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[Page 3]
visiting him at Parramatta.
Finding that I was betrayed, that improper Constructions were put upon my Orders, that I was treated by these Officers with Indignity, and that the probable end would be, so to reduce my Respectability and Authority as to ignore the discipline of the Corps, roused by the apprehension of which, and yielding to my much injured Feelings, I called upon Capt. McArthur for private Satisfaction. The Reasons which I have enumerated I hope will appear to His Royal Highness, an Extenuation for my having deviated from the exact Path which my Duty prescribed.
After having informed you of the Circumstances which led to Capt. McArthur's Arrest, I am now under the painful necessity of stating for the Information of His Royal Highness, that in Consequence of that Officer having made a Party for the purpose of opposing the Governor's Authority, as well as mine, much difficulty has been thrown in the way of my carrying on the Duty of the Regiment.
Lieut. Piper who had been Second to Capt. McArthur was tried by a Court Martial for Charges preferred against him by Governor King. He requested that Capt. Abbott and Ensign Piper who were then doing Duty at Norfolk Island might be sent for as Evidences, altho' the Trial had been put off for a Month or Five Weeks until their arrival, their Evidence was dispensed with. These Officers took Advantage of this Accomodation being granted to Lieut. Piper, to assert a Claim to their having finished their Tour of Duty at Norfolk Island, tho' there were no Officers sent to relieve them, and informed before they left that Island, that they would have to return to their Duty there, as soon as the Court Martial was ended. Finding they were in General Orders to return to their Duty, they wrote to me Assigning reasons why they should not, judging it would be a bad precedent, and injurious to His Majesty's