Letter to Sister (1791) Home Peter Heywood Hallett Letter to Heywood's Sister (1792)
Revised May 28 2021
The following letter was written by Bligh to Peter Heywood's uncle, Colonel Holwell, in response to a letter of enquiry from him:
SIR,—I have just this instant received your letter. With much concern I inform you that your nephew, Peter Heywood, is among the mutineers. His ingratitude to me is of the blackest dye, for I was a father to him in every respect, and he never once had an angry word from me through the whole course of the voyage, as his conduct always gave me much pleasure and satisfaction. I very much regret that so much baseness formed the character of a young man I had a real regard for, and it will give me much pleasure to hear that his friends can bear the loss of him without much concern.—I am, Sir, etc.
The following letter was written by Bligh to Peter Heywood's mother, but was intercepted by the family:
MADAM,—I received your letter this day, and feel for you very much, being perfectly sensible of the extreme distress you must suffer from the conduct of your son Peter. His baseness is beyond all description, but I hope you will endeavour to prevent the loss of him, heavy as the misfortune is, from afflicting you too severely. I imagine he is, with the rest of the mutineers, returned to Otaheite.— I am, Madam,
Letter to Sister (1791) Home Peter Heywood Hallett Letter to Heywood's Sister (1792)