arrived in H.M.S. Hindostan, accompanied by another
King's ship, the Dromedary, with a strong detachment of
Macquarie's regiment, the 73rd. He bore the decision of
Lord Castlereagh, couched in a despatch (15th May 1809),
directed to Governor Bligh, in reply to despatches of April,
June, and August 1808. It announced that the mutinous
outrage on Bligh had caused the strongest sensation, that
Johnston was to be sent home in strict arrest, that the
New South Wales Corps was to be relieved by the 78rd
Regiment, that the Government was unwilling to believe
that Bligh's conduct had been such as justly to create
discontent, but that his continuance in office would not be
advantageous, and that Colonial Macquarie had been appointed Governor; that Macquarie was ordered to liberate
Bligh from arrest, and replace him as Governor; that thereupon Bligh was to recognize Macquarie as his successor,
and to return home; that it was intended to bring Johnston to trial for his conduct, and that to enable Bligh to
understand the charges made against him, a copy of
Johnston's justificatory despatch was enclosed, which would enable Bligh to consider what evidence was necessary to
substantiate the charge of mutinous proceedings against Johnston.
Colonel Foveaux met Macquarie within the Heads, and Paterson arrived in the evening from Parramatta, to pay him respect. Not finding Bligh at Sydney, and not conceiving it to be his duty, after he had himself assumed the Government, to vacate it, and reinstate Bligh, Macquarie at once took the reins, and proclaimed his Instructions. His Majesty had felt the utmost regret and displeasure on account of the late tumultuous proceedings and the mutinous conduct towards his late representative." Bligh was to be reinstated for twenty-four hours, and then to receive Macquarie as his successor, and administer the customary oath. Bligh's absence prevented compliance with these instructions, and Macquarie hoped that harmony would be restored, the higher classes setting an example of subordination, morality, and decorum, the inferior distinguishing themselves by loyalty, sobriety, and industry. By another proclamation Macquarie annulled all appointments and all grants of land made after Bligh's
