Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/454

did "everything he could to accommodate" his guest, who received what he wanted from Government House. Finucane himself did not belong to the New South Wales Corps, but had immigrated in 1808 as secretary to Foveaux at Norfolk Island. Bligh (1st Feb.) appealed to Paterson to remove the restraints upon him. Paterson (4th Feb.) made stipulations with him. It was deemed absolutely essential to send him "immediately to England;" but as Bligh represented that it would be desirable that he should go in H.M.S. Porpoise, Paterson, "anxious to contribute as much as possible to the convenience of Governor Bligh," consented to his proceeding to Europe in the Porpoise "on the the following conditions, to the strict and unequivocal observance of which Governor Bligh hereby solemnly pledges his honour as an officer and a gentleman, viz.:" He was to embark on the 20th Feb., and put to sea without delay. He was to "proceed to England with the utmost despatch," and "neither touch at nor return to any part of this territory until he shall have received His Majesty's instructions or those of his Ministers." He was to throw no impediments in the way of equipping the Porpoise, and not on any pretence whatever interfere in the government or affairs" of the colony. On these conditions Paterson, to facilitate Bligh's private arrangements, consented to "remove the additional restraints" imposed upon Bligh on the 27th Jan. William Paterson and William Bligh signed the convention in due form (4th Feb. 1809), and Bligh returned from the barracks to Government House.

Lient. Kent, who had succeeded to the command of the Porpoise (on the death of Bligh's son-in-law, Captain Putland), was in an embarrassing situation. After Foveaux's arrival in July 1808 Bligh^[1] had railed at Kent for not having reinstated "him to his government."

"He told me with extreme violence, if I knew my duty, the moment the guns were on board the Porpoise that I should begin and batter the town of Sydney until such time as they delivered him up the government. I replied I did not conceive my duty led me to sacrifice so many innocent lives. He then flew into a most violent rage, and told me that one day or other he would make me repent not knowing my duty."

By giving the command of the Porpoise to Bligh, Colonel Paterson subjected Kent to inevitable insults. Before