there had been no alternative but the measure taken "to
preserve His Majesty's Government from the dishonour of
à popular insurrection, and his colony from all the horrors
which would inevitably have resulted from the success or
failure of such an attempt." He confidently looked for
justice under the circumstances of perplexity in which he
had been placed by Bligh, who had violated rights of property, arrested persons lawlessly, "threatened magistrates
with vengeance," and "overawed, or attempted to overawe,
the Supreme Court of Jurisdiction with an accusation of
high treason, for no other cause than that they had declined
to become servile instruments of his tyranny." An enraged
population had clamorously appealed to Johnston for relief
from Bligh "and the wretched associates under whose advice
he was known to act." He might have participated in
Bligh's disgrace, but "to have maintained his authority
would have been a vain and fruitless attempt." He was
prepared, and "most anxious to exhibit proof of the high
crimes and misdemeanors exhibited by Governor Bligh . . .
of gross frauds and shameful robberies committed
upon the public property entrusted to his care," and, lastly,
of heretofore unheard of "and disgraceful cowardice."
Johnston, meanwhile, was with his regiment,[1] and it seemed at one time as if Bligh's conduct would be abandoned as indefensible. But Johnston pressed for inquiry. He applied (21st Nov.) to the Adjutant-General for permission to remain in London in order that he might be ready to substantiate the charges he had desired permission to prefer against" Bligh. The Commander of the Forces was "of opinion that the vicinity of the quarters of the 102nd Regiment to London will enable you to attend to the business stated in your letter without interfering with the performance of your regimental duty."
The honourable acquittal of Lt. Kent strengthened the hopes of Johnston's friends, and on the 7th May a court-
- ↑ Macarthur wrote to his wife, 5th Dec. 1810: "Colonel Johnston, us you will see, has been ordered to join, and is now (although the proclaimed mutineer) commanding His Majesty's 102nd Regiment. This does not much accord with the opinions which we hear have been circulated. But there is a time for all things. I am continually engaged from morning until night with my lawyers in arranging the plan of a formidable attack upon Mr. Bligh."—"Camden Park MSS.
