To Mr. Samuel I am indebted for securing my journals and commission, with some material ship papers. Without these I had nothing to certify what I had done, and my honour and character might have been suspected, without my possessing a proper document to have defended them. All this he did with great resolution, though guarded and strictly watched. He attempted to save the time-keeper, and a box with all my surveys, drawings, and remarks for fifteen years past, which were numerous; when he was hurried away, with "Damn your eyes, you are well off to get what you have."
1789. April.
It appeared to me, that Christian was some time in doubt whether he should keep the carpenter, or his mates; at length he determined on the latter, and the carpenter was ordered into the boat. He was permitted, but not without some opposition, to take his tool chest.
Much altercation took place among the mutinous crew during the whole business: some swore "I'll be damned if he does not find his way home, if he gets any thing with him," (meaning me); others, when the carpenter's chest was carrying away, "Damn my eyes, he will have a vessel built in a month." While others laughed at the helpless situation of the boat, being very deep, and so little room for those who were in her. As for Christian, he seemed meditating instant destruction on himself and every one.
I asked for arms, but they laughed at me, and said I was well acquainted with the people where I was going, and therefore did not want them; four cutlasses, however, were thrown into the boat, after we were veered astern.
1789. April.
When the officers and men, with whom I was suffered to have no communication, were put into the boat, they only waited for me, and the master at arms informed Christian of it; who then said—"Come, captain Bligh, your officers and men are now in the boat, and you must go with them; if you attempt to make the least resistance you will instantly be put to death:" and, without any farther ceremony, holding me by the cord that tied my hands, with a tribe of armed ruffians about me, I was forced over the side, where they untied my hands. Being in the boat we were veered astern by a rope. A few pieces of pork were then thrown to us, and some cloaths, also the cutlasses I have already mentioned; and it was now that the armourer and carpenters called out to me to remember that they had no hand in the transaction. After having undergone a great deal of ridicule, and been kept some time to make sport for these unfeeling wretches, we were at length cast adrift in the open ocean.
I had with me in the boat the following persons:
| Names. | Stations. |
|---|---|
| John Fryer | Master. |
| Thomas Ledward | Acting Surgeon. |
| David Nelson | Botanist. |
| William Peckover | Gunner. |
| William Cole | Boatswain. |
| William Purcell | Carpenter. |
| William Elphinston | Master's Mate. |
| Thomas Hayward | Midshipmen. |
| John Hallett | " |
| John Norton | Quarter Masters. |
| Peter Linkletter | " |
| Lawrence Lebogue | Sailmaker. |
| John Smith | Cooks. |
| Thomas Hall | " |
| George Simpson | Quarter Master's Mate. |
| Robert Tinkler | A boy. |
| Robert Lamb | Butcher. |
| Mr. Samuel | Clerk. |
There remained on board the Bounty, as pirates,