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TO THE EDITOR OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER.
Grafton-street, Dublin, 21st Sept. 1808.
Sir, - The following is the Copy of a Letter I have just now transmitted to Sir Joseph Banks for the information of his Majesty, the facts stated therein are incontrovertible ; I give it you for the information of your numerous and respectable Readers.
HENRY JAMES WASHINGTON.
RIGHT HON. SIR JOSEPH BANKS,
Sir, - Every loyal Englishman views the mutiny that Major Johnston and his Officers have effected in New South Wales, with an eye of detestation. This infernal plot has been in agitation from the moment the Military Officers, or in other words the Military Huxters, stationed in that Colony, discovered Governor Bligh's fixed determination to abolish monopoly, and put a final period to that degrading system of traffic, for which the whole of those Officers have been so justly celebrated, since the year 1794, with the exception of Colonel Paterson and Captain John Piper. The efforts that were made by Governor King, to suppress the insolence of Major Johnston, and the Officers under his command, involved that Governor into difficulties almost tantamount to those which have befallen that gallant veteran Governor Bligh. The incendiaries that have buoyed up Major Johnson to the commission of this crime, are John McArthur and William Minchin, Adj. in the New South Wales Corps ; the succession of quarrels the former is famous for, with Governors Hunter, King, Colonel Paterson, and Bligh, need no recapitalation ; the latter has been repeatedly tried by General Courts Martial. I refer you to General Grose for his character ; ask that General what confidence can be placed in his integrity.
The unfortunate Officers Atkins, Palmer, Gore, and Campbell, were the only men that made a stand in defence of Gov. Bligh's authority and person ; they have shared his fate, and if they escape assassination, they will prove the atrocity of this revolution, and shew what necessity there is to remove Mr. McArthur and the New South Wales Regiment from that Colony. Perhaps, Sir Joseph, you are unacquainted with the particular circumstances of this wanton act of rebellion, the following is a correct detail. January the 28th last, Major Johnston ordered the drum to beat to arms ; the consequence was, the regiment assembled, and a mob of about 200 convicts ; Major Johnston then placed himself at their head, and marched to the Government-house, where he called aloud for the Governor to surrender. The Governor, alarmed for his personal safety, concealed himself ; the Major then ordered a body of soldiers to rush into the house, and by force of arms to bring the Governor to him ; after searching some time, the Governor was forced from his retirement, and treated by the soldiers and mob in a most cruel and insulting manner. Major Johnston, with rude ungentleman-like language, demanded the Governor's sword, and after leaving the Governor in close arrest, marched off his victorious banditti in triumph : the prison door was then thrown open, and Mr. McArthur liberated. This refractory gentleman was confined for contempt of Court, and refusing to pay a fine. The soldiers and mob then placed him in a chair, and carried him about the town in a disorderly triumphant manner. The Bellman was then ordered to assemble the inhabitants, in order to subscribe money to defray the expences of two Delegates, Messrs. Charles Grimes and Adjutant William Minchin, to proceed to England, to impeach the Governor.
The self-created Governor Johnston then proceeded to liberate the delinquents that were in confinement, and by his proclamation, to make null and void the acts of the Courts of Judicature, and the evening was ushered in with a blaze of illuminations and bonfires, and a disgraceful scene of drunkenness and excess unprecedented.
Offended justice calls aloud for the insurgents to be brought to the bar, without delay, so that his Majesty's Colony may be freed from anarchy, and their fate be a lesson in future times.
HENRY JAMES WASHINGTON,