Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/438

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ADDRESS TO JOHNSTON.

to the Governor." In 1811, at the trial of Colonel Johnston in England, Mr. Campbell did not deny having so stated, but pleaded that he was in a "very agitated state of mind, and scarcely knew what he said."

Crossley was probably the most determined amongst Bligh's counsellors. Swindler, forger, and perjured, he shrank from nothing which might procure success. For him crime had no terrors. Bligh and Crossley were confounded by the celerity with which, on Johnston's arrival, their victim had been taken from their grasp. That victim, whom Grose had styled "Counsellor," became at once by force of character the guide of Johnston.

Johnston in his defence declared:

"While Macarthur was sent for, the solicitations to arrest the Governor were clamorously renewed; and when Macarthur arrived he observed to me that if I resolved to adopt such a measure I should not do it without a requisition in writing. He drew up a paper to that effect, which as soon as laid on the table was filled with as many signatures as it could contain."

Macarthur wrote it on a gun in the barrack-square. It was thus worded:

"January 26, 1808.

"Sir,—The present alarming state of this colony, in which every man's property, liberty, and life are endangered, induces us most earnestly to implore you instantly to place Governor Bligh under arrest, and to assume command of the colony. We pledge ourselves at a moment of less agitation to come forward to support the measure with our fortunes and our lives."

Amongst the signers of this address were Macarthur, his partner Blaxcell, D'Arcy Wentworth, John and Gregory Blaxland, Nicholas Bayley, Thomas Jamison, Charles Grimes, and others.^[1]

A few signatures were affixed at once, and Johnston determined to act without delay. Having previously sent

↑ The original MS. is (1878) in the hands of Colonel Johnston's son at Annandale, Sydney. When a few names had been signed, Johnston acted, but signatures were obtained afterwards until more than 150 representative names were procured. The convict-superintendent of labour (who had pulled down the fence on Macarthur's leasehold) at ten o'clock at night after Bligh's deposition, joined the signers of the declaration. He scented the fate of Crossley from afar; and said, as he entered the room to sign, that self-preservation was the first law of nature, and he was come to tell Colonel Johnston everything that he knew."—(Evidence of Grimes, 1811.) When Macquarie assumed the government the man recanted again, and went to England as a witness on behalf of Bligh.

[1] The original MS. is (1878) in the hands of Colonel Johnston's son at Annandale, Sydney. When a few names had been signed, Johnston acted, but signatures were obtained afterwards until more than 150 representative names were procured. The convict-superintendent of labour (who had pulled down the fence on Macarthur's leasehold) at ten o'clock at night after Bligh's deposition, joined the signers of the declaration. He scented the fate of Crossley from afar; and said, as he entered the room to sign, that self-preservation was the first law of nature, and he was come to tell Colonel Johnston everything that he knew."—(Evidence of Grimes, 1811.) When Macquarie assumed the government the man recanted again, and went to England as a witness on behalf of Bligh.

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