The Soldier's Curse

by Meg Keneally

  I am a private in the Third Regiment ‘Buffs’, under the command of Major Angus Shelborne, Commandant of Port Macquarie, where I have served these past two years.

  Since the arrival of the major’s wife, I have been aware that members of her family had a hand in the ruin of my own, and a great resentment of the fact quickly settled upon me and blighted my mind.

  In May 1825, I was appointed to oversee a plastering crew charged with smoothing the interior walls of the Government House sitting room, and hanging wallpaper thereon.

  In my previous employment as a plasterer in Dublin, I had learned that certain shades of green could be deadly poison, and recognised that same green in the paper to be used to decorate the sitting room.

  At this time, Major Angus Shelborne departed the settlement, with some others of our regiment, convicts, and a tracker, to search for a river he had been told of.

  Knowing he would likely be absent for some weeks, and knowing that Mrs Shelborne drank a type of tea the leaves of which were reserved for her alone, I resolved to use the opportunity to sprinkle on the tea leaves an infusion made of the poisonous pigment in the wallpaper. It was a course of action I had been considering for some time. I had brewed the infusion at a still in the woods, in a valley a few headlands to the south, and tried it on various animals to ensure it was sufficiently palatable and had the required effect.

  I have since dismantled this still, cleansed the copper, and sent it out to sea on a strong tide.

  To avoid detection, I made sure to apply only a little of the substance at a time to the leaves. However, on being commanded to accompany Captain Michael Diamond on an expedition to inform the major of his wife’s failing health, I became concerned that the lady in question might recover in my absence.

  To prevent this eventuality, I poured a significant quantity of the infusion into tea I knew was destined for Mrs Shelborne, in the hopes it would hasten her end. These hopes were realised, and the lady died that same day.

  In confessing my crime, I wish to state that I was not assisted in its commission by any other person, and was solely responsible for the death of Mrs Shelborne.

  As instructed, Monsarrat returned to the inquisitors, read them the note, and trooped with Spring, Carleton and the superintendent of convicts to the gaol, to read it to Fergal Slattery. He heard it calmly, and signed it without complaint.

  Monsarrat was also responsible for drafting the other statements and having them signed. In the case of Mrs Mulrooney, who could not read, the major insisted she hear her statement in the presence of the inquisitors, and place an X on the paper beside the words ‘Hannah Mulrooney – her mark’.

  His final task in regard to the inquest was to take dictation from the major, in the presence of the other inquisitors, on its findings.

  The said jurors, being charged to inquire on the part of our Lord the King into when, where and by what manner Honora Belgrave Shelborne came by her death, do swear on their oaths that Private Fergal Slattery of the Third Regiment did wilfully murder the aforementioned, through the administration of poison between the dates of 14 and 29 June 1825, against the peace of our Lord the King, his Crown and Dignity, in witness of which we have herewith appended our hands and seals.

  Each of the inquisitors read the document and depositions, and each one signed it, paving as they did so another mile of Fergal Slattery’s road to the gallows.

  By happenstance, the Amity was backloading with lime at the time the documents were ready for departure. The winter winds, which came from the north-west and were therefore less brutal and more obliging than their south-easterly summer cousins, would probably ensure the depositions reached the Colonial Secretary and Attorney-General well within a week of their departure, Monsarrat thought.

  Mrs Mulrooney was now two women – one who loved Fergal like a son, and one who would never forgive Private Slattery. For Fergal, she carried a pot of tea wrapped in a cloth to keep it warm, a few tin mugs – of which she did not approve, but she was unwilling to risk china – clanking in her pockets so that she, Slattery and Meehan, who was usually on duty, might share the tea together.

  On more than one occasion, she told Monsarrat, she’d interrupted a game of Three Card Brag. Slattery still always won, and Meehan genially paid the money. As Mrs Mulrooney was leaving one day, he had taken her aside and quietly told her that Slattery was stashing the money, to be given to her on his execution.

  It was after this revelation that Monsarrat found her in the kitchen, sitting and staring, a state which he had learned did not bode well.

  She related the conversation to Monsarrat, then said, ‘I had almost convinced myself, Mr Monsarrat, that this would continue. That this time next year I would still be bringing pots of tea and those awful tin mugs down to the gaol, would still be interrupting card games, would still be hearing young Slattery refer to that cell as his private room. Then that Meehan had to go and mention the execution. And I’d done such a good job of convincing myself, that I had to feel the shock of it all over again.’

  She had tried to rise, but Monsarrat stopped her. ‘Let’s see if I can improve on my last efforts,’ he said, pouring boiling water from the kettle into the teapot to warm it. The tea made and pronounced drinkable by Mrs Mulrooney, Monsarrat sat down opposite her.

  ‘I’m not used to having room to sit in this kitchen,’ she said. ‘There’s usually a lummox with his boots on the table. For all my scolding I’d love to see those boots there, and I’d love to be putting together a breakfast tray for a lively young girl. But one’s gone, and one’s going, and most of what held interest for me here has drained away.’

  ‘You talk as though you’re considering leaving the settlement,’ said Monsarrat, feeling rising panic. Mrs Mulrooney had an unconditional ticket of leave – she could travel anywhere in New South Wales – so leaving the settlement, which for him was a fantasy, to her was merely a matter of planning.

  ‘Perhaps,’ she said. ‘Would you be good enough to help me with a letter to Padraig? It might be that the station he is attached to has need of a housekeeper, or a cook or some such. It would be good to be with him again.’

  Monsarrat knew that their friendship could not keep her here if the prospect of living again with her son was calling her away. But he felt desperately bereft at the thought of her departure, as unplanned as it yet was. Mrs Mulrooney was able to make things move very quickly when she set her mind to them.

  He hid his depression, though, in solicitousness. ‘Of course, dear lady. You let me know what you would like to say, and I’ll work something up and read it to you.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr Monsarrat. You’re a good man.’ She paused. ‘How much longer, do you think?’

  Monsarrat did not need to ask what she was referring to. Barring foul weather, of which there had been none, the Amity would have reached Sydney by now. If the Colonial Secretary was disposed to deal with the matter quickly, it was not inconceivable that a reply was sailing up the coast towards them.

  But her question echoed one he had been asking himself increasingly of late. How much longer before the ticket of leave which so effortlessly settled itself into the pockets of other men would do him the same honour?

  He had the same answer to both.

  ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘I just don’t know.’

  The major’s attitude towards Monsarrat had softened a little. His was a nature which couldn’t share close quarters with someone he didn’t like, and he was too honest a man to conceal that liking, even if he was still very annoyed with his clerk.

  He had taken, though, to asking Monsarrat to visit Spring at the commissariat stores at the end of each day, with a request for Spring to unlock the back room, where the spirits and wines were kept. Monsarrat would have instructions to bring this wine or that, or sometimes rum, back to the study and leave it with the major.

  Monsarrat did not know whether the major was in the habit of drinking on a regular basis – he was not in a position t
o observe him at all times, and didn’t know what went on in the officers’ mess. But he had certainly never seen the man drink in his study, which he viewed as a place of work and therefore sacrosanct.

  To his even greater surprise, one night the major invited Monsarrat to join him, pouring him a small measure of rum in a tin cup. Had it not been for that drunken night ten years ago, Monsarrat might yet have got away from Exeter before he was arrested. He might now be living out his days, as a schoolmaster perhaps, under an assumed name in some picturesque corner of England, with a pretty wife and intelligent, well-behaved children. Or his flight might have influenced the judge at his assizes, tipping the balance against the commutation of his sentence from death to life.

  Either way, Monsarrat wasn’t much of a drinker. But refusing the major’s offer, particularly in the man’s present unstable state, might be seen as an insult, so he accepted the cup with thanks, and took the seat the major gestured him to.

  ‘I am sorry if I was a little harsh, Monsarrat, over the matter of Diamond,’ he said.

  Well, this is a day of surprises, thought Monsarrat. He wondered if this was the first instance in the colony’s history of an apology from a commandant to a convict.

  Nevertheless, he said, ‘There is no apology necessary, sir. You were right. I should have acquainted you with the facts as soon as I knew you were not in possession of them.’

  ‘Perhaps,’ said the major, ‘but there were others in positions of greater authority who could also have done that, and failed to.’

  The major took a long draught of rum and put down his cup. ‘It is my hope that we have an answer shortly from the Colonial Secretary regarding the fate of the Irishman, as well as the confirmation of the tickets of leave and pardons I recommended. Busy day tomorrow, Monsarrat. Returns due soon. But there is one piece of business I would rather not wait until morning. If you are not yet addled by rum,’ this said with a small smile, as the major had noted the tiny sips Monsarrat was taking, ‘I would appreciate your assistance in the formulation of a dispatch I would like to send to Sydney at the earliest opportunity.’

  ‘Of course, sir,’ said Monsarrat, moving into his workroom to collect his writing implements. Returning, he surreptitiously moved his cup out of the way – accidentally spilling it on the admittedly less than fine parchment would do nothing to help the major’s mood, particularly when he arrived at his study with a sore head the next morning to find the place still smelling of rum.

  The major leaned back in his chair – another first as far as Monsarrat was concerned, who was used to seeing him sitting equally erect in a saddle and at a desk, his red coat immaculate.

  ‘Sir,’ he began. ‘In addition to the recommendations I have made of late regarding tickets of leave and conditional pardons for those who assisted me in locating the new river, I have the honour to make another recommendation.’

  Who’s the lucky bastard this time? thought Monsarrat.

  ‘What’s your middle name again, Hugh?’ said the major, who had never before addressed Monsarrat by his first name.

  ‘Llewellyn, sir,’ said Monsarrat, wondering if this was a harbinger of hope, or whether he was writing his own recommendation for an extended sentence.

  ‘And your date of birth?’

  ‘Twenty-sixth of January 1790,’ said Monsarrat.

  The major grinned, in a somewhat lopsided fashion. ‘I always suspected I was younger than you. You beat me into the world by a full year and a half, Monsarrat. Make sure all of your personal details accompany this letter on the next ship. Now … ah, yes.’

  The major resumed the voice he customarily used for dictation, clear but expressionless.

  I have previously had the honour to acquaint you with the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Private Fergal Slattery for the murder of my wife, and the previous suspicion which had fallen on my housekeeper. To my regret, great injustice was very nearly done to the aforementioned housekeeper, who attained her ticket of leave some eighteen years ago, and who has been of good character since.

  The wrongful conviction of this woman was only avoided through the application of considerable skill, intellect and character on the part of my clerk, Hugh Llewellyn Monsarrat, who was able to deduce the identity of the real perpetrator, and convince him to turn himself in to me.

  The aforementioned clerk has himself been of good character during his time at Port Macquarie, and has applied himself to his duties industriously.

  In recognition of this, and of the most significant service he performed in ensuring Private Slattery confessed to his crime, it gives me pleasure to recommend him for a ticket of leave.

  Monsarrat’s astonishment fought his eagerness to capture every word Major Shelborne said before the relaxing effect of the rum wore off.

  The major leaned back. ‘I rarely get to make people happy, you know,’ he said. ‘I expect His Majesty generally wishes me to do quite the reverse. So I’m delighted to be able to do this for you, Monsarrat, despite the fact that I’ll be robbing myself of an excellent clerk. Maybe you could train up one of the boys from Rolland’s Plains.’

  And when Monsarrat still didn’t reply, he went on, ‘This is a course of action I have been considering for some days. Do not fear that I will deny all knowledge of it tomorrow.’

  Monsarrat recovered his voice. ‘I … Thank you, sir, I cannot tell you how overjoyed I am at this prospect. And you can be assured I will transcribe it with alacrity.’

  The major smiled at this. ‘I’ve always appreciated your sense of humour, Monsarrat, however infrequently you let it off its leash. What passes for humour amongst some of my officers would make a whore blush.’

  Monsarrat had little doubt of it.

  ‘Now, this rum is urging me to my bed – I’m not used to it, you see; I have no idea how some of them stay up all night pouring it down their throats. Goodnight to you, Monsarrat, and if the secretary accepts my recommendation I look forward to the day when you walk into this office a free man.’

  ‘Thank you, sir. I am forever in your debt.’

  ‘Don’t mention it,’ said the major.

  As he stood, a little shakily, Monsarrat asked, ‘Sir, may I know what police district my ticket of leave will restrict me to?’

  ‘Is there a particular district you’d like to be restricted to?’

  Monsarrat didn’t know how to respond to this.

  ‘Obviously my own sense of humour doesn’t benefit from rum. What I intended to say, Monsarrat, is that you will not be restricted to any region. Your ticket of leave will be unconditional. Now take that thought to bed with you, and sleep well.’

  Chapter 31

  Monsarrat told no one about the major’s letter. Speaking about it without it being official felt somehow wrong, as though he would be tempting a reversal of fortune. He kept the news even from Mrs Mulrooney – seeing her excitement at his impending freedom, and then seeing it dashed should the request not be approved, would be too much to bear.

  Nevertheless, he personally escorted the letter – after he had made a fair copy and had it signed by a somewhat bleary major the next day – on to the Sally when she arrived three days later, having disgorged Captain Diamond, the rum, cedar and rosewood, and the commandant’s earlier letters.

  Given that one of those letters contained a less than complimentary account of Captain Diamond’s behaviour, Monsarrat had wondered how conscientious he had been in delivering them to Sydney. But a soldier is a soldier, and Diamond had done what his commanding officer had asked of him. He must’ve handed the letters personally to the Colonial Secretary’s office, for the Sally bore back with her his reply.

  Monsarrat knew the mate of the Sally, a man called Tyrell who had also been mate on Monsarrat’s original journey to Port Macquarie. During the three days at sea, Monsarrat had helped Tyrell write a letter to his wife, and when the two had subsequently met at the docks, they had greeted each other amicably enough. He now entrusted the crucial letter to Tyrel
l’s hands.

  ‘I will be forever in your debt, Mr Tyrell, if you could see this one delivered safely into the hands of one of the Colonial Secretary’s clerks.’

  ‘Well then, I may have a few more letters that need writing, if you are able to assist me while we’re backloading,’ said Tyrell, smiling.

  So as the mate was supervising the backloading of the vessel, he gave Monsarrat a few sentiments which he hoped to convey to his wife, who was a convict in Tasmania, and a few more for his brother back in Portsmouth. He also gave Monsarrat the respective addresses. ‘I trust you to put this into pretty words, Mr Monsarrat. Old Sally won’t be by again for a little while, but I believe there is a brig coming in a few weeks – if I could impose on you to put them with the other mail on that, I’d be most grateful.’

  Monsarrat assured him it would be done, and Tyrell gave equal assurance that the major’s recommendation for the ticket of leave – though he didn’t know that was what it was – would reach Sydney with all due speed.

  Monsarrat watched the letter as it disappeared into Tyrell’s pocket. He was surprised no one else could see it glowing and feel the heat emanating from it. Tyrell handed Monsarrat the packet from the Colonial Secretary, and left to bed down for the night, hoping to catch a favourable tide early the next morning.

  Monsarrat considered breaking the seals and reading the reply from the Colonial Secretary to the letter asking for instructions on Slattery’s fate. But he quickly talked himself out of it – he was not so impulsive as to risk incurring the major’s wrath at this point, and recent events had shocked shadow Monsarrat into silence. In any case, he would know their contents soon enough.

  He walked through his workroom and knocked on the major’s door, receiving a muffled instruction to enter.

  Major Shelborne gestured to a seat as he opened the packet. It would seem, Monsarrat thought, that the major already viewed him as a free man, as previously he was expected to stand silently while the major read.