Col. Paterson's position was anomalous. He had given
offence by his presumed leaning to the civil authority.
The French exploring ships were in Sydney in 1802, and the officers of the New South Wales Corps were hurt by the necessity which fell upon one of them (after inquiry) to apologize in writing for disrespectful remarks about the French. It had been insinuated that the officers had sold spirits. Baudin demanded inquiry. If any officers had erred he would make an example of them. If not, "Je réclamerai votre justice pour que celui qui les a calomniés auprès de Col. Paterson et de vous soit tenu à des réparations."
Captain Baudin communicated the apology to his officers; they drew up a reply transmitted by Baudin to King. "Ils ont vu avec plaisir que Monsieur Kemp n'a jamais eu l'intention de porter atteinte à leur honneur. Ils en reçoivent l'assurance, parce qu'il entre dans leur principes de ne jamais douter de la vérité d'un officier." They would have been glad if he had, "connoissant mieux la delicatesse des officiers," not repeated the words, "d'un homme obscur qui ne fussent jamais parvenir ni à Mr. le Gouverneur ni à nous s'ils n'eurent passés par une bouche qui devoit leur donner de la vraisemblance."
To be foiled and to be overcome by politeness was discomforting to the New South Wales Corps, and the fact that King had given Baudin the opportunity of refuting the unjust reports rendered him obnoxious to those who had to apologize.
Col. Paterson, unwilling to take responsibility, had assembled the officers to consider the charge against Kemp, and vainly urged King to convene a meeting of all civil and military officers. A court-martial, designed to injure Dr. Harris of the New South Wales Corps, sprang from the occurrence. He had assisted King in repressing spirit-traffic, and was appointed to the post of Naval Officer, in which service could be rendered in preventing unlawful
left the despatches uncared for when he took refuge in the Ocean they might be tampered with, although he may not have been an accomplice (vide Grant's Narrative," &c., London, 1803). Grant sailed to England from the Cape on 12th April in H.M.S. Imperieuse, and had a successful voyage.
