State Library of NSW
[Page 3]
the gardiner which at the time were considered as sufficient
That C. Bligh should say he knew nothing of going to the East or West Indies is to me incomprehensible I had several long conversations with him on the subject of the voyage in which I did my best to explain to him the purpose of Government in setting on incurring the expense of his outfit & had no doubt he fully understood me & he had from me & kept some days in his posesion a copy of the original Plan of the voyage which I gave in to Mr Pit & the instructions intended for Governor Philip for the master & gardiner I rather apprehend you have mistaken the Civil answers of a man who felt himself in the presence of a superior for a want of information & that if he was to read your letter he would be shocked to think what a fool you must have mistaken him for
as for his attempting to learn any part of the gardiners trade I must heartily wish he may forbear the attempt it I have seen so much mischief happen from dablers in a science (who generally giving orders think they know more of it than profesors) giving orders that I dread the idea a Capt never can take direction from a gardiner but he may order him to do his duty in planting etc as he orders the Boatswains mate to do his in punishing but I heartily hope Capt. Bligh will never interfere in directing the manner in which a tree is to be planted or a Cat of nine tails constructed
believe me dear Sir Your faithfull & most Hble servant
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