Letter received by Banks from WilliamBligh, 24 October 1790 (Series 46.31) - No. 0001

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No 14 Moor Place Lambeth

24th Oct 1790

Dear Sir

I am happy to inform you that on Friday last I was most honorably acquitted respecting the loss of the Bounty - the sentence closed with - "You are hereby honorably acquitted" -  The carpenter through exceeding great civility of the Court received only a reprimand, & great part of my evidence was kept back as it affected his life .- it was however all thrown away on the Wretch, for he began to abuse & threaten some of the evidences as soon as he got on shore. I came to Town on Saturday Night & yesterday morning I waited on Lord Chatham who assured me of promotion as soon as he had been with the King.-  I am to be introduced to his Majesty on Wednesday, who I hope will be graciously pleased to make me Post. [Post Captain]  I am concerned at losing your kind assistance just at this time, but I hope and beg of you Dear Sir to do your endeavors to secure me the rank of Post, for if this opportunity passes off, it may be lost forever.

I received your obliging letter of the 4th Instant, since which the cause of my not writing to you was the daily suspence I was kept in respecting my tryal.- as you have mentioned to me that you intend to be in Town on the 4th of next month