tion, and that in consultation about tlie mutiny it was arranged to sehe upon the opportunity. Jiing at once dis- claimed any want of respect to Grose, and explained the reasons for his conduct in the past^ springing from "an earnest desire of forwarding the king*s service, and promot- ing the peace and happiness of those under my charge.'* His defence was respectful, but firm. Grose had placed before his military Com't of Inquiry in Sydney a private letter from King to himself. The finding of the Court w^aa that the soldiers were reprehensible for disobeying their oflicers, but they were recommended to the commanding officer's clemency in consequence of the provocations they had received. The finding was an echo of the sentence — " We all too plainly perceive/' c^c- — in Grose's letter. The Gourt^ alluded to Kmg's private letter as contain^^ ing a phrase derogatory to Lieut. Abbott. King disclaimed W having made any such imputation, and having kept no copy of liis letter, apphed to Grose for it. Grose shabbily declined to produce it while he remained in the colony ; but permitted Captain Paterson, who succeeded him, to send a copy to King* There was in it no insinuation against Abbott. Ring had pointed oat the expediency of having a captain of the corps at the island. '* Without re-^ fleeting the least on Lieut. Abbott, as he deserves a veryM different opinion, yet I am certain if a captain had been^ here this event had never happened— at least its conse- quences/' The unwillingness of Grose to produce the refu-
- " The Court wag composed of Captains Patersoiij Johnston, and Foveaux ;
Lienta. Townson, Rowley, Maearthiir, and Prentice ; EuBigna Lucas and McKellar ; and QimrterniListor Laycock, They found the conduct of tw tletachment *' highly reprehensiblCt" — their refusal to obey Abbott "certainly mutinous, " — but deemed that King's suggestion of '*' want ofj a captain*' at the island reflected on Abbott. They expreased surprise that two justices could '* consider that a fine of ten shillings wouhl a^xtiafy thft feelings of a soldier for being beatp" They seem to have tliought thft|| Dring waa not entitled to feelings. One of the court, it will l>e observed, was sent to Norfolk Island to carry out (irose a arrangements for makiugl the soldiery superior to law. — Record Ollice M8S», New South Wale^i,^ vol. ix, 1896. The details in the text which in the first edition of this work were taken from MK8. in the Record Office have now been made accessible to the Aufiti-alian public in the '* Historical Records of New South Wales, Vol. 11." In that work King's explanatory despatch to Duiidas ckkjqv* thirty-six cloaely- printed pages.
