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Parramatta July 7.1808
Sir,
Was I to be silent at the present juncture on so remarkable event which has happened, after having repeatedly at former times given you my opinion respecting the state of the Colony, I should conceive myself liable to be received in your mind as a partisan, or an espouser of the cause, I have to relate, viz. the dispossessing Governor Bligh of his command, and detaining him a prisoner under the term of arrest. Before I enter at large upon the subject, I shall say a few words concerning Governor Bligh. Should they be thought to be couched in too harsh terms, let them be considered as coming from a mind unbiassed by prejudice, or tainted with corruption. I declare him an unfit man for a Governor of this Colony. Being too fond of flattery laid him open to censure and imposition. In commencing farmer he committed himself very much, and from this I may attribute he created several enemies. A Governor ought to be the last person in the country to possess a farm. However, as it is said, he who has the fewest faults is the best man. I beg not to be understood as considering these frailties in a criminal light and that they are no more than what every man is more or less subject to; yet I have no doubt, but in low and weak minds they are mistaken for crimes; and in those overcome with phrensy, and heated by party bigotry, are magnified into the grossest nature. I do not doubt but what he teased and mortified some people in a greater degree than what there was occasion for. And that according to the state of affairs, an honest man who held a situation under Government could but barely subsist upon his pay, which was a case that wanted enquiring into, and representing to Government. It is evident, he was not thoroughly acquainted with the disposition of the people, and was deficient in policy how to govern. As there was a large party formed against him, & though he knew but few whom he could trust, I do not mean that he should have pursued the measures of his late predecessor on such an occasion, for that I declare to be a venal form of governing, which every wise and good man would abhor; for it would be gaining a momentary influence by taxing posterity. From the like may be attributed the present evil and commotion. Nevertheless, I have every reason to believe, that Governor Bligh's meaning was for the general interest of the Colony, though he erred in judgement. Upon the whole, the blot is so small upon his conduct, in comparison to that upon the conduct of his opponents, as scarcely to be perceived without a minute inspection.
Having informed you of Governor Bligh's failing, according to my judgement, "I shall now attempt to lay before you the proceeding of his * opponents; and in order to make it appear the more interesting, and divested of partiality, I shall consider myself as writing publicly to the person who has assumed the command, and calls himself the Lieutenant Governor, through the channel of a newspaper, whereby I have him at liberty to vindicate his cause . To
* Changed to Governor Bligh.
May 17