Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/413

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GOVERNOR KING'S DEPARTURE.
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Camden wrote to King) "I leave entirely to your discretion, but you will understand that I wish it to be as liberal as circumstances will permit." Mr. Gregory Blaxland reached the colony while King was yet there, and was treated as desired by the Secretary of State. His brother, John Blaxland, arrived when Bligh was in power, and bitterly remonstrated against obstructions then thrown in his way.

In July 1805 Lord Castlereagh wrote that Captain Bligh, R.N., had been appointed to succeed King, and would receive such instructions as on perusal of King's despatches (yet to arrive in England) might "appear to be expedient for the future government of the colony." In November Lord Castlereagh wrote again:

"His Majesty has full confidence that you will communicate in the most confidential manner to Captain Bligh all the information in your possession respecting the interest of the colony, and furnish him with all your sentiments as to the most eligible manner of proceeding in carrying into execution His Majesty's commission with which he is invested. The appointment of a successor to you having arisen from your personal request to be relieved from the fatigues of your government, I am happy when I thus recommend Captain Bligh to your attention to express His Majesty's[1] entire approbation of the conduct you have manifested in the important charge committed to you, and his satisfaction at the great improvement which the colony has received under your superintendence."

Bligh arrived in Sydney on the 7th Aug. 1806, and King reported: "On the 13th of that month I gave the government up to him with every mark of respect and ceremony due to his situation." King, who was senior captain of H.M.S. Buffalo, arranged for an immediate departure for England; but the want of provisions for the ship, and the task of "possessing Governor Bligh of every circumstance respecting the colony as directed by your Lordship," delayed his voyage until the 10th Feb. 1807. In addition to the complimentary terms in which Lords Camden and Castlereagh had addressed him, the departing Governor received a testimonial equally precious. Sir Joseph Banks wrote: "For the quiet disposition of the colony which you

  1. ↑ Those who are sufficiently interested in the subject of Dr. Lang's accuracy to compare his account of Lord Castlereagh's feelings with Lord Castlereagh's words, will find in his 'History' that "the period of King's administration" was shortened by underhand misrepresentations, and that he was treated in England with neglect which embittered the remainder of his days.
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