Revised Jun 6 2021

No. 4. J. M. Heywood Esq'r. to Miss N. Heywood

London Apr'l. 14th. 1790

Dear Madam.

I shou'd have given an earlier Answer to the Favor of your letter if I had not waited to see Lieut. Bligh. I yesterday had the good Fortune to meet with him, when I obtained all the Intelligence I could relative to your unfortunate Brother. — when I enquired what his Bahaviour & Conduct had been previous to the arrival of the ship at Otaheite, he told me he had had no reason to find any Fault with him; but expressed his Astonishment at his having been of the Number of those who deserted him after having shewn him always great Kindness & Attention. I believe Mr. Bligh, & the whole of the ship's Crew, who came away with him, are unanimous in ascribing the Cause of this horrid Transaction to the Attachments unfortunately form'd to the Woman of Otaheite. He has no Idea of any other, & believed that the plan of the Mutiny had not been concerted many days before it was carried into Execution. He particularly told me that your Brother was not one of those who entered his Cabin, which Circumstance gave me great satisfaction. He says that a Court Martial must of course be held, as it is constantly done upon any Commander who by any Accident whatever loses his ship; but it cannot possibly take place till the arrival of his unhappy Comrades whom he left behind him at Batavia: it will therefore probably be some Weeks or longer before that can happen. I have only to add that I sincerely sympathize in the sufferings of poor Mrs. Heywood & your whole Family: it is happy for her that she is* ignorant of the true Cause of your Brothers not returning, & I hope she

* Mr. Bligh's Letter to Mrs. Heywood was concealed from her.

will ever remain so. As the unfortunate & uncommon situation into which his strange Conduct has thrown him may prevent, for a length of Time at least, his return to England, the only Consolation I can hold out to you is, that when he does return, his general good Conduct & Character previous to this unhappy Business, may, with some Allowance for the unbridled passion of youth plead for his pardon. — you must have the philosophy for the present to consider him as lost for ever: but I trust that providence will restore him to you, & enable him to make Attonement by his future good Behaviour to his Country, & to those shipmates, who have suffered such extreme Hardships & so narrowly escaped Death. With my best Wishes to all your Family. I remain my dear Madam

your most faithful hbl serv't.

 J: M: Heywood