Lieutenant THOMAS HAYWARD, late 3rd Lieut.
of His Majesty's Ship" Pandora," and formerly Midshipman belonging to
His Majesty's Armed Vessel the" Bounty," called in and sworn.
Examined by the Court-
Q. Inform the Court of all
the Circumstances within your own Knowledge respecting His Majesty's
Armed Vessel the "Bounty" being run away with?
A. At 4 o’clock in the Morning of the 28th of April, 1789, Fletcher
Christian relieved the Watch as usual; at about 5 o’clock, after giving
Orders to prepare for Washing Decks, he ordered me to look out, as
being Master's Mate of his Watch, while he went down to lash his
Hammock up j a few Minutes elapsed, and I was abaft looking at a Shark
that was astern of the Ship, when to my unutterable Surprise I saw
Fletcher Christian, Charles Churchill, Thomas Burkitt, one of the
Prisoners, John Sumner, Matthew Quintal, William McKoy, Isaac Martin,
Henry Hilbrandt and Alexander Smith coming aft, Armed with Musquets and
Bayonets. On my going forward to prevent their Proceedings I asked
Fletcher Christian the Cause of such an Act j he told me to hold my
Tongue instantly, and left Isaac Martin as a Centinel on Deck, and
proceeded with the rest of his Party below to Lieutenant Bligh's Cabin,
some few of the number remaining in the After Hatchway with their Head
above the Deck. At the time that this happened the People on Deck were
Mr. John Hallett, myself, Robert Lamb, Butcher, Thomas Ellison (the
Prisoner) at the Helm j and John Mills at the Conn. When Christian had
got below I asked Mills if he knew any thing of the Matter j he pleaded
total Ignorance, and Thomas Ellison quitted the Helm and armed himself
with a Bayonet. The Ship's Decks now began to be thronged with Men, out
of which Edward Young, a Midshipman, John Millward, William Muspratt,
John Williams, Richard Skinner and William Brown were Armed with
Musquets and Bayonets---Peter Heywood, one of the Prisoners, George
Stewart and James Morrison, one of the Prisoners, unarmed on the Booms.
Fletcher Christian and his Gang before mentioned had not been down long
before I heard the Cry of Murder from Lieutenant Bligh, and on the
other Hand heard Churchill call for a Rope-it was now that I found that
John Mills was one of the Mutineers' Party, for, contrary to all Orders
and entreaties, he cut the Deep sea Line, and carried a piece of it to
their Assistance. Soon after, I saw Lieutenant Bligh brought up upon
the Quarter Deck with his hands bound behind him; he was surrounded by
most of those who came last on Deck. Now some of the Officers were
permitted to come on Deck, and Christian ordered us to hoist the Cutter
out; we remonstrated against it, she being too small and very leaky to
contain us, and he gave us the Launch, and as soon as the Launch was
out Christian ordered Mr. John Samuel, the Clerk, Mr. John Hallet,
Midshipman, and myself into her; we requested time sufficient to
collect a few Clothes before we disembarked, which being granted, I
repaired to the Main Hatchway, which was clear by the Launch's being
out, but was prevented from descending at first by Matthew Thompson,
who was Armed with a Cutlass and Centinel over the Arm Chest, which
stood in the after part of the Main Hatchway. Gaining his consent, I
descended with Mr. Hallet, and perceived Peter Heywood the Prisoner in
his Birth; I told him to go into the Boat, but in my hurry do not
remember to have received any Answer; after taking a few. Clothes in a
bag I went up and put them into the Launch and went to Christian and
asked him for my Instruments and Charts, but was positively refused and
hurried into the Boat by Christian, tho' not before I had seen
Lieutenant Bligh brought to the Gangway held by Christian and
surrounded by John Mills, who was at this time Armed, Thomas Burkitt,
the Prisoner, Matthew Quintal, John Sumner, John Millward, the
Prisoner, William McKoy, and Thomas Ellison, the Prisoner, who came up
rather in a hurry with a Bayonet in his hand swearing, "Damn him, I
will be Centry over him:" I then went over
the Gangway. When in the Launch I saw Michael Byrn in the Cutter and
heard him say he was sorry he could not have leave to come with us. The
Officers and Men being in the Boat, Lieutenant Bligh was then forced in
and we were veered astern, the Mutineers saying they would give us a
tow towards the Land. In this Situation astern of the Ship we prayed
much for Arms, Ammunition and more Provisions, which, for a Watch and
the Boatswain's Call, we received four Cutlasses and a small addition
of Pork. Numbers of the Mutineers had collected themselves at the
Taffrail, among whom I particularized Richard Skinner, Matthew Quintal,
John Millward, the Prisoner, Henry Hilbrandt, Thomas Ellison, the
Prisoner, Alexander Smith and William Brown, who publicly insulted
Lieutenant Bligh, and Richard Skinner would have shot into the Boat,
but was prevented by others of the Mutineers. After Waiting some time
John Millward, the Prisoner, jeered us saying, " Go and see if you can
live upon a Quarter of a lb. of Yams Pl'. Day." Just before casting
off, Joseph Coleman came and avowed his Ignorance and Innocence of the
Matter. After casting off, I heard Orders given for loosing Top Gallt.
Sails and saw Thomas Ellison going up the Shrouds for that purpose.
This is all I know of the Mutiny in His Majesty's Ship "Bounty."
Q: Were you sent by Captain
Edwards to apprehend some of the Prisoners at Mativy?
A: Yes.
Q: Relate to the Court all
you know of that Circumstance?
A: Before His Majesty's Ship" Pandora" anchored at Mativy Bay in the
Island of Otaheite I saw Joseph Coleman, the Prisoner, coming off to
the Ship, who was upset but was assisted by the Natives and brought on
board, and when on board he asked me how I did and after the Officers
and Men who had quitted the" Bounty" in 1789. Soon after we were at an
Anchor George Stewart and Peter Heywood, Prisoner, came on board, but I
did not see them until they were in Captain Edwards' Cabin. They made
themselves known to Captain Edwards, saying that they belonged to His
Majesty's late Ship" Bounty" and were happy that he was arrived. I
asked them how they came to go away with His Majesty's Ship" Bounty"
and received an answer lJ5 from George Stewart, that when called upon
hereafter he would answer all Particulars; from further Questions I was
prevented by Captain Edwards, and they were sent out of the Cabin to be
confined. In the Afternoon, about 4 o’clock of the same Day, Richard
Skinner came on board, but I was not present at any Conversation, which
passed between the Officers and him. Hearing from the Natives that part
of the Mutineers which had staid on Shore from His Majesty's Ship"
Bounty" had built a small Vessel and the Day before had sailed from
Mativy Bay to the North West part of the Island, Captain Edwards in the
Evening of the Day that the Ship arrived sent Lieutenant Corner and
myself in two boats manned and Armed to take them; on the next Morning
about 7 o’clock we perceived a Schooner far to Windward on the Shore
(she appeared to us at first to be on Shore) and we being under the
reef rowed up but were soon perceived, or from Intelligence from the
Natives, by the Mutineers; they made all possible Dispatch and got
under Way and stood out to Sea. The Schooner might be about 16 Tons.
Our Boats being inside the Reef and not any opening near, we were
obliged to row ahead against a strong Sea Breeze, which give the
Schooner an opportunity of getting far out to Sea; in about half an
hour we gained an opening and made Sail after them, myself in the
Pinnace, Lieut. Corner in the Launch; we
chased them out to Sea till Sun Set, when I was the Headmost Boat, and
perceived the Schooner to gain much of us. It coming on Dark and being
about seven Leagues from the Land, and having no hopes of coming up
with her, I made the Signal and gave over Chace, and we returned to the
Land and the next Morning to the Ship. On my Arrival at the Ship I
found that Michael Byrn was come on board and that a European by the
Name of Brown, who had been left by a Ship9 that had visited Otaheite
since the departure of Lieutenant Bligh in the" Bounty," was also on
board, having Intelligence of the Schooner's returning to Land at a
Place called Papara. Lieutenant Corner was dispatched with a Party to
take them. A few hours afterwards I was dispatched with a Party, and on
my arrival at Attahourah, which is half way from the Ship to where the
Schooner was supposed to be, I found the Launch lying there with James
Morrison, Thomas Ellison and Charles Norman, Prisoners, on board, whom
I dispatched under Charge of Mr. Seville to the Ship, left the Boat
that I came in and marched by Land to the Assistance of Mr. Corner. On
my Arrival at Papara I found that the rest of the mutineers-Thomas
Burkitt, John Sumner, John Millward, Henry Hillbrandt, William Muspratt
and Thomas McIntosh-had fled to the Mountains, and had left their
Schooner there. We lay there over Night and in hopes by the Assistance
of the Natives to procure the abovementioned Men, but finding it
ineffectual returned to the Ship with the Schooner. Either the Day or
two Days after our return Mr. Corner landed at Point Venus with an
Armed Party [and] Marched to Happianah, in order to proceed thro' the
Valley which stretches to the Opposite side of the Island into the
District of Papara. The next day after Mr. Corner's departure I was
dispatched to Papara with an Armed Party in Order to receive and take
Prisoners the Mutineers, who were supposed to be in the Valley. As soon
as I arrived in Papara I had Intelligence that they were not far off,
and with a Guide I marched in search of them but without success. In
the Morning following at about 11 o’clock I had intelligence of the
Mutineers coming down. I therefore drew out my Party in Order to
receive them, and when they were within hearing called to them to lay
down their Arms and to go on one side, which they did, and I confined
them and brought them to the Ship. Before I left Papara I wrote to
Lieutenant Corner, who was coming thro' the Valley, of my having taken
them Prisoners.
Q: What was the Number of
Armed men you perceived on board the" Bounty" on the Morning of the
Mutiny?
A: Eighteen.
Q: Were there eighteen upon
Deck armed?
A: Yes, at last.
Q: Do you know of any
Conversation that passed between Christian and any of the Officers of
the "Bounty" for having the Launch in the Room of the Cutter?
A: None, there was a general Clamour respecting the Size of the Boat,
she being too small, but I know of no particular Person peaking to
Christian.
Q: What Number of Men were
in the Boat when you were ordered in her?
A: I saw none. I was the first that was ordered in her.
Q: How long did the Boat
remain alongside after you were in her?
A: About a 1/4 of an Hour or it might be less.
Q: Were all the People that
were in the Boat ordered or did they go Voluntarily?
A: I know no one ordered in except Mr. John Hallet, Mr. John Samuel,
and myself.
Q: What Number of Men were
on Deck assisting hoisting out the Boats?
A: I cannot say.
Q: Can you particularize any
that were below at that time?
A: None except those who guarded the Officers' Cabins in the after part
of the Ship.
Q: Relate to the Court all
you remember of Coleman's Behavior on the Day of the 28th?
A: I saw nothing of Coleman till he came to the Tafrail and declared
his Innocence.
Q: Relate everything you
remember of Mr. Heywood's Conduct on that Day?
A: I remember Mr. Heywood on the Booms where he was not doing anything
that I remember and afterwards in his Birth below, where I spoke to him
as before mentioned.
Q: Did he make any Answer to
you?
A: Not as I remember.
Q: Did you at any time of
that Day see Mr. Heywood with Arms in his hands?
A: No.
Q: Did you see him assist in
hoisting the Boats out?
A: No.
Q: Relate what you know of
Michael Byrn's Conduct?
A: I saw nothing of Michael Byrn until I was in the Launch when I saw
him keeping one of the cutters and heard him say he was sorry he could
not go with us.
Q: Relate what you know of
James Morrison?
A: I remember seeing Morrison assisting in clearing the Yams out of the
Boats, but am doubtful whether he was first under arms or not.
Q: Did you hear any
Conversation pass between him and any Officers in the Ship at first?
A: I do not remember any.
Q: Did he at all appear to
you by his Conduct to be assisting the Mutineers or was it merely
obeying the orders that were given to get the Boats out?
A: If I was to give it as my opinion I should say that he was assisting
the Mutineers, he perhaps might wish to get the Boats out to get quit
of us as fast as possible.
Q: Did you at any time see
Morrison go aft upon the Quarter Deck?
A: I am doubtful whether I did or not.
Q: Relate what you know of
Norman?
A: Norman was forward on Deck, but I neither saw him under Arms nor in
the least assisting the Mutineers, but got a Tool Chest towards the
Gangway for the Purpose of putting it into the Boat.
Q: Relate all you know of
Ellison?
A: Ellison was at the Helm, and soon after the People had gone below to
Lieutenant Bligh's Cabin quitted it and armed himself with a Bayonet,
and just before my going into the Boat, saw him as a Centinel with a
Bayonet in his hand, over Lieutenant Bligh, saying damn him I will be
Centinel over him.
Q: Relate all you saw of
McIntosh?
A: I did not see McIntosh under Arms, neither did I suppose him to be
one of the Mutineers; he was one that assisted in getting the Boat
out.
Q: Relate what you know of
Muspratt respecting the Mutiny?
A: I remember seeing Muspratt on the Larboardside of the Waste with a
Musquet in his hand and supposed him to be one of the Mutineers.
Q: Relate what you remember
of Thomas Burkitt?
A: I saw Thomas Burkitt come aft, following Christian and Churchill,
and saw him descend the After Ladder with them, Armed, with a Musquet
and Bayonet.
Q: Relate what you remember
of Millward?
A: I do not remember Millward's being upon Deck at first, but after
Lieutenant Bligh being brought on Deck I saw him Armed as one of the
Centinels, and after the Boat was astern, I saw him at the Tafrail
where he jeered [at] us and said, "Go and live upon a Quarter of a
Pound of Yams per Day," or something to that Purport.
Q: Was you present when
Norman, Morrison and Ellison were taken and put into the Launch?
A: No, they had been left there by Lieutenant Corner under the Charge
of Mr. Seville.
Q: When you fell in with the
four Prisoners McIntosh, Muspratt, Burkitt and Millward did they make
any Resistance to you?
A: None.
Q: Did they surrender
immediately upon your demanding them to lay down their Arms?
A: Yes.
Q: When you went down the
main Hatchway who was there besides Thompson?
A: Peter Heywood, Mr. John Hallet, who went down with me, and Mr.
Elphinstone.
Q: Were no body else to your
knowledge between Decks?
A: Not to my Knowledge.
Q: Was Thompson the only
Centinel there?
A: In the Main Hatchway, Yes, but there were Armed Men round the
Hatchway on the Booms.
Q: Of the Prisoners, whom
you did not see under Arms, did you observe any Efforts either by their
Actions Words or Deeds made to recover the Ship?
A: None.
Q: On the Day of the Mutiny
on board the" Bounty" did the Prisoner Norman express to you any Desire
of going into the Boat with you?
A: No.
Q: Or any disapprobation of
the Conduct of the Mutineers?
A: No.
Q: How long after the Mutiny
began was it that you saw Muspratt Armed?
A: It might be about ten Minutes.
Q: At the time you have
related the Mutineers to go down into the Cabin was Thomas Burkitt one
of those People that you Bay remained in the Hatchway?
A: No.
Q: Have you any Reason to
know that the Prisoner Peter Heywood would have been prevented from
going into the Boat at the time you did, after you desired him to do so?
A: No.
Q: How long was it before
you went into the Boat after you spoke to him?
A: Two or three Minutes.
Q: You have said that if you
had given it as your Opinion you looked upon the Prisoner James
Morrison to be assisting the Mutineers and to get rid of us out of the
Ship; you have also said in another part of your Evidence that the
Prisoner McIntosh was also assisting to hoist the Boat out, and that
you did not look upon him in that light; what is the Reason of your
thinking Differently of them?
A: The Difference was in the Countenances of the People, tho' Opinion
may be ill grounded; the Countenance of the one was rejoiced and the
other depressed.
Q: You have said the
Prisoner Norman was employed in putting a Tool Chest into the Boat; do
you know why he did not accompany you in her?
A: No.
Q. When Peter Heywood was in
his Birth and you admonished him to go into the Boat, was he prevented
by any force or restraint from going on Deck?
A: No.
Q: What was Mr. Heywood
employed about in his Birth when you went below?
A: Nothing but sitting with his Arms folded on his own Chest, in the
fore Part of the Birth.
Q: Did you' from his
Behavior consider him as a Person attached to his Duty or to the Party
of the Mutineers?
A: I should rather suppose after my having told him to go into the
Boat, and he not joining us, to be on the side of the Mutineers, but
that must be only understood as an Opinion as he was not in the least
Employed during the active part of it.
Q: Did you observe any Marks
of Joy or Sorrow on his Countenance or Behavior?
A: Sorrow.
Q: You have said just now
that you supposed McIntosh not to be attached to the Mutineers because
he had a depressed Countenance; might not the Sorrow that you perceived
in the Countenance of Peter Heywood arise from the same Cause?
A: It might so.
Cross-examined by JAMES MORRISON-
Q. You say that you observed
Joy in my Countenance and that you are rather inclined to give it as
your Opinion that I was one of the Mutineers; can you declare before
God and this Court that such Evidence is not the result of a private
Pique?
A: No, it is not the result of any private Pique, it is an Opinion that
I formed after quitting the Ship, from the Prisoner's not coming with
us when he had as good an Opportunity as the rest, there being more
Boats than one.
Q: Are you certain that we
might have had the large Cutter to have accompanied you?
A: Not being present at any Conference between you, I cannot say, but
perhaps you might.
Q: Can you deny that you
were present when Captain Bligh begged that the Long Boat might not be
overloaded and that he did say he would do Justice to those who
remained?
A: I was present at the Time Lieutenant Bligh made such a Declaration,
but understood it as respecting Clothes and other heavy Articles with
which the Boat was already too full.
Q: Do you recollect that in
Consequence of such Declaration I told you, " I will take my Chance in
the Ship"?
A: No, I do not remember such a Circumstance.
Q: Do you remember when you
handed your Bag up the Main Hatchway and with it your Fuzee, that I was
the Person who received them from you, and that Matthew Quintal came
and seized upon the Fuzee, and swore damn his Eyes if you should have
it?
A: I don't remember the Person that took the Bag and Fuzee from me and
it might have been you, but remember the Circumstances of Matthew
Quintal's swearing that I should not have it-but from whose hands he
took it I cannot remember.
Q: Do you remember any time
on that Day calling upon me to Assist you in any Point of Duty or to
give any Assistance to retake His Majesty's Ship?
A: I have a feint Remembrance of a Circumstance of that Nature.
By the Court-
Q: Relate the Circumstance?
A: It is so very feint that I can hardly remember it or the Person who
it was-but on seeing Charles Churchill upon the Booms I thought that
had I had a Friendly Island Club, of which there were many on board, I
could, had I not been observed, have gone forward, which was behind
Churchill, and knocked him down; that was the Time after handing the
Bag up, and the Prisoner might have been the Person whom I called to my
Assistance.
By JAMES MORRISON-
Q: What answer did I give to
you?
A: I do not remember.
Q: Did I say, " Go it, I'll
back you, there is Tools enough"?
A: I do not remember.
Q: Did you ever observe any
thing in my Conduct thro' the Voyage and particularly on that Day that
should give Cause of Complaint?
A: During the Voyage not-and on that day I thought he was pleased as
far as I can judge of Countenances. The Prisoner Assisted in preparing
the Boat for our departure, but as I have Said before I do not know his
real intention.
Q: Are you positive that
there was a Continual Smile or Appearance of Joy in my Countenance, all
the time that you observed me, or at that time only when you called
upon me for Assistance?
A: I cannot say.
Cross-examined by WILLIAM MUSPRATT-
Q: In answer to a Question
just asked by Morrison, you allow Captain Bligh used these Words-"
Don't let the Boat be overloaded, my Lads, I'll do you Justice," which
you say alluded to the Clothes and other heavy Articles. Do you mean to
understand the latter Words of " My Lads I'll do you Justice" to apply
to Clothes or to Men whom he apprehended might go into the Boat?
A: If Captain Bligh made use of the Words " My Lads," it was to the
People already in the Boat and not to those in the Ship.
By the COURT-
Q: To whom do you imagine
Captain Bligh alluded when he said that he would do them Justice, was
it your Opinion to the Men in the Boat with him or to any Persons then
remaining in the Ship?
A: To Persons remaining in the Ship.
Q: Are you of Opinion that
he meant he would do them Justice on Account of their remaining in the
Ship or that he would cause Satisfaction to be given to them for any
property they might lose?
A: I rather imagine that it was to those few whom Captain Bligh knew to
be of his Party that were detained contrary to their Inclinations and
that he would do them such Justice which would throw aside all doubt of
their being True to the Service of their Country.
Q: Do you know of any
Persons that were detained in the Ship contrary to their Wi1l?
A: But of two to my own Knowledge-Joseph Coleman and Michael Byrn,
which from the latter's declaration I supposed to be the Case.
Q: What authority have you
for saying that Coleman was detained contrary to his Wi1l?
A: From hearing from among the Mutineers their Intention to detain him,
as well as the Acting Surgeon, whom they afterwards let go, saying that
they would have Little Occasion for Doctors.