done by a government expedition, a request was preferred to the crown
accordingly. The ministry at the time being favorable to the proposed
undertaking, a vessel, named the _Bounty_, was selected to execute the
desired object. To the command of this ship Captain W. Bligh was
appointed, Aug. 16, 1787. The burden of the _Bounty_ was nearly two
hundred and fifteen tons. The establishment of men and officers for the
ship was as follows:--1 lieutenant to command, 1 master, 1 boatswain, 1
gunner, 1 carpenter, 1 surgeon, 2 master's mates, 2 midshipmen, 2
quarter-masters, 1 quarter-master's mate, 1 boatswain's mate, 1 gunner's
mate, 1 carpenter's mate, 1 carpenter's crew, 1 sailmaker, 1 armourer, 1
corporal, 1 clerk and steward, 23 able seamen--total, 44. The addition
of two men appointed to take care of the plants, made the whole ship's
crew amount to 46. The ship was stored and victualled for eighteen
months.

Thus prepared, the _Bounty_ set sail on the 23d of December, and what
ensued will be best told in the language of Captain Bligh.

_Monday, 27th April 1789._--The wind being northerly in the evening, we
steered to the westward, to pass to the south of Tofoa. I gave
directions for this course to be continued during the night. The master
had the first watch, the gunner the middle watch, and Mr. Christian the
morning watch.

_Tuesday, 25th._--Just before sunrising, while I was yet asleep, Mr.
Christian, with the master-at-arms, gunner's mate, and Thomas Burkitt,
seaman, came into my cabin, and seizing me, tied my hands with a cord
behind my back, threatening me with instant death if I spoke or made the
least noise. I, however, called as loud as I could, in hopes of
assistance; but they had already secured the officers who were not of