FL4651407

We had much conversation about
the Bligh episode. However, I
would in no manner impute the
statement to him. I have no
right to do so. It may however
be discovered to be true.

Mr. Bladen's own statement is
manifestly wild. (i.e. "There can be
little doubt that this Philip Divine whose
name appears in the early lists of superin-
tendents was identical with the Nicholas
Devine of later years". p.345 note).

My little doubt? and why does Mr. Bladen
speak of the Nicholas Devine of later years when
he produces two fac-similes of the man of
later years (in the addresses to Johnston)
in which the Nicholas Divine writes himself
above Divine?

Very wrong if the superintendents
of convicts in those days had been
convicts: and the custom of appointing
them to be so was long continued:-
therefore the fact of their employment
in that capacity implies nothing
incompatible with the facts that they
had themselves been convicts.