nor to the kind solicitude of all who know me. From my cradle, my only ambition has been to live and die in the service of my sovereign with an untainted reputation: the best efforts of my head and heart have been exerted to attain that end. Governor Bligh has been pleased to attack my character with charges of a nature, which, if established to the extent of his unfavorable constructions, blasts my best hopes, and obscures every prospect in life. In this Court I repose my honor and reputation, with a perfect confidence, arising from a consciousness of innocence. I eagerly and anxously sought the investigation of this day, and I look with confidence, but with the deepest respect, to the event of your decision.
“H.M.S. Gladiator, 9th Jan. 1811.”
“Mr. Edmund Griffin sworn, and examined by the Prisoner.
“Q. During the period of Captain Bligh’s arrest, had you any opportunity of conveying to me Captain Bligh’s orders and wishes? – A. Not until the 30th of July; I conveyed his wishes in conversation, as from myself.
“Q. Did you ever communicate any orders to me from Captain Bligh, as to the line of conduct I was to pursue, as acting commander of the Porpoise? – A. No, I did not: I was cautioned by Governor Bligh not to mention it as coming from him.
“Q. What prevented you from conveying those orders? – A. Governor Bligh considered Mr. Kent so very intimate with the persons who had him in confinement, that he concluded he would communicate all orders received from him.
“Q. Could Captain Bligh, at almost any time, have come on board, and assumed the command of the ship? – A. No.
“Q. Being, as you were, in the confidence of Captain Bligh, inform the Court (if you are acquainted with them) what his reasons were for not giving me either verbal or written orders for my guidance, in the peculiar circumstances I was placed in, when, to your knowledge, those orders and instructions might have been safely conveyed to me. – A. I apprehend they might have put him into closer confinement, or removed him from Government-house.
“Q. Has Captain Bligh given you the usual and necessary certificates to enable you to receive the pay due to you, while serving under his command? – No, not the whole of them.
“Q. Have you ever applied to him for them? – A. Yes.
“Q. What reason did he assign for refusing to comply with your request? – A. He said that they could be of no use to me at present, as he was not ordered to be paid as commodore yet, and I could not be paid until he was, as his secretary.
“Q. Has not Captain Bligh told you that you must wait until after the court-martial was over, or promised to give them to you at that period, or words to that effect? – A. No; he spoke generally to me, saying, there
