violence, which, had I attempted to put it in execution, this Court and the public would have considered as an act of insanity, as can easily be substantiated, if necessary, by respectable witnesses in attendance.
“The Court would perhaps almost doubt that such a proposition was ever made to me by Captain Bligh, and I should have been unable to prove it, farther than by my solemn assertion, on the honor of an officer, as on many such occasions he cautiously spoke to me, and vented his abuse when no witness was present: but it happens fortunately for me, and for the satisfaction of the Court, that Captain Porteous, of His Majesty’s ship the Porpoise, who is in attendance, can prove, that Captain Bligh made a proposition to him also to blow down the town of Sydney, and that he not liking, in so serious a case, to trust to the verbal order of Captain Bligh, requested written instructions, but from which request the prosecutor shrunk. I was, after this interview with Captain Bligh, permitted to have occasional communication with him, until the 16th of September, when he informed me that Lieutenant-Governor Foveaux was going to put an end to all intercourse between him and the officers of the Porpoise, for the purpose of sending her to Port Dalrymple, and he asked me if I would go to sea without his orders. I answered, ‘Certainly not, Sir, if it be your wish.’ We then walked out before the house, and I purposely continued to speak on the subject of all communication being broken off between him and the Porpoise; and I submitted to him the propriety of his giving me written instructions for my government. The Court may conjecture my astonishment, when he replied, ‘Captain Kent, you know I have solemnly pledged my word of honour, that I will assume no command until His Majesty’s pleasure is known on my supercession.’ Notwithstanding this, it is proper to state, that Captain Bligh, but a few days before, gave me a written order to fit the ship with the utmost despatch for him to proceed in her to England!!!
“In corroboration of this fact, I beg leave to read the correspondence which took place between Colonel Foveaux, Captian Bligh, and myself, on the subject.
“Sir,– I inclose you a copy of a letter from Captain Bligh, by which you will perceive he professes an intention not io proceed to England, and in which he refers me to you, as commander of His Majesty’s ship Porpoise. I have to acquaint you, that I have found myself under the necessity of forbidding Captain Bligh to hold any further intercourse with you, or any of the officers, or persons under your command, this being the only alternative I have left to prevent the Porpoise and the Lady Nelson from being kept altogether useless to the colony, for whose service you. Sir, must be aware they are entirely intended.
“After this communication, I presume it will only be needful to request you will immediately give orders for the Lady Nelson to proceed to the