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[Page 4]
with the intent of bringing him over to their measures. Whether it is a fact that Col. Paterson has suffered himself to be thus imposed upon I cannot say, but it wears an unfavorable aspect by any not receiving any letters; but probably my letters to him were intercepted. I hope it is not true.
I now come to speak about the conduct of Lieut. Governor Foveaux as he styles himself. I should not have doubted his rank, had not I been told, that he had only a letter to shew that in case of absence of the Lieut. Governor, he was authorized to act in his room. But the manner he is now exercising his authority in the room of His Excellency, is quite another thing. When he published the Proclamation on his arrival, I could plainly see how meant to act. It gave a very indifferent specimen of his good qualifications; and in my opinion will support a very poor argument, if it does not find to criminate him. In the first General Order he published, (bearing the same Date as the Proclamation, viz. July 30 - 1808) he sanctioned the Usurper's cause, by ordering the civil court to assemble as per adjournment. And in fact, in my sight is a usurper himself. I have only heard of his having visited Gov. Bligh but once; and I believe, Gov. Bligh is kept as close a prisoner as he was previous to Foveaux' arrival. Various have been the accounts how he meant to proceed; at one time nothing was to be opened from the public stores of the newly imported investments, that he would do nothing until he heard from Col. Paterson or he arrived &c. Be this as it may, it avails but little to his credit. He has given grants of land to a large amount, (one of a thousand acres I hear) which is taking by far Greater Liberties. Can he think he is firstly authorized to do so? If he had the least doubt of the validity of the grants, he ought not to have given them, for they who possess them are deceived by false hopes. There is no knowing where the mischief will end. But what man of understanding would accept of such a grant? It is rumoured, that with whom he found the command of the Colony, he shall treat them as friends, but shall not listen to their advice in administering the Government. This is like two old acquaintances meeting after a long absence, whereby in the meanwhile one is become a notorious villain, the other says, I shall still keep your company as before, but shall not allow you to interfere with my integrity. But will not the public interfere with it? Some few things which had been done by the former usurper being altered, it was said, the present one did not altogether approve of his measures, I may also say, he did not altogether approve