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The Crime & I declare I cannot as 2nd. Captain of this Ship, do duty with him as it must much lessen me in the Esteem of the Officers and Men. I can only look on the consequence of such proceedings from last night when I gave orders to Lt. Tetley as officer of the 1st Watch to leave directions for two letters to be sent on shore by 6 o'clock to you this morning which he did not do. Also this afternoon Lieut Tetley asked me permission to go on Shore which I granted, But soon after I observed him to return on board and go below without acquainting me. This Sir, is what I am to expect, if Officers under such heavy charges are permitted to do their Duty until an Opportunity to bring them to a Court Martial. As such before you persist in giving me Orders to release Mr Lye I request you will take this letter into Consideration and let his Confinement be until he is tried by a Court Martial in which I mean to implicate Lt. Tetley as before stated.
I am Sir
Your most obedient Servant
(Signed) Josh. Short
Wm Bligh Esqr.
Attested Wm. Bligh
Governor Bligh presents his Compliments to Captain Short and requests he will consider the Orders he is under as an Answer to his letter of yesterday.
Government House Sydney
Wednesday Morning 19th December 1806
Attested Wm. Bligh