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[Page 5]
as chaplain to a body of people declard to be in a state of mutiny & rebellion by the Proclamation of His Majestys Governor, who holds a commission founded on an Act of Parliament enabling him to do so: W. Marsden has therefore betrayd either ignorance disaffection to his Majestys Government, or cruelty in leading an ignorant & weak man with a large family to win by such a step. He also directs or seems to direct Mr Cowpar to employ me in the same way, but I can assure W. Marsden that neither he nor Cowpar could induce me to cooperate with rebels. Its true I was sent here in consequence of the Irish Rebellion, under circumstances which at least made it doubfull whether I was guilty or not. Gov. King sent me to Norfolk Island by the arts & intrigues as I am informd of W. Marsden who did not wish to have any rival in that Governor's favor; however Gov King provd my friend, wrote to Lord Hobart about me, & he wrote to Gov. King in answer, that should have the appointment of Norfolk Island while the Governor approved of my conduct. His letter made my appointment there as regular & valid as if I had a commission, while the Governor approvd of me Gov. King gave me an absolute pardon, invited me to his table & introducd me to Gov. Bligh on his arrival, at the Public Levee, with all the other Officers Civil & Military, in consequence of which I met with Gov. Bligh's countenance & support, & I can declare that I never saw any instance of envy or disapprobation on that account, on the contrary the Military Officers honord me as much as he did, but I beleive in the very trying & tedious season which has passed Govr Bligh's opinion of my fidelity has not abated nor has he thought whatever recommendation Gov. King