according to the report of a special commissioner (J. T. Bigge) sent from England, "the habits of his domestic life
were immoral," and he had, after acquiring property,
"carried on the illicit distillation of spirits" at the Hawkesbury.
Lord Liverpool (Secretary of State in 1810) and Earl Bathurst, who succeeded him in 1812, must share the blame of permitting Macquarie's conduct to pass without rebuke. Though they could not divine what Macquarie concealed, he had told them enough to show that the confessedly new course he had adopted would tend to sap the foundations and poison the morals of society. The officers of Macquarie's regiment were fain to receive at their mess the associate of him who was their Colonel as well as Governor.
It is convenient at this stage to follow the fortunes of Bligh, Johnston, Macarthur, and Lieut. Kent to the trials which took place in 1811. The facts elicited at the trial of Johnston have already been narrated, and only the mode of trial need be told. Though Lord Castlereagh had announced an intention to try Johnston for his conduct, there seemed an unwillingness to hazard an exposure of that of Bligh.
Lieut. Kent was thirteen months under close confinement in his ship, and his imprisonment was continued after his arrival in England. Kent and Johnston desired to be brought to trial in order to establish their innocence. Kent's trial did not take place until Johnston had implored Lord Castlereagh's successor, the Earl of Liverpool, to put an end to suspense. Kent was tried at Portsmouth (8th Jan. 1811) by order of the Admiralty. The fervid Macarthur went thither to advise the defendant, and his advice (to prove Bligh's tyrannical conduct) was welcomed.
The charges were—1st. Having sailed from Port Jackson without Bligh's order. 2nd. Having hauled down the prosecutor's broad pendant which he was ordered to keep flying on the Porpoise, and again proceeding to sea without Bligh's orders. 3rd. Having "permitted Lieutenant J. Symons to quit His Majesty's service, and carry home despatches from the persons who had usurped the government, and not apprehending him and bringing him to punishment." The
