Jun 4, 1788 Home Banks Letters Jun 28, 1788
Revised May 17 2021
Bounty in False Bay
Cape Good Hope 20th. June 1788.
Dear Sir
This is the third letter I have wrote to you since here, the two former ones, one by a Dutch Ship & the other by a French Packet to Havre de Grace Capt. Sebire, were fully on the cause of my being at this place, but as the conveyance in foreign Ships is very uncertain, I shall just mention, that I bore away for this place, having met with very tempestuous weather off Cape Horn with constant contrary Winds, after attempting to make my passage that way, for thirty Days. I left it on the 22 April & arrived here the 24th May. I fully thought of sailing the 20th Inst. but the ship requiring much caulking & refitting I find it impracticable, owing to very unfavorable weather before the 26th. Every assistancve has been given to Nelson & his assistant. They have been with Mr. Mason and most of the speciments & some seeds that he has collected will be left with him. Yesterday sailed from hence the Dublin East Indiaman with the 77 Reg't. Col'l. Balfour, for Bengal. They were here about a week to complete their water. I send this letter by a French Merch't Ship called Le Louis Marie for St. Malo, the Capt. Name Miechel. The Dutch I find here to be in two parties one as much against the Prince as he other is for him. Governor Vander Graaf vastly in favor of the Prince & has paid us a great compliment by his attention to our equipment in the little matters I wanted. The strength of the Cape Town is now considerably encreased by lines of heavy Cannon at the Bay Entrance opposite Pengwin Island, with several Batterys at the head of the Bay, which with some extensive improvements & strength added to the old Fort make it now a respectable place with respect to Force. They have also nearly five thousand Regular Troops.
We one are [and] all perfectly well and in good Spirits and have no doubt of a speedy voyage to Otaheite & of our success there. I shall leave letters with Mr. Brand when I sail to be sent by the first opportunity.
I am Dear Sir with much respect Your most obedient and Hmble Servant Wm Bligh
Jun 4, 1788 Home Banks Letters Jun 28, 1788