Fourth Governor of New South Wales.

Born in England in 1754.

Served on one of Captain Cook’s voyages.

Special instructions were to curb the traffic in spirits, which was still heavy within the colony. This was to cause him a lot of trouble and would see him overthrown. Was given the same powers and responsibilities as the governors before him.

Bligh found New South Wales to be in a great state of distress. Floods had caused loss of cattle and crop failure. There were less ships arriving with supplies and convict labour and the military and local traders had monopolised the available stores during the last years of King’s reign. Bligh quickly organized flood relief and promised settlers that government stores would buy their crop after the next harvest. He gave meat and grain from the government stores to the needy. In the meantime he granted the small settlers credit at the government stores against their next season’s crops.

Bligh’s above action infuriated John Macarthur. Small landholders, however, appreciated this as Macarthur was not a well-liked man in these circles.

Bligh had a dictatorial approach in his role of governor. Bligh issued new port regulations to tighten up the government’s control of ships, their cargoes, including spirits and their crews- including possible escaping convicts who may have signed up to crew departing ships. He forbade under strict penalties, the <insert definition>bartering of spirits for grain, labour, food or any other goods. This added more to the hostilities between he and the Rum Corps and Macarthur. He attempted to stop the use of rum as currency and the granting of extra land to already large landowners and undo the monopoly on trade held by the NSW Army Corps. Bligh, like the other governors, was given authority to make the laws. As the NSW Corps, now better known as the Rum Corps, had gained considerable strength since their arrival, there was constant tension between them and Bligh. The Rum Corps and John Macarthur did not want to give up their positions of power in the colony and felt that they had kept the colony surviving throughout previous years.

His attitude was that "the Governor must be determined and firm in his measures and not subject to any control here."

Was concerned about increased conflict between the indigenous people and settlers and sent soldiers to remote settlements "for their protection against those uncivilized insurgents." He also allowed well-known Aboriginal peoples to return to major European settlements without fear of trouble.

He had the power to suspend the judge advocate but was reluctant to interfere with the independence of the principal judicial officer.

The military felt Bligh threatened their strong position in the colony. In 1808 the leaders of the NSW Corps arrested Bligh and took control of the colony. Bligh remained in the colony refusing to give up his power until the arrival of Macquarie. The rebels were found guilty of mutiny but their sentences were light.

After his administration, all public despatches and documents were to be delivered by a Governor retiring from an administration to his successor so the running of the colony would continue smoothly.

Soon after arriving back in England, Bligh was promoted to Rear Admiral and then to Admiral.

He died in 1817.