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[Page 5]
9th A suspicion arose that a Convict John Hoare, had escaped in this Vessel which caused the Judge Advocate to publish a Notice of which the inclosed is a Copy and on her return the 26th November, we found he had been secreted on board, and allowed to escape from Taheite in a Ship called the General Wellesly bound to India.
[In margin]
(a) since completing this dispatch one of the Missionaries who came from Taheite has made oath to this circumstance of the Convict escaping by the connivance of the Master. A Copy of his Affidavit is enclosed - A.
In consequence of this, the Naval Officer sued for the Amount of the Bond in the Civil Court and on the 14th of December last it was determined that the Bond was forfeited. On this decision McArthur was very illiberal and abusive. He refused to have any to do further with the Vessel, or to pay or to Victual the Master and Crew, and they were turned on shore. Shortly after, they petitioned me for redress; and I directed the Judge Advocate to enquire legally into the transaction; who immediately wrote to McArthur a polite letter as a Summons to appear and explain why those men were thrown on the Public without support.
10th The next morning, the Judge Advocate received a letter from McArthur which contemptuously referred him to the Naval Officer and refused to attend to give any explanation. The Judge Advocate, therefore issued a Warrant to Mr Oakes the Chief Constable, to bring McArthur from Parramatta the next day to appear before him, and Oakes accordingly arrested McArthur, who nevertheless refused to obey, and warned him, if he came
(5)
[footnote in margin] [a] Since completing this dispatch [sic] one of the Missionaries who came from Taheite [sic] has made oath to this circumstance of the Convict escaping by the connivance of the Master - a Copy of his Affidavit is enclosed.