Copy of a letter received by William Bligh from Joseph Short, 8 April 1806; with copy of orders received by Joseph Short from Admiral George Montagu, 13 January 1806 (Series 40.051) - No. 0001

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A
Copy
His Majestys Ship Porpoise
at Sea 8th April 1806

Sir

I beg to say that Mr. Jackson Master of the Sinclair when on board the Porpoise yesterday Evening complained very much of being detained under Convoy of this Ship saying he should lose his season at China and if that was the case his Owners must look somewhere for recompence with a great deal more to the same transport.  I told him he was ordered under my Convoy as such I could not allow him to depart unless he stated to me sufficient grounds for so doing - he said he had applied to me some time since for permission to proceed on his Voyage, this I positively deny, as had that been the Case I should have thought it right to have consulted you on the subject.  On the 2d April when he was on board he complained of being detained owing to the bad sailing of this Ship and asked me if I had orders to take him under Convoy to Port Jackson.  I told him I had and shewed him their Lordships orders to that Effect, he said he lost many miles a day and that