170 FIRST DISCOVERY OK PORT DAVEY, ETC. 



ing to Examine" it Verry Minutely, in a few Minutues" 

 he Returned — and Said — ■ 



How Long" have you been from Hobart Town — 

 the Answer was from the Date of that Clearance" Have 

 vou Seen any Military parties in Search of Bushrangers", 

 not any, Have you seen any Boats or Vessels on the 

 Ooast, Not any, When you Left Hobart Town Were you 

 aware that Bushranger's Was out, Yes", Where 

 was the Lieutenant Governor, it was Said 

 he was gone to the Lakes", he asked Several 

 other questions, he then Said Sergeant toake the Hand- 

 cuffs" off those Men, the order was obeyed, he said Which 

 of you is the person in Charge of this Boat Mr. Kelly 

 answered, I am. Are you the Person Who was Master of 

 the Brig Sophia" Some time ago at Hobart Town, I am, 

 Have you Ever Seen me Before Mr. Kelly, O" yes v Re- 

 peatedly, Where, at Hobart Town I have Dined With 

 you often at Mr. Birches" in the Castle* Still Holding the 

 Clearance in his hand Reading it and Could Scarcely" 

 Believe it he Said is it Usual" at Hobart Town to give 

 Clearances" Such as this to open''" Boats going Round the 

 Coast, Mr. Kelly answered it Was" and Was always the 

 Case Since Martial Law Commenced" in this Island he 

 then Called the Mens Names over one by one from the 

 Clearance" and asked them a Great many questions Still 

 Looking Verry Suspisiously" at them 



the Major said now Mr. Kelly" are you quite Sure 

 you Know who I am, the answer" was O" yes I Cannot 

 Mistake you, 3-011 are Major Stuart" of the 46th Reig- 

 ment Commondant at Launceston — the Major then Said 

 Mr. Kelly I am quite Satisfied Who you are give me 

 your Hand and I am Verry Sorry for What has hapened 

 that was puting yourself and your men in Irons" But 

 had it not been for the Port Clearance" I Certainly Could 

 not have Believed But you Were an associate" of Michael 

 Howe the Bushranger", However you must Come up to 

 the Government Cotage and accept of a Knife and fork 

 and a bed at my quarters While you Remain at George 

 Town — Sergeant you will haul Mr. Kellys Boat up Close 

 to the Barracks — Let the oars etc. with the arrms" be 

 secured in the Guard house and Let his Men Live With 

 the Soldiers, give them plenty to Eat and Grog" but 

 Dont Let them get Drunk, 



Here was a Chang in the State of affairs" Mr. Kelly 

 a Prisoner" in Handcuffs" and in a few Hours Released 

 and Seated at the Majors" table Dining and partaking 

 of a Bottle of his Best Wine," after Dinner the Major" 



