222 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



Yet these people could not stand Prosperity. So many 

 petty conflicting interests came into being, that quarrels, 

 and efforts at supremacy, and even lawlessness, arose, 

 that the peace was broken over and over again. Captain 

 MacArthur, for example, defied the laws in a very dis- 

 creditable way, and caused a deal of trouble in the 

 Colony. 



When Governor Hunter's term of office was ripening, 

 and the choice of his successor impended, the authorities 

 at home decided upon sending Captain Bligh. This was 

 on the warm recommendation of Sir Joseph Banks. 

 Bligh was disappointed to learn that the Governorship 

 would be separated from the Naval service in future. 

 His services during the war were very honourable. He 

 had quelled several mutinous attempts when on cruise. 

 " Duncan knew the value of your conduct in action, 

 though he did not choose to praise it ; and Lord Nelson 

 not only knows how you conducted your ship when it lay 

 alongside of his Lordship's at Copenhagen, but will not 

 omit any opportunity of giving you credit." 1 And he 

 had hoped to reach the high ranks of the Service. Banks 

 assured him he would not have advised him to take 

 a step " which may I fear on a future occasion be inter- 

 preted by the Admiralty into a dereliction of your chance 

 of a Flag." 



However, Bligh was sent to New South Wales. His 

 views and those of Hunter coincided, and he tried his best 

 to fulfil the latter's wishes. As is not uncommon, the 

 drink question was prominent ; and existing regulations 

 forbade the distillation of spirits. But MacArthur must 

 needs import a still from England. For this, and for 

 using seditious language, he was brought to trial. Bligh, 

 up to this moment, had been generally popular. But 

 when he began to insist upon the law being adhered to, 

 he at once raised up a number of vindictive enemies. 



1 Banks to Bligh, September 17, 1805. 



