Copy of a letter received by William Bligh from Joseph Short, 12 May 1806 (Series 40.056) - No. 0002

[Page 2]

determination to take the Command, as the preamble of your Order induces me to believe, that you would come on board and return yourself from leave: when His Majesty's Service would not suffer, nor myself be under any uneasiness fearing breaking the rules of the Navy.  I have well considered my Order from my Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty;  to Command this Ship in your absence:  and, also their Lordships orders on other occasions, which I hope will bear me out, or be assured I never would risk my Commission and Character as an Officer which I hold dearer than Life, by a disobedience of Orders from a superior Officer.

 But Sir if the state of your Health will not suffer you to come on board, and you will give me an Order to return you on this Ships Books from leave:  I shall have something to show to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, when I hope the peculiar situation of His Majesty's Naval Service at this Port will justify my Proceedings to them