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Government, Sydney, New South Wales.
30th April 1808
Sir
I have to acquaint you for the information of My Lords Commissioners of the Admty [Admiralty], that since my last despatch to their Lordships by the Duke of Portland on the 31st October last; to the 26th January His Majesty's Ship Porpoise has been employed in the evacuation of Norfolk Island. Their Lordships will have been informed of my appointing Lieut. John Putland to be acting Commander of the Porpoise, who, until extreme ill health from a decline, was a most valuable assistant to me. He died on Shore (while the Porpoise was at Sea under the charge of Acting Lieut. James Symons) on the 4th of January. On the 26th January the New South Wales Corps rose in Rebellion against me, and the Civil Power; and having deprived us of all Authority, constituted others in our place, (above three hundred men) surrounding my House, and putting me under an arrest. A few days after, the Porpoise arrived, when in place of Acting Lieut. Symons forming his way to me, he joined with the Rebel Party, and Major Johnston the Commandant directed that all communication should be prevented between me and His Majesty's Ship, and Acting Lieut. James Symons
To The Honble
Wm. Wellesley Pole
Secy. to the Admiralty