THE MUTINY. 29 
to dwell at any length ; though it must not be 
wholly passed over. To assume, without proof, 
that the act of the mutineers was owing to 
tyranny on the part of Bligh, is surely not to 
make their case better; because, in this point 
of view, the deed must be looked upon as one, 
not only of sinful revenge against their com- 
mander, but of absurd and wanton cruelty against 
their unoffending messmates. For what prospect 
was there to men exposed in such a manner to 
the horrors of the deep, but death, either by 
drowning or starvation ? 
Again, those who had been accomplices in the 
mutiny would be likely to make excuses, and to 
throw the cause of the crime on any but them- 
selves. Every thoughtful reader will doubt the 
value of statements coming from such a quarter. 
Bligh was a well-trained and distinguished 
officer of a former school. Notwithstanding 
occasional impatient expressions of anger, which 
appear to have been more prevalent in naval 
commanders of those days, and which the rough 
and uneducated character of their crews was 
likely to provoke, still it is clear that it was 
Bligh's study to make his men not only effi- 
cient, but comfortable and happy. No one can 
read his journal without being impressed with 
the tone of thoughtfulness for the welfare of 
others which pervades that remarkable work. 
But he could not endure professional neglect. 
Attending strictly to his own duty, he deemed 
it his part to see that those about him should 
attend to theirs : and it will be allowed, that he 
had some men under his command intractable 
