In the early days of settlement, supplies of the necessities of life were extremely short. Even coins for currency were in short supply, and many differing currencies and coins were used to 'make do'...and today coin collectors treasure the 'holey dollar' which was made from a Spanish coin and had a hole punched out of the centre.
Naturally liquor of any sort was of bartering use, but most of all rum. This became the major trading product. It has been long documented, how the rum trade, both legal and illegal, flourished in those early days.
The Rum Corp saw to the distribution of the rum and many of the released convicts became wealthy traders of the product.
The term 'grog' (meaning alcohol) is still used today, had it's origins in those days. It appears Admiral Vernon ordered that the available rum supply be 'watered' down to make it go further. This particular gentleman was well known for wearing a Grogham cloak and hence the name was shortened (just as Australians today still love to shorten names and terms) to 'grog'.
Because of the increase in illegal trading of rum, Govenor William Bligh (of Mutinty On The Bounty fame) attempted to outlaw the use of rum as a bartering tool. This led to indepth discontent amongst the troopers and the free settlers alike. So it came to be, that with a little coaxing from John Macarthur, a thorn in the side of Govenor Bligh,the officers and men of the Rum Corp, rebelled and removed Govenor Bligh from office.
This according to historians, was achieved because the men of the corp had control of the rum trade and were certainly unhappy at the decree of banning the trade. At the height of the discontent Major Johnson of the Rum Corp placed Govenor Bligh under arrest and took control. There is no doubt that Govenor Bligh's high handed and dictatorial method of ruling, contributed to the reasons for the rebellion.
Never a man to have his authority questioned in any way, Govenor Bligh's tyranical and at times irrational actions, did not endear himself to the men of the Corp, nor in most cases the free settlers.
As a study of history will confirm, even the wife of John Macarthur described Bligh as 'violent, rash and tyrannical'.
However at a court hearing in England held much later, his actions were vindicated, and he was exhonerated of all blame.
The actual rebelllion took place on Australia Day in 1808. So as you see, January 26th is a very historical date in this country.
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