Buuxi weedhan soo socota: Bishii Sebtember 1796, Johnston waxaa loo magacaabay kaaliyaha xerada ee Guddoomiyaha John Hunter, iyo 1800 wuxuu helay darajadiisa shahaadada sare ee Major. Isla sanadkaas Johnston waxaa xiray taliyihii gobolka William Paterson oo lagu eedeeyay inuu "siiyay sarkaal khamri ah oo qayb ka ah mushaarkiisa iyo caasinimada amarada". Johnston wuxuu diiday in maxkamad ciidan lagu soo taago gumeysiga, waxaana Hunter u diray England. Halkaas oo ay ku adkaatay in maxkamad la soo taago markhaatiyaal ku sugan Australia ayaa keentay in dacwada la joojiyo, Johnston wuxuu ku laabtay New South Wales sanadkii 1802. Sanadkii 1803 Johnston wuxuu si ku meel gaar ah u qabtay taliska New South Wales Corps intii uu xanuunsanaa Paterson, wuxuuna ku lug yeeshay khilaafka u dhexeeya King iyo militariga. Bishii Maarso 1804 waxa uu go'aan ku gaadhay in uu ku biiro ciidanka loo diray inay la dagaallamaan qaar ka mid ah
Waxayna ahaayeen kuwa ka soo hor jeestay xadgudubka. Markii Paterson loo diray Port Dalrymple, Johnston wuxuu noqday taliyaha New South Wales Corps.