Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/448

that Mr. Macarthur has not fulfilled his share of that solenin engagement; that he has not devoted himself with unremitting assiduity to the public affairs; that he has not exposed himself to reproach and obloquy by his exertions to detect the frauds and oppressions of the adherents of the late Governor, or that he has not faithfully done everything in his power to carry my wishes into effect for the reduction of the expenditure of public money, and to prevent the improper distribution of the public servants and property. But perhaps these are his offences; if so, let me assure you that he has only obeyed my orders, and that, had he acted differently, should have been as ready to withdraw my confidence from him, as I knew some of you are desirous that I should.

To Abbott and other officers, Jamison the principal surgeon, D'Arcy Wentworth, with others, the letter was formally addressed. The officers probably knew that if action were needed Johnston would not be trifled with; and Abbott, and twelve others, of whom D'Arcy Wentworth was one, replied in writing on the day on which Johnston wrote to them:

"The undersigned officers, having assembled by order of His Honour the Lt. Governor, to give their sentiments on a letter which His Honour laid before them, are unanimously of opinion that they do not feel themselves justified, nor would they presume to call in question the right or propriety of his consulting any person he may think proper, either publicly or privately, and that they shall at all times feel much pleasure in obeying his orders, which is all they consider they have to do as officers serving under him."

In administering the government it was a prime object with Johnston and his Secretary to make as few drafts as possible on the English Treasury. They found numerous despatches impressing such a duty on previous Governors, and they knew that Bligh had not distinguished himself by obedience. They complied, but it was at the acknowledged cost of much of the live stock in the colony.

Mr. Blaxland, one of those who entreated Johnston to depose Bligh, declared on oath that Johnston afterwards conferred no favours upon him, and that neither Johnston nor Bligh had acted up to the instructions of the Secretary of State in granting lands to him as a settler. Johnston was described by many witnesses as a man of retired habits, and he did not covet the post which, as Acting Lt.-Governor, he had assumed.

Col. Paterson, Lt.-Governor at Port Dalrymple, was Johnston's senior officer in the New South Wales Corps. To him Johnston reported (2nd Feb.) what had occurred.