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THIS TEXT IS FROM THE BOOK"THE
YOUNGS OF ROKEBY AND THEIR FRIENDS"WITH PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR
REG WRIGHT PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN OWN A COPY
OF THIS LIMITED EDITION BOOK.
THE BELBIN LETTERS ARE A SERIES OF EXCHANGES BETWEEN JAMES
BELBIN AND ADMIRAL BLIGH WHO FOR THOSE INTERESTED WAS THE SAME WILLIAM
BLIGH AS THE INFAMOUS CAPTAIN OF "H.M.S. BOUNTY" WHOSE CREW MUTINIED
AGAINST HIM ON 28 APRIL 1789. OTHER CHAPTERS FROM THE YOUNGS OF ROKEBY
INCLUDE THE STORY OF JAMES
BELBIN THE EMANCIPIST 1771-1848 AND OF JAMES
BELBIN THE YOUNGER AND WILLIAM BELBIN THE POLITICIAN. |
One
suspects that James Belbin set much store on the power of the petition.
His signature was placed on at least three group petitions, and he
appears to have prepared two or three personal petitions; perhaps
he played a part in drafting the group requests. The first petition
from Norfolk Islands resident, still on the island in 1806, to Governor
Bligh, is not reproduced here as it shed little information on Belbin's
background and did nothing to change his circumstances. The various
pieces of the letter or petition, said to be prepared by Belbin and
Dodding at the Derwent in April 1809, were perhaps a little too grubby
to retain for official records, however the Settler's petition of
the 21 May reached Bligh and posterity, and provides the first of
the documents included here. Belbin's petition of 1813 is sandwiched
between the letters it triggered, from Admiral Bligh to the Colonial
Secretary, and from the latter personage to Governor Macquarie. As
we are informed that the settler worked his passage back to England,
it was unlikely that Bligh's son-in-law, Colonel O'Connell, played
any part in finding a passage as suggested by Calder. Although one
or two of the statements Belbin made may have been a little elastic,
this document provides much detail on his movements in earlier years.
His letter to George Frankland confirms other details of the return
of the abbreviated family to Port Jackson and the Derwent.
The letter of 1824 to daughter Elizabeth is very
revealing. Several of the tragedies which befell the families of his
adult children are uncovered, and although certainly not affluent,
Belbin seems to be proud of his achievements. Although it might otherwise
seem unlikely, one has to assume that Belbin believed that he could
expect Major Abbott and Colonel O'Connell to perform some favour for
his family if requested.
The remaining letters throw light on Belbin's various
problems and indicate that he certainly was quite literate. All were
written in a neat legible hand and are now recorded on microfilm for
future generations to admire.
The printed 1788 transcript of Belbin's trial at
the Old Bailey is placed at the end of this section, together with
samples of his signature, and a reproduction of the wedding certificate
for his second marriage at St.Clements Dane in 1814. |
1. Address of Settlers to Governor Bligh
To His Excellency W.Bligh,
Esqre., Govr.-in-Chief, &c.,
May it Please Your Excellency,
We, a part of the unfortunate Settlers late of Norfolk Island,
Imprest with a due sense of our Duty and earnest to step
forwrd at this momentous period, big with Danger and Difficulty,
whilst the wavering Mind fluctuates between hope and fear,
we most humbly beg leave to express those Sentiments of
Loyalty which are Inherent in our Bosoms by firmly declaring
our adherence to your Excell'y as the true and only Representative
of our August Sovereign in these his Colonies, and our determined
abhorrence of those measures which have been taken by a
set of Disloyal and Unprincipled Men, who in the most daring
manner have subverted your Government, Prevented those Salutary
effects which we are convinced would have resulted therefrom,
Involving the Innocent with the Guilty, and by Specious
illegal Acts, drawing aside the Ignorant and Unwary, and,
that the enormity of their crimes may be obscur'd, introducing
anarchy and confusion.
These disloyal, base, and unwarrantable proceedings we most
solemly deprecate, sincerely lamenting from our hearts that
Men whom His Majesty had so highly honour'd should so far
forget their Duty in overturning that Government they were
bound to support, and so we beg leave to assure your Excell'y
of our resolution to adhere to our Loyalty and Duty (in
any and every pretext to mislead us whatever) to Our most
Gracios Sovereign, and to your Excell'y as his worthy Representative,
not doubting that you will ultimately Triumph over all your
Enemies of Every description, and be received on your return
to your Native Land with that Honour and Distinction with
which His Majesty is always pleased to reward the Brave
and the Meritorious. May Your Excellency enjoy ever Blessing
that the Almighty is pleased to bestow, and may your Amiable
Daughter find that consolation in her present Afflictions
which must evidently result from Parental Kindness and filial
duty,- Which is the Sincere and Earnest Wish of Your Obedient
and Devoted Servants to Command.
The Derwent, 21st May, 1809.
THOS RESTELL CROWDER, JOHN HALL, JAMES BELBIN, GEORGE BROWN,
JAMES DODDING, Wm. SHARDLEY, JOHN BERESFORD, RICHD.PHILLIMORE,
THOS. O'BRIEN, THOMAS PRIEST, Wm.HALEY, Wm.BELLAMY, THOMAS
FRANCIS, JNO.MAUL, JOSEPH HALL, THOS.GUY, WILLIAM MITCHELL,
MICH.LEE
|
2. Admiral Bligh to Under Secretary Goulburn
Durham Place, Lambeth, 19 December, 1812
Sir,
Permit me to sollicit your indulgence to a James Belbin,
a settler of Norfolk Island, who left that Place agreeable
to orders from His Majesty's Secretary of State on the evacuation,
and proceeded to the Derwent in Van Diemen's Land. On the
rebellion of the Troops in New South Wales he stood a firm
and loyal subject to the Government, on account of which he
suffered a deprivation of Rights, imprisonment and Corporal
Punishment. He came over here expecting to have got redress,
but, the Trials being over, he became indigent, and is now
in real want with a son of nine Years old.
The prayer of his Petition is to be allowed a passage out,
and to have an order for the Governor to give him the proportion
of land which Government promised to the settlers of his Class.
He possessed thirty acres by purchases in Norfolk Island,
and as he had the Character of an industrious Man, I beg leave
to request that himself and Son may be allowed their passage
to New South Wales in the Kangaroo, preparing to sail for
that Colony, and that he may be allowed to embark on board
the Vessel as soon as possible in order to give him a place
of shelter while he remains in this kingdom, for he is in
a deplorable situation.
He states that he has nearly 67 Weeks rations of Provisions
due to him and five children, besides Slop clothing; a proportion
of the latter he humbly sollicits may be allowed to him to
shelter himself and child from the Weather, and to be deducted
from what is due to him when he arrives in the Colony.
I have taken the liberty of addressing you on this subject
knowing the Man's great loyalty under my Government, and Am,
Sir, &c.,
Wm. BLIGH
|
3. Petition of James Belbin To The Right Hon'ble Lord Bathurst,
His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State, &c., &c.
The Most humble Petition of James Belbin, late Settler in
Norfolk island in the South Pacific Ocean.
This Petition most humbly Showeth That Pet'r was a resident
Inhabitant and Settler on Norfolk Island upwards of 18 years,
and till he was removed (with Five Motherless Children) from
thence to Hobart town, one of His Majesty's Settlements on
Van Die Mans Land, in consequence of the order'd evacuation
of the said Island.
That Pet'r shortly after his arrival at Hobart Town, was
most unjustly and illegally Persecuted and Imprisoned on account
of his adherence and firm support to His Majesty's legal Representative,
W.Bligh, Esqr. (our late much abused) Govr. in Chief of His
Majesty's Settlements in New South Wales, whilst lying in
the River Derwent off the said Town in his Majesty's Ship
Porpoise.
That Pet'r was most unjustly and illegally torn from Amidst
his family (Five Motherless children), lodged in Confinement
in the Guardhouse of Hobart Town for Ten Weeks, deprived of
all communication with his Friends (surrounded by all the
Systems of Terror) sentenced to an unjust, Cruel and illegal
punishment of 500 Lashes, without a legal Tryal of any sort,
part of which sentence was inflicted on Pet'r, as far as his
state of Mind and health would admit of, and whose Constitution
from his long and close Confinement was greatly impaired and
injured on his liberation the 15th of Jany., 1810.
That Pet'r after a struggle of upwards of 3 Years to return
to his Native Country to seek a redress or a Remuneration
for those injuries he and his family has Rec'd both in Mind
and Body (and to prevent which many obstacles have been thrown
in his way) has at length Arriv'd in England after a tedious
and long passage of 7 Months from Port Jackson, and from whence
Pet'r was compelled to work his passage home without emolument
but his provisions.
That Pet'r since his Arrival in England (with his Son aged
9 Years), his driven to great Distress to support himself
and Son, as during his long absence of upwards of 21 Years
from his Native land those respectable friends that could
have assisted him being all dead, and Pet'r not being able
to procure any Employment to do, from being a Stranger and
no friends to recommend him.
Pet'r has therefore most humbly to request that some Assistance
or Support may be rendered to him to enable him to Support
himself and Son till he can be enabled to return to his family
at Hobart Town, and also that Pet'r may be restored to his
family and to the Rights and immunities of a Settler on the
above Settlement, of which he was deprived of for supporting
and rendering assistance to His Majesty's legal Representative,
W.Bligh, Esqr., whoes certificate of recommendation Pet'r
has from his own hand, and who will come forward and prove
the facts contained in this petition.
That Pet'r has ever born an honest and respectable Character
during his residence in the Colonies can be fully proved by
the Certificates now in the possession of Pet'r, and who can
call on Capt. Jno. Piper, our late Comdt. at Norfolk Island,
Lt. Col.Fovaux, or any of the Officers or Gentlemen that have
resided on Norfolk Island, and who can prove tha he has ever
considered it his Duty to support the Crown, having served
officially under Capt. Jno. Townson and Lt.Col.Fovaux on the
sd. Island. Pet'r has therefore most humbly to hope that his
unfortunate case may be taken into consideration and present
Relief be granted Pet'r and Petitioner as in
Duty bound will ever pray,
JAMES BELBIN
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4. Under-Secretary Goulburn to Governor Macquarie Downing
St., 31 Jan 1813.
Sir,
I am directed to inform you that in conformity to the Request
contained in a Letter form Rear-Admiral Bligh, of which a
Copy is herein enclosed, his Lordship has been pleased to
order that the Bearer of this Letter, James Belbin, should
have a free Passage to Van Diemen's Land, where he has been
settled, having been one of the Norfolk Island Settlers.
It is his Lordship's wish that he should be sent from Port
Jackson to the Derwent free of Expense, and if he has not
already received the Grant of Land and other advantages promised
to the Settlers removing from Norfolk Island, you will see
the propriety of giving directions that he should be put upon
the same footing with other Persons, who were brought from
that Island. I have, &c.
HENRY GOULBURN
|
5. London Feby 20, 1813 My Lord,
I hope your goodness and humanity will pardon the liberty
I have again taken in troubling you with this letter, being
acquainted by Rear Admiral Bligh that you had granted his
request to your Lordship in my behalf that I was to embark
in the "Kangaroo" for New South Wales with my Son,
and has it is my intention on my leaving England not to return
to it again, I have most humbly to request of your Lordship
that you will have the goodness and Humanity to grant me the
further favour of a passage for a Worthy and Respectable young
Woman who wishes to be united to me and to accompany me out
to that place. Gratitude and affection my Lord urges me to
request the indulgence of your Lordship for her kind attention
towards me and my son paying every attention and duty of a
Wife towards me when we were both confined to our beds with
sickness and with which we have both been several times afflicted
since our arrival in England from the Climates not being so
congenial to our constitutions after a residence of upwards
of 25 years in those South climates. My Lord I will not intrude
on yr Lordship for her to [be] victualled without your goodness
and humanity should deem me deserving such a favour and should
it not lay in your Lordship's power to grant my request without
defraying the Expenses of her passage out while I am unable
to do, I am willing to resign a part of my claims on Govt.
to which I am entitled to by Mr Windhams instructions on my
removal from Norfolk Island (rather than be compelled to leave
her behind a prey to grief from her firm attachment to me)
has a reimbursement or remuneration to Government. Should
your Lordships goodness and humanity induce you to grant my
humble request you will greatly alleviate the distress of
mind a worthy and deserving young Woman labours under from
the apprehensions she entertains of my xxxxx being to leave
England for ever and to leave her behind. She his at present
living in the family of Mr. J. James, Red Lyon Square Holborn
where she has lived upwards of six years. Flattering myself
with your Lordships kind compliance with my request by which
I shall be enabled to be united to her (not considering myself
justifiable in marrying her till I have obtained your Lordships
consent for accompanying me out) I subscribe myself
With all due deference and Respect - Yr Lordships Humble
and Obedient Servt to Command
James Belbin
[AJCP PRO Reel 31, CO201/68/87]
|
6.Transport Office 24th February 1813 Sir,
I have in command to acquaint you, for the information of
Earl Bathurst, that Jas Belbin, for whom and his son accomodation
was required by your letter of the 21st ultimo, to be provided
on board of the "Kangaroo" for New South Wales,
- has reported to the Agent of this Department at Deptford,
that he is about to be married, and that he can only embark
by having permission to take his wife with him; in which case
there will not be room, as every birth is fully occupied by
persons already onboard.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
Alex McLeay
H Goulburn Esq.
|
7.Transport Office 2 March 1813 Sir,
In conformity with the desire of Lord Bathurst, signified
in your letter of the 27th ultimo, I have the Board's command
to acquaint you, for His Lordship's information, that a passage
is provided to New South Wales, in the "Earl Spencer,
for James Belbin, his wife and son, - and that they may embark
in a few days, at Deptford.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
your most obedient humble servant
Alex McLeay
H Goulburn Esq.
[AJCP PRO Reel 31, CO201/68/111]
|
8. Sydney, Nov 1 1817 Hond. Sir,
I trust you will pardon the liberty I have taken to addressing
you has (sic) the anxiety of Mind I labour under from being
so long detained from my Wife and family induces me to trouble
you. Hond. Sir I beg leave to state to you that in Compliance
with His Excy. Govr. Macquaries instructions to His Honor
Lt Govr Sorell and regular Subpoena signed by Your Honor to
attend at a Court Martial to be held at this place on Depty.
Asst. Commiss. Genl. P.G. Hogan Esq. under charges preferred
by his Excy Govr Macquarie I embarked on board His Majesty's
Colonial Brig Elizabeth and Henrietta by orders of His Honor
Lt Govr Sorell (by letters on Service) on the 14th Septr last
for this place, where I arrived on the 2nd day of last Month,
since waiting for the proceedings to take place and Hond Sir
I have to regret that I have no prospects at present of soon
returning to my Wife and family who must sustain serious injury
should I be obliged to remain much longer here at an expense
highly injurIous to myself and them having left a wife and
four children at Hobart Town whoes whole reliance rests with
myself for their Maintenance and Support. And the Confidential
Situation I held in the Concerns of E Lord Esq Merchant of
Hobart Town of the order of 200 £ pr annum having ceased
on the 10th of last Month, Requires more particularly my being
at Home with my family. Hond. Sir I have further to state
for your Consideration that from the time of my leaving Hobart
Town to the present Date both on the passage here and since
my arrival I have never received any Pay, Assistance or Remuneration
for the Expenses involved in Victualling myself on the Passage
and for my Board & Lodging and other expenses involved
since my arrival. Hond. Sir I have humbly to request your
advice in which manner I am to apply for Payment, Allowances
or Remuneration of such Expenses or any part of them so that
myself & family may not suffer so materially has (sic)
by my bearing the Whole while I remain here. ------- to their
great loss and Injury. Trusting Hond. Sir that your goodness
will induce you to comply with my request, I beg leave to
Subscribe myself with all Respect,
Your Honors
Most Humble & Obedient Servant
James Belbin
The Honble T Wylde Esq.
Judge Advocate of New South Wales
|
9. Sydney NSW, Dec 31, 1817 Sir,
I hope you will forgive the liberty I have taken in addressing
you has (sic) I am lately to return to Hobart Town. I have
to request you will have the goodness to grant me a copy of
the Letter of Instruction to His Honour Lt Gov Davey dated
in the Month of November 1813 respecting my claims has (sic)
a Norfolk Island settler. Sir I beg to state to you that I
arrived here in the Earl Spencer from England in the month
of October 1813 and Embarked from this place on the ship Windham
for Hobart Town where I had left my children till my return.
On my arrival here I delivered to His Excy Govr Macquarie,
Lord Bathursts letter respecting myself & family, and
I recd by His Excys instructions a letter from your hands,
Sir has above to his Honor Lt Govr Davey and has (sic) I have
not recd a part of the said claims of 2 Governments means
to be victualled and clothed by the Govt for 2 years (agreeable
to the Ministers instructions to the Second class) has (sic)
the enclosed Certificate from under this the hand of Lt Gov
Davey here will provide. Sir my motive for applying for a
copy of the letter arises from His Honor Lt Govr Sorells reply
to me on applying to him for the said claims at a Genl Muster
has took place prior to my leaving Hobart Town for this place
(to attend has an evidence on a Genl Court Martial) saying
that amongst the documents handed over to him by Lt Col Davey
respecting claims etc prior to his assuming the Government
Mine was not amongst them, and my not being able to see Lt
Col Davey before leaving Hobart Town the same could not be
rectified. And Sir I trust you will be kind enough to grant
my request so that I may be able to produce the same for His
Honor Lt Govr Sorell on my return so that my claims may not
be lost to my family. It is now upwards of 2 years since I
was given to understand that the said letter with one I had
at the same time from Lt. Col O'Connell of the 73rd Regt was
either lost or mislaid after I delivered both to Col Davey
on my landing there. Sir your kind Compliance with my request
(if not irregular) will greatly oblige. Sir
Your Humble & Obedient Servt
James Belbin
Mr John Campbell
|
10. N.S.Wales Hobart Town, Van Diemans Land, June 7th 1824 Daughter
Elizabeth,
I Recd your letter by the hands of Mrs Roe (she having the
misfortune to lose her husband who died on the voyage out).
She told me she saw you just before leaving England, and
that you was in health and had three children - your brother
James and sisters Sarah, Kitty, & Susan are all in good
health at present as well as my own family - having 4 girls
myself by my present wife - your brother & sisters think
you have behaved ungrateful to them in not writing before
to them if you did not think proper to write to me - In your
letter you seem to wish to come back here. I have written
to Col.O'Connell who ere this must be in some part of England
having left Ceylon - and you must make enquiry at the Agents
for the Army, Messrs Greenwood & Cox's Craig's Court Charing
Cross - where he his to be found and write to him directly
you find where he resides as I have written to him to interceed
to get you out in some of the Female Prison Ships - and the
Captain of the Ship or any persons coming out that will let
you have any little necessaries you may want to the amount
of Ten or Fifteen pounds I will (pay) them on your arrival
here. Any further I cannot afford on account of my young rising
family - Your brother James is lately married to Mr Nicholls
Daughter Caroline your sister Sarah as now living Kitty as
been twice married her first husband Brown was drowned leaving
her with four children, She as married again since which she
as buried her eldest boy 7 yrs old - Sarah as also lost one
girl 7 years by being burnt while stopping at my house in
town her cloaths catching fire while playing with our children
Susan his married and as 2 children having buried one - so
that you may see they have all had there share of trouble
as well as myself. I (am) certain if your husband exerts himself
to come out he may get to come - as I have two or three friends
officers now leaving this for England in the ship Guilford.
His Honour Lt Gov Sorell our late Governor under whom I have
served five years in the situations I now hold - and our late
Depty Judge Advocate Edward Abbott Esq late of the 102nd Reg
who has known me many years, he promised me he would use his
interest to get you out to this to your family therefore I
trust if you wish to come to apply to Col.O'Connell who with
the other two gentlemen Lt Gov Sorell and Edward Abbott Esq
- I have no doubt but you may succeed and any assistance in
my power to render you comfortable I will do for you and your
family - your brother and Sisters as send their love to you
- and hope to see you once more if it should be so ordained
if not we trust you will not fail to write by every opportunity.
Your friend Mrs Roe is at present a widow with two children
she brought with her - but I believe will not long remain
so as is talked of that she will be married to a young man
a Mr Brian that came in the ship with her - Direct for me
in Hobart Town Van Die Mans Land - Superintendent of Govt
Slaughter Houses & Inspector Stock here - write an answer
as soon as possible.
I remain your
affectionate father
James Belbin
[Ref CSO 1/305/7353, P262/63, AOTas]
|
11. Treasurer's Office October 24th 1825 The Lieut Governor
Arthur
Sir,
I am much concerned to be obliged from a source of publik
(sic) duty, to complain to your Honor of the extreme unprovoked
insolence and abusive language of Mr James Belbin the Inspector
of Govt. Slaughter Houses - Most fortunately for me the matter
occurred in the presence of the Acting Naval Officer, The
Sheriff, and Mr Whitcombe, Mr Hamulton's Clerke who can explain
the whole transaction and can state what my cond't was on
the occasion. At such a moment as the present I have great
reluctance in adding to your Honors cares, but conceive delay
would be an abandonment of my duty - and surely at such a
moment, the servants of government ought not to be rebels
to legitimate Authority. Feeling assured that your Honor will
afford every support and protection to your Officers in the
discharge of their duty -
I have the honor to remain
Sir
your Obedt Humble Servant
Jocelyn Thomas
Acting Col. Treasurer
Acknowledge this, and say I will attend to it as soon as
possible, but at present I have no further information before
me than this letter conveys. I would wish for particulars
from Mr Thomas himself, and then if Mr Belbin denies, the
statement may be confirmed by the Sheriff.
26 Oct
G.A.
|
12. Macquarie Street, 26 March, 1832 Sir,
I trust you will forgive me for troubling you with regard
to my Town Allotment in Macquarie Street which I at present
occupy with my premises thereon and beg leave to state for
your general information that it was originally part of an
allotment located to Mr W Baker now Cryer to the Supreme Court,
who sold to the same to a person of the name of James Hemmings
(now in the Colony) who after erecting the frame of a house
thereon, again sold the same to a person of the name of John
Beacho a native of Bengal (formerly a servant to a Mr Macnealance
decd) from whom I bought the land and the frame of a house
thereon, and paid him and hold his receipt and transfer for
the same as well as Mr W Baker's and Jas Hemmings' are in
my possession, therefore no person or persons as (sic) any
claim thereon, the house Building and other Improvements have
been done by myself - Since May 1818 when I purchased the
land, and has been in my possession ever since. Sir my motive
for purchasing the said allotment of Land I wish fully to
explain to you for your information, as I expected a grant
to have been issued to me years back, being entitled to the
same by Lord Windham`s instructions on that head, dated 31st
December 1806 with regard to the Evacuation of Norfolk Island,
(of which I was a settler for many years). Sir before my removal
from the said Island (myself with 5 motherless children) I
was in possession of a Town House and Allotment of ground
in the Township, independent of my Farms and other Buildings
thereon, as my own Bona fida property, all by purchase with
the exception of my Town Allotment from the Govt - and no
one had a claim thereon for one sixpence. The same I was obliged
to resign up thru Government and Lord Windham's indemnifications
of remunerations for my property ... for the same has been
adhered to, I know to my regret as well as my family -- On
my arrival here in the year 1808, circumstances occurred with
me and the then Lt. Gov of the settlement, that caused me
to leave this and proceed to England to wait on the Home Government,
with regard to myself and family (leaving 4 motherless daughters
behind until my return) and taking my youngest, a son with
me. I therefore Sir left all my Norfolk Island claims unsettled
until I could return, which I did to Sydney in the year 1813,
and to this in 1814, when instead of taking my Town Allotment
of 1/2 an acre which I should have received for my Town Allotment
I gave up there when I left the Island. I purchased my present
piece of land, in lieu of same, has being more convenient
to myself and family, than the allotment at the time, and
on which I have expended a good deal of money and labour thereon.
My own hands erected my house and the ground laying low and
in the hollow, I was at considerable labor and trouble to
make it as comfortable as it is, and should my my (sic) means
ever enable me (with my large family) I intend to build one
of brick and stone if it should not involve me in debt. I
hope you will be kind enough to inform if I can receive a
grant for the same for the benefit of my children, and should
you not sir be empowered to issue such to me, you will candid
enough to inform me as soon as convenient, as I may be enabled
to apply to Gentlemen my Friends at this time in England,
to apply to the Home Govt for same -- as was directed from
them by Lord Bathurst instructions by letter to the late Governor
Macquarie, which I delivered into his hands on my arrival
from England to Sydney in the Earl of Spencer transport in
1813 with my present wife (& son that I had taken from
this) as Government passengers free of expences, and the said
letter contained Instructions to the Govr in Chief to remunerate
me for my claims and losses sustained by removal from Norfolk
Island, as well as for persecution and ill usage myself and
family had sustained on this land before proceeding to England
-- Sir I hope you will forgive the length of this letter feeling
my family interested in my application and for upwards of
40 years that I have been in these Colonies and 34 years ago
serving the Govt. at the hand of the Police under Commandant
Capt J Townson and Col Foveaux (now Lt Gen in England) Lt
Govr at the time at Norfolk Island -- I have never solicited
for one favour in any shape during that period, therefore
cannot think that my property altho but little will be secured
to my children agreeable to Lord Windhams Instructions on
that head --I beg leave Sir
to subscribe myself
your Obt Humble Servant
James Belbin Senr
Geo Frankland Esq
Survr Genl etc etc
[Ref LSD 1/12, P407-408, AOTas.]
|
13. Extract from the Diary of G.T.W.B, Boyes 3 Jan 1840.
At my office.... Old Mr Belbin called and as usual full of
his important office, and the situations of trust he had filled
with Govr. King, Sir Maurice O'Connell, Govr. Bligh etc. He
was a Settler at Norfolk Island and came away with a heavy
heart at a time when a partial "Vakiation" took
place. The seas as high as St.David's Tower rolled in upon
the shore and threw up and down the beach stones as large
as this room, as though they had been so many cricket balls.
He had always given satisfaction to the officers, except those
two, Thomas and Hamilton, who were what he called "private
assassin-ators". They tried to persuade Col Arthur that
he (Belbin) had been abusing the trust reposed in him, which
arose out of the kindness and consideration he had shown to
the settlers. When the meat they had turned into the store
upon their contracts was rejected on account of its quality,
he used to have it salted and sent up to their farms for their
own consumption, and the "surplush" meat he did
the same with. Upon this coming to the knowledge of the two
"private assassinators" they went and told the Lt.Govr.
that the rejected meat was salted and received into the Commissariat
Magazine by Mr Moodie to be issued to the troops and convicts,
and of course charged to the public as meat of the best quality.
He was never intoxicated in his life. He takes sometimes two
tablespoonful of brandy of a morning to keep the cold out
of his stomach, and the same quantity with his tea at breakfast.
These he calls "infant draughts", and another dose
before he goes to bed, and sometimes a bottle of Ginger Beer
with his dinner, but he never drinks no other beer or wine,
or anything of that sort.
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