Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/473

evils, to depart from those principles that I have endeavoured to regulate my conduct by. Mr. Goulburn paid me many high compliments, and even proceeded to the length of saying that, if he were in my situation, he should not hesitate to conform to the expectations of Government. I, in return, lamented that it was my misfortune not to be able to think with him, and assured him that I felt a great increase of regret to find myself restrained by the imperious dictates of honour from acknowledging concern for the part I had taken in the arrest of Governor Bligh—an act that I had, and ever must consider, one of the most meritorious in which I had ever been engaged . . ."

Lord Bathurst (14th Oct.) announced that Macarthur's bold defence of his past conduct made it dangerous to permit his return; "which, under such circumstances, might give dangerous encouragement" to others.

Undeterred by this rebuff, Macarthur told his wife (6th Dec. 1816),

"you must not be dismayed or dejected, for I think I have good reason to encourage hopes of a speedy change. . . . Not to keep you, however, in needless suspense, it is extremely probable I shall petition the House of Commons, and bring forward the proofs of Bligh's peculations which have so long slept, and which I am persuaded, as indeed I always was, would, had they been produced in Col. Johnston's trial, have saved him, and secured to the cause, of which, poor man, he was so unfit a champion, a triumph instead of a defeat . . ."

Three days later his negotiations were again broken off. He told his wife: "I have been required to sanction a belief that I regret the part that I took in the arrest of that miscreant Bligh, and I have unequivocally refused to do so." In Feb. 1817 the sky was brighter.

"All my differences (Macarthur wrote to a friend) with certain great people are finally arranged, and on terms to which I think the most zealous of my friends can take no objection. After a very hard fight it has been agreed that nothing shall be retracted, and no concessions be required, on either side; and that I shall be provided with a passage in one of the transports with sufficient accommodation for James and William (two sons); that a greenhouse shall be erected for my plants, and tonnage be granted for agricultural implements, &c."

As the exile was allowed to return, one glance at his household hearth may be permitted. He wrote to his wife (18th Feb. 1817):

"After such a dreary period of banishment from the society of my beloved Elizabeth, I find it difficult to confide in my own senses when I reflect that I am seated for the purpose of communicating the happy idings that all the obstacles which have so long obstructed my return to you and my beloved girls have this day been removed. Such, however, I thank God, is the fact, and I lose not a moment to acquaint you. . . . I will not ask you if these are not joyful tidings, because a little self-examination