11. The seeds of the Rum Rebellion were planted in 1807
In 1807, Lord Castlereagh, then Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, instructed Governor Bligh to end the illegal importation of rum. Bligh was told to take control of the trade and establish regulations for the sale of rum, as well as enforce penalties for illegal trade. He received his instructions on the last day of 1807. Throughout the year, while waiting for authorization to move against the liquor trade, Bligh had dismissed colonial officials he deemed corrupt. Among them was a magistrate who was a close friend (and business partner) of Macarthur’s. Bligh also demanded Major George Johnston, who commanded the New South Wales Corps, crack down on the corrupt activities of his officers.
Johnston responded by writing a letter to London complaining of Bligh’s interference in the affairs of the Corps. When a convict escaped by stowing away on one of the Macarthur’s ships, Bligh ordered the bond paid against such possibilities to be forfeited. He ordered the Judge-Advocate to try the issue, with Macarthur present. Macarthur did not present himself. He was arrested, released on bail, and again failed to appear at trial. The court included six officers of the Corps who removed themselves, thus negating the court and the trial. When Bligh called for the Corps’ commander to explain the actions of his officers, Johnston replied that he was too ill to comply.