Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/424

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396

BLIGH'S CONDUCT.

interfere with Bligh's arrangements, but they were to be gone in November.

Sergeant Whittle had a lease from Governor Hunter, of which some years were unexpired. Whittle swore that Bligh (about Sept. 1807) attended by two dragoons, visited Whittle's abode, and threatened to pull down the house. Whittle resorted to his Adjutant, Minchin, for advice, and "signed the house over to his commanding officer" for protection.^[1] It is needless to multiply instances, but there is ample evidence that the coarse and rash disposition which encountered mutiny in the Bounty, displayed itself in Sydney, in the manner reprobated by Harris in the letter already quoted.

He who is harsh to opponents is often partial to partisans. Crossley was not the only object of his favour. He had made one Andrew Thomson (an emancipated convict) his bailiff at a farm at the Hawkesbury, and entrusted to him a puncheon of spirits for distribution to settlers. There was conflict of evidence as to the privilege conferred on Thomson, but facts were admitted which proved Bligh's misconduct. Mr. Campbell, the merchant, was one of a bench of magistrates which fined Thomson for selling for his own profit the spirits entrusted to him for distribution. Mr. Campbell, who was Treasurer at the time, admitted that Thomson did not pay the fine. Bligh swore that he did not remit the penalty, and said the magistrates would be forthcoming to prove the facts; but he was unable to produce any evidence except the damaging admissions of Campbell. The conviction, from the consequences of which Bligh's favourite thus escaped, took place in the end of 1807.

The court-martial on D'Arcy Wentworth occurred earlier in the year. Atkins, the Judge-Advocate, swore that

↑ Whittle declared ("Trial of Colonel Johnston," p. 368) that Bligh's arbitrary proceedings destroyed the market value of his house. Before Bligh arrived he could have obtained £600; afterwards he could get nothing until he "sold it to Governor Macquarie for two hundred gallons of rum." Macquarie, when called upon to explain the transaction, admitted that he did, on behalf of the government, pay for land and for houses in spirits. He included "a small house belonging to Sergeant-major Whittle, of the 102nd Regiment, for the accommodation of the present Provost-Marshal." He added that he never trafficked on his own account.

[1] Whittle declared ("Trial of Colonel Johnston," p. 368) that Bligh's arbitrary proceedings destroyed the market value of his house. Before Bligh arrived he could have obtained £600; afterwards he could get nothing until he "sold it to Governor Macquarie for two hundred gallons of rum." Macquarie, when called upon to explain the transaction, admitted that he did, on behalf of the government, pay for land and for houses in spirits. He included "a small house belonging to Sergeant-major Whittle, of the 102nd Regiment, for the accommodation of the present Provost-Marshal." He added that he never trafficked on his own account.

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