Colonel Foveaux).

“Q. Was it the commodore’s intentions, at the time, that Lieutenant Symons should be arrested? – A. I cannot speak as to his intention, but he then expressed to me a wish that he should be arrested.

“Q. Was that wish of the commodore’s made known to the prisoner, prior to the time of Lieutenant Symons leaving the colony? – A. I do not recollect that it was, any farther than the letters I have referred to.

“Q. From the state of the colony, and the peculiar circumstances in which Lieutenant Symons left it, do you think the prisoner could have arrested him, if he had been ordered so to do? – A. I really cannot say: I do not know if there would be any resistance, or not, as there was a guard on board.

“Q. Between the end of July and November, when the commodore was allowed to communicate with the ships of war, did the prisoner wait on Captain Bligh, from time to time, to receive his orders? – A. He did.

“Q. If the commodore had directed you to convey to the prisoner any order, either verbal or in writing, had you the means of doing so, between the period of his taking the command of the Porpoise and his first sailing from Port Jackson in that ship? – A. Yes.

“Q. Could you, at any time, have conveyed such orders between the 26th of May and her second sailing, under the prisoner’s command? – A. I could.

“Q. Had you free access to the commodore at all times, to receive his orders between those dates? – A. Yes.

“Q. Who was the senior officer. Lieutenant Symons, or Lieutenant Kent? – A. Lieutenant Symons was by acting order; it was not known whether either of them was confirmed.

