Thomas Clarkson  - TROUBLE AGAIN

    Thomas Clarkson was certainly a man to make the most of opportunities, even if it involved taking risks. One of these risks was to catch up with him barely two months after his arrival.
    On 28 October 1806 he stood before the courts again, this time in NSW. He was being charged with theft, accused by Captain Brookes of embezzling half a roll of tobacco from the store of the "Alexander'. It was alleged he was abetted in this by Thomas Newsham.
    The Sydney Gazette of 19 November carried an account of the proceedings and it's ultimate result, but incorrectly attributed the crime to William Clarkson.(30) A check of the "Alexander`s" indent and a copy of the trial transcript confirms the fact that it was Thomas Clarkson.
    Thomas denied he'd stolen the tobacco and claimed he owned a full roll (his wife, Catherine, he claimed, having purchased it in Rio). He sold one half to the Purser (who was absent at the time of the trial) and the other half to a Mr Skinner in Pitt's Row just after he arrived. Various witnesses testified to having seen, or not seen, the tobacco in the possession of both men and these testimonials formed the basis of the entire case. In spite or a spirited battle by Newsham to clear himself, a verdict was handed down against both men---
    Guilty... 2 years hard labour at Castle Hill. Newsham petitioned the board to consider a second hearing so he could produce additional witnesses and this was agreed to. Subsequently the case was dismissed and the former conviction stood.(31)
    Once again the Clarkson family was to experience another interruption to their family life. This time it would be for two years.
    Captain Bligh's exploits have been well documented. He had come to the colony highly recommended and was considered the ideal man to tackle the problems besetting the infant colony. In spite of every effort his capabilities were tested to the limit. The wealthy settlers or "exclusives" were fearful that they were losing privileges, and this in turn, was dividing the community. Some supported the rights clung to by the exclusives, and some supported the battling emancipists. Before too long the old game of "Get the Governor" was underway once more. This culminated in Bligh's arrest of Macarthur, who in turn prevailed upon Johnson to place Bligh under house arrest. This was the incident known as the RUM REBELLION.
    Belatedly, William Paterson arrived from Van Diemen's Land to assume control of the colony, but it was more than a year later before Bligh could be persuaded to leave.
    It is difficult to ascertain just which side of this domestic dispute Thomas Clarkson favoured with his support. From available sources, it appears that a lot of the inhabitants were guilty of supporting both sides, either out of fear or intimidation. Signatures of the same party appear on conflicting petitions and accusations of coercion were numerous. Overall, the years 1806 - 1808 had not proved a happy period for either William Bligh or Thomas Clarkson; both had ended up imprisoned.


    Page last updated -  7 July  2006