62 bligh's services. 
my defence on the testimony of others, adding 
only such of the written orders issued by me in 
the course of the voyage as are connected with 
the matter in question; which orders, being 
issued publicly in writing, may be offered as 
evidence of unquestionable credit." 
Among the important documents thus pub- 
lished, were affidavits, made in August 1794, at 
Guildhall, London, before Alderman Sir Watkin 
Lewes, which serve to disprove the statements 
which had been put forth to Bligh's prejudice. 
The Answer contains nothing in his own words, 
except a short preface, and the Conclusion, 
which is as follows : — 
" I submit these evidences to the judgment ot 
the public, without offering any comment. My 
only intention in this publication is, to clear my 
character from the effect of censures which lam 
conscious I have not merited. I have, therefore, 
avoided troubling the public with more than 
what is necessary to that end, and have refrained 
from remark, lest I might have been led beyond 
my purpose, which I have wished to limit solely 
to defence." 
After this event, Bligh was much engaged in 
active service, both in war and peace. In the 
spring of the year 1797, on the occasion of the 
mutiny at the Nore, when some of the seamen 
of the Channel fleet, instigated by evil-minded 
persons, disgraced themselves by disobedience 
and insurrection, the Admiralty employed Bligh 
to go amongst them, and effect what could be 
done, m bringing back these misguided men 
to a sense of loyalty and honour. On that 
