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