Colonial Secretary’s Correspondence 29th January
1810 Reel 6066; 4/1804 p.6a
Letter from Roger Farrell, Bligh supporter and prisoner at
Newcastle, to William Bligh.
Newcastle
Sir, That strict adherence to the rules of Justice &
Humanity which has so conspicuously distinguished your
honors character in this colony imboldens me to address you
upon the subject of my present more than common unhappy
situation, the object of which is to inform you, that my
term of transportation expired in your command but being for
some years confined to this settlement was deprived of the
opportunity of applying personally for my Certificate. I am
still detained notwithstanding official documents are
abstractedly attached to the indents of the 2nd
Atlas (the ship in which I arrived) sufficient to remove any
obstacle (if any thereby in the way of my obtaining my
freedom.) The sufferings I have undergone since the arrest of
your honor are more easily conceived than expressed.
Deprived of my situation as chief overseer of this
settlement kept upon an Island for the most part without
fresh water and obliged to do not only my own Government
work but also Mr. Crossleys and other peoples. Refused
common protection until deprived of every shilling I was
worth consisting of my bed, Bedding, watch, wearing apparel
etc. etc. etc. and flogged for swimming for my life from a
party of blacks although a man was speared thro the body by
my side, and why all this because I was what the commandant
Lawson in his great politeness commonly called one of
Blighs Mob and orders were issued forbidding any person
to harbour countenance or in any manner whatever to
associate with any who might be attached to your honors
person or Government. Mr. Gore will inform you who I am and
for the truth of what I say I refer you to Sir H. Hayes, Mr.
Crossley, the bearer Mr. Davoran and many others who were
not only witness but sufferers with me in the cause, all of
whom are relieved but myself from this settlement here.
Lieut. Lawson proposes to make me miserable with his ….
I have Petitioned His Excellency upon the subject and most
humbly implore your honors interference on my behalf if no
more than to have me removed from this settlement until such
time as satisfactory documents may be officially received by
His Excellency should he required more than those already
produced. I lay claim humble to your kind interference upon
two heads – 1st my time having expired in your
command and 2ndly by being no small sufferer for my Loyalty
and attachment to your honors person and Government. Should
all this fail I beg you will take the trouble of directing
Mr. Griffin upon His arrival in England to procure from John
Allen and Molesworth Green the certificate of my time and
have it transmitted to this country otherwise I must remain
for life having none to apply to but your honor upon the
subject – Governor King suffered a man to go home in the
Glatton and another in the Calcutta on condition
of their times were unexpired they should be returned under
his greatest displeasure would to God Governor Macquarie
would Permit me to depart upon the like terms or worse.
May you live long triumphant over your enemies. May the Laws
of Great Britain too convince the Treacherous usurpers that
they were not so far out of reach as they imagined on the 26th
January 1808 is first and shall be the constant Prayer of your honors most obedient humble servant
Roger Farrell
