In obedience to Foveaux and Paterson, Lieut. Kent took
H.M.S. Porpoise to Port Dalrymple, and, satisfied with so
honourable a conveyance, in Jan. 1809 Paterson appeared
on the scene, and assumed command of the "territories
until His Majesty's gracious instructions shall be obtained.
It was a duty imposed on him consequent on the suspension
of the government of William Bligh, Esquire."[1] Johnston
subsided into his former position, and it was announced in
the Gazette (8th Jan.) that he would be the "sitting magistrate for the ensuing week."
Bligh was indignant at being designated as William Bligh, Esquire, but he had invited Paterson's coolness. When Paterson arrived in the Porpoise he received a warning note from Foveaux, who had detected a plot with Bligh's connivance to place Paterson under arrest on reaching Port Jackson. Writing to Lord Castlereagh, Paterson said: "Having in no instance given Commodore Bligh the most trifling cause to contemplate an act of such unjustifiable violence, your Lordship will judge of my indignation." Bligh bore "the most rancorous ill-will to any officer or inhabitant" who could in the remotest manner "interfere with his longing to gratify his insatiably tyrannic disposition," and to advance "his pecuniary interest." It was painful to contemplate the consequences which must have followed the continuation of his power."
It was Paterson's wish to send Johnston to England and to persuade Bligh to go thither. It was Bligh's aim to reinstate himself by force in Sydney. He thought that if he could obtain command of a man-of-war, he could by threats of bombardment bring the inhabitants of Sydney to his feet. Paterson chartered the Admiral Gambier to convey Bligh, but Bligh objected to being sent in a ship which was to carry also Johnston and Macarthur.
Paterson found that Bligh intrigued, even while negotiations were pending, and Bligh bitterly complained that he was removed from Government House to a subaltern's barrack. Lieut. Finucane, the subaltern host, swore however that the barrack was one of the best in Sydney, and that he
- ↑ Sydney Gazette, 15th Jan. 1809.
