Copy of a letter received by William Bligh from Joseph Short, 13 May 1806 (Series 40.057) - No. 0001

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(Copy)                   G                         
Limon's Bay Cape of Good Hope

                                       13th May 1806

Sir

          I last Night received by Mr. Lye Master of this Ship, your verbal Answer to my Letter saying "Captain Bligh's Compliments and is Captain Short had Orders you expected I would comply with them in Answer to which I have to say, untill a superior Officer unto myself arrives, or is mustered on board any of His Majesty's Ships on this Station, I conceive myself by the rules of His Majesty's Navy Commanding Officer at this place, as such unless you will be pleased to return yourself from leave, I shall assume the Command that His Majesty's Service may not suffer, I have done what I conceive my duty, and must answer for my conduct to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty."

          I beg to add that the Articles of War can never punish an Officer for disobeying the Orders of a superior Officer, who had no right to give them, for if an Officer is not himself amenable to a Court Martial (which is the case with one not mustered on board any of His Majesty's Ships) he can never subject others to them:-

                           I have the honor to be

                                                      Sir