Camtlen wrote to King) *'I leavfi entirely to your discretion, I but you will understand that I wish it to be as liberal as circumstance^^ will permit/' Mr. Gregory Blaxland reached the colony while King was yet there, and was treated as desired by the Secretary of State. His brother, John Blaxland, arrived when Bligh was in power, and bitterly remonstrat^sd against obstructions then thrown in Ills way. In July 1805 Lord Castlereagb wrote that Captain Bligh, K»N,, had been appointed to succeed King, and would H receive such instrut^tions as on perusal of King*s despatches f (yet to arrive in England) miglit appear to be expedient for the future government of the colony." In November Lord Castlereagh wrote again:
- His Majesty has fiiU confidence that you wiU eoiiiniunieate in the
most coiifidential mamier t<j Captain Bligh all the inlonnation m your posaeseion respecting the interest of the colony, and furnish him with all your8entiment!iii.s to the most eligible manner of proceeding in carrying into execution His Majesty's t;otnmi«sion with which he is investeti The appointment of a successor to you having juisen from your personal Iref^uest to be relieved frotn the fatigues of your government, I am happy when I thus reeouvmeml Captain Bligh tct your attention to express His ^lajet^ty's'"' entire approhation of the cunduct you have manifested in the important charge connnitted to yon, and his satisfaction at the great improvement which the colony has received under your superintendence." Bligh arrived in Sydney on the 7th Aug. 1806, and King reported : ** On the I3th of that month I f^ave the govern- ment up to Mm with every mark of respect and ceremony due to bis situation." King, who was senior captain of H.M.S. Buffalo, aiTanged for an immediate departiu^e for England ; but the w ant of provisions for the ship, and the task of '* possessing Governor Bligh of every circumstance respecting the colony as directed by your Lordship," delayed his voyage until the IQth Feb. 1807. In addition to the complimentary terras in which Lords Camden and Castlereagh had addressed him, the departing Governor received a testimonial equally precious. Sir Joseph Banks wrote : ** For the quiet disposition of the colony which you '"' Those who are sntficiently interested in the subject of Dr. Lang's I accuracy to compare hin account of Lord Castlereagh*8 feelings with Lord CasUereagh's words, will find in his * History^ that '* the period of King's administration was shortened by underhand niia representations, and that he was treated in England with neglect which emnittered the remai:ider of hifl days.
