Coal River, to perform the service specified in my letter to you of the 1st instant. I have the honour to be, &c.
“Captain Kent, H.M.S. Porpoise.”
“Sir,– In reply to your letter of yesterday, I have to inform you that it is my intention to remain in the colony until His Majesty’s pleasure shall be known.
“His Majesty’s ship Porpoise has Captain Kent to command her, and if you prevent me of communicating with him, I, in my present situation, cannot prevent it. – I am. Sir, &c.
“Lieutenant-Colonel Foveaux.”
“Sir,– I cannot but express my astonishment at your having, so short a time back, permitted Commodore Bligh to have communication with His Majesty’s ship Porpoise, and to take upon himself the command of her; and in your letter of yesterday’s date to me, signify that there shall be no further communication between him and me, nor any of the officers or persons under my command.
“I beg to inform you, that I received an order from Commodore Bligh (which he has not yet countermanded) to fit out His Majesty’s ship Porpoise for sea with all possible despatch, for the purpose of conveying him to England; and I am sorry that, never having received the stores I applied for, it has not been in my power to complete fitting out the ship, as was intended.
“I further beg leave to inform you, that as there has been no officer appointed to the command of the Lady Nelson since I left her to join His Majesty’s ship Porpoise, on promotion, except at the time the Porpoise was heaving down, judging it for the benefit of His Majesty’s service, I thought proper to spare Lieutenant Ellison to command her on a voyage to Hawkesbury, for grain; but as His Majesty’s ship Porpoise is now nearly in a fit state for sea, I have ordered Lieutenant Ellison to join her again, to do his duty as acting lieutenant accordingly. – I am, &c.
“His Honor Lieutenant-Governor Foveaux, &c. &c.”
“Sir,– As I am of opinion that my entering, at this peculiar juncture, into further explanation of my motives for restraining Captain Bligh from holding any official communications with yourself and the officers of the Porpoise, would retard, rather than facilitate the object of His Majesty’s service, I think it advisable to decline any such discussion.
“Notwithstanding the orders you have received from Captain Bligh, to