It is true I have, by the absence of Captain Bligh, Simpson, and Tinkler, been deprived of the opportunity of laying before the Court much that would at least have been grateful to my feelings, though I hope not necessary to my defence; as the former must have exculpated me from the least disrespect, and the two last would have proved past all contradiction that I was unjustly accused.

I might regret that in their absence I have been arraigned, but, thank heaven, I have been enabled, by the very witnesses who were called to criminate me, to oppose facts to opinions, and give explanation to circumstances of suspicion.
'It has been proved that I was asleep at the time of the mutiny, and waked only to confusion and dismay.

It has been proved, it is true, that I continued on board the ship, but it has been also proved I was detained by force; and to this I must add, I left the society of those with whom I was for a time obliged to associate, as soon as possible, and with unbounded satisfaction resigned myself to the Captain of the _Pandora_, to whom I gave myself up, to whom I also delivered my journal[25] (faithfully brought up to the preceding day), and to whom I also gave every information in my power.

I could do no more; for at the first time we were at Otaheite it was impossible for me, watched and suspected as I was, to separate from the ship.

My information to Captain Edwards was open, sincere, and unqualified, and I had many opportunities given me at different times of repeating it.