30--and it is very probable the crew have
perished.
I have, etc.,
JNO. HUNTER.
THE BLIGH MUTINY
+Source.+--Historical Records of Australia. Vol. VI, pp. 208-213,
240-242
As the free settlers became numerous and prosperous they became
self-assertive, and the most energetic naturally fell foul of a
tactless autocrat like Governor Bligh, who governed New South Wales
as if all were of the same status.
MAJOR JOHNSTON TO VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH
Headquarters, Sydney, N.S.W.
_11th April, 1808._
My Lord,
A series of almost incredible circumstances have imposed upon me the
distressing task and responsibility of superseding the authority vested
in Governor Bligh by His Majesty's Commission, and of assuming the
Government of this colony until His Majesty's pleasure shall be
signified, or until the arrival of an officer authorized to relieve me
in the Command.
Whenever the facts that have influenced me throughout so solemn a
transaction shall be laid before my Gracious Sovereign, I humbly trust
His Majesty will approve of my conduct, and that it will be apparent I
had no alternative but to put Governor Bligh in arrest to prevent an
insurrection of the inhabitants, and to secure him and the persons he
confided in from being massacred by the incensed multitude, or, if the
Governor had escaped so dreadful an end, and retained his authority, to
see His Majesty's benevolent and paternal Government dishonour'd by
cruelties and merciless execution.
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