[Lieutenant Kent produced his letter-book, and shewed a letter, which he requested the witness to look at, and say if ever he received it. – Answer, He did. – The letter read.]
“Sir,– I received yours of the 12th inst. enclosing my warrant from Commodore Bligh to command His Majesty’s ship Porpoise, and acquainting me that I am not to have any communication with him, by letters or messages, as the welfare of the colony and His Majesty’s service require it. I should be sorry in anywise to act in a manner displeasing to you, or derogatory to the character of a naval commander; but as I consider Commodore Bligh the only person in this colony who can regularly give me orders respecting the ship, and as he is borne on the ship’s books, and I am in want of officers to carry on the ship’s duty, I request to be allowed permission to consult him on those points, as he is the only person who can appoint officers to the ship in this colony, or to give me instructions how he is to be borne on the ship’s books in future. I have the honor to remain, &c.
“His Honor Lieutenant-Governor Johnstone. &c.”
“Q. Did you answer that letter? – A. I do not recollect.
Examined by the Court.
“Q. During the commodore’s confinement, did the prisoner receive any orders from you? – A. No.
“Q. Had the prisoner refused to comply with your requisition, for the service already specified, what consequence might have been produced to the colony from such refusal? – A. The greatest distress imaginable: they were in want of stores of all kinds, slops in particular.
“Q. What means had you of counteracting such effect? – A. I had no other than that of hiring ships, at a very heavy expence to government.
“When Lieutenant Kent received those requisitions, did he express a wish to communicate with Commodore Bligh on the subject? – A. I cannot recollect.
“Q. From the state of arrest in which the commodore then was, would such communication have been admitted? – A. If he had wanted to speak to the commodore, I should not have hindered him.
“Q. Did you understand, from the papers already read in Court, that the commodore resigned all naval command, while he remained in the colony? – A. I certainly did, in the fullest manner.
“Q. Did you ever forward any letter from the prisoner to the commodore, during his confinement? – I do not recollect that I ever did.
“Q. You have said that you would not have supplied the Porpoise with provisions, if Lieutenant Kent had not complied with the requisition, for the good of the colony; did you ever so express yourself to Lieutenant Kent, by writing or otherwise? – A. I do not recollect.
