Statement by John Millward (9/17/1792)
JOHN MILLWARD, being
called on for his Defense, delivered to the Court a Paper Writing
containing his Defense, which was read by the Judge Advocate and is
hereto annexed. About Six a Clock on the
Morning of the 28th day of April, 1789, Mr. Cole and Mr. Purcell came
to my Hammock and Waked me (as also J as. Morrison, Thos. McIntosh and
Geo. Simpson, who all slept in the Same tier on the Larboard Side of
the Fore Mast) telling us that Mr. Christian had taken the Ship and
that Captain Bligh was then Prisoner on the Quarter Deck with his hands
tied behind him, saying at the same time they hoped that none of us
were Concerned in the Mutiny. I told them I had never heard of it
before, and that they might depend on me not having any Intention to
join the Mutineers. They then left me and I went up the Fore Scuttle on
the Fore Castle where I was met by Chas. Churchill,
who told me I might take my Choice to go in the Boat or Stay in the
Ship, to which I answered, "No, Charles, you brought me into one
Predicament already I and I'll take Care you don't bring me into
another." He then left me saying" As you like it," and I went abaft the
Windlass, where I met Mr. Cole, who asked me what I was doing. I told him, " Nothing." He then desired me to
lend a hand to clear the Cutter, and I went immediately. The small
Cutter was out, but very leaky, and as soon as the large Cutter was out
the Small one was hoisted in, and the Launch ordered to be cleared.
While I was about this, Mr. Fryer Came to Morrison and Me and asked if
we were concerned in the Mutiny. I told him no. He then desired us to
do our endeavor to form I party to retake the Ship and we answered that
we would. I then shook hands with Morrison and we Swore to Stand by
each other. I then went Aft on the Starboard side of the Quarter Deck
and spoke to Burkett. Seeing him Without
Arms I asked him if He had any hand in the Mutiny; he told me No. I
then told him what Mr. Fryer had said and he promised to assist us,
saying he would watch for an Opportunity. We could say No more on
Account of the Sentinels Coming towards us and I left him. I then went
forward on the Booms and saw Willm. Muspratt by the Fore hatchway. I made known Mr. Fryer's Intentions to him and
went down to Mr. Cole who, together with Lawc. La Bogue, were packing
up some things in the Fore Cockpit. I told him what Mr. Fryer had said,
to which he said he was afraid it was too late. I then Came upon deck
and went to assist in getting the boat out. While I was hauling the
Main trusses taught, Alexr. Smith Came to me with a Cutlass in his
hand, saying, "Take hold of this, Millward." I asked him, what I was to
do with it, to which he replied, "Never you mind, lay hold of it." I
took it and he left me; as soon as he was gone I went aft and stuck it
in the lashing of the Dripstone and went to hook the tackle on the Boat
and she was hoisted out; when she was out I Came aft to the Cabin
hatchway to hand the things up that were to go into her.
While I was here Mathw Quintrell came running up and
desired me to take hold of the Musket and pistols, which he had then in
his hands. I refused to take them, telling him I had other business in
hand, When Mr. Christian, Stepping towards me with a Bayonet in his
right hand (his left on Captain Bligh's Shoulder), told me to take them
and go down and stand in the Cabin Passage. I was afraid to deny and
accordingly Obeyed his orders. When I went below I found in. Sumner,
the Sentry, at Mr. Fryer's Cabin door; when I found an Opportunity of
Speaking to Mr. Fryer I asked him if the Pistols I had were what came
out of his CatLin and if they were loaded with ball. He told me they
were the same and that they only Contained loose powder. "Then, Sir,"
said I, " I won't trust to them." I was there about a quarter of an
hour when Churchill carne to the Companion and Ordered the Officers up,
telling them the boat was ready for them, upon which I came up
Immediately, expecting this was the time, if ever, to make a push, when
all the Officers were upon Deck, and was ready to assist if any Offer
was made. When Mr. Fryer Came up He went to Mr. Christian and begged
leave to stay in the Ship, but Mr. Christian answered, "No, Sir, We can
do very well without you, go in the boat." Mr. Hallet and. Mr. Hayward then Came and begged leave to stay,
but were denied and Ordered into the Boat, which they with much
reluctance Obeyed; when they were in the Boat they begged that no more
people should Come into her, for that she was then overloaded. Captain
Bligh then said, "For God's sake, my lads, don't overload the Boat; 1
will do you Justice if ever I reach England." He then begged of Mr.
Christian to desist and said, "Consider my Wife and family"; to Which
He replied, "It is too late now, Captain Bligh, You should have thought
of them before this time." Then Churchill said, "Come, come, Captain
Bligh, your Officers are in the Boat and waiting for you and you must
go." Captain Bligh then went into the Boat and she was worn astern. Mr.
Christian then Called to me and giving me a Musket desired me to go Aft
and keep the people from discoursing with the Captain, upon which I
went Aft and gave them all the Assistance that I could and handed every
thing that Mr. Christian would permit and when the Boat was Ordered to
be Cast off I pulled my Jacket off and threw it in to George Simpson,
who was my Messmate, and with it my prayers for their protection, being
all that I was then Able to do or say as Christian's party were all
around me watching every thing that was done. JNO. MILLWARD. Mr. WILLIAM COLE called. Examined by JOHN MILLWARD The Court adjourned till
to-Morrow Morning at nine o’clock.
THE BOUNTY MUTINEERS TRIAL HOMEPAGE |