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Governor Bligh and the Rum
Rebellion
Governor Bligh’s interpretation of the Rum Rebellion
Letter from Governor Bligh to George Johnson Listing the Witnesses Required by
Bligh in England
Government House Sydney, 17 February 1808
I send you a list of persons that will be necessary for me to have sent to
England, and have to request that you will be pleased to take the requisite
steps for providing them with a passage accordingly:
Richard Atkins
Late Judge Advocate
Thomas Arndell
Late Magistrate
Robert Campbell
Late Magistrate
John Palmer
Late Magistrate
James Williamson
Late Magistrate
William Gore
Late Provost-Marshal
Edmund Griffin
Bligh’s Secretary
Rev. Henry Fulton
Late Chaplain
James Wiltshire
Commissary’s Clerk
Nicholas Divine
Superintendant
Richard Rouse
Superintendant
Francis Oakes
Superintendant
Andrew Thompson
Chief Constable at Hawkesbury.
[Historical Records of Australia,
Series One, Volume Six p 254]
Bligh’s Letter to Viscount Castlereagh Outlining Causes of the Insurrection and
Details of his Arrest.
Government House , Sydney, New South Wales 30
April 1808
Suppression of Monopolies by Bligh
When ships arrived, the usual impositions were oppressed, the necessaries which
they introduced were open to every one’s purchase, and by this means the
numerous people in the country had opportunities to relieve their wants without
being so much subject to the wicked monopolising persons who heretofore had been
making themselves rich on the vitals of the poor.
Address from Settlers and Discontent of Certain Persons
On the first day of the year, under an impression of what I had done for them, I
received a dutiful Address, signed by nearly nine hundred persons, which never
was known in this country before, but to this Address it is to be observed that
John McArthur, Edward McArthur, Hannibal McArthur, Garnham Blaxcelll, John
Blaxland, Gregory Blaxland, Captain Townson, Doctor Townson, Charles Grimes,
Surgeon Jamison, Nicholas Bayly and Darcy Wentworth’s names, and some others,
are not affixed, or any of the Military Officers. These persons, checked in the
enormous practice of bartering spirits, which had principally been the almost
ruin of the colony, became privately discounted; and the arch fiend, John
McArthur, so inflamed their minds as to make them dissatisfied with Government,
and tricked them into misfortunes, even to his own advantage, which they now, at
too late a period, acknowledge, in addition to the iniquity he has led them of
treason and rebellion to the State.
Bligh’s Charges against John McArthur
This McArthur began his career with endeavours to delude the settlers and
landlords, but who execrated him for the attempt, as they had always done. He
then opposed the Civil Magistracy, and bid defiance to all law and colonial
Regulations, and, after all, under the pretext of great benefits which would
arise to the military, he, with a Mr. Nicholas Bayly, seduced Major Johnston and
all the officers and privates of the New South Wales Corps from their duty and
allegiance into open rebellion against me, His Majesty’s Representative and
Governor-in-Chief of the Colony, and the whole civil power and Magistracy.
Arrest of Bligh and Magistrates
This rebellious act was done so suddenly in about five minutes from the time we
first knew of it, Government House was surrounded with troops, Major Johnson
having brought up in battle array about three hundred men under Martial Law,
loaded with ball, to attack and seize my person and a few friends, some of whom
were Magistrates, that had been at dinner with me. Their colours were spread,
and they marched to the tune of the `British Grenadiers’, and to render the
spectacle more terrific to the townspeople, the Field Artillery on the Parade
was presented against the House where I became arrested, and had five sentinels
placed over me, and the Civil Magistrates were put under an arrest in their own
houses.
Museum of Sydney – on site of First Government House where the Rum Rebellion
took place
Plaque detailing archaeology found at the First Government House site
March of the Military to Government House and Arrest of Bligh
Immediately followed an operation of the Main Guard at our gates and loading
with ball cartridges, and the whole body of troops to march from the Barracks,
led on by Major Johnston, the band playing the `British Grenadiers’ and colours
flying. In five minutes the whole [Government] House was surrounded by an armed
force, consisting of between three or four hundred men, all loaded with ball
cartridges, the officers attending in their proper places. Without ceremony they
broke into all parts of the house (even into the ladies room) and arrested all
the Magistrates, Mr. Gore, Provost-Martial, Mr. Fulton, the Clergyman, and Mr.
Griffin, my Secretary.
Thus the civil power was annihilated, and the Colony in the hands of the
military, guided by McArthur and Bayly. Nothing but calamity upon calamity was
to be expected, even massacre and secret murder. I had only just time to retire
upstairs to prevent giving myself up, and to see if anything could be done for
restoration for the restoration of my authority, but they soon found me in a
back room, and a daring set of ruffians under arms (headed by Serjeant-Major
Whittle), intoxicated by spirituous liquors, which was given them for the
purpose, and threatening to plunge their bayonets into me if I resisted, seized
me. I was now obliged to go below, where I found the rooms filled with soldiers,
and presently Lieutenant Moore came forward and presented me with a letter from
Major Johnson [announcing his arrest].
Seizure of Bligh’s
Papers
Dr. Townson, Mr. Grimes, Surgeon Jamison, Mr. Blaxcell and John Blaxland,
rummaged all the rooms upstairs for my public and private papers, which they
secured and locked up in my office. Dr. Townson and Mr. Grimes were particularly
clamorous and indecent in demanding my keys from John Dunn, my servant, and in
knocking my drawers and cabinet about, swearing at him that he knew well where
the Governor kept all his private papers.
Sentinels Placed at
Government House
On my retiring I saved the papers containing the accounts of yesterday’s
proceedings, but all those of today were secured by the rebels. When they had
thus far proceeded, five sentinels were placed over the [Government] House, in
and out of doors, and I was left with only my daughter and Mrs. Palmer about
nine o’clock at night.
Signatures to Address
obtained by Armed Force
The fact is that when the troops marched from the Barracks, not more than six or
seven names had been affixed to the Paper which exhorted them to commit this
crime, while the whole of those who subscribed their names afterwards declare
they did it at the point of the bayonet, which declaration Wentworth made three
days afterwards. Constables were sent to that part of the town called the Rocks,
and other parts, to drive people to subscribe their names to this paper to Major
Johnston, after the Act of Rebellion was done, and emissaries were sent with
papers through the interior of the Colony for the same purpose.
Communication with
the Interior Prevented by the Insurrectionaries
Every precaution was used by the rebels to prevent any communication with the
interior of the Colony. Guards were set up on the road to Parramatta, and no one
suffered to pass. Orders were stuck up by Captain Abbott at Parramatta that no
communication was to be held with me, as Major Johnston had put me under an
arrest and assumed the Government.
Mal-administration of
Major Johnston and his Party
The conduct of Major Johnston and his party will be found very reprehensible,
from what I have heard, with respect to government concerns.
They have issued the stores wantonly and improperly to their private
purposes. They have sold a large ten-oared boat which was kept for the
Governor’s use. They are giving away and disposing of government cattle to their
own party. They have renewed and given leases of several places in the town;
they are employing in their private concerns artificers and labourers and
government cattle; they have let out the Government Brew-house, and Government
Garden at Parramatta; and have turned off the Store a number of decrepit and
inform people, besides the worst of convicts, who are now committing
depredations on the public, and are the dread of every person; and McArthur has
dismissed John Jamieson, the Superintendent of government Stock, on account of
his having refused to remove the herds to Broken Bay, where there is scarcely
anything but rocks and barren ground, in order that his own might have the
entire range of Government ground in the neighbourhood of Parramatta.
[Historical Records of Australia,
Series One, Volume Six pp 420- 421 and pp 430 – 440.]
Viscount Castlereagh to Governor Bligh
15 May
1809
Reception
of the News of Governor Bligh’s Arrest in England
The mutinous outrage committed on you, His Majesty’s representative, has caused
the strongest sensation, and His Majesty has ordered that Major Johnston should
be sent home in strict arrest, and that the New South Wales Corps should be
relieved by the 73rd. Regiment.
His Majesty is unwilling to believe that your conduct has been such as justly to
have excited discontent in the Colony, much less that it was of such a nature in
any degree such a measure as has been taken by Major Johnston.
It, however, appears from all the circumstances which have been transmitted,
that your remaining in the Government of the Colony could not be attended with
satisfaction to yourself or advantage to the Public Service. His Majesty,
therefore, has been pleased to appoint Colonel Macquarie, of the 73rd.
Regiment, to take upon him the command of the colony and its dependencies.
Colonel Macquarie has orders upon arrival to liberate you from your arrest, and
in vindication of your lawful authority, to replace you in your situation as His
Majesty’s Governor. As soon as this measure shall have taken place, it is then
His Majesty’s Pleasure that you do receive Colonel Macquarie as your successor,
and proceed to have him sworn in your presence.
You will then make the necessary arrangements for your return home. It is
intended that Major Johnston shall, upon his return, be brought to trial for his
conduct, and it will be for you to consider what evidence it may be necessary to
send home for substantiating the charge of his mutinous proceedings, and it will
be further for you to consider against what persons you may intend to bring
accusations, and what evidence may be necessary to substantiate them.
[Historical Records of Australia,
Series One, Volume Seven pp 87 - 88.]
Governor Bligh to Viscount Castlereagh
10 June 1809
Governor Bligh Removed to a Military Barrack
Major Johnston forced me from Government House in a one-horse chaise. He had
only driven me two hundred yards when I found my beloved child, under a vertical
sun, running after me, having passed Captain Abbott, who told her she need not
go for they would not let her in; heedless of this, and despising such a want of
common feeling of a human being, she got to the Barrack when I did, and, seizing
hold of my arm, we walked into it, passing Lieutenant-Colonel
Foveaux, who came to direct Major Johnston where I was to be confined.
This happened to be a Subaltern’s Barrack; it consisted of two rooms, with a bed
in one, and a sofa in the other. .....
A bustle took place in bringing two sentry-boxes to the back of the Barrack;
three sentinels were placed over me, and I had permission to have a man servant
to attend me, and this, I was informed, by
a most infamous character, Serjeant Whittle, who only from that
denomination induces me to name him. My daughter was told that if she went out
she would not be allowed to return again; and her Maid-Servant was not permitted
to come to her.....
Our dinner being brought to us, and a few other necessaries, we took it with
much gratefulness, and at night I made my daughter’s bed, and myself lying on a
sofa in the adjoining room, we slept composedly.
Governor Bligh Ignored by Officers
The extreme heat of the season obliged us to keep the front door frequently
open, and those who passed came within ten yards of it. Every Officer seemed to
have orders, or to be afraid to pay me any respect, for they all passed without
moving their hats.
Governor Bligh
Embarks on H. M. S. Porpoise
The day of my embarkation being arrived, the Sentinels had orders not to
interrupt my proceeding to my boat, and I went on board and took possession of
my ship, which I had been single-handed working to accomplish for nearly
thirteen months under unheard of difficulties.
A number of officers of the Corps were at the Guard-House, which I had to pass;
and, while they paid me not the smallest respect, the Privates of the Guard
turned out of their own accord, touching their caps.
Governor Bligh’s Reasons for Leaving Port Jackson to Travel to Hobart
From undoubted information of my friends, I was assured that the act of the
rebels permitting me to be out of their custody was much regretted by them, for
that I should have been kept as a hostage. Plans were now in agitation to get
hold of my person by boarding with a number of the New South Wales Corps which,
with the ship not being ready for sea, and not having any person on whom I could
rely, was not at all impossible. I therefore made up my mind to leave Port
Jackson for this place [Hobart], where my authority equally existed over the
Territory [Van Diemen’s Land], until succours might arrive from your Lordship.
[Historical Records of Australia,
Series One, Volume Seven pp 114 - 131.]
Bligh’s Correspondence to Viscount Castlereagh Concerning Events after his
Arrest
30 June 1808
Examination of Magistrates and Bligh’s Adherents
On that and several succeeding days [after the arrest of Bligh], Committees
again met, before whom all the Magistrates and those who were considered as
having been intimate at Government House were brought and examined concerning my
administration and intentions. Every wicked artifice, as well as threats, was
used to force affirmative answers to all such questions as their diabolical
minds could propose, and some of them were brought to such agitation from a fear
of their lives that they knew not what they said or did, trembling under the
tyranny which was existing.
These Committees were composed of McArthur, Bayly, Blaxcell, Grimes, Jamison
(Surgeon), Captain Kemp, Lieutenant Minchin, Lieutenant Lawson, Lieutenant
Draffin, Doctor Townson, and John Blaxland.
There were likewise Benches of Magistrates ordered, and they began to arrest
many persons who were considered loyally attached to my Government, and the most
threatening messages were sent to others.
Agents were sent about the town of Sydney, who by threats and promises, induced
the greatest part of the inhabitants to illuminate their houses and make
bonfires on that and the following night; and a scene of drunkenness, even among
the troops as well as the people in the town, gave apprehension for the safety
of Government House, from whence my arms had been taken by ‘Lieutenant Moore
through the orders of Major Johnston.
[Historical Records of Australia,
Series One, Volume Six p 521.]
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