Folios 246-247: William Bligh, Sydney, New South Wales. Is sending a report of the...

Folios 246-247: William Bligh, Sydney, New South Wales. Is sending a report of the proceedings of the Court of Enquiry into the conduct of Captain Joseph Short, HMS Porpoise, and Lieutenant Tetley and Daniel Lye, Acting Master, Master. Also a copy of his orders for a survey of Daniel Lye, Acting Master’s state of confinement, the Surgeon’s report thereon, his order to liberate Daniel Lye, Acting Master and Captain Short’s letters to obviate his orders.

Folios 247-251: Enclosure in folios 246-247: Lieutenant J. S. Tetley, HMS Porpoise, Sydney Cove, Port Jackson 15th November 1806 to Captain William Bligh. Complaints against Captain Joseph Short for using the ship’s stores for his own use, keeping the boat crews up all night to transport him and his friends ashore and back and for using the most un-Officer like language and behaving cruelly to him. His health has suffered, adds a list of 10 named witnesses. Daniel Lye, Acting Master, HMS Porpoise, 22nd November 1806 to Captain William Bligh. Support for the letter from Lieutenant Tetley with further named witnesses listed. Further complaints about navigating around False Bay and Simons Bay. Daniel Lye, Acting Master, HMS Porpoise, Sydney Cove, 9th December to Captain William Bligh. He has been confined under arrest since 28th November 1806 without knowing the charge, he wrote to Captain Short on 1st December asking what charge and to the Surgeon on 2nd December as he felt unwell due to his confinement as he has not been allowed out of his cabin. Captain Joseph Short, HMS Porpoise, 1st December to William Bligh. Has confined Daniel Lye, Acting Master, for disobedience, lists 9 named witnesses. Also wishes to lodge a complaint against Lieutenant Tetley for talking in the presence of the ship’s company in a way to make them discontented. Governor William Bligh, Government House, Sydney, 10th December 1806 to Captain Joseph Short, HMS Porpoise. In response to many complaints he has ordered Captains [Phillip Gidley] King and [John] Houston and Lieutenant Oxley to proceed on board HMS Porpoise and carry out an enquiry into the representations at 10am tomorrow. Captain Joseph Short, HMS Porpoise, Sydney Cove New South Wales, 11th December 1806 to Captain William Bligh. Regarding the date of his previous letter.

Folio 251: Enclosure in folios 246-247: William Bligh, Governor of New South Wales and Captain of HMS Porpoise, 10th December 1806 to Captain Phillip Gidley King, HMS Buffalo. As Captain John Short, HMS Porpoise, has requested an enquiry into the conduct of Lieutenant Tetley and Daniel Lye, Master and they in turn have made complaint against him, he is sending their letters and directing him, with Captain John Houston and Lieutenant Oxley, HMS Buffalo, to go on board the ship and carry out an enquiry.

Folios 252-262: Enclosure in folios 246-247: Report on the enquiry carried out following orders from Governor William Bligh. Detailed testimony from members of the crew of HMS Porpoise, including Mr. Basden, Purser, who generally states that the Captain has not taken stores and has not used the boat’s crew for his own ends. Daniel Lye, Master states that the Captain took green baize for his own use, loaned a boat to the Rosette and another boat to Mr. Fitz, boat crews have been kept up all night. Mr. Calver, Gunner who remembered men being loaned out and corroborates the evidence of Daniel Lye regarding the boats and boat crews being kept up. William Hobbs, Boatswain, states the Captain did take green baize, James Allen was loaned out and corroborates evidence regarding the boats. Benjamin Bannister, Carpenter, the Captain took wainscot to make shelves and corroborates evidence regarding boats. Mr. Harding remembers the shelves being made from the stores, has heard complaints of the boat crews being kept up and has heard harsh language from the Captain to Lieutenant Tetley. John Seymour, Armourer, he was loaned out at the Cape of Good Hope for 3 or 4 days. Corporal Stephens can only recall hearing that the boat crews have been kept up. Has heard harsh words between Captain William Bligh and Captain Joseph Short. James Allen was loaned to Mr. Fitz for three weeks. William Harvey, Boatswain only remembers men being loaned out.

Folios 263-264: Enclosure in folios 246-247: William Bligh, Governor of New South Wales and Captain of HMS Porpoise, 13th December 1806 to Mr Jamison, Colonial Surgeon, Mr. Harris, Army Surgeon and Mr. McMillan, Surgeon HMS Buffalo. Orders to proceed on board HMS Porpoise and report on the condition of the Daniel Lye, Master, HMS Porpoise.

Folio 264: Reply from the Surgeons to Governor William Bligh, 14th December 1806. They found Daniel Lye confined to a small cabin which was ill ventilated and too small to permit him exercise, further confinement will be detrimental to his health.

Folios 264-265: Enclosure in folios 246-247: William Bligh, Governor of New South Wales and Captain of HMS Porpoise, 18th December 1806 to Captain Joseph Short, Commander, HMS Porpoise. Orders to release Daniel Lye from confinement and allow him to carry out his duties until there is a chance for a Court Martial on the charges expressed in the letter of 1st December 1806 and exhibited at the Court of Enquiry on 13th December 1806. Reply from Captain Joseph Short to Governor William Bligh 18th December 1806. Reasons why he should not release Daniel Lye, mentions Lieutenant Tetley. He is sending these letter ashore. Note from Governor Bligh saying he will consider the orders. Second letter from Captain Joseph Short to Governor William Bligh, 19th December 1806. Refers to letters about Daniel Lye, Master and hopes no unpleasant circumstances will occur. Asks for his order books to be returned so they can sent to the Lords Commissioners with minutes from the Court of Enquiry. . Note from Governor Bligh saying he has returned the books.

Folio 265: Enclosure in folios 246-247: Captain Joseph Short’s charges against Lieutenant Tetley and Daniel Lye, Master, HMS Porpoise for their conduct to the Purser, Surgeon and himself, stating he had confined them. List of letters enclosed.

Folio 266-267: Enclosure in folios 246-247: Daniel Lye, Master, HMS Porpoise, Sydney Cove, 9th December 1806 to Governor William Bligh. He has been confined to his cabin since 28th November 1806, without knowing the charges he has been arrested for. He wrote to Captain Joseph Short on 1st December asking what the charges were but has received no answer. Asks Governor Bligh to intervene.

Folios 267-268: Enclosure in folios 246-247: Covering letter regarding papers to be sent regarding the conduct of Captain Joseph Short, Commander, HMS Porpoise.

Folio 269: Enclosure in folios 246-247: Captain Joseph Short, HMS Porpoise, Sydney Cove, 11th December 1806 to Governor William Bligh. There is no mistake as to the date of his letter, he thought if sufficient time to acquaint him with his complaint, as to the complaint against himself by Lieutenant Tetley and Daniel Lye, Master, he hopes he has never given them grounds for it.

Folio 270: Enclosure in folios 246-247: Captain Joseph Short, HMS Porpoise, Sydney Cove, 1st December 1806 to Governor William Bligh. He has confined Daniel Lye, Acting Master, for disobedience and treating him with contempt, and Lieutenant Tetley, for talking in the presence of the ship’s company in language tending to make them discontented. Mentions Jno. Bowman, William Brown, William Harvey, Mr. Harding, Mr. Oldrey and Mr. Basden. Note at the top stating this must be dated incorrectly as Mr. Murphy delivered it on 10th December.