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diff --git a/15602.txt b/15602.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d57bf86 --- /dev/null +++ b/15602.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11647 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Statistical, Historical and Political +Description of the Colony of New South Wales and its Dependent Settlements in Van Diemen's Land, by William Charles Wentworth + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Statistical, Historical and Political Description of the Colony of New South Wales and its Dependent Settlements in Van Diemen's Land + With a Particular Enumeration of the Advantages Which These Colonies + Offer for Emigration, and Their Superiority in Many Respects Over + Those Possessed by the United States of America + + +Author: William Charles Wentworth + +Release Date: April 11, 2005 [EBook #15602] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STATISTICAL, HISTORICAL AND *** + + + + +Produced by Col Choat + + + + +Words in italics in the book are enclosed by underscores in this ebook. + + +STATISTICAL, HISTORICAL, AND POLITICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COLONY +OF NEW SOUTH WALES, AND ITS DEPENDENT SETTLEMENTS IN VAN DIEMEN'S +LAND: WITH A PARTICULAR ENUMERATION OF THE ADVANTAGES WHICH THESE +COLONIES OFFER FOR EMIGRATION, AND THEIR SUPERIORITY IN MANY RESPECTS +OVER THOSE POSSESSED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA + +* * * + +BY WILLIAM CHARLES WENTWORTH, ESQ. + +A NATIVE OF THE COLONY + +* * * + +LONDON: +PRINTED FOR G. AND W. B. WHITTAKER + +* * + +1819 + +* * * * * + +CONTENTS + +PART I. STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE SETTLEMENTS IN NEW HOLLAND. + +PART II. OPERATION OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN THE COLONY +FOR THE LAST FIFTEEN YEARS. + +PART III. VARIOUS ALTERATIONS SUGGESTED IN THE PRESENT POLICY OF THIS COLONY. + +PART IV. VARIOUS CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT. + +APPENDIX. + +* * * * * + +FOREWORD + +There can be little doubt that when my great-grandfather began +to write this book, his thoughts were centred on the objective +which he describes in his own Preface--the diversion to Australia +of some part of the stream of emigration then running from the +British Isles to North America. Perhaps, even more urgently, he +may have wanted to forestall any British tendency to withdraw +from the colony and abandon New South Wales altogether. + +But as he wrote, he found that he had to make some explanation +for the defects which he saw in the current life of the colony, +and naturally he was led into propounding some way in which these +defects could be overcome. Contemporary reviewers, then, were not +so far wrong when theycommented that the book looked almost like +two books written by separate hands. + +The secondary theme became the most important part of the +book, because the remedies he then proposed for his country's +ills became the guidelines for his own policies when he returned +to Australia. Through the influences which he and his friends +exerted over the next thirty years, these policies determined +much of the course of Australian history in those times. Most of +his proposals were eventually accepted, though in some cases much +later than he wanted, and in some cases with modifications which +he himself made or which were forced on him by the pressure of +events. + +At the time he wrote this book he was in his middle twenties, +having returned to England to complete his education soon after +participating in the first crossing of the Blue Mountains. +Waterloo had just been won; Europe was settling down and trying +to forget Napoleon. The wounds of the American Revolution were +closing; British merchants and industrialists were preparing to +change the face of the world in accordance with the precepts of +Adam Smith. + +In his attempt to divert the migration stream he was no enemy +of America, (indeed he had chosen the name "Vermont" for his own +farm on the Nepean) but he was perhaps the first Australian +really to support Macquarie's drive for Australian expansion and +Australian independence from London administration. He did this +at a time when some influential Englishmen were urging the +abandonment of the whole Botany Bay venture, which, after thirty +years, was still not self-supporting and which seemed doomed to +suffer from recurrent crises. + +Apparently Macquarie had dreamed of a great transcontinental +river, which was to flow 2,000 miles westwards from the Dividing +Range, through fertile and well-watered fields, until it reached +the sea somewhere on the north-west coast. The Lachlan had been +found to peter out into swamps, but Oxley believed that the +Macquarie River would have a happier issue, and at the time of +the first Edition of this book (1819) that theory was still +tenable. It was not long, of course, before these hopes were to +perish in the Macquarie Marshes, to be succeeded by prospects of +a mythical Inland Sea, though it was decades before the +enthusiasts realised that they would have to be satisfied with +Lake Eyre. + +This first edition accepts as fact the phantom of that +transcontinental stream and expatiates on the blessings which it +would bring, patterning its concept of the Heart of the +Australian Continent upon what was known of the Great Plains of +America, then just being opened up. Any child with an Atlas in +hand can now decry the mistake of having given to this concept +more credence than did Oxley or Macquarie: does not hindsight +make history so simple? + +Abandonment of simple optimism on this physical fact must have +been quick and uncomfortable: but abandonment of some other +precepts must have been slow and more painful. At the time of +this first edition, the influence of the Enlightenment was +completing its penetration into politics and economics. Man had +only to be given freedom, and he would enter into a political +Paradise: the forces of the free market had only to be left +untrammelled, and they would create of themselves an economic +Eden! + +These are the enthusiasms of the first edition, where Bligh +represents the forces of repression and darkness, while Macquarie +and Macarthur are both to be numbered among the angels. By the +time of the third edition (1824, nearly contemporary with the +author's return to Australia) the winds of change had blown +through the Australian scene. Bigge had presented his Report, +which destroyed so much of Macquarie's work, and the Exclusives, +in the author's view, were leagued with enemies of Australian +identity. + +For the next thirty years the politics of New South Wales were +vigorous and variegated. Nobody who was at their centre could +have maintained all his illusions as to the essential goodness of +human nature, if only it could be freed from the unnatural chains +with which society had bound it. Nor could anyone who +participated in the commercial life of those times, who had +lived, for example, through the depression of the forties, have +preserved untarnished the precepts of Ricardo--published only a +few years before 1819, and accepted as gospel in that first +edition. + +So some of those 1819 enthusiasms had to be abandoned: but the +objectives were not. Most of them were eventually to be +translated into action and actuality. It was in their +modification, perhaps, that the author was to display most of all +his foresight and acumen. From 1848 onwards he recognised the +true nature of "the spectre which haunted Europe"--and which +still haunts the world. From then onwards he was not to write in +the way which he wrote here. + +W. C. Wentworth + +24th February, 1978 + +* * * * * + +PREFACE + +It may prevent those inquiries that would be naturally made by +the public, respecting the manner in which the author acquired +the information contained in this work, when he states that he +was born in the colony of New South Wales, and that he resided +there for about five years since his arrival at the age of +maturity. This is a period which will, at least, be allowed to +have been sufficient for acquiring a correct knowledge of its +state and government, and for enabling him to observe the +destructive tendency of those measures, of which it has been his +endeavour to demonstrate the injustice and impolicy, and to +procure the speedy repeal. He would not, however, have it +concluded that the present work has been the result of mature and +systematic reflection; it is, on the contrary, a hasty +production, which originated in the casual suggestions of an +acquaintance, and which was never contemplated by him, during his +long residence in the colony. He has consequently been obliged +not only to omit giving a detail of many interesting facts, with +which he might have become acquainted previously to his +departure, but has also been under the necessity of relying in a +great measure on the fidelity of his memory for the accuracy of +many of those circumstances which he has stated: still he is not +without hope, that five years attentive observation will have +enabled him to communicate many particulars, of which, in the +absence of abler works on the same subject, most of the +inhabitants of this country cannot but be ignorant, and many must +wish to be apprized. + +His only aim in obtruding this hasty production on the public, +is to promote the welfare and prosperity of the country which +gave him birth; and he has judged that he could in no way so +effectually contribute his mite towards the accomplishment of +this end, as by attempting to divert from the United States of +America to its shores, some part of that vast tide of emigration, +which is at present flowing thither from all parts of Europe. In +furtherance, therefore, of this design, he has described the +superior advantages of climate and soil possessed by this colony; +he has explained the causes why these natural superiorities have +not yet been productive of those beneficial consequences which +might have been expected from them; he has pointed out the +arguments which offer for the abandonment of the present system, +and the substitution of another in its place; and by adducing, in +fine, what he considers to be irrefragable proofs of the +expediency, merely as it regards the parent country, of adopting +the measures which he has proposed, he hopes that he shall +eventually occasion an alteration of polity, by which both the +parties concerned will be equally benefited. He has not, however, +presumed on a contingency which it is thus reasonable to believe +cannot be either doubtful or remote; but has restricted +himself to an enumeration of the inducements to emigration which +exist under actual circumstances; and, by comparing them with the +advantages which those writers, who have given the most +favourable accounts of the United States, have represented them +as possessing, he has proved that this colony, labouring as it is +under all the discouragements of an arbitrary and impolitic +government, has still a great and decided preponderancy in the +balance. How much this preponderancy will be increased, whenever +the changes and modifications which he has ventured to suggest, +shall be in whole, or in part carried into effect, he has left to +all such as are desirous of emigrating, to form their own +estimate; and to decide also how much longer a system so highly +burdensome to the parent country, and so radically defective in +its principles and operation, is likely to be tolerated. To all +those, who are of opinion with him that it cannot be of much +longer duration, the inducements for giving this colony the +preference will become so weighty, as scarcely to admit of the +possibility that they should hesitate for a moment in their +choice between the two countries. + +If, in the course of this work, he has spoken in terms of +unqualified reprobation of the baneful system to which the +unhappy place of his nativity has been the victim, he would have +it distinctly understood, that it has been furthest from his +thoughts to connect the censure which he has bestowed on it, with +those who have permitted its continuance. He is too deeply +impressed with a sense of the arduous and momentous nature of the +contest which they have had to conduct, not to allow that it was +justly entitled to their first and chief attention. Our whole +colonial system, in fact, he considers to have been but a mere +under plot in the great drama that was acting. It could not, +therefore, be reasonably expected that the grievances of any one +colony should become the subject of minute and particular +investigation; and still less could it be imagined that the +government should convert their attention to the relief of one, +which has comparatively excited but a small share of public +interest, and has hitherto been considered more in the light of a +prison, than of what he has endeavoured to prove it might be +rendered,--one of the most useful and valuable appendages of the +empire. This apology, however, for the neglect which the colony +has experienced during the war, cannot be pleaded in vindication +of a perseverance in the same impolitic and oppressive course in +time of peace. Nor is it to be wondered at, as upwards of three +years have now elapsed since the consolidation of the +tranquillity of the world, that the colonists should begin to +feel indignant at the continuance of disabilities, for the +abrogation of which the most powerful considerations of justice +and expediency have been urged in vain. To remove such just +grounds for dissatisfaction and complaint, and to allow them, at +length, the enjoyment of those rights and privileges, of which +they ought never to have been debarred, would, at best, be but a +poor compensation for an impeded agriculture and languishing +commerce; but it is the only one that can now be offered; and, +although it cannot repair the wide ravages which so many years of +unmerited and absurd restrictions have occasioned, it may arrest +the progress of desolation, and prevent any further increase to +the numbers who have already sunk beneath the pressure of an +overwhelming system. It is, therefore, to be hoped that the cause +of humanity will no longer be outraged by unnecessary delay, and +that the only atonement, which can be made the colonists for +their past and present sufferings, will no longer be +withheld. + +The author is fully aware that, in the course of this work, he +has developed no new principle of political economy, and that he +has only travelled in the broad beaten path in which hundreds +have journeyed before him. For troubling, therefore, the public +with a repetition of principles, of which the truth is so +generally known and acknowledged, the only plea he can urge in +his justification is a hope that the reiteration of them will not +be deemed unnecessary and obtrusive, so long as their application +is incomplete; so long as vice and misery prevail in any part of +the world, from the want of their adoption and enforcement. + +* * * * * + +PART I + +NEW SOUTH WALES. + +STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE SETTLEMENTS IN NEW HOLLAND. + +The colony of New South Wales is situated on the eastern coast +of New Holland. This island, which was first discovered by the +Dutch in 1616, lies between the 9 degrees and 39 degrees of south +latitude, and the 108 degrees and 153 degrees of east longitude; +and from its immense size, seems rather to merit the appellation +of continent, which many geographers have bestowed on it. Since +that period it has been visited and examined by a galaxy of +celebrated navigators, among whom Cook and Flinders rank the most +conspicuous. Still the survey of this large portion of the world +cannot, by any means, be deemed complete; since not one of all +the navigators who have laid down the various parts of its +coasts, has discovered the mouth of any considerable river; and +it is hardly within the scope of possible belief, that a country +of such vast extent does not possess at least one river, which +may deserve to be ranked in the class of "rivers of the first +magnitude." + +If a judgment were formed of this island from the general +aspect of the country bordering the sea, it would be pronounced +one of the most barren spots on the face of the globe. +Experience, however, has proved that such an opinion would be +exactly the reverse of truth; since, as far as the interior has +been explored, its general fertility amply compensates for the +extreme sterility of the coast. + +The greater part of this country is covered with timber of a +gigantic growth, but of an entirely different description from +the timber of Europe. It is, however, very durable, and well +adapted to all the purposes of human industry. + +The only metal yet discovered is iron. It abounds in every +part of the country, and is in some places purer than in any +other part of the world. Coals are found in many places of the +best quality. There is also abundance of slate, limestone and +granite, though not in the immediate vicinity of Port Jackson. +Sand-stone, quartz, and freestone are found every where. + +The rivers and seas teem with excellent fish; but the eel and +smelt, the mullet, whiting, mackarel, sole, skate, and John Dory +are, I believe, the only sorts known in this country. + +The animals are, the kangaroo, native dog, (which is a smaller +species of the wolf,) the wombat, bandicoot, kangaroo rat, +opossum, flying squirrel, flying fox, etc. etc. There are none of +those animals or birds which go by the name of "game" in this +country, except the heron. The hare, pheasant and partridge are +quite unknown; but there are wild ducks, widgeon, teal, quail, +pigeons, plovers, snipes, etc. etc., with emus, black swans, +cockatoos, parrots, parroquets, and an infinite variety of +smaller birds, which are not found in any other country. In fact, +both its animal and vegetable kingdoms are in a great measure +peculiar to itself. + +There are many poisonous reptiles in this country, but few +accidents happen either to the aborigines, or the colonists from +their bite. Of these the centipede, tarantula, scorpion, +slow-worm, and the snake, are the most to be dreaded; +particularly the latter, since there are, I believe, at least +thirty varieties of them, of which all but one are venomous in +the highest degree. + +The aborigines of this country occupy the lowest place in the +gradatory scale of the human species. They have neither houses +nor clothing; they are entirely unacquainted with the arts of +agriculture; and even the arms which the several tribes have, to +protect themselves from the aggressions of their neighbours, and +the hunting and fishing implements with which they administer to +their support, are of the rudest contrivance and workmanship. + +Thirty years intercourse with Europeans has not effected the +slightest change in their habits; and even those who have most +intermixed with the colonists, have never been prevailed upon to +practise one of the arts of civilized life. Disdaining all +restraint, their happiness is still centered in their original +pursuits; and they seem to consider the superior enjoyments to be +derived from civilization, (for they are very far from being +insensible to them) but a poor compensation for the sacrifice of +any portion of their natural liberty. The colour of these people +is a dark chocolate; their features bear a strong resemblance to +the African negro; they have the same flat nose, large nostrils, +wide mouth and thick lips; but their hair is not woolly, except +in Van Dieman's Land, where they have this further characteristic +of the negro. + +These people bear no resemblance to any of the inhabitants of +the surrounding islands, except to those of New Guinea, which is +only separated from New Holland by a narrow strait. One of these +islands, therefore, has evidently been peopled by the other; but +from whence the original stock was derived is one of those +geographical problems, which in all probability will never be +satisfactorily solved. + +Rude and barbarous as are the aborigines of this country, they +have still some confused notions of a Supreme Being and of a +future state. It would, however, be foreign to the purposes to +which I have limited myself, to enter into a detail of their +customs and manners; nor would it, indeed, be the means of +increasing the fund of public knowledge: since, whoever may be +anxious to be informed on these topics, will find a faithful and +minute account of them in the work of Mr. Collins. + +Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is situated in 33 +degrees 55' of south latitude, and 151 degrees 25' of east +longitude. It is about seven miles distant from the heads of Port +Jackson, and stands principally on two hilly necks of land and +the intervening valley, which together form Sydney Cove. The +western side of the town extends to the water's edge, and +occupies with the exception of the small space reserved around +Dawe's Battery, the whole of the neck of land which separates +Sydney Cove from Lane Cove, and extends a considerable distance +back into the country besides. + +This part of the town, it may therefore be perceived, forms a +little peninsula; and what is of still greater importance the +water is in general of sufficient depth in both these coves, to +allow the approach of vessels of the largest burden to the very +sides of the rocks. + +On the eastern neck of land, the extension of the town has +been stopped by the Government House, and the adjoining domain, +which occupies the whole of Bennilong's Point, a circumstance the +more to be regretted, as the water all along this point is of +still greater depth than on the western side of the Cove, and +consequently affords still greater facilities for the erection of +warehouses and the various important purposes of commerce. + +The appearance of the town is rude and irregular. Until the +administration of Governor Macquarie, little or no attention had +been paid to the laying out of the streets, and each proprietor +was left to build on his lease, where and how his caprice +inclined him. He, however, has at length succeeded in +establishing a perfect regularity in most of the streets, and has +reduced to a degree of uniformity, that would have been deemed +absolutely impracticable, even the most confused portion of that +chaos of building, which is still known by the name of "the +rocks;" and which, from the ruggedness of its surface, the +difficulty of access to it, and the total absence of order in its +houses, was for many years more like the abode of a horde of +savages than the residence of a civilized community. The town +upon the whole may be now pronounced to be tolerably regular; +and, as in all future additions that may be made to it, the +proprietors of leases will not be allowed to deviate from the +lines marked out by the surveyor general, the new part will of +course be free from the faults and inconveniences of the old. + +This town covers a considerable extent of ground, and would at +first sight induce the belief of a much greater population than +it actually contains. This is attributable to two circumstances, +the largeness of the leases, which in most instances possess +sufficient space for a garden, and the smallness of the houses +erected in them, which in general do not exceed one story. From +these two causes it happens, that this town does not contain +above seven thousand souls, whereas one that covered the same +extent of ground in this country would possess a population of at +least twenty thousand. But although the houses are for the most +part small, and of mean appearance, there are many public +buildings, as well as houses of individuals, which would not +disgrace the best parts of this great metropolis. Of the former +class, the public stores, the general hospital, and the barracks, +are perhaps the most conspicuous; of the latter the houses of +Messrs. Lord, Riley, Howe, Underwood and Nichols. + +The value of land in this town is in many places half as great +as in the best situations in London, and is daily increasing. +Rents are in consequence exorbitantly high. It is very far from a +commodious house that can be had for a hundred a year, +unfurnished. + +Here is a very good market, although it is of very recent +date. It was established by Governor Macquarie, in the year 1813, +and is very well supplied with grain, vegetables, poultry, +butter, eggs and fruit. It is, however, only held three times a +week; viz. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It is a large +oblong enclosure, and there are stores erected in it by the +Governor, for the reception of all such provisions as remain +unsold at the close of the market, which lasts from six o'clock +in the morning in summer, and seven o'clock in winter, until +three o'clock in the evening. The vender pays in return a small +duty to the clerk of the market, who accounts quarterly for the +amount to the treasurer of the police fund. The annual amount of +these duties is about L130.* + +[* Vide Market Duties in the Appendix.] + +Here also is a Bank, called "The Bank of New South Wales," +which was established in the year 1817, and promises to be of +great and permanent benefit to the colony in general. Its capital +is L20,000, divided into two hundred shares. It has a +regular charter of incorporation, and is under the controul of a +president* and six directors, who are annually chosen by the +proprietors. The paper of this bank is now the principal +circulating medium of this colony. They discount bills of a short +date, and also advance money on mortgage securities. They are +allowed to receive in return an interest of 10 per cent. per +annum. + +[* See Appendix.] + +This town also contains two very good public schools, for the +education of children of both sexes. One is a day school for +boys, and is of course only intended to impart gratuitous +instruction:--the other is designed both for the education and +support of poor and helpless female orphans. This institution was +founded by Governor King, as long back as the year 1800, and +contains about sixty children, who are taught reading, writing, +arithmetic, sewing, and the various arts of domestic economy. +When their education is complete, they are either married to free +persons of good character, or are assigned as servants to such +respectable families as may apply for them. At the time of the +establishment of this school there was a large tract of land +(15,000 acres,) attached to it; and a considerable stock of +horses, cattle, and sheep, were also transferred to it from the +government herds. The profits of these stock go towards defraying +the expences of this school, and a certain portion, fifty or a +hundred acres of this land, with a proportionate number of them, +are given in dower with each female who marries with the consent +of the committee intrusted with the management of this +institution. + +Besides these two public schools in the town of Sydney, which +together contained, by the last accounts received from the +colony, two hundred and twenty-four children, there are +establishments for the gratuitous diffusion of education in every +populous district throughout the colony. The masters of these +schools are allowed stipulated salaries from the Orphan Fund. +Formerly particular duties, those on coals and timber, which +still go by the name of "The Orphan Dues," were allotted for the +support of these schools; but they were found to be insufficient, +and afterwards one-fourth, and more recently one-eighth, of the +whole revenue of the colony was appropriated to this purpose. +This latter portion of the colonial revenue may be estimated at +about L2500, which it must be admitted could not be devoted +to the promotion of any object of equal public utility. + +Independent of these laudable institutions thus supported at +the expence of the government, there are two private ones +intended for the dissemination of religious knowledge, which are +wholly maintained by voluntary contribution. One is termed "The +Auxiliary Bible Society of New South Wales," and its object is to +cooperate with the British and Foreign Bible Society, and to +distribute the holy Scriptures either at prime cost, or gratis, +to needy and deserving applicants. + +The other is called "The New South Wales Sunday School +Institution," and was established with a view to teach well +disposed persons of all ages how to read the sacred volume. These +societies were instituted in the year 1817, and are under the +direction of a general committee, aided by a secretary and +treasurer. + +There are in this town and other parts of the colony, several +good private seminaries for the board and education of the +children of opulent parents. The best is in the district of +Castlereagh, which is about forty miles distant, and is kept by +the clergyman of that district, the Rev. Henry Fulton, a +gentleman peculiarly qualified both from his character and +acquirements for conducting so responsible and important an +undertaking. The boys in this seminary receive a regular +classical education, and the terms are as reasonable as those of +similar establishments in this country. + +The harbour of Port Jackson is perhaps exceeded by none in the +world except the Derwent in point of size and safety; and in this +latter particular, I rather think it has the advantage. It is +navigable for vessels of any burden for about seven miles above +the town, i.e. about fifteen from the entrance. It possesses the +best anchorage the whole way, and is perfectly sheltered from +every wind that can blow. It is said, and I believe with truth, +to have a hundred coves, and is capable of containing all the +shipping in the world. There can be no doubt, therefore, that in +the course of a few years, the town of Sydney, from the +excellence of its situation alone, must become a place of +considerable importance. + +The views from the heights of the town are bold, varied and +beautiful. The strange irregular appearance of the town itself, +the numerous coves and islets both above and below it, the +towering forests and projecting rocks, combined with the infinite +diversity of hill and dale on each side of the harbour, form +altogether a coup d'oeil, of which it may be safely asserted that +few towns can boast a parallel. + +The neighbouring scenery is still more diversified and +romantic, particularly the different prospects which open upon +you from the hills on the south head road, immediately contiguous +to the town. Looking towards the coast you behold at one glance +the greater part of the numerous bays and islands which lie +between the town and the heads, with the succession of barren, +but bold and commanding hills, that bound the harbour, and are +abruptly terminated by the water. Further north, the eye ranges +over the long chain of lofty rugged cliffs that stretch away in +the direction of the coal river, and distinctly mark the bearing +of the coast, until they are lost in the dimness of vision. +Wheeling round to the south you behold at the distance of seven +or eight miles, that spacious though less eligible harbour, +called "Botany Bay," from the prodigious variety of new plants +which Sir Joseph Banks found in its vicinity, when it was first +discovered and surveyed by Captain Cook. To the southward again +of this magnificent sheet of water, where it will be recollected +it was the original intention, though afterwards judiciously +abandoned, to found the capital of this colony, you behold the +high bluff range of hills that stretch away towards the five +islands, and likewise indicate the trending of the coast in that +direction. + +If you afterwards suddenly face about to the westward, you see +before you one vast forest, uninterrupted except by the +cultivated openings which have been made by the axe on the +summits of some of the loftiest hills, and which tend +considerably to diminish those melancholy sensations its gloomy +monotony would otherwise inspire. The innumerable undulations in +this vast expanse of forest, forcibly remind you of the ocean +when convulsed by tempests; save that the billows of the one +slumber in a fixed and leaden stillness, and want that motion +which constitutes the diversity, beauty, and sublimity of the +other. Continuing the view, you arrive at that majestic and +commanding chain of mountains called "the Blue Mountains," whose +stately and o'ertopping grandeur forms a most imposing boundary +to the prospective. + +If you proceed on the south head road, until you arrive at the +eminence called "Belle Vue," the scenery is still more +picturesque and grand; since, in addition to the striking objects +already described, you behold, as it were at your feet, although +still more than a mile distant from you, the vast and foaming +Pacific. In boisterous weather the surges that break in mountains +on the shore beneath you, form a sublime contrast to the still, +placid waters of the harbour, which in this spot is only +separated from the sea by a low sandy neck of land not more than +half a mile in breadth; yet is so completely sheltered, that no +tempests can ruffle its tranquil surface. + +The town of Parramatta is situated at the head of Port Jackson +Harbour, at the distance of about eighteen miles by water, and +fifteen by land, from Sydney. The river for the last seven or +eight miles, is only navigable for boats of twelve or fifteen +tons burden. This town is built along a small fresh water stream, +which falls into the river. It consists principally of one street +about a mile in length. It is surrounded on the south side by a +chain of moderately high hills; and as you approach it by the +Sydney road, it breaks suddenly on the view when you have reached +the summit of them, and produces a very pleasing effect. The +adjacent country has been a good deal cleared; and the gay +mimosas, which have sprung up in the openings, form a very +agreeable contrast to the dismal gloom of the forest that +surrounds and o'ertops them. + +The town itself is far behind Sydney in respect of its +buildings; but it nevertheless contains many of a good and +substantial construction. These, with the church, the government +house, the new Orphan House, and some gentlemen's seats, which +are situated on the surrounding eminences, give it, upon the +whole, a very respectable appearance. There are two very good +inns, where a traveller may meet with all the comfort and +accommodation that are to be found in similar establishments in +the country towns of this kingdom. The charges too are by no +means unreasonable. + +The population is principally composed of inferior traders, +publicans, artificers, and labourers, and may be estimated, +inclusive of a company which is always stationed there, on a +rough calculation, at about twelve hundred souls. + +There are two fairs held half yearly, one in March and the +other in September; they were instituted about five years since +by the present governor, and already begin to be very numerously +and respectably attended. They are chiefly intended for the sale +of stock, for which there are stalls, pens, and every other +convenience, erected at the expence of the government; for the +use of these pens, etc. and to keep them in repair, a moderate +scale of duties* is paid by the vender. + +This town has for many years past made but a very +inconsiderable progress compared with Sydney. The value of land +has consequently not kept pace in the two places, and is at least +L200 per cent. less in the one than in the other. As the +former, however, is in a central situation between the rapidly +increasing settlements on the banks of the Hawkesbury and Nepean +rivers, and the latter the great mart for colonial produce, +landed property there and in the neighbourhood, will, without +doubt, experience a gradual rise. + +The public institutions are an Hospital, a Female Orphan +House, into which it is intended to remove the orphans from +Sydney, and a factory, in which such of the female convicts as +misconduct themselves, and those also who upon their arrival in +the colony are not immediately assigned as servants to families, +are employed in manufacturing coarse cloth. There are upon an +average about one hundred and sixty women employed in this +institution, which is placed under the direction of a +superintendant, who receives wool from the settlers, and gives +them a certain portion of the manufactured article in exchange: +what is reserved is only a fair equivalent for the expence of +making it, and is used in clothing the gaol gang, the reconvicted +culprits who are sent to the coal river, and I believe the +inmates of the factory itself. + +There is also another public institution in this town, well +worthy the notice of the philanthropist. It is a school for the +education and civilization of the aborigines of the country. It +was founded by the present governor three years since, and by the +last accounts from the colony, it contained eighteen native +children, who had been voluntarily placed there by their parents, +and were making equal progress in their studies with European +children of the same age. The following extract from the Sydney +Gazette, of January 4, 1817, may enable the reader to form some +opinion of the beneficial consequences that are likely to result +from this institution, and how far they may realize the +benevolent intentions which actuated its philanthropic +founder. + +"On Saturday last, the 28th ult. the town of Parramatta +exhibited a novel and very interesting spectacle, by the +assembling of the native tribes there, pursuant to the governor's +gracious invitation. At ten in the morning the market place was +thrown open, and some gentlemen who were appointed on the +occasion, took the management of the ceremonials. The natives +having seated themselves on the ground in a large circle, the +chiefs were placed on chairs a little advanced in front, and to +the right of their respective tribes. In the centre of the circle +thus formed, were placed large tables groaning under the weight +of roast beef, potatoes, bread, etc. and a large cask of grog +lent its exhilarating aid to promote the general festivity and +good humour which so conspicuously shone through the sable +visages of this delighted congress. The governor, attended by all +the members* of the native institution, and by several of the +magistrates and gentlemen in the neighbourhood, proceeded at half +past ten to the meeting, and having entered the circle, passed +round the whole of them, inquiring after, and making himself +acquainted with the several tribes, their respective leaders and +residences. His Excellency then assembled the chiefs by +themselves, and confirmed them in the ranks of chieftains, to +which their own tribes had exalted them, and conferred upon them +badges of distinction; whereon were engraved their names as +chiefs, and those of their tribes. He afterwards conferred badges +of merit on some individuals, in acknowledgment of their steady +and loyal conduct in the assistance they rendered the military +party, when lately sent out in pursuit of the refractory natives +to the west and south of the Nepean river. By the time this +ceremony was over, Mrs. Macquarie arrived, and the children +belonging to, and under the care of the native institution, +fifteen in number, preceded by their teacher, entered the circle, +and walked round it; the children appearing very clean, well +clothed and happy. The chiefs were then again called together to +observe the examination of the children as to their progress in +learning and the civilized habits of life. Several of the little +ones read; and it was grateful to the bosom of sensibility to +trace the degrees of pleasure which the chiefs manifested on this +occasion. Some clapped the children on the head; and one in +particular turning round towards the governor with extraordinary +emotion, exclaimed, Governor, that will make a good +settler,--that's my Pickaninny! (meaning his child). And some of +the females were observed to shed tears of sympathetic affection, +at seeing the infant and helpless off-spring of their deceased +friends, so happily sheltered and protected by British +benevolence. The examinations being finished, the children +returned to the institution, under the guidance of their +venerable tutor; whose assiduity and attention to them, merit +every commendation". + +[* Appendix] + +"The feasting then commenced, and the governor retired amidst +the long and reiterated acclamations and shouts of his sable and +grateful congress. The number of the visitants, (exclusive of the +fifteen children) amounted to one hundred and seventy-nine, viz. +one hundred and five men, fifty-three women, and twenty-one +children. It is worthy of observation that three of the latter +mentioned number of children, (and the son of the memorable +Bemni-long, was one of them) were placed in the native +institution, immediately after the breaking up of the congress, +on Saturday last, making the number of children now in that +establishment, altogether eighteen; and we may reasonably trust +that in a few years this benevolent institution will amply reward +the hopes and expectations of its liberal patrons and supporters, +and answer the grand object intended, by providing a seminary for +the helpless off-spring of the natives of this country, and +opening the path to their future civilization and +improvement." + +WINDSOR. + +The town of Windsor, (or as it was formerly called, the Green +Hills), is thirty-five miles distant from Sydney, and is situated +near the confluence of the South Creek with the river Hawkesbury. +It stands on a hill, whose elevation is about one hundred feet +above the level of the river, at low water. The buildings here +are much of the same cast as at Parramatta, being in general +weather boarded without, and lathed and plastered within. + +The public buildings are a church, government house, hospital, +barracks, court-house, store-house, and gaol, none of which are +worthy of notice. The inn lately established by Mr. Fitzgerald, +is by far the best building in the town, and may be pronounced +upon the whole, the most splendid establishment of the kind in +the colony. + +The bulk of the population is composed of settlers, who have +farms in the neighbourhood, and of their servants. There are +besides a few inferior traders, publicans and artificers. The +town contains in the whole about six hundred souls. + +The Hawkesbury here is of considerable size, and navigable for +vessels of one hundred tons burden, for about four miles above +the town. A little higher up, it is joined by, or rather is +called the Nepean river, and has several shallows; but with the +help of two or three ferries, it might still be rendered +navigable for boats of twelve or fifteen tons burden, for about +twenty miles further. This substitution of water for land +carriage, would be of great advantage to the numerous settlers +who inhabit its highly fertile banks, and would also considerably +promote the extension of agriculture throughout the adjacent +districts. + +Following the sinuosities of the river the distance of Windsor +from the sea is about one hundred and forty miles; whereas in a +straight line it is not more than thirty-five. The rise of the +tide is about four feet, and the water is fresh for forty miles +below the town. + +Land is about ten per cent. higher than at Parramatta, and is +advancing rapidly in price. This circumstance is chiefly +attributable to the small quantity of land that is to be had +perfectly free from the reach of the inundations, to which the +Hawkesbury is so frequently subject. These inundations often rise +seventy or eighty feet above low water mark; and in the instance +of what is still emphatically termed "the great flood," attained +an elevation of ninety-three feet. The chaos of confusion and +distress that presents itself on these occasions, cannot be +easily conceived by any one who has not been a witness of its +horrors. An immense expanse of water, of which the eye cannot in +many directions discover the limits, every where interspersed +with growing timber, and crowded with poultry, pigs, horses, +cattle, stacks and houses, having frequently men, women, and +children, clinging to them for protection, and shrieking out in +an agony of despair for assistance:--such are the principal +objects by which these scenes of death and devastation are +characterized. + +These inundations are not periodical, but they most generally +happen in the month of March. Within the last two years there +have been no fewer than four of them, one of which was nearly as +high as the great flood. In the six years precedings there had +not been one. Since the establishment of the colony they have +happened upon an average, about once in three years. + +The principal cause of them is the contiguity of this river to +the Blue Mountains. The Grose and Warraganbia rivers, from which +two sources it derives its principal supply, issue direct from +these mountains; and the Nepean river, the other principal branch +of it, runs along the base of them for fifty or sixty miles; and +receives in its progress, from the innumerable mountain torrents +connected with it, the whole of the rain which these mountains +collect in that great extent. That this is the principal cause of +these calamitous inundations has been fully proved; for shortly +after the plantation of this colony, the Hawkesbury overflowed +its banks, (which are in general about thirty feet in height), in +the midst of harvest, when not a single drop of rain had fallen +on the Port Jackson side of the mountains. Another great cause of +the inundations, which take place in this and the other rivers in +the colony, is the small fall that is in them, and the consequent +slowness of their currents. The current in the Hawkesbury, even +when the tide is in full ebb, does not exceed two miles an hour. +The water, therefore, which during the rains, rushes in torrents +from the mountains cannot escape with sufficient rapidity; and +from its immense accumulation, soon overtops the banks of the +river, and covers the whole of the low country. + +LIVERPOOL. + +The town of Liverpool is situated on the banks of Geoge's +river, at the distance of eighteen miles from Sydney. It was +founded by Governor Macquarie, and is now of about six years +standing. Its population may amount to about two hundred souls, +and is composed of a small detachment of military, of +cultivators, and a few artificers, traders, publicans, and +labourers. + +The public buildings are a church (not yet I believe +completed) a school house and stores for the reception and issue +of provisions to such of the settlers in the adjacent districts +as are victualled at the expense of the government. These +buildings, however, as might naturally be expected from the very +recent establishment of this town, are but little superior in +their appearance to the rude dwellings of its inhabitants. + +The river is about half the size of the Hawkesbury, and is +navigable for boats of twenty tons burden as high up as the town. +It empties itself into Botany Bay, which is about fourteen miles +to the southward of the heads of Port Jackson. It is subject to +the same sort of inundations as the Hawkesbury; but they are not +in general of so violent and destructive a nature. The tide rises +about the same height as in that river, and the current is, I +believe, nearly of the same velocity. + +The position of this town is all that can be urged in support +of the probability of its future progress; the land in its +vicinity being in general of a very indifferent quality. It is in +a central situation, between Sydney and the fertile districts of +Bringelly, Arids, Appin, Bunpury Curran, Cabramatta, and the +Seven Islands, to which last place the tide of colonization is at +present principally directing itself. There can be no doubt, +therefore, that the town of Liverpool will, in a few years, +become a place of considerable size and importance. Land there is +as yet of very trifling value; and a lease may be obtained by any +free person from the government, on the simple condition of +erecting a house on it. + +Society is upon a much better footing throughout the colony, +in general than might naturally be imagined, considering the +ingredients of which it is composed. In Sydney the civil and +military officers with their families form a circle at once +select and extended, without including the numerous highly +respectable families of merchants and settlers who reside there. +Unfortunately, however, this town is not free from those +divisions which are so prevalent in all small communities. +Scandal appears to be the favourite amusement to which idlers +resort to kill time and prevent ennui; and consequently, the same +families are eternally changing from friendship to hostility, and +from hostility back again to friendship. + +In the other towns these dissensions are not so common, +because the circle of society is more circumscribed; and in the +districts where there are no towns at all, they are still more +rare; because in such situations people have too much need of one +another's intercourse and assistance to propagate reports +injurious to their neighbour's character, unless on grave +occasions, and where their assertions are founded on truth. + +Generally speaking, the state of society in these settlements +is much the same, as among an equal population in the country +parts of this kingdom. Of the number of respectable persons that +they contain, some estimate may be formed if we refer to the +parties which are given on particular days at the Government +House. It appears from the Sydney Gazette of the 24th January, +1818, that one hundred and sixty ladies and gentlemen were +present at a ball and supper which was given there on the 18th of +that month, in celebration of her late majesty's birth-day. + +There are at present no public amusements in this colony. Many +years since, there was a theatre, and more latterly, annual +races; but it was found that the society was not sufficiently +mature for such establishments. Dinner and supper parties are +very frequent in Sydney; and it generally happens that a few +subscription balls take place in the course of the year. Upon the +whole it may be safely asserted, that the natural disposition of +the people to sociality has not only been in no wise impaired by +their change of scene, but that all classes of the colonists are +more hospitable than persons of similar means in this +country. + +There are four courts in this colony, established by charter, +viz. the Court of Admiralty, the Court of Criminal Judicature, +the Governor's Court, the Supreme Court, and the High Court of +Appeals. + +The Court of Vice Admiralty consists of the Judge Advocate, +and takes cognizance of captures, salvages, and such other +matters of dispute as arise on the high seas; but it has no +criminal jurisdiction. + +The Court of Criminal Judicature, consists of the Judge +Advocate and six officers of His Majesty's sea and land forces, +or of either, appointed by the governor. This court takes +cognizance of all treasons, felonies, misdemeanors, and in fact +of all criminal offences whatsoever; and afterwards adjudges +death or such other punishment as the law of England may have +affixed to the respective crimes of which the prisoners may be +found guilty. + +The Governor's Court consists of the Judge Advocate and two +inhabitants of the colony, appointed by precept from the +governor, and takes cognizance of all pleas where the amount sued +for does not exceed L50 sterling, (except such pleas as may +arise between party and party at Van Dieman's Land) and from its +decisions there is no appeal. + +The Supreme Court is composed of the judge of this court and +two magistrates, appointed by precept from the governor; and its +jurisdiction extends to all pleas where the matter in dispute +exceeds L50 sterling. From its judgments, however, appeals +lie to the High Court of Appeals. + +This latter court is presided by the governor himself, +assisted by the Judge Advocate; and its decisions are final in +all cases where the amount sued for does not exceed three +thousand pounds; but where the sum at issue exceeds this amount, +an appeal lies in the last instance to the king in council. + +These courts regulate their decisions by the law of England, +and take no notice whatever of the laws and regulations which +have been made at various times by the local government. The +enforcement of these is left entirely to the magistracy, who +assemble weekly in the different towns throughout the colony, and +take cognizance of all infractions, as well of the colonial as of +the criminal code. The courts thus formed by the magistrates, go +by the name of "Benches of Magistrates," and answer pretty nearly +to the "courts of general quarter sessions for the peace," held +in the respective counties of this kingdom; and, generally +speaking, they exercise a jurisdiction perfectly similar. + +The roads and bridges which have been made to every part of +the colony, are truly surprising, considering the short period +that has elapsed since its foundation. All these are either the +work of, or have been improved by, the present governor; who has +even caused a road to be constructed over the western mountains, +as far as the depot at Bathurst Plains, which is upwards of 180 +miles from Sydney. The colonists, therefore, are now provided +with every facility for the conveyance of their produce to +market; a circumstance which cannot fail to have the most +beneficial influence in the progress of agriculture. In return +for these great public accommodations, and to help to keep them +in repair, the Governor has established toll-gates* in all the +principal roads. These are farmed out to the highest bidder, and +were let during the year 1817, for the sum of L257. + +[* For a list of tolls, see the +Appendix] + +The military force stationed in the colony consists ofseven +companies of the forty-eighth regiment, and the Royal Veteran +Company; which, form an effective body of about seven hundred +firelocks. These have to garrison the two principal settlements +at Van Diemen's Land, to provide a company for the establishment +at the Coal River, and to furnish parties for the various towns +and outposts of the extended territory of Port Jackson: so that +very few troops remain at head quarters. The colony is +consequently considered to be greatly in need of a further +accession of military strength. Much anxiety is felt on this +subject by the generality of the inhabitants, who have not yet +forgotten the insurrection which took place when the whole +population was not nearly so great as the present amount of the +convicts, although the military force was of equal magnitude. +That insurrection indeed was easily quelled; but the result of +another, under existing circumstances, would in all probability, +be very different. + +An equal degree of anxiety is felt, and more particularly by +the mercantile part of the community, that a sloop of war, or a +king's vessel of some description, should be stationed in the +harbour, both as a protection against the easy possibility of +outward assault, and to frustrate the numerous combinations which +the convicts are constantly forming, and often too successfully, +to carry away the colonial craft, to the certain destruction of +their own and the crew's lives, and to the ruin of the +unfortunate owners Not fewer than three piratical seizures of +this nature have been effected within the last three years. On +all of these occasions the vessels so seized were run ashore on +the uninhabited parts of the coast, and all hands on board, the +innocent crews, as well as the abandoned pirates, either perished +from hunger, or were immolated by the spears and waddies of the +ferocious savages. + +When Governor Macquarie assumed the command in 1810, the +population was only half its present number; and yet a sloop of +war was stationed at Port Jackson, and the military force also +was on a much more extended scale. Why a diminution has thus been +made in the means of protection and defence, when there appear to +be such strong grounds for their augmentation, merely with +reference to the internal state of the colony, it is no easy +matter to conjecture. + +The expediency also of putting the colony in a better posture +to repel outward attack, is not less obvious; for although we are +now at peace with the whole world, it would be absurd to overlook +the possibility of future wars. The only battery of any strength +is called, "Dawe's Battery;" and is, as I have already casually +noticed, situated in the extremity of that neck of land, on which +the western part of the town of Sydney is built. This battery, if +I remember right, mounts fourteen long eighteen-pounders, but the +carriages of the guns are in a bad state of repair, and the +embrasures are so low, that a single broadside of grape would +sweep off all who had the courage or temerity to defend it. + +Fort Philip stands on the highest part of the same neck of +land, and nearly in the centre of that part of the town which +goes by the name of "the Rocks." This fort was erected by +Governor King, immediately after the insurrection, to which I +have alluded. It is a regular hexagon, but it never was quite +finished, and there are no guns yet mounted on it. The glacis, in +fact, is not sufficiently levelled to allow a proper range for +artillery, and the circumjacent ground is so irregular and rocky, +that an enemy might at once erect batteries at fifty yards +distance. Besides, this fort is so completely hemmed in with +houses, that a great part of the town would be inevitably +destroyed by the fire from it. Its situation, therefore, is in +every point of view objectionable, and succeeding governors have +evinced their good sense, in not perfecting a work which would be +attended with a very considerable expense, and could never become +of any utility. + +A new battery has lately been commenced on Bennilong's Point; +but this and Dawe's Battery are both too near the town to protect +it from the most insignificant naval force. It is indeed a matter +of surprise, that during the last American war, not one of the +numberless privateers of that nation, attempted to lay the town +of Sydney under contribution, or to plunder it. A vessel of ten +guns might have effected this enterprise with the greatest ease +and safety; and that the inhabitants were not subjected to such +an insulting humiliation, could only have arisen from the enemy's +ignorance of the insufficiency of their means of defence. + +The climate of the colony, particularly in the inland +districts, is highly salubrious, although the heats in summer are +sometimes excessive, the thermometer frequently rising in the +shade to ninety, and even to a hundred degrees and upwards of +Fahrenheit. This, however, happens only during the hot winds; and +these do not prevail upon an average, more than eight or ten days +in the year. The mean heat during the three summer months, +December, January, and February, is about 80 degrees at noon. +This, it must be admitted, is a degree of heat that would be +highly oppressive to Europeans, were it not that the sea breeze +sets in regularly about nine o'clock in the morning, and blows +with considerable force from the N. E. till about six or seven +o'clock in the evening. It is succeeded during the night by the +land breeze from the mountains, which varies from W. S. W. to W. +In very hot days the sea breeze often veersround to the North and +blows a gale. In this case it continues with great violence, +frequently for a day or two, and is then succeeded not by the +regularland breeze, but by a cold southerly squall. The hot winds +blow from the N. W. and doubtless imbibe their heat from the +immense tract of country which they traverse. While they prevail +the sea and land breezes entirely cease. They seldom, however, +continue for more than two days at a time, and are always +superseded by a cold southerly gale, generally accompanied with +rain. The thermometer then sinks sometimes as low as 60 degrees, +and a variation of temperature of from 30 degrees to 40 degrees +takes place in half an hour. These southerly gales usually last +at this season from twelve to twenty-four hours, and then give +way to the regular sea and land breezes. + +During these three months violent storms of thunder and +lightning are very frequent, and the heavy falls of rain which +take place on these occasions, tend considerably to refresh the +country, of which the verdure in all but low moist situations +entirely disappears. At this season the most unpleasant part of +the day is the interval which elapses between the cessation of +the land breeze and the setting in of the sea. This happens +generally between six and eight o'clock in the morning, when the +thermometer is upon an average at about 72 degrees. During this +interval the sea is as smooth as glass, and not a zephyr is found +to disport even among the topmost boughs of the loftiest +trees. + +The three autumn months are March, April, and May. The weather +in March is generally very unsettled. This month, in fact, may be +considered the rainy season, and has been more fertile in floods +than any other of the year. The thermometer varies during the day +about 15 degrees, being at day-light as low as from 55 degrees to +60 degrees, and at noon as high as from 70 degrees to 75 degrees. +The sea and land breezes at this time become very feeble, +although they occasionally prevail during the whole year. The +usual winds from the end of March to the beginning of September, +are from S. to S. W. + +The weather in the commencement of April is frequently +showery, but towards the middle it gradually becomes more +settled, and towards the conclusion perfectly clear and serene. +The thermometer at the beginning of the month varies from 72 +degrees to 74 degrees at noon, and from the middle to the end +gradually declines to 66 degrees and sometimes to 60 degrees. In +the mornings it is as low as 52 degrees, and fires become in +consequence general throughout the colony. + +The weather in the month of May is truly delightful. The +atmosphere is perfectly cloudless, and the mornings and evenings +become with the advance of the month more chilly, and render a +good fire a highly comfortable and cheering guest. Even during +the middle of the day the most violent exercise may be taken +without inconvenience. The thermometer at sun-rise is under 50 +degrees, and seldom above 60 degrees at noon. + +The three winter months are June, July, and August. During +this interval the mornings and evenings are very chilly, and the +nights excessively cold. Hoar frosts are frequent, and become +more severe the further you advance into the interior. Ice half +an inch thick is found at the distance of twenty miles from the +coast. Very little rain falls at this season, but the dews are +very heavy when it does not freeze, and tend considerably to +preserve the young crops from the effects of drought. Fogs too +are frequent and dense in low damp situations, and on the banks +of the rivers. The mean temperature at day-light is from 40 +degrees to 45 degrees, and at noon from 55 degrees to 60 +degrees. + +The spring months are September, October, and November. In the +beginning of September the fogs still continue; the nights are +cold, but the days clear and pleasant. Towards the close of this +month the cold begins very sensibly to moderate. Light showers +occasionally prevail, accompanied with thunder and lightning. The +thermometer at the beginning of the month is seldom above 60 +degrees at noon, but towards the end frequently rises to 70 +degrees. + +In October there are also occasional showers, but the weather +upon the whole is clear and pleasant. The days gradually become +warmer, and the blighting north-west winds are to be apprehended. +The sea and land breezes again resume their full sway. The +thermometer at sun-rise varies from 60 degrees to 65 degrees, and +at noon is frequently up to 80 degrees. + +In November the weather may be again called hot. Dry parching +winds prevail as the month advances, and squalls of thunder and +lightning with rain or hail. The thermometer at day-light is +seldom under 65 degrees, and frequently at noon rises to 80 +degrees, 84 degrees, and even 90 degrees. + +Such is the temperature throughout the year at Port Jackson. +In the inland districts to the eastward of the mountains, the +thermometer is upon an average 5 degrees lower in the morning, +and the same number of degrees higher at noon throughout the +winter season, but during the summer months it is 5 degrees +higher at all hours of the day. On the mountains themselves, and +in the country to the westward of them, the climate, in +consequence of their superior elevation, is much more temperate. +Heavy falls of snow take place during the winter, and remain +sometimes for many days on the summits of the loftiest hills; but +in the valleys the snow immediately dissolves. The frosts too are +much more severe, and the winters are of longer duration. All the +seasons indeed are more distinctly marked to the westward of the +mountains, and bear a much stronger resemblance to the +corresponding ones in this country. + +From the foregoing account of the state of the weather and +temperature during the various seasons of the year, it will be +seen that the climate of the colony is upon the whole highly +salubrious and delightful. If the summers are occasionally a +little too hot for the European constitution, it will be +remembered that the extreme heats which I have noticed as +happening during the north-west winds, are of but short +continuance; and that the sea and land breezes, which prevail at +this season in an almost uninterrupted succession, moderate the +temperature so effectually, that even new comers are but little +incommoded by it, and the old residents experience no +inconvenience from it whatever. The sea breeze indeed is not so +sensibly felt in the interior as on the coast, by reason of the +great extent of forest which it has to traverse before the +inhabitants of the inland districts can receive the benefit of +it. This circumstance not only diminishes its force, but also +deprives it in a great measure of that refreshing coolness which +it imparts when inhaled fresh from the bosom of the ocean. The +heat consequently in the interior, particularly in low +situations, is much more intense than on the coast; but by way of +compensation for the advantage which in this respect the +districts in the vicinity of the sea possess over the inland +ones, these latter are from the same causes that impede the +approach of the sea breeze, exempt from the sudden and violent +variations of temperature, which are occasioned by the southerly +winds, and are without doubt the reason why pulmonic affections +are so much more prevalent in Sydney than in the interior. The +hot season, however, which is undoubtedly the most unhealthy part +of the year, does not, as will have been perceived, continue +above four months. The remaining eight possess a temperature so +highly moderate and congenial to the human constitution, that the +climate of this colony would upon the whole, appear to justify +the glowing enthusiasm of those who have ventured to call it the +Montpellier of the world. + +Abdominal and pulmonic complains are the two prevalent +diseases. The abdominal complaints are confined principally to +dysentery. This disorder is most common among the poorer classes +and new comers. In these it is generally intimately connected +with scurvy, and in both cases it is for the most part greatly +aggravated by the excessive use of spirituous liquors, to which +the mass of the colonists are unfortunately addicted. + +The pulmonic affections are generally contracted at an early +period by the youth of both sexes, and are occasioned by the +great and sudden variations of temperature already noticed. They +are not, however, accompanied with that violent inflammatory +action which distinguishes them in this country; but proceed +slowly and gradually, till from neglect they terminate in +phthisis. They are said to bear a strong affinity to the +complaint of the same nature which prevails at the Island of +Madeira; and it is remarkable, that in both these colonies a +change of air affords the only chance of restoration to the +natives; whereas foreigners labouring under phthisis upon their +arrival in either of these places, find almost instantaneous +relief. + +There are no infantile diseases whatever. The measles, hooping +cough, and small pox, are entirely unknown. Some few years, +indeed, before the foundation of this colony, the small pox +committed the most dreadful ravages among the aborigines. This +exterminating scourge is said to have been introduced by Captain +Cook, and many of the contemporaries of those who fell victims to +it, are still living; and the deep furrows which remain in some +of their countenances, shew how narrowly they escaped the same +premature destiny. The recollection of this dreadful malady will +long survive in the traditionary songs of this simple people. The +consternation which it excited is still as fresh in their minds +as if it had been but an occurrence of yesterday, although the +generation which witnessed its horrors, has almost past away. The +moment one of them was seized with it, it was the signal for +abandoning him to his fate. Brothers deserted their brothers, +children their parents, and parents their children; and in some +of the caves on the coast, heaps of decayed bones still indicate +the spots where the helpless sufferers were left to expire, not +so much perhaps from the violence of the disease as from the want +of sustenance. + +This fatal instance of the inveteracy of this disorder, when +once introduced into the colony, has not been without its +counterpoising benefit. It has induced the local government to +adopt proper measures for avoiding the propagation of a similar +contagion among the colonists. The vaccine matter was introduced +with this view many years back; but as all the children in the +colony were immediately inoculated, it was again lost from the +want of a sufficient number of subjects to afford a supply of +fresh virus; and for many years afterwards, every effort that was +made for its re-introduction proved abortive. Through the +indefatigable exertions, however, of Doctor Burke, of the +Mauritius, the colonists are again in possession of this +inestimable blessing; and there can be no doubt that proper +precautions will be taken to prevent them from being again +deprived of it. + +The colony of New South Wales possesses every variety of soil, +from the sandy heath, and the cold hungry clay, to the fertile +loam and the deep vegetable mould. For the distance of five or +six miles from the coast, the land is in general extremely +barren, being a poor hungry sand, thickly studded with rocks. A +few miserable stunted gums, and a dwarf underwood, are the +richest productions of the best part of it; while the rest never +gives birth to a tree at all, and is only covered with low +flowering shrubs, whose infinite diversity, however, and +extraordinary beauty, render this wild heath the most interesting +part of the country for the botanist, and make even the less +scientific beholder forget the nakedness and sterility of the +scene. + +Beyond this barren waste, which thus forms a girdle to the +coast, the country suddenly begins to improve. The soil changes +to a thin layer of vegetable mould, resting on a stratum of +yellow clay, which is again supported by a deep bed of schistus. +The trees of the forest are here of the most stately dimensions. +Full sized gums and iron barks, along side of which the loftiest +trees in this country would appear as pigmies, with the beefwood +tree, or as it is generally termed, the forest oak, which is of +much humbler growth, are the usual timber. The forest is +extremely thick, but there is little or no underwood. A poor sour +grass, which is too effectually sheltered from the rays of the +sun, to be possessed of any nutritive and fattening properties, +shoots up in the intervals. This description of country, with a +few exceptions, however, which deserve not to be particularly +noticed, forms another girdle of about ten miles in breadth: so +that, generally speaking, the colony for about sixteen miles into +the interior, may be said to possess a soil, which has naturally +no claim to fertility, and will require all the skill and +industry of its owners to render it even tolerably +productive. + +At this distance, however, the aspect of the country begins +rapidly to improve. The forest is less thick, and the trees in +general are of another description; the iron barks, yellow gums, +and forest oaks disappearing, and the stringy barks, blue gums, +and box trees, generally usurping their stead. When you have +advanced about four miles further into the interior, you are at +length gratified with the appearance of a country truly +beautiful. An endless variety of hill and dale, clothed in the +most luxuriant herbage, and covered with bleating flocks and +lowing herds, at length indicate that you are in regions fit to +be inhabited by civilized man. The soil has no longer the stamp +of barrenness. A rich loam resting on a substratum of fat red +clay, several feet in depth, is found even on the tops of the +highest hills, which in general do not yield in fertility to the +vallies. The timber, strange as it may appear, is of inferior +size, though still of the same nature, i. e. blue gum, box, and +stringy bark. There is no underwood, and the number of trees upon +an acre do not upon an average exceed thirty. They are, in fact, +so thin, that a person may gallop without difficulty in every +direction. Coursing the kangaroo is the favourite amusement of +the colonists, who generally pursue this animal at full speed on +horseback, and frequently manage, notwithstanding its +extraordinary swiftness, to be up at the death; so trifling are +the impediments occasioned by the forest. + +The above general description may be applied with tolerable +accuracy, to the whole tract of country which lies between this +space and the Nepean River. The plains, however, on the banks of +this river, which are in many places of considerable extent, are +of far greater fertility, being a rich vegetable mould, many feet +in depth, and have without doubt, been gradually formed by +depositions from it during the periods of its inundations. These +plains gradually enlarge themselves until you arrive at the +junction of the Nepean with the Hawkesbury, on each side of which +they are commonly from a mile to a mile and a half in breadth. +The banks of this latter river are of still greater fertility +than the banks of the former, and may vie in this respect with +the far-famed banks of the Nile. The same acre of land there has +been known to produce in the course of one year, fifty bushels of +wheat and a hundred of maize. The settlers have never any +occasion for manure, since the slimy depositions from the river, +effectually counteract the exhaustion that would otherwise be +produced by incessant crops. The timber on the banks of these +rivers is for the most part apple tree, which is very beautiful, +and bears in its foliage and shape a striking resemblance to the +oak of this country. Its wood, however, is of no value except for +firing, and for the immense quantity of pot-ash which might be +made from it. The blue gum and stringy bark are also very common +on these flooded lands, and of the best description. The banks of +the Hawkesbury formerly produced cedar, but it has long since +entirely disappeared. + +The banks of these rivers, and indeed the whole tract of +country, (generally speaking) which I have described, with the +exception of the barren waste in the vicinity of the coast, are, +to use the colonial term, located, i. e. either granted away to +individuals, or attached as commons to the cultivated districts. +It may not, therefore, be unacceptable to many of my readers, to +learn the particulars of those unappropriated tracts of land +within the immediate precincts of Port Jackson, which are best +adapted to the purposes of colonization. + +COW PASTURES. + +Of these "the cow pastures" rank first in point of proximity. +This tract of land has hitherto been reserved for the use of the +wild cattle; although these animals have for some time past +disappeared, either from having found an outlet into the +interior, through the surrounding mountains, or what is a still +more probable conjecture, from the exterminating incursions of +the numerous poor settlers, who have farms in the neighbourhood, +and who, considering their general poverty, it is easy to +believe, would not suffer the want of animal food, so long as +they could take their dogs and guns, and kill a cow or calf at +their option. These wild cattle were the progeny of a few tame +ones, which strayed away from the settlement shortly after the +period of its foundation, and were not discovered till about +fifteen years afterwards, when they had multiplied to several +thousands. On their discovery they immediately attracted the +attention of his majesty's ministers, and orders were dispatched +from this country, prohibiting the governor and his successors +from granting away the land, on which they had fixed themselves. +This they soon overspread, and on the occasion of the severe +droughts that were experienced in the colony in the years 1813, +1814, and 1815, great numbers of them perished from the want of +water and pasturage. Where thousands then existed, there are +scarcely hundreds to be found at present, and these chiefly +consist of bulls. A cow or calf can very rarely be met with. +There can consequently be very little doubt that they have +disappeared in the manner I have conjectured, and that their +numbers have been thus considerably reduced by the depredations +of the poorer settlers, which it was for a long time thought +beyond the power of the colonial courts to restrain; since, +although it was notorious that these wild cattle were originally +purchased by the crown, still the cattle of individuals had +subsequently, at various times, intermixed with them, and +prevented that identification of property, which the late judge +advocate considered essential to the conviction of the offenders. +His opinion, however, has been overruled by his successor, and +several persons have been lately tried for and found guilty of +this offence; and although they were not punished capitally for +it, there can be no doubt that their conviction will greatly +diminish such depredations for the future. Not that I consider +the preservation of these wild herds will be attended with any +advantages to the colony. On the contrary, it is my belief, that +their total destruction ought to be effected; since the increase +of them is of mere negative importance, compared with the +positive disadvantage that attends their occupation of one of the +most fertile districts in the colony, which it is to be hoped +will be soon covered with numerous flocks of fine wooled sheep, +for the pasture of which the greater part of it is so admirably +adapted. This tract of land is about thirty miles distant from +Sydney: it is bounded on the east by the river Nepean, on the +west by the Blue Mountains, of which this river, on the north +side of the cow pastures washes the base, so that they together +form the northern boundary, and on the south by a thick barren +brush of about ten miles in breadth, which these cattle have +never been able to penetrate. This fine tract of country is thus +surrounded by natural boundaries, which form it into an enclosure +somewhat in the shape of an oblong spheroid. It contains about +one hundred thousand acres of good land, a considerable portion +of which is flooded, and equal to any on the banks of the +Hawkesbury. + +FIVE ISLANDS. + +The next considerable tract of unappropriated land is the +district called the Five Islands. It commences at the distance of +about forty miles to the southward of Sydney, and extends to +Shoal Haven river. This tract of land lies between the coast and +a high range of hills which terminate at the north side abruptly +in the sea, and form its northern and western boundary: the ocean +is its eastern boundary, and Shoal Haven river its southern. The +range that surrounds this district on the north and west is a +branch of the Blue Mountains; and the only road at present known +to it, is down a pass so remarkably steep, that unless a better +be discovered, the communication between it and the capital by +land, will always be difficult and dangerous for waggons. This +circumstance is a material counterpoise to its extraordinary +fertility, and is the reason why it is at present unoccupied by +any but large stockholders. Those parts, however, which are +situated near Shoal Haven river, are highly eligible for +agricultural purposes; since this river is navigable for about +twenty miles into the country for vessels of seventy or eighty +tons burden; a circumstance which holds out to future colonists +the greatest facilities for the cheap and expeditious conveyance +of their produce to market. The land on the banks of this river +is of the same nature, and possesses equal fertility with the +banks of the Hawkesbury. There are several streams in different +parts of this district, which issue from the mountain behind, and +afford an abundant supply of pure water. In many places there are +large prairies of unparalleled richness, entirely free from +timber, and consequently prepared by the hand of nature for the +immediate reception of the ploughshare. These advantages, +combined with its proximity to Sydney, have already begun to +attract the tide of colonization to it, and will no doubt render +it in a few years one of the most populous, productive, and +valuable of all the districts. The soil is in general a deep fat +vegetable mould. The surface of the country is thinly timbered, +with the exception of the mountain which boundsit to the +Northward and Westward. This is covered with a thick brush, but +is nevertheless extremely fertile up to the very summit, and +peculiarly adapted both from its eastern aspect and mild climate +for the cultivation of the vine. This large tract of country was +only discovered about four years since, and has not yet been +accurately surveyed. Its extent, therefore, is not precisely +known; but it without doubt contains several hundred thousand +acres, including the banks of the Shoal Haven river. These +produce a great abundance of fine cedar, and other highly +valuable timber, for which there is an extensive and increasing +demand at Port Jackson. + +COAL RIVER. + +The next tract of unappropriated country which I shall +describe, is the district of the Coal River. The town of +Newcastle is situated at the mouth of this river, and is about +sixty miles to the northward of Port Jackson. Its population by +the last census forwarded to this country, was five hundred and +fifty souls. These, with the exception of a few free settlers, +established on the upper banks of this river, amounting with +their families perhaps to thirty souls, and about fifty troops, +are all incorrigible offenders, who have been convicted either +before a bench of magistrates, or the Court of Criminal +Judicature, and afterwards re-transported to this place, where +they are worked in chains from sunrise to sunset, and profitably +employed in burning lime and procuring coals and timber, as well +for carrying on the public works at Port Jackson, as for the +private purposes of individuals, who pay the government +stipulated prices for these different articles. This settlement +was, in fact, established with the two-fold view of supplying the +public works with these necessary articles, and providing a +separate place of punishment for all who might be convicted of +crimes in the colonial courts. + +The coal mines here are considerably elevated above the level +of the sea, and are of the richest description. The veins are +visible on the abrupt face of the cliff, which borders the +harbour, and are worked by adits or openings, which serve both to +carry off the water and to wheel away the coals. The quantity +procured in this easy manner is very great, and might be +increased to any extent. So much more coals indeed are thus +obtained than are required for the purposes of the government, +that they are glad to dispose of them to all persons who are +willing to purchase, requiring in return a duty of two shillings +and six pence per ton, for such as are intended for home +consumption, and five shillings for such as are for +exportation. + +The lime procured at this settlement is made from oyster +shells, which are found in prodigious abundance. These shells lie +close to the banks of the river, in beds of amazing size and +depth. How they came there has long been a matter of surprise and +speculation to the colonists. Some are of opinion that they have +been gradually deposited by the natives in those periodical +feasts of shell fish, for the celebration of which they still +assemble at stated seasons in large bodies: others have +contended, and I think with more probability, that they were +originally large natural beds of oysters, and that the river has +on some occasion or other, either changed its course or +contracted its limits, and thus deserted them. + +These beds are generally five or six feet above high-water +mark. The process of making lime from them is extremely simple +and expeditious. They are first dug up and sifted, and then piled +over large heaps of dry wood, which are set fire to, and speedily +convert the superincumbent mass into excellent lime. When thus +made it is shipped for Sydney, and sold at one shilling per +bushel. + +The timber procured on the banks of this river is chiefly +cedar and rose wood. The cedar, however, is becoming scarce in +consequence of the immense quantities that have been already cut +down, and cannot be any longer obtained without going at least a +hundred and fifty miles up the river. At this distance, however, +it is still to be had in considerable abundance, and is easily +floated down to the town in rafts. The government dispose of this +wood in the same manner as the coals, at the price of L3 +for each thousand square feet, intended for home consumption, and +L6 for the same quantity if exported. + +This settlement is placed under the direction of a commandant, +who is selected out of the officers of the regiment stationed in +the colony, and is allowed, as has been noticed, about fifty +fire-locks to maintain his authority. He is always appointed to +the magistracy previously to his obtaining this command, and is +entrusted with the entire controul of the prisoners, whom he +punishes or rewards as their conduct may appear to him to +merit. + +The harbour at the mouth of this river is tolerably secure and +spacious, and contains sufficient depth of water for vessels of +three hundred tons burden. The river itself, however, is only +navigable for small craft of thirty or forty tons burden, and +this only for about fifty miles above the town. Just beyond this +distance there are numerous flats and shallows, which only admit +of the passage of boats over them. This river has three branches; +they are called the upper, the lower, and the middle branch: the +two former are navigable for boats for about a hundred and twenty +miles, the latter for upwards of two hundred miles. The banks of +all these branches are liable to inundations equally terrific +with those at the Hawkesbury, and from the same causes; because +they are receptacles for the rain that is collected by the Blue +Mountains, which form the western boundary of this district, and +divide it as well as the districts of Port Jackson, from the +great western wilderness. The low lands within the reach of these +inundations is if possible of still greater exuberancy than the +banks of the Hawkesbury and Nepean, and of four times the extent. +The high-land, or to give it the colonial appellation, the forest +land, is very thinly studded with timber, and equal for all the +purposes of agriculture and grazing to the best districts of Port +Jackson. The climate too is equally salubrious, and on the upper +banks of the middle branch, it is generally believed, that the +summer heats are sufficient for the production of cotton; the +cultivation of which would become an inexhaustible source of +wealth to the growers, and would afford a valuable article of +export to the colony. + +In fact, under every point of view this district contains the +strongest inducements to colonization. It possesses a navigable +river, by which its produce may be conveyed to market at a +trifling expence, and the inhabitants of its most remote parts +may receive such articles of foreign or domestic growth and +manufacture as they may need, at a moderate advance: it surpasses +Port Jackson in the general fertility of its soil, and at least +rivals it in the salubrity of its climate: it contains in the +greatest abundance coal, lime, and many varieties of valuable +timber which are not found elsewhere, and promise to become +articles of considerable export: it has already established in an +eligible position, a small nucleus of settlers to which others +may adhere, and thus both communicate and receive the advantages +of society and protection; and it has a town which affords a +considerable market for agricultural produce, and of which the +commanding localities must rapidly increase the extent and +population. + +COUNTRY WEST OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS. + +The country to the westward of the Blue Mountains ranks next +in contiguity to Sydney, and claims pre-eminence not so much from +any superiority of soil in those parts of it which have been +explored, as from its amazing extent, and great diversity of +climate. These mountains, where the road has been made over them, +are fifty-eight miles in breadth; and as the distance from Sydney +to Emu Ford, at which place this road may be said to commence, is +about forty miles, the beginning of the vast tract of country to +the westward of them, it will be seen, is ninety-eight miles +distant from the capital. + +The road which thus traverses these mountains is by no means +difficult for waggons, until you arrive at the pass which forms +the descent into the low country. There it is excessively steep +and dangerous; yet carts and waggons go up and down it +continually: nor do I believe that any serious accident has yet +occurred in performing this very formidable undertaking. + +Still the discovery of a safer and more practicable pass would +certainly be attended with a very beneficial influence on the +future progress of colonization in this great western wilderness. +Every attempt, however, to find such a one has hitherto proved +abortive; and should the future efforts which may be made with +this view prove equally so, there can be little doubt, that the +communication between the eastern and western country will be +principally maintained by means of horses and mules with packs +and panniers. + +The elevation of these mountains above the level of the sea, +has not yet been determined; but I should imagine that it cannot +exceed four thousand feet. For the first ten or twelve miles they +are tolerably well clothed with timber, and produce occasionally +some middling pasture; but beyond this they are excessively +barren, and are covered generally with a thick brush, +interspersed here and there with a few miserable stunted gums. +They bear, in fact, a striking similarity, both in respect to +their soil and productions, to the barren wastes on the coast of +Port Jackson. They are very rocky, but they want granite, the +distinguishing characteristic of primitive mountains. Sandstone +thickly studded with quartz and a little freestone, are the only +varieties which they offer; a circumstance the more singular, as +the moment you descend into the low country beyond them, granite +is the only sort of stone that is to be met with for upwards of +two hundred miles. + +For the whole of this distance to the westward of these +mountains, the country abounds with the richest herbage, and is +upon the whole tolerably well supplied with running water. In the +immediate vicinity of them there is a profusion of rivulets, +which discharge themselves into the western river; or, as it is +termed by the natives, the Warragambia, the main branch, as I +have before observed, of the Hawkesbury. From the moment, +however, that the streams begin to take a western course, the +want of water becomes more perceptible, and increases as you +proceed into the interior, particularly in a south-west +direction. + +This large and fertile tract of country, is in general +perfectly free from underwood; and in many places, is without any +timber at all. Bathurst Plains, for instance, where there is a +commandant, a military depot, and some few settlers established, +have been found by actual admeasurement, to contain upwards of +sixty thousand acres, upon which there is scarcely a tree. The +whole of this western country, indeed, is much more open and free +from timber than the best districts to the eastward of the Blue +Mountains. + +The depot at Bathurst Plains, is 180 miles distant from +Sydney; and the road to it presents no impediment to waggons, but +the descent from the mountains into the low country; and even +this does not prevent the inhabitants from maintaining a regular +intercourse with that town, and receiving from it all the +supplies which they require. The difficulty, however, of thus +communicating with the capital, is such as to preclude this vast +tract of country from assuming an agricultural character; except +in as far as the raising of grain for a scanty population of +shepherds and herdsmen, may entitle it to this denomination; +since there are no navigable rivers, at all events for many +hundred miles into the interior, and the difficulty and expence +of a land-carriage across the Blue Mountains, will always prevent +the inhabitants of that part of this vast western wilderness, +which is at present explored, from entering into a competition +with the colonists in the immediate vicinity of Port Jackson. By +way, however, of set-off against the anifest superiority, which +the districts to the eastward of the mountains possess in this +respect over the country to the westward of them; this latter is +certainly much better adapted for all the purposes of grazing and +rearing cattle. The herbage is sweeter and more nutritive, and +there is an unlimited range for stock, without any danger of +their committing trespass. There is besides, for the first two +hundred miles, a constant succession of hill and dale, admirably +suited for the pasture of sheep, the wool of which will without +doubt eventually become the principal export of this colony, and +may be conveyed across these mountains at an inconsiderable +expense. + +The discovery of this vast and as yet imperfectly known tract +of country, was made in the year 1814, and will doubtless be +hereafter productive of the most important results. It has indeed +already given a new aspect to the colony, and will form at some +future day, a memorable era in its history. Nothing is now +wanting to render this great western wilderness the seat of a +powerful community, but the discovery of a navigable river +communicating with the western coast. That such exists, although +the search for it has hitherto proved ineffectual, there can be +no doubt, if we may be allowed to judge from analogy; since in +the whole compass of the earth, there is no single instance of so +large a country as New Holland, not possessing at least one great +navigable river. To ascertain this point has been one of the +leading objects of Governor Macquarie's administration, ever +since the discovery of the pass across the mountains. Several +unsuccessful expeditions have been fitted out with this view from +Sydney, both by sea and land. The last of which we have learned +the result, was conducted by Mr. Oxley, the surveyor-general, and +is most worthy of notice, as well from the extent of country +which he traversed, as from the probability that the river which +he discovered, discharges itself into the ocean on some part of +the western coast. The summary of this journey is contained in +the following letter, addressed by him to the governor on his +return from this expedition to Bathurst Plains. + +_Bathurst, 30th August_, 1817. + +SIR, + +I have the honour to acquaint your Excellency with my arrival +at this place last evening, with the persons comprising the +expedition to the westward, which your Excellency was pleased to +place under my direction. + +Your Excellency is already informed of my proceedings up to +the 30th of April. The limits of a letter will not permit me to +enter at large into the occurrences of nineteen weeks; and as I +shall have the honour of waiting on your Excellency in a few +days, I trust you will have the goodness to excuse the summary +account I now offer to your Excellency. + +I proceeded down the Lachlan in company with the boats until +the 12th of May, the country rapidly descending until the waters +of the river rose to a level with it, and dividing into numerous +branches, inundated the country to the west and north-west, and +prevented any further progress in that direction, the river +itself being lost among marshes: up to this point it had received +no accession of waters from either side, but on the contrary was +constantly dissipating in lagoons and swamps. + +The impossibility of proceeding further in conjunction with +the boats being evident, I determined upon maturer deliberation, +to haul them up, and divesting ourselves of everything, that +could possibly be spared, proceed with the horses loaded with the +additional provisions from the boats, in such a course towards +the coast as would intersect any stream that might arise from the +divided waters of the Lachlan. + +In pursuance of this plan, I quitted the river on the 11th +May, taking a south-west course towards Cape Northumberland, as +the best one to answer my intended purpose. I will not here +detail the difficulties and privations we experienced in passing +through a barren and desolate country, without any water but such +rain water as was found remaining in holes and the crevices of +rocks. I continued this course until the 9th of June, when having +lost two horses through fatigue and want, and the others in a +deplorable condition, I changed our course to north, along a +range of lofty hills, running in that direction, as they afforded +the only means of procuring water until we should fall in with +some running stream. On this course I continued until the 23d of +June, when we again fell in with a stream, which we had at first +some difficulty to recognise as the Lachlan, it being little +larger than one of the marshes of it, where it was quitted on the +17th of May. + +I did not hesitate a moment to pursue this course; not that +the nature of the country, or its own appearance in any manner +indicated that it would become navigable, or was even permanent; +but I was unwilling that the smallest doubt should remain of any +navigable waters falling westward into the sca, between the +limits pointed out in my instructions. + +I continued along the banks of the stream until the 8th of +July, it having taken during this period a westerly direction, +and passing through a perfectly level country, barren in the +extreme, and being evidently at periods entirely under water. To +this point it had been gradually diminishing, and spreading its +waters over stagnated lagoons and morasses, without receiving any +stream that we knew of during the whole extent of its course. The +banks were not more than three feet high, and the marks of flood +in the shrubs and bushes, shewed that at times it rose between +two and three feet higher, causing the whole country to become a +marsh, and altogether uninhabitable. + +Further progress westward, had it been possible, was now +useless, as there was neither hill nor rising ground of any kind +within the compass of our view, which was only bounded by the +horizon in every quarter, entirely devoid of timber except a few +diminutive gums on the very edge of the stream, might be so +termed. The water in the bed of the lagoon, as it might now be +properly denominated, was stagnant; its breadth about twenty +feet, and the heads of grass growing in it, shewed it to be about +three feet deep. + +This originally unlooked for and truly singular termination of +a river, which we had anxiously hoped and reasonably expected +would have led to a far different conclusion, filled us with the +most painful sensations. We were full five hundred miles west of +Sydney, and nearly in its latitude; and it had taken us ten weeks +of unremitted exertion to proceed so far. The nearest part of the +coast about Cape Bernouilli, had it been accessible, was distant +about a hundred and fifty miles. We had demonstrated beyond the +shadow of a doubt, that no river whatever could fall into the +sea, between Cape Otway and Spencer's Gulph; at least none +deriving their waters from the eastern coast, and that the +country south of the parallel of 34 degrees, and west of the +meridian of 147 degrees 30' East, was uninhabitable and useless +for all the purposes of civilized man. + +It now became my duty to make our remaining resources as +extensively useful to the colony as our circumstances would +allow: these were much diminished: an accident to one of the +boats, in the outset of the expedition, had deprived us of +one-third of our dry provisions, of which we had originally but +eighteen weeks; and we had been in consequence for some time on a +reduced ration of two quarts of flour per man, per week. To +return to the depot by the route we had come, would have been as +useless as impossible; and seriously considering the spirit of +your Excellency's instructions, I determined upon the most mature +deliberation, to take such a route on our return, as would, I +hope, best comport with your Excellency's views, had our present +situation ever been contemplated. + +Returning down the Lachlan, I re-commenced the survey of it +from the point in which it was made, the 23d of June; intending +to continue up its banks until its connection with the marshes, +where we quitted it on the 17th May, was satisfactorily +established, as also to ascertain if any streams might have +escaped our research. The connection with all the points of the +survey previously ascertained, was completed between the 19th of +July and the 3d of August. In the space passed over within that +period, the river had divided into various branches, and formed +three fine lakes, which, with one near the determination of our +journey westward, were the only considerable pieces of water we +had yet seen; and I now estimated that the river, from the place +where first made by Mr. Evans, had run a course, taking all its +windings, of upwards of twelve hundred miles; a length of course +altogether unprecedented, when the _single_ nature of the +river is considered, and that its _original_ is its +_only_ supply of water during that distance. + +Crossing at this point it was my intention to take a +north-east course, to intersect the country, and if possible +ascertain what had become of the Macquarie river, which it was +clear had never joined the Lachlan. This course led us through a +country to the full as bad as any we had yet seen, and equally +devoid of water, the want of which again much distressed us. On +the 7th of August the scene began to change, and the country to +assume a very different aspect: we were now quitting the +neighbourhood of the Lachlan, and had passed to the north-east of +the high range of hills, which on this parallel bounds the low +country to the north of that river. To the north-west and north, +the country was high and open, with good forest land; and on the +10th we had the satisfaction to fall in with the first stream +running northerly. This renewed our hopes of soon falling in with +the Macquarie, and we continued upon the same course, +occasionally inclining to the eastward, until the 19th passing +through a fine luxuriant country, well watered, crossing in that +space of time _nine_ streams, having a northerly course +through rich vallies; the country in every direction being +moderately high and open, and generally as fine as can be +imagined. + +No doubt remained upon our minds that those streams fell into +the Macquarie, and to view it before it received such an +accession, was our first wish. On the 19th we were gratified by +falling in with a river running through a most beautiful country, +and which I would have been well contented to have believed the +river we were in search of. Accident led us down this stream +about a mile, when we were surprised by its junction with a river +coming from the south, of such width and magnitude, as to dispel +all doubts as to this last being the river we had so long +anxiously looked for. Short as our resources were, we could not +resist the temptation this beautiful country offered us, to +remain two days on the junction of the river, for the purpose of +examining the vicinity to as great an extent as possible. + +Our examination increased the satisfaction we had previously +felt: as far as the eye could reach in every direction, a rich +and picturesque country extended, abounding in limestone, slate, +good timber, and every other requisite that could render an +_uncultivated_ country desirable. The soil cannot be +excelled, whilst a noble river of _the first magnitude_ +affords the means of conveying its productions from one part to +the other. Where I quitted it its course was northerly, and we +were then north of the parallel of Port Stevens, being in +latitude 32 degrees 45' South, and 148 degrees 58' East +longitude. + +It appeared to me that the Macquarie had taken a north +north-west course from Bathurst, and that it must have received +immense accessions of water in its course from that place. We +viewed it at a period best calculated to form an accurate +judgment of its importance, when it was neither swelled by floods +beyond its natural and usual height, nor contracted within its +limits by summer droughts: of its magnitude when it should have +received the streams we had crossed, independent of any it may +receive from the east, which from the boldness and height of the +country, I presume, must be at least as many, some idea may be +formed, when at this point it exceeded in breadth and apparent +depth, the Hawkesbury at Windsor. Many of the branches were of +grander and more extended proportion than the admired one on the +Nepean River from the Warragambia to Emu Plains. + +Resolving to keep as near the river as possible during the +remainder of our course to Bathurst, and endeavour to ascertain +at least on the west side, what waters fell into it, on the 22d +we proceeded up the river, and between the point quitted and +Bathurst, crossed the sources of numberless streams, all running +into the Macquarie; two of them were nearly as large as that +river itself at Bathurst. The country from whence all these +streams derive their source, was mountainous and irregular, and +appeared equally so on the east side of the Macquarie. This +description of country extended to the immediate vicinity of +Bathurst; but to the west of those lofty ranges, the country was +broken into low grassy hills, and fine valleys watered by +rivulets rising on the west side of the mountains, which on their +eastern side pour their waters directly into the Macquarie. + +These westerly streams appeared to me to join that which I had +at first sight taken for the Macquarie; and when united fall into +it at the point at which it was first discovered, on the 19th +inst. + +We reached this place last evening, without a single accident +having occurred during the whole progress of the expedition, +which from this point has encircled within the parallels of 34 +degrees 30' South, and 32 degrees South, and between the +meridians of 149 degrees 43' and 143 degrees 40' East, a space of +nearly one thousand miles. + +I shall hasten to lay before your Excellency the journals, +charts, and drawings, explanatory of the various occurrences of +our diversified route; infinitely gratified if our exertions +should appear to your Excellency commensurate with your +expectations, and the ample means which your care and liberality +placed at my disposal. + +I feel the most particular pleasure in informing your +Excellency of the obligations I am under to Mr. Evans, the Deputy +Surveyor, for his able advice and cordial co-operation throughout +the expedition, and as far as his previous researches had +extended, the accuracy and fidelity of his narration was fully +exemplified. + +It would perhaps appear presuming in me to hazard an opinion +upon the merits of persons engaged in a pursuit of which I have +little knowledge; the extensive and valuable collection of plants +formed by Mr. A. Cunningham, the king's botanist, and Mr. C. +Frazer, the colonial botanist, will best evince to your +Excellency the unwearied industry and zeal bestowed on the +collection and preservation of them: in every other respect they +also merit the highest praise. + +From the nature of the greater part of the country passed +over, our mineralogical collection is but small. Mr. S. Parr did +as much as could be done in that branch, and throughout +endeavoured to render himself as useful as possible. + +Of the men on whom the chief care of the horses and baggage +devolved, it is impossible to speak in too high terms. Their +conduct in periods of considerable privation, was such as must +redound to their credit; and their orderly, regular, and obedient +behaviour, could not be exceeded. It may be principally +attributed to their care and attention that we lost only three +horses; and that, with the exception of the loss of the dry +provisions already mentioned, no other accident happened during +the course of it. I most respectfully beg leave to recommend them +to your Excellency's favourable notice. + +I trust your Excellency will have the goodness to excuse any +omissions or inaccuracies that may appear in this letter; the +messenger setting out immediately will not allow me to revise or +correct it. + +I have the honour, etc. + +J. OXLEY, Surveyor-Gen. + +To his Excellency Lachlan Macquarie, Esq. + +The course and direction of this river is the object of two +expeditions, of which we may shortly expect to learn the result. +One is by land, and conducted by the same gentleman; the other by +sea, and under the command of Lieutenant King, R.N.; whose +father, Captain King, was formerly Lieutenant Governor of Norfolk +Island, and afterwards Governor in Chief of New South Wales. + +If the sanguine hopes to which the discovery of this river has +given birth, should be realized, and it should be found to empty +itself into the ocean, on the north-west coast, which is the only +part of this vast island that has not been accurately surveyed, +in what mighty conceptions of the future greatness and power of +this colony, may we not reasonably indulge? The nearest distance +from the point at which Mr. Oxley left off, to any part of the +western coast, is very little short of two thousand miles. If +this river, therefore, be already of the size of the Hawkesbury +at Windsor, which is not less than two hundred and fifty yards in +breadth, and of sufficient depth to float a seventy-four +gun-ship, it is not difficult to imagine what must be its +magnitude at its confluence with the ocean; before it can arrive +at which it has to traverse a country nearly two thousand miles +in extent. If it possess the usual sinuosities of rivers, its +course to the sea cannot be less than from five to six thousand +miles, and the endless accession of tributary streams which it +must receive in its passage through so great an extent of +country, will without doubt enable it to vie in point of +magnitude with any river in the world. In this event its +influence in promoting the progress of population in this fifth +continent, will be prodigious, and in all probability before the +expiration of many years, give an entirely new impulse to the +tide of population: and here it may not be altogether irrelevant, +to enter into a short disquisition on the natural superiority +possessed by those countries which are most abundantly +intersected with navigable rivers. That such are most favourable +for all the purposes of civilized man, the history of the world +affords the most satisfactory proof There is not, in fact, a +single instance on record of any remarkable degree of wealth and +power having been attained by any nation which has not possessed +facilities for commerce, either in the number or size of its +rivers, or in the spaciousness of its harbours, and the general +contiguity of its provinces to the sea. The Mediterranean has +given rise to so many great and powerful nations, only from the +superior advantages which it afforded for commerce during the +long infancy of navigation. The number and fertility of its +islands, the serenity of its climate, the smoothness of its +waters, the smallness of its entrance, which although of itself +sufficient to indicate to the skilful pilot the proximity of the +ocean, is still more clearly defined by the Pillars of Hercules, +towering on each side of it, and forming land-marks not to be +mistaken by the timid, the inexperienced, or the bewildered. Such +are the main causes why the Mediterranean continued until the +discovery and application of the properties of the magnet, the +seat of successive empires so superior to the rest of the world +in affluence and power. It is indeed almost impossible to +conceive, how any considerable degree of wealth and civilization +can be acquired without the aid of navigation. From the moment +savages abandon the hunter state, and resign themselves to the +settled pursuits of agriculture, the march of population must +inevitably follow the direction of navigable waters; since in the +infancy of societies these furnish the only means of indulging +that spirit of barter which is co-existent with association, is +the main spring of industry, and the ultimate cause of all +civilization and refinement. In such situations the rude canoe +abundantly suffices to maintain the first necessary interchanges +of the superfluities of one individual for those of another. +Roads, waggons, etc. are refinements entirely unknown in the +incipient stages of society. They are the gradual results of +civilization, and consequent only on the accumulation of wealth +and the attainment of a certain point of maturity. Canals are a +still later result of civilization, and are undoubtedly the +greatest efforts for the encouragement of barter, and the +developement of industry, to which human power and ingenuity have +yet given birth. But after all, what are these artificial +channels of communication, these _ne plus ultras_ of human +contrivance, compared with those natural mediums of intercourse, +those mighty rivers which pervade every quarter of the globe? +What are they to the Danube, the Nile, the Ganges, the +Mississippi, or the Amazon? What are they, in fact, compared even +with those infinite minor navigable streams, of which scarcely +any country, however circumscribed, is entirely destitute? What! +but mere pigmy imitations of nature, which wherever there is a +sufficient number of rivers, will never be resorted to, unless it +be for the purpose of connecting them together, or of avoiding +those long and tedious sinuosities to which they are _all_ +more or less subject. + +Viewing therefore this newly discovered river only in the +light of a river of the first magnitude, it must be evident that +this important discovery will have an incalculable influence on +the future progress of colonization; but to be enabled fully to +estimate the beneficial consequences of which it will be +productive; it is essential to take into the estimate, the +probable direction of its course, and the point of its confluence +with the ocean. This I have already stated is with good reason +imagined to be on the north-west coast; since every other part of +this vast island has been so accurately surveyed, as scarcely to +admit of the possibility of so large a river falling into the sea +in any other position. Assuming, therefore, that the source of +this river is in the direction thus generally supposed, it will +be seen that it will surpass all the rivers in the world in +variety of climate; since reckoning merely from the spot where +Mr. Oxley discovered it to its conjectural embouchure, there will +be a difference of latitude of twenty degrees. Even omitting, +then, to take into computation the probable length of its course +from the place where it first becomes navigable, to the point +where that gentleman fell in with it, (and it was there running +from the south, and must have already been navigable for a +considerable distance, if we may judge from its size,) the world +does not afford any parallel of a river traversing so great a +diversity of climate. The majority indeed of the rivers, which +may be termed "rivers of the first magnitude," run from west to +east, or from east to west, and consequently vary their climate +only in proportion to their distance from the sea, to the +elevation of their beds, and to the extent of country traversed +by such of their branches as run at right angles with them. Of +this sort are the St. Lawrence, in North America, the Oronoko and +Amazon, in South America; the Niger, Senegal and Gambia, in +Africa; the Danube and Elbe, in Europe; and the Hoang Ho, and +Kiang Keou in Asia. It must indeed be admitted, that every +quarter of the globe furnishes some striking exceptions to this +rule, such as the Mississippi and River Plate in America; the +Nile, in Africa; the Rhine, the Dniester, the Don, and the Volga, +in Europe; and the Indus and Ganges, in Asia; all of which +certainly run from north to south, or south to north, and +consequently command a great variety of climate. + +In this respect, however, none of them will be worthy of +comparison with this newly discovered river, if the point of its +confluence with the ocean should happily be where it is +conjectured. And yet we find that all the countries through which +the above-named rivers pass, either have been, or promise to be, +the seats of much more wealthy and powerful nations than the +countries through which those rivers pass whose course is east or +west. The cause of this superiority of one over the other, is to +be traced to the greater diversity of productions, which will +necessarily be raised on the banks and in the vicinity of those +rivers whose course is north or south, a circumstance that is +alone sufficient to ensure the possessors of them, under +Governments equally favourable to the extension of industry, a +much greater share of commerce and wealth than can possibly +belong to the inhabitants of these rivers whose course is in a +contrary direction: and this for the simplest reason; because +rivers of the former description contain within themselves, many +of those productions which the latter can only obtain from +abroad. In the one, therefore, there is not only a necessity for +having recourse to foreign supply, which does not exist in the +other, but also a great prevention to internal navigation, +arising from the sameness of produce, and the consequent +impediment to barter, which must prevail in a country where all +have the same commodities to dispose of, where all wish to sell +and none to buy. To this manifest superiority which rivers +runningon a meridian claim over those running on a parallel, +there is no counterpoise, since they both contain equal +facilities for exporting their surplus productions, and receiving +in exchange the superfluities of other countries. It may, indeed, +here be urged, that there is, upon the whole, no surplus produce +in the world; and that, as the surplus, whatever may be its +extent, of one country, may be always exchanged for that of +another, as great a variety of luxuries may be thus obtained by +the inhabitants of rivers that run in an eastern or western +direction as can possibly be raised by the inhabitants of rivers +that run in a northern or southern; and that consequently the +same stimulus to an inland navigation will be created by the +eventual distribution of the various commodities procured by +foreign commerce, as if they had been the products of the country +itself. To this it may be replied, that although a much greater +variety of products may undoubtedly be imported from foreign +countries, than can possibly be raised within the compass of any +one navigable river, such products cannot afterwards be sold at +so cheap a rate. In all countries, therefore, where such products +are imported from abroad, the increase in their price must +occasion a proportionate diminution in their consumption, and in +so far inevitably operate as a check to internal navigation. + +This variety of production, and the additional encouragement +thus afforded by it, to what is well known to be one of the main +sources of national wealth, is sufficient to account for the +superior degree of civilization, affluence, and power, which have +in general characterized those countries whose rivers take a +northern or southern course. Some few nations, indeed, which do +not possess such great natural advantages, have supplied the want +of them by their own skill and industry, and have in the end +triumphed over the efforts of nature to check their progress. Of +a people who have thus overstepped these natural barriers opposed +to their advancement, and in spite of them attained the summit of +wealth and civilization, China perhaps furnishes the most +remarkable example. The two principal rivers of that country, the +Hoang Ho, or Yellow River, and the Kiang Keou, or Great River, +runs from west to east; yet by means of what is termed by way of +eminence, "The Great Canal," the Chinese have not only joined +these two mighty streams together, but have also extended the +communication to the northward, as far as the main branch of the +Pei Ho, and to the southward as far as the mouth of the Ningapo: +thus establishing by the intervention of this stupendous monument +of human industry and perseverance, and the various branches of +the four rivers which it connects, an inland navigation between +the great cities of Peking and Nanking, and affording every +facility for the transport of the infinite products raised within +the compass of a country containing from twelve to fifteen +degrees difference of latitude, and about the same difference of +longitude; or, in other words, a surface of about five hundred +and eighteen thousand four hundred square miles. + +This instance, however, of equal or superior civilization thus +attained by a nation, notwithstanding the principal rivers of +their country run from west to east, does not at all militate +against the natural superiority which has been conceded to those +countries whose rivers run in a contrary direction: it only shews +what may be effected by a wise and politic government averse to +the miseries of war, and steadily bent on the arts of peace. The +very attempts, indeed, of this enlightened people to supply the +natural deficiencies of their country by canals, are the +strongest commendations that can be urged in favour of a country +where no such artificial substitutes are necessary; where nature, +of her own lavish bounty has created facilities for the progress +of industry and civilization, which it would require the labour +and maturity of ages imperfectly to imitate. + +How far, indeed, these mighty contrivances of the +all-bounteous Creator, for the promotion and developement of +industry, outstrip all human imitation, the occurrences of the +passing hour furnish the most satisfactory and conclusive +evidence. The vast tide of emigration which is incessantly +rolling along the banks of the Mississippi, and of its tributary +streams, and the numberless cities, towns, and settlements, that +have sprung up as if it were by the agency of magic, in what but +a few years back was one boundless and uninterrupted wilderness, +speak a language not to be mistaken by the most ignorant or +prejudiced. The western territory, which though a province but of +yesterday, soon promises to rival the richest and most powerful +members of the American union, affords an instance of rapid +colonization, of which, the history of the world cannot produce a +parallel, and offers an incontestable proof of the natural +superiority which countries, whose rivers run in a northern or +southern course, possess over all others. + +But this fact is not merely established by the experience of +the present day, it is equally authenticated by the testimony of +past ages. What was the reason why Egypt was for so many +centuries the seat of affluence and power, but the Nile? that +India is still rich and populous, but the Indus and Ganges? These +countries, indeed, are no longer the great and powerful empires +they were, although the natural advantages of their situations +are still unchanged. But what mighty ravages will not a +blood-thirsty and overwhelming despotism effect? What health and +vigor can belong to that body politic which is forced to inhale +the nauseous effluvia of tyranny? Prosperity is a plant that can +only flourish in an atmosphere fauned by the wholesome breath of +freedom. The highest fertility of soil, the greatest benignity of +climate, the most commanding superiority of position, will +otherwise be unavailing. Freedom may in the end convert the most +barren and inhospitable waste into a paradise; but the inevitable +result of tyranny is desolation. + +The probable course of this newly discovered river, being thus +in every respect so decidedly favourable for the foundation of a +rich and powerful community, there can be little doubt that the +government of this country will immediately avail itself of the +advantages which it presents, and establish a settlement at its +mouth. What a sublime spectacle will it then be for the +philosopher to mark the gradual progress of population from the +two extremities of this river; to behold the two tides of +colonization flowing in opposite directions, and constantly +hastening to that junction, of which the combined waters shall +overspread the whole of this fifth continent! + +What a cheering prospect for the philanthropist to behold what +is now one vast and mournful wilderness, becoming the smiling +seat of industry and the social arts; to see its hills and dales +covered with bleating flocks, lowing herds, and waving corn; to +hear the joyful notes of the shepherd, and the enlivening cries +of the husbandman, instead of the appalling yell of the savage, +and the plaintive howl of the wolf; and to witness a country +which nature seems to have designed as her master-piece, at +length fulfilling the gracious intentions of its all-bounteous +Author, by administering to the wants and contributing to the +happiness of millions. + +What a proud sight for the Briton to view his country pouring +forth her teeming millions to people new hives, to see her +forming in the most remote parts of the earth new establishments +which may hereafter rival her old; and to behold thousands who +would perish from want within her immediate limits, procuring an +easy and comfortable subsistence in those which are more remote; +and instead of weakening her power and diminishing her resources, +effectually contributing to the augmentation of both, and forming +monuments which may descend to the latest posterity, +indestructible records of her greatness and glory. + +SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURE. + +The system of agriculture pursued in this colony, does not +materially differ from that which prevails in this country. +During the earlier stages of these settlements, the hoe-husbandry +was a necessary evil; but the great increase in the stock of +horses and cattle, has at last almost completely superseded it; +and the plough-husbandry is now, and has been for many years +past, in general practice. In new lands, indeed, the hoe is still +unavoidably used during the first year of their cultivation, on +account of the numerous roots and other impediments to the +plough, with which lands in a state of nature invariably abound; +but excepting these occasions, and the instances of settlers who +are unable to purchase horses or oxen, and consequently adhere to +the original mode of cultivation from necessity, the +hoe-husbandry is completely exploded. Until the year 1803, +eighteen years after the foundation of this colony, the +plough-husbandry was confined to a few of the richest +cultivators, from the exorbitant price of cattle. At that period, +however, the government herds had so considerably multiplied, +that the then governor (King) recommended the adoption of the +plough-husbandry in general orders, and tendered oxen at +L28 per head, to be paid either in produce or money, at the +end of three years, to all such settlers as were inclined to +purchase them. This custom has been followed by all his +successors; but as no abatement has been made in the price of +them, and as they can be obtained at one-third the amount +elsewhere, such only of the colonists now avail themselves of +this indulgence, as have no ready means of purchase, and are +allured by the length of the credit. + +Wheat, maize, barley, oats, and rye, are all grown in this +colony; but the two former are most cultivated. The climate +appears to be rather too warm for the common species of barley +and oats; but the poorer soils produce them of a tolerably good +quality. The skinless barley, or as it is termed by some, the +Siberian wheat, arrives at very great perfection, and is in every +respect much superior to the common species of barley; but the +culture of this grain is limited to the demand which is created +for it by the colonial breweries; the Indian corn, or maize, +being much better adapted for the food of horses, oxen, pigs, and +poultry. The produce too is much more abundant than that of +barley and oats; and the season for planting it being two months +later than for any other sort of grain, the settler has every +motive for giving it the preference. Wheat may be sown any time +from February to July, and even as late as August, if that month +happens to be moist; but the best months are April, May, and +June. The creeping wheat, however, may be sown in the +commencement of February; as should it become too rank, it can +easily be kept down by sheep, which are found to do this sort of +wheat no manner of injury. To the farmer, therefore, who keeps +large flocks of sheep, the cultivation of the creeping wheat is +highly advantageous; since in addition to its yielding as great a +crop as any other species of wheat, it supersedes the necessity +of growing turnips or other artificial food for the support of +his stock during the severity of the winter, when the natural +grasses become scanty and parched up by the frost. The red and +white lammas, and the Cape or bearded wheat, are the species +generally cultivated. June is the best month for sowing barley +and oats, but they may be sown till the middle of August with a +fair prospect of a good crop. Indian corn or maize may be planted +from the end of September to the middle of December; but October +is the best month. It is, however, a very common practice among +the settlers on the fertile banks of the Hawkesbury and Nepean, +to plant what is called stubble corn; that is, to plant it among +the wheat, barley, and oat stubbles, as soon as the harvest is +over, without ploughing or breaking up the ground. Maize is +frequently planted in this way until the middle of January, and +if the season proves sufficiently moist, yields a very abundant +crop. The usual manner of planting it is in holes about six feet +apart: five grains are generally put in each of these holes. The +average produce of this grain on rich flooded lands, is from +eighty to a hundred bushels per acre. Wheat in the same +situations yields from thirty to forty bushels; and barley and +oats, about fifty bushels an acre. On forest lands, however, the +crops are not so productive, unless the ground be well manured; +but the wheat, barley and oats, grown on this land, are much +heavier and superior in quality. The difference of the weight of +wheat grown in forest and flooded lands, is upon an average not +less than 8 lbs. per bushel. The former sort weighing 64 lbs. and +the latter only 56 lbs. + +The wheat harvest commences partially about the middle of +November, and is generally over by Christmas. The maize, however, +is not ripe until the end of March, and the gathering is not +complete throughout the colony before the middle of May. + +Potatoes*, cabbages, carrots, parsnips, turnips, pease, beans, +cauliflowers, brocoli, asparagus, lettuces, onions, and in fact +every species of vegetables known in this country, are produced +in this colony; many of them attain a much superior degree of +perfection, but a few also degenerate. To the former class belong +the cauliflower and brocoli, and the different varieties of the +pea; to the latter the bean and potatoe. For the bean, in +particular, the climate appears too hot, and it is only to be +obtained in the stiffest clays and the dampest situations. The +potatoe, however, is produced on all soils in the greatest +abundance, but the quality is not nearly as good as in this +country. In this respect, however, much depends on the nature of +the soil. In stiff clays the potatoes are invariably watery and +waxy, but in light sands and loams, they are tolerably dry and +mealy. Manure also deteriorates their quality, and in general +they are best when grown on new lands. Potatoes are in +consequence very commonly planted in the fields, as a first crop, +and are found to pulverize land just brought from a state of +nature into cultivation more than other root. An abundant crop of +wheat, barley, or oats, may be safely calculated to succeed them; +more particularly if a light covering of manure be applied at the +time of their planting. + +[* For the Colonial Garden, see +Appendix.] + +The colony is justly famed for the goodness and variety of its +fruits: Peaches, apricots, nectarines, oranges, grapes, pears, +plums, figs, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, and melons +of all sorts, attain the highest degree of maturity in the open +air; and even the pineapple may be produced merely by the aid of +the common forcing glass. The climate, however, of Port Jackson, +is not altogether congenial to the growth of the apple, currant, +and gooseberry; although the whole of these fruits are produced +there, and the apple, in particular, in very great abundance; but +it is decidedly inferior in quality to the apple of this country. +These fruits, however, arrive at the greatest perfection in every +part of Van Diemen's Land; and as the climate of the country to +the westward of the Blue Mountains, is equally cold, they will +without doubt attain there an equal degree of perfection; but the +short period which has elapsed since the establishment of a +settlement beyond these mountains, has not allowed the +nltramontanians to make the experiment. + +Of all the fruits which I have thus enumerated as being +produced in this colony, the peach is the most abundant and the +most useful. The different varieties which have been already +introduced, succeed one another in uninterrupted succession from +the middle of November to the latter end of March: thus filling +up an interval of more than four months, and affording a +wholesome and nutritious article of food during one-third of the +year. This fruit grows spontaneously in every situation, on the +richest soils, as on the most barren; and its growth is so rapid +that if you plant a stone, it will in three years afterwards bear +an abundant crop of fruit. Peaches are, in consequence, so +plentiful throughout the colony, that they are every where given +as food to hogs; and when thrown into heaps, and allowed to +undergo a proper degree of fermentation, are found to fatten them +very rapidly. Cider also is made in great quantities from this +fruit, and when of sufficient age, affords a very pleasant and +wholesome beverage. The lees, too, after the extraction of the +juice, possess the same fattening properties, and are equally +calculated as food for hogs. + +REARING OF CATTLE, ETC. + +The system of rearing and fattening stock in this colony is +simple and economical. Horses, in consequence of their rambling +nature, are almost invariably kept in enclosures. In the +districts immediately contiguous to Port Jackson, horned cattle +are followed by a herdsman during the day, in order to prevent +them from trespassing on the numerous uninclosed tracts of land +that are in a state of tillage, and they are confined during the +night in yards or paddocks. In the remoter districts, however, +which are altogether devoid of cultivation, horned cattle are +subjected to no such restraints, but are permitted to range about +the country at all times. The herds too are generally larger; and +although a herdsman is still required as well to prevent them +from separating into straggling parties, as to protect them from +depredation, the expence of keeping them in this manner is +comparatively trifling, and the advantages of allowing them this +uncontrouled liberty to range, very great; since they are found +during the heat of summer to feed more in the night than in the +day. This, therefore, is the system which the great stockholders +almost invariably pursue. Few of them possess sufficient land for +the support of their cattle; and as their estates too, however +remote the situation in which they may have been selected, have +for the most part become surrounded by small cultivators, who +seldom or ever inclose their crops, they generally recede with +their herds from the approach of colonization, and form new +establishments, where the liability to trespass does not exist. +They thus become the gradual explorers of the country, and it is +to their efforts to avoid the contact of agriculture, that the +discovery of the best districts yet known in the colony is +ascribable. + +The management of sheep is in some respects different. They +are never permitted to roam during the night, on account of the +native dog, which is a great enemy to them, and sometimes during +the day, makes great ravages among them, even under the eye of +the shepherd. In every part of the country, therefore, they are +kept by night either in folds or yards. In the former case the +shepherd sleeps in a small moveable box, which is shifted with +the folds, and with his faithful dog, affords a sufficient +protection for his flock, against the attempts of these midnight +depredators. In the latter the paling of the yards is always made +so high, that the native dog cannot surmount it; and the safety +of the flock is still further ensured by the contiguity of the +shepherd's house, and the numerous dogs with which he is always +provided. + +The natural grasses of the colony are sufficiently good and +nutritious at all seasons of the year, for the support of every +description of stock, where there is an adequate tract of country +for them to range over. But in consequence of the complete +occupation of the districts which are in the more immediate +vicinity of Port Jackson, and from the settlers in general +possessing more stock than their lands are capable of +maintaining, the raising of artificial food for the winter +months, has of late years become very general among such of them +as are unwilling to send their flocks and herds into the +uninhabited parts in the interior. This is a practice which must +necessarily gain ground; since it has been observed, that the +coldness of the climate keeps pace with the progress of +agriculture. In the more contiguous and cultivated districts, the +natural grass becomes consequently every year more affected by +the influence of frost, and the necessity of raising some +artificial substitute for the support of stock, during the +suspension of vegetation, more pressing and incumbent. It is from +this increase in the severity of the winters, that the custom of +making hay has begun to be adopted; and should the future +augmentation of cold be, as there is every reason to believe, +proportionate to the past, this custom will, before the +expiration of many years, become generally prevalent. It is +indeed, rather a matter of surprise than otherwise, that so +salutary a precaution has been so long in disuse; since such is +the luxuriance of the natural grass during the summer, that it is +the general practice after the seeds wither away, to set fire to +it, and thus improvidently consume what, if mown and made into +hay, would afford the farmer a sufficiency of nutritious food for +his stock during the winter, and altogether supersede the +subsequent necessity for his having recourse to artificial means +of remedying so palpable a neglect of the bounteous gifts of +nature. + +This custom of setting fire to the grass, is most prevalent +during the months of August and January, i.e. just before the +commencement of spring and autumn, when vegetation is on the eve +of starting from the slumber which it experiences alike during +the extremes of the winter's cold as of the summer's heat. If a +fall of rain happily succeed these fires, the country soon +presents the appearance of a field of young wheat; and however +repugnant this practice may appear to the English farmer, it is +absolutely unavoidable in those districts which are not +sufficiently stocked; since cattle of every description refuse to +taste the grass the moment it becomes withered. + +The artificial food principally cultivated in the colony are +turnips, tares, and Cape barley; and for those settlers in +particular who have flocks of breeding sheep, the cultivation of +them is highly necessary, and contributes materially to the +growth and strength of the lambs. On those also who keep dairies, +this practice of raising artificial food, is equally incumbent; +the natural grasses being quite insufficient to keep milch cows +in good heart during the winter, when there is the greatest +demand for butter. Good meat, too, is then only to be had with +difficulty, and this difficulty is increasing every year. There +cannot, therefore, be any doubt that it would answer the purposes +even of the grazier to have recourse to artificial means of +fattening his stock at that season; since it is then that he +would be enabled to obtain the readiest and highest price for his +fat cattle. + +PRICE OF CATTLE, ETC. + +The price of all manner of stock is almost incredibly +moderate, considering the short period which has elapsed since +the foundation of the colony. A very good horse for the cart or +plough may be had from L10 to L15, and a better +saddle or gig horse, from L20 to L30, than could be +obtained in this country for double the money. Very good +milch-cows may be bought from L5 to L10; working oxen +for about the same price; and fine young breeding ewes from +L1 to L3, according to the quality of their fleece. +Low as these prices may appear they are in a great measure +fictitious; since there is confessedly more stock of all sorts in +the colony, than is necessary for its population. It accordingly +frequently happens, particularly at sales by public auction, that +stock are to be bought for one-half, and even one-third of the +above prices; and there is every probability that before the +expiration of ten years, their value will be still more +considerably diminished. To be convinced of the truth of this +conjecture, we have only to look back a little into the annals of +the colony, and see how prodigiously cattle of every description +have multiplied. By a census taken at the end of the year 1800, +(twelve years after the institution of the colony) the number of +horses and mares was only 163; of horned cattle, 1024; and of +sheep, 6124. At the end of 1813, the horses and mares had +increased to 1891; the horned cattle to 21,513, and the sheep to +65,121: and in the month of November, 1817, the last year of +which we have received the census, the numbers were as follow: +horses and mares, 3072; horned cattle, 44,753; sheep, 170,420. +Thus it will be perceived, that in the space of seventeen years, +the stock of horses and mares has increased from 163, their +highest number for the first twelve years, to 3072; the stock of +horned cattle, from 1044 to 44,753; and the stock of sheep from +6124 to 170,920. This is of itself an increase great beyond all +ordinary computation; and it would appear still more surprising +if we could add to it the immense numbers of cattle and sheep +that have been slaughtered in the same period, for the supply of +the king's stores, and for general consumption. + +From the foregoing statement is will be evident, that the +future increase in the stock will be still more prodigious, and +still more considerably outstrip the advance of population. The +price therefore of cattle, great and rapid as has been its past +declension, must annually experience a still further diminution. +Of what will be their probable value in ten years more, it may +enable us to form no very inaccurate estimate, by referring to +what it was ten years back. In 1808, a cow and calf were sold by +public auction for L105, and the price of middling cattle +was from L80 to L100. A breeding mare was at the same +period worth from 150 to 200 guineas, and ewes from L10 to +L20. + +These immense prices, however, were the result of monopoly, +and consequently in a great measure fictitious; for in 1810, two +years after this, a herd of fine cattle were sold for L13 +per head. This almost incredible reduction in the value of cattle +in so short a period, was occasioned by the supercession of this +monopoly by the governor, who in the year 1808, was induced, from +the considerable increase that had taken place in the public +herds, to issue cows at L28 per head, payable in +agricultural produce, to all indiscriminately who chose to +purchase them. Hundreds of them, therefore, at this epoch, were +distributed among the settlers, and their extreme value insured +that degree of care and attention from their owners, which was +naturally followed by a rapid increase, and produced in the short +lapse of two years, that declension of price which would at first +sight appear so astonishing. + +Thus it may be perceived, that within the last ten years, +stock of all sorts have decreased in price, from L700 to +L1,000 per cent. and it is not unreasonable to conclude, +that in ten years hence, they will have experienced at least a +similar reduction. Should this conjecture be verified, they will +be of as little value in the remote parts of the colony, as the +horses and cattle on the plains of Buenos Ayres, where any person +may make what use he pleases of the carcase, provided he leaves +behind him the hide. + +PRICE OF LABOUR. + +The price of labour is at present very low, and is still +further declining in consequence of the demand for it not +equalling the supply. Upon the establishment of the Colonial +Bank, and the consequent suppression of that vile medium of +circulation, termed the colonial currency, between which and +British sterling there used to be a difference of value of from +L50 to L100 per cent. the price of labour was fixed +at the rates contained in the following general order, dated the +7th of December, 1816: + +"In consequence of the recent abolition of all colonial +currency, and the introduction and establishment of a sterling +circulation and consideration in all payments, dealings, +transactions, contracts, and agreements, within this territory +and its dependencies, his Excellency the Governor having deemed +it expedient to take into consideration the general rates and +prices of labour and wages within the same, as affected by the +alteration of the mode of payments at a sterling rate, or value, +and of the degree, measure, and sterling amount of the same, upon +a fair and equitable proportion and modus; and having also +adopted such measures in that respect as seemed best calculated +to fix and make known the same, is pleased hereby to declare, +order, and direct, that in addition to the rations according to +and equal with the government allowance, the sum of ten pounds +sterling per annum to a man convict, and seven pounds sterling to +a woman convict, as including the value of the slops allowed, and +the sum of seven pounds or five pounds ten shillings exclusive of +such slops; computed at three pounds per man, and one pound ten +shillings per woman, shall be allowed, claimed, or demandable, or +such part or proportion of such sum or sums as shall be equal and +according to the period and continuance of actual service, and no +more in respect of yearly wages, and in the same manner as yearly +wages for the extra work and service of any such male or female +convict respectively, duly assigned to any person or persons, by +or upon the authority of Government. + +"His Excellency is also pleased further to declare, order and +direct, that in consideration of the premises, the undermentioned +sums, amounts, and charges, and no more with regard to and upon +the various denominations of work, labour and services, described +and set forth, shall be allowed, claimed, or demandable within +this territory and its dependencies in respect thereof". + + L s. d. + +For falling forest timber, per acre, 0 8 0 +Burning off ditto, per ditto, 1 0 0 +Rooting out, and burning stumps on forest ground, per ditto, 1 10 0 +Falling timber on brush ground, per ditto, 0 12 0 +Burning off ditto, per ditto, 1 10 0 +Rooting out and burning stumps on ditto, per ditto, 1 17 6 +Breaking up new ground, per ditto, 1 0 0 +Breaking up stubble in corn ground, per ditto, 0 10 0 +Chipping in wheat, per ditto, 0 6 0 +Reaping ditto, per ditto, 0 10 0 +Threshing and cleaning wheat, per bushel, 0 0 8 +Holeing and planting corn, per acre, 0 5 0 +Chipping and shelling corn, per ditto, 0 6 8 +Pulling and husking ditto, per bushel, 0 0 4 +Splitting pales, (six feet long) per hundred, 0 3 0 +Ditto, (five feet long) per ditto, 0 2 6 +Shingle splitting, per thousand, 0 7 6 +Preparing and putting up morticed railing, five bars, with + two pannels to a rod, and posts sunk two feet in the ground,0 3 0 +Ditto, ditto, ditto, four bars, 0 2 6 +Ditto, ditto, ditto, three bars, 0 2 0 +Ditto, ditto, ditto, two bars, 0 1 9 + + +The rates limited in this order are pretty well proportioned +to the present state of the colony; but the attempt to reduce the +value of labour to a permanent standard, further than regards the +convicts, must evidently be abortive; since labour, like +merchandize, will rise and fall with the demand which may exist +for it in the market where it is disposable;--and although the +above order might prevent the labourer from recovering in the +colonial courts, a greater price for his labour than is +stipulated in the foregoing schedule, still the moment it becomes +the interest of the employer to give higher wages, he will do so, +and the discredit attached to the non-performance of a deliberate +contract will always prevent him from having recourse to the +courts for avoiding the fulfilment of it. The above rates, it +will be seen, only refer to the various species of labour +immediately attached to agriculture. The wages of artificers, +particularly of such as are most useful in infant societies, are +considerably higher: a circumstance which is principally to be +attributed to the practice of selecting from among the convicts +all the best mechanics for the government works. Carpenters, +stone-masons, brick-layers, wheel and plough-wrights, +black-smiths, coopers, harness-makers, sawyers, shoe-makers, +cabinet-makers; and in fact all the most useful descriptions of +handicrafts, are consequently in very great demand, and can +easily earn from eight to ten shillings per day. + +The price of land is entirely regulated by its situation and +quality. So long as four years back, a hundred and fifty acres of +very indifferent ground, about thre equarters of a mile from +Sydney, were sold by virtue of an execution, in lots of twelve +acres each, and averaged L14 per acre. This, however, is +the highest price that has yet been given for land not situated +in a town. The general value of unimproved forest land, when it +is not heightened by some advantageous locality, as proximity to +a town or navigable river, cannot be estimated at more than five +shillings per acre. Flooded land will fetch double that sum. But +on the banks of the Hawkesbury, as far as that river is +navigable, the value of land is considerably greater; that which +is in a state of nature being worth from L3 to L5 per +acre, and that which is in a state of cultivation, from L8 +to L10. The latter description rents for twenty and thirty +shillings an acre. + +The price of provisions, particularly of agricultural produce, +is subject to great fluctuations, and will unavoidably continue +so until proper measures are taken to counteract the calamitous +scarcities at present consequent on the inundations of the +Hawkesbury and Nepean. In the year 1806, the epoch of the great +flood, the old and new stacks on the banks of those rivers were +all swept away; and before the commencement of the following +harvest, wheat and maize attained an equal value, and were sold +at L5 and L6 per bushel. Even after the last overflow +of these rivers, in the month of March, 1817, wheat rose towards +the close of the year, to 31s. per bushel, and maize to 20s., and +potatoes to 32s. 6d. per cwt. although a very considerable supply +(about 20,000 bushels) was immediately furnished by the Derwent +and Port Dalrymple. But for this speedy and salutary succour, the +price of grain would have been very little short of what it was +in the year 1806; since the whole stock on hand appears, from the +muster taken between the 6th of October and the 25th of November, +to have only been as follows: wheat, 2405 bushels; maize, 1506. +This was all the grain that remained in the various settlements +of New South Wales and its dependencies, about a month before any +part of the produce of the harvest could be brought to market; +and when it is considered that this was to administer to the +support of 20,379 souls during that period, it will appear truly +astonishing that the prices continued so moderate. + +By way, however, of counterpoise to these lamentable +scarcities, which in general follow the inundations of the +principal agricultural settlements, provisions are very abundant +and cheap in years when the crops have not suffered from flood or +drought. In such seasons, wheat upon an average sells for 9s. per +bushel; maize for 3s. 6d.; barley for 5s.; oats for 4s. 6d. and +potatoes for 6s. per cwt. + +The price of meat is not influenced by the same causes, but is +on the contrary experiencing a gradual and certain diminution. By +the last accounts received from the colony, good mutton and beef +were to be had for 6d. per pound, veal for 8d. and pork for 9d. +Wheat was selling in the market at 8s. 8d. per bushel; oats at +4s.; barley at 5s.; maize at 5s. 6d.; potatoes at 8s. per cwt.; +fowls at 4s. 6d. per couple; ducks at 6s. per ditto; geese at 5s. +each; turkies at 7s. 6d. each; eggs at 2s. 6d. per dozen; and +butter at 2s. 6d. per pound. The price of the best wheaten bread +was fixed by the assize at 51/4d. for the loaf, weighing 2 +lbs. + +The progress which this colony has made in manufactures has +perhaps never been equalled by any community of such recent +origin. It already contains extensive manufactories of coarse +woollen cloths, hats, earthenware and pipes, salt, candles, and +soap. There are also extensive breweries, and tanneries, wheel +and plough-wrights, gig-makers, black-smiths, nail-makers, +tinmen, rope-makers, saddle and harness-makers, cabinet-makers, +and indeed all sorts of mechanics and artificers that could be +required in an infant society, where objects of utility are +naturally in greater demand than articles of luxury. Many of +these have considerable capitals embarked in their several +departments, and manufacture to a considerable extent. Of the +precise amount, however, of capital invested in the whole of the +colonial manufactories, I can give no authentic account; but I +should imagine it cannot be far short of L50,000. + +The colonists carry on a considerable commerce with this +country, the East Indies, and China; but they have scarcely any +article of export to offer in return for the various commodities +supplied by those countries. The money expended by the government +for the support of the convicts, and the pay and subsistence of +the civil and military establishments, are the main sources from +which they derive the means of procuring those articles of +foreign growth and manufacture which are indispensable to +civilized life. They have, however, at last a staple export, +which is rapidly increasing, and promises in a few years to +suffice for all their wants, and to render them quite independent +of the miserable pittance which is thus afforded them by the +expenditure of the government: I mean the fleeces of their +flocks, the best of which are found to combine all the qualities +that constitute the excellence of the Saxon and Spanish wools. +The sheep-holders in general have at length become sensible of +the advantage of directing their attention to the improvement of +their flocks; and if their exertions be properly seconded by the +countenance and encouragement of the local government, there can +be no doubt that the supply of fine wool, which the parent +country will before long receive from the colony, will amply +repay her for the care and expence she has bestowed on it during +the protracted period of its helpless infancy. The exportation of +this highly valuable raw material, is as yet but very limited: +last year it only amounted to about L8000; but when it is +considered that in the year 1817, there were 170,420 sheep in the +colony and its dependent settlements on Van Diemen's Land, and +that the majority of the sheep-holders are actively employed in +crossing their flocks with tups of the best Merino breed, it may +easily be conceived what an extensive exportation of fine wool +may be effected in a few years. + +The whole annual income of the colonists inhabiting the +various settlements in New Holland, cannot be estimated at more +than L125,000, and the following sub-divisions of it may be +taken as a very close approximation to the truth: + +Money expended by the government for the pay and +subsistence of the civil and military establishments, +and for the support of such of the convicts as are +victualled from the king's stores, L 80,000 +Money expended by shipping not belonging to the +colonial merchants, L 12,000 +Various articles of export collected from the adjacent +seas and islands, by the colonial craft, consisting +principally of seal skins, right whale, and elephant +oils, and sandal wood, L 15,000 +Wool grown in the colony, L 8,000 +Sundries, L 20,000 + -------- +Total L125,000 + -------- + + +The imports levied by the authority of the local government +form two distinct funds, one of which, as has been already +casually mentioned, is called the "Orphan Fund," and the other +"the Police Fund." The former, it has been seen, contains +one-eighth of the colonial revenue, and is devoted solely to the +promotion of education among the youth of the colony; the latter +contains the other seven-eighths, and is appropriated to various +purposes of internal economy; such as the construction and repair +of roads and bridges, the erection of public edifices, the +maintenance of the police, the cost of criminal prosecutions, and +the pay of various officers, principally in subordinate +capacities, who are not borne on the parliamentary estimate of +the civil establishment. These two funds amounted in the year +1817 to the sum of L20,272 6s. 21/2d. which was +derived from the following sources: + +*Duties collected by the naval officer, 17,240 0 71/4 +Market, toll, and slaughtering duties, 872 5 71/4 +67 Spirit Licences, 2,010 0 0 +10 Beer ditto, 50 0 0 +4 Brewing ditto, 100 0 0 + +Total L20,272 6 21/2 + + +[* For a list of these Duties, see the +Appendix.] + +If we add to this L907 6s. 91/4d. which is the +amount of the naval officer's commission on the duties collected +by him, we have a grand total of L21,179 12s. 113/4d.; +or, in other words, about one-sixth of the whole income of the +colony, absorbed by an illegal taxation. This is an enormous sum +to be levied in such an infant community; and it will appear the +more so if it be recollected that nineteen-twentieths of it are +collected from the duty which has been imposed on spirituous +liquors, and from licences to keep public-houses for the retail +of them. + +STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE SETTLEMENTS IN VAN DIEMEN'S +LAND. + +Van Diemen's Land is situated between 40 degrees 42', and 43 +degrees 43' of south latitude, and between 145 degrees 31' and +148 degrees 22' of east longitude. The honour of the discovery of +this island also belongs to the Dutch; but the survey of it has +been principally effected by the English. + +The aborigines of this country are, if possible, still more +barbarous and uncivilised than those of New Holland. They subsist +entirely by hunting, and have no knowledge whatever of the art of +fishing. Even the rude bark canoe which their neighbours possess, +is quite unknown to them; and whenever they want to pass any +sheet of water, they are compelled to construct a rude raft for +the occasion. Their arms and hunting implements also indicate an +inferior degree of civilization. The womera, or throwing stick, +which enables the natives of Port Jackson to cast their spears +with such amazing force and precision, is not used by them. Their +spears, too, instead of being made with the bulrush, and only +pointed with hard wood, are composed entirely of it, and are +consequently more ponderous. In using them they grasp the center; +but they neither throw them so far nor so dexterously as the +natives of the parent colony. This circumstance is the more +fortunate, as they maintain the most rancorous and inflexible +hatred and hostility towards the colonists. This deep rooted +enmity, however, does not arise so much from the ferocious nature +of these savages, as from the inconsiderate and unpardonable +conduct of our countrymen shortly after the foundation of the +settlement on the river Derwent. At first the natives evinced the +most friendly disposition towards the new comers; and would +probably have been actuated by the same amicable feeling to this +day, had not the military officer entrusted with the command, +directed a discharge of grape and canister shot to be made among +a large body who were approaching, as he imagined, with hostile +designs; but as it has since been believed with much greater +probability, merely from motives of curiosity and friendship. The +havoc occasioned among them by this murderous discharge, was +dreadful; and since then all communication with them has ceased, +and the spirit of animosity and revenge, which this unmerited and +atrocious act of barbarity has engendered, has been fostered and +aggravated to the highest pitch by the incessant rencontres which +have subsequently taken place between them and the settlers. +These, wherever and whenever an occasion offers, destroy as many +of them as possible, and they in their turn never let slip an +opportunity of retaliating on their blood-thirsty butchers. +Fortunately, however, for the colonists, they have seldom or +never been known to act on the offensive, except when they have +met some of their persecutors singly. Two persons armed with +muskets may traverse the island from one end to the other in the +most perfect safety. + +Van Diemen's Land has not so discouraging and repulsive an +appearance from the coast as New Holland. Many fine tracts of +land are found on the very borders of the sea, and the interior +is almost invariably possessed of a soil admirably adapted to all +the purposes of civilized man. This island is upon the whole +mountainous, and consequently abounds in streams. On the summits +of many of the mountains there are large lakes, some of which are +the sources of considerable rivers. Of these the Derwent, Huon, +and Tamar, rank in the first class. + +There is perhaps no island in the world of the same size which +can boast of so many fine harbours: the best are the Derwent, +Port Davy, Macquarie Harbour, Port Dalrymple, and Oyster Bay: the +first is on its southern side, the second and third on its +western, the fourth on its northern, and the fifth on its +eastern, so that it has excellent harbours in every direction. +This circumstance cannot fail to be productive of the most +beneficial effects, and will most materially assist the future +march of colonization. + +There is almost a perfect resemblance between the animal and +vegetable kingdoms of this island and of New Holland. In their +animal kingdoms in particular, there is scarcely any variation. +The native dog, indeed, is unknown here; but there is an animal +of the panther tribe in its stead, which, though not found in +such numbers as the native dog is in New Holland, commits +dreadful havoc among the flocks. It is true that its ravages are +not so frequent; but when they happen they are more extensive. +This animal is of considerable size, and has been known in some +few instances, to measure six feet and a half from the tip of the +nose to the extremity of the tail; still it is cowardly, and by +no means formidable to man: unless, indeed, when taken by +surprise, it invariably flies his approach. + +In the feathered tribes of the two islands, there is scarcely +any diversity; of this the wattle bird, which is about the size +of a snipe, and considered a very great delicacy, is the only +instance which I can cite. + +Like New Holland it has many varieties of poisonous reptiles, +but they are neither so venomous nor so numerous as in that +island. + +Its rivers and seas too, abound with the same species of fish. +Oysters are found in much greater perfection, though not in +greater abundance. The rocks that border the coasts and harbours +are literally covered with muscles, as the rocks at Port Jackson +are with oysters. + +There is not so perfect a resemblance in the vegetable +kingdoms of the two islands; but still the dissimilarity, where +it exists, is chiefly confined to their minor productions. In the +trees of the forest there is scarcely any difference. Van +Diemen's Land wants the cedar, mahogany, and rose wood; but it +has very good substitutes for them in the black wood and Huon +pine, which is a species of the yew tree, and remarkable for its +strong odoriferous scent and extreme durability. + +The principal mineralogical productions of this island are, +iron, copper, alum, coals, slate, limestone, asbestus, and +basaltes; all of which, with the exception of copper, are to be +had in the greatest abundance. + +HOBART TOWN. + +Hobart Town, which is the seat of the Lieutenant-Governor of +Van Diemen's Land, stands nine miles up the river Derwent. It was +founded only fifteen years since, and indeed the rudeness of its +appearance sufficiently indicates the recency of its origin. The +houses are in general of the meanest description, seldom +exceeding one story in height, and being for the most part +weather-boarded without, and lathed and plastered within. Even +the government house is of very bad construction. The residences, +indeed, of many individuals far surpass it. The population may be +estimated at about one thousand souls. + +This town is built principally on two hills, between which +there is a fine stream of excellent water, that issues from the +Table Mountain, and falls into Sullivan's Cove. On this stream a +flour mill has been erected, and there is sufficient fall in it +for the erection of two or three more. There are also within a +short distance of the town, several other streams which originate +in the same mountain, and are equally well adapted to similar +purposes. This is an advantage not possessed by the inhabitants +of Port Jackson; since there is not in any of the cultivated +districts to the eastward of the Blue Mountains a single run of +water which can be pronounced in every respect eligible for the +erection of mills. Windmills are in consequence almost +exclusively used for grinding corn in Sydney; but in the inland +towns and districts, the colonists are in a great measure obliged +to have recourse to hand mills, as the winds during the greater +part of the year, are not of sufficient force to penetrate the +forest and set mills in motion. + +The elevation of the Table Mountain, which is so called from +the great resemblance it bears to the mountain of the same name +at the Cape of Good Hope, has not been determined; but it is +generally estimated at about six thousand feet above the level of +the sea. During three-fourths of the year it is covered with +snow, and the same violent gusts of wind blow from it as from +this, its mountain name-sake; but no gathering clouds on its +summit give notice of the approaching storm. The fiery +appearance, however, of the heavens, affords a sufficient warning +to the inhabitants of the country. These blasts are happily +confined to the precincts of the mountain, and seldom last above +three hours; but nothing can exceed their violence for the time. +In the year 1810, I happened to be on board of a vessel which was +bound to Hobart Town: in consequence of the winds proving scanty, +we were obliged to anchor during the night in D'Entrecasteaux's +Channel. The following morning we got under weigh, expecting that +the sea breeze would set in by the time the anchor was hove up. +The seamen had no sooner effected this and set all sail, than we +were assailed with one of these mountain hurricanes. In an +instant the vessel was on her beam-ends, and in another, had not +all the sheets and halyards been let go, she would either have +upset or carried away her masts. The moment the sails were clued +up we brought to again; and as we were in a harbour perfectly +land-locked and very narrow, the vessel easily rode out this +blast. It only lasted about two hours; but the sea breeze did not +succeed it that day. The next morning, however, it set in as +usual. + +During the continuance of this mountain tornado, the waters of +the harbour were terribly agitated, and taken up in the same +manner as dust is collected by what are called whirlwinds in this +country. So great indeed was its fury, that it required us to +hold on by the ropes with all our force, in order to enable us to +keep our footing. + +The harbour at and conducting to the river Derwent, yields to +none in the world; perhaps surpasses every other. There are two +entrances to this river, which are separated by Pitt's Island; +one is termed D'Entrecasteaux's Channel, the other, Storm Bay. +D'Entrecasteaux's Channel, from Point Collins up to Hobart Town, +a distance, following the course of the water, of thirty-seven +miles, is one continued harbour, varying in breadth from eight to +two miles, and in depth from thirty to four fathoms. The river +Derwent itself has three fathoms water for eleven miles above the +town, and is consequently navigable thus far for vessels of the +largest burthen. Reckoning therefore from Point Collins, there is +a line of harbour in D'Entrecasteaux's Channel and the Derwent, +together of forty-eight miles, completely land-locked, and +affording the best anchorage the whole way. + +The entrance, however, by Storm Bay, does not offer the same +advantages; for it is twenty-two miles broad from Maria's Islands +to Penguin Island, and completely exposed to the winds from south +to south-east. This bay consequently does not afford the same +excellent anchorage as D'Entrecasteaux's Channel. It contains, +however, some few nooks, in which vessels may take shelter in +case of necessity. The best of these is Adventure Bay, which is +shut in from any winds that can blow directly from the ocean, but +is nevertheless exposed to the north-east winds, which have a +reach of twenty miles from the opposite side of the bay. There is +consequently, when these winds prevail, a considerable swell +here; but the force of the sea is in a great measure broken by +Penguin Island; and vessels having good anchors and cables have +nothing to fear. + +Storm Bay, besides thus forming one of the entrances to the +river Derwent, leads to another very good harbour, called North +Bay. This harbour is about sixteen miles long, and in some places +six miles and a half broad. The greater part of it is perfectly +land-locked, and affords excellent anchorage in from two to +fifteen fathoms water. That part in particular called Norfolk +Bay, forms a very spacious harbour of itself, being about three +miles in breadth and nine in length. This bay, besides being +better sheltered than the rest of the harbours, contains the +greatest depth of water, having in no place less than four +fathoms. + +All the bays and harbours which have been just described, +abound with right whale at a particular season of the year. These +leviathans of the deep quit the boisterous ocean, and seek the +more tranquil waters of these harbours, when they are on the +point of calving. This happens in November, and they remain there +with their young between two and three months. During this period +there are generally every year a few of the colonial craft +employed in the whale fishery; but the duties which are levied in +this country on all oils procured in vessels not having a British +register, amount to a prohibition, and completely prevent the +colonists from prosecuting this fishery further than is necessary +for their own consumption, and for the supply of the East India +market. Between two and three hundred tons annually suffice for +both these purposes. + +The whales frequently go up the river Derwent as far as the +town; and it is no uncommon sight for its inhabitants to behold +the whole method of taking them, from the moment they are +harpooned until they are finally killed by the frequent +application of the lance. This sight indeed has been occasionally +witnessed by the inhabitants of Sydney; since it has sometimes +occurred that a stray fish has entered the harbour of Port +Jackson, while some of the South Sea whalers have been lying +there, and that these have lowered their boats and killed it. + +All the bays and harbours in Van Diemen's Land, and most of +those likewise which are in Bass's Straits, and on the southern +coast of New Holland, abound with these fish at the same season. +If the colonists, therefore, were not thus restricted from this +fishery, it would soon become an immense source of wealth to +them; and I have no doubt that they would be enabled to export +many thousand tons of oil annually to this country. But it is in +vain that nature has been thus lavish of her bounties to them; in +vain do their seas and harbours invite them to embark in these +inexhaustible channels of wealth and enterprize. Their +government, that government which ought to be the foremost in +developing their nascent efforts, and fostering them to maturity, +is itself the first to check their growth and impede their +advancement. What a miserly system of legislation is it, which +thus locks up from its own subjects, a fund of riches that might +administer to the wants, and contribute to the happiness of +thousands! What barbarous tantalization to compel them to thirst +in the midst of the waters of abundance! + +PORT DALRYMPLE. + +This port, which was discovered by Flinders, in 1798, lies +thirty degrees E. S. E. of Three Hammock Island. The town of +Launceston stands about thirty miles from its entrance, at the +junction of the North Esk, and the South with the river Tamar. It +is little more than an inconsiderable village, the houses in +general being of the humblest description. Its population is +between three and four hundred souls. The tide reaches nine or +ten miles up the river Esk, and the produce of the farms within +that distance, may be sent down to the town in boats. But the +North Esk descends from a range of mountains, by a cataract +immediately into the river Tamar, and is consequently altogether +inaccessible to navigation. + +The Tamar has sufficient depth of water as far as Launceston, +for vessels of a hundred and fifty tons burthen; but the +navigation of this river is very intricate, by reason of the +banks and shallows with which it abounds, and it has been at +length prudently resolved to remove the seat of government nearer +the entrance of Port Dalrymple. A town called George Town, has +been for the last three years in a state of active preparation; +and it is probable that the commandant, and indeed the entire +civil and military establishments* of this settlement, have by +this time removed to it. In this case the greater part of the +population of Launceston will soon follow. This desertion of its +inhabitants will considerably diminish the value of landed +property in that town, and consequently be productive of great +loss to them; but there can be no doubt that the change of the +seat of government will in the event materially contribute to the +prosperity of the settlement in general. This abandonment, +therefore, or rather intended abandonment of the old town, has +been dictated by the soundest principles of policy and justice; +but although the equity of the maxim that the interests of the +few should cede to the good of the many, is incontrovertible, it +is nevertheless to be hoped, that some means will be contrived of +indemnifying the inhabitants of Launceston for the great injury +which they will suffer from the removal of the seat of government +to George Town. + +Within a few miles of Launceston, there is the most amazing +abundance of iron. Literally speaking, there are whole mountains +of this ore, which is so remarkably rich, that it has been found +to yield seventy per cent. of pure metal. These mines have not +yet been worked; the population, indeed, of the settlement would +not allow it; but there can be no doubt that they will at no very +remote period become a source of considerable wealth to its +inhabitants. + +There is a communication by land between Launceston and Hobart +Town, which are about one hundred and thirty miles distant from +each other in a straight line, and about one hundred and sixty, +following the windings of the route at present frequented. No +regular road has been constructed between these towns, but the +numerous carts and droves of cattle and sheep, which are +constantly passing from one to the other, have rendered the track +sufficiently distinct and plain. In fact, the making a road is a +matter of very great ease, both here and in Port Jackson. The +person whoever he may be that wants to establish a cart-road to +any place, marks the trees in the direction he wishes it to take, +and these marks serve as a guide to all such as require to travel +on it. In a very short time the tracks of the horses and carts +that have passed along it become visible, the grass is gradually +trod down, and finally disappears, and thus a road is formed; +not, indeed, so good as one of the usual construction, but which +answers all the purposes of those who have occasion to make use +of it. Wherever there happens to be a stream, or river that is +not fordable, it is customary to cut down two or three trees in +some spot on its banks, where it is seen that they will reach to +the other side of it. Across these, the boughs that are lopped +off themselves, or smaller trees felled for the purpose, are laid +close together, and over all a sufficient covering of earth. + +Of this description are all the roads and bridges in Van +Diemen's Land, and many of them, even in Port Jackson; but in +this respect it will be recollected that the latter is much in +advance of the former. The reason why the settlements on this +island are so much behind the parent colony, is not to be traced +so much to the greater recency of their origin, as to the +circumstance of their inhabitants being for the most part +established along the banks of navigable waters. At Port +Dalrymple, the majority of the settlers have fixed themselves on +the banks of the North Esk, within the navigable reach of that +river. The Derwent too, it has been seen, is navigable for +vessels of the largest burden for twenty miles from its entrance. +A little higher up, indeed, there are falls in it which interrupt +its navigation; but it is hardly yet colonized beyond these +falls, and whenever that shall be the case, it may be easily +rendered navigable for boats by the help of ferries for a +considerable distance further. Such of the agriculturists as have +not settled on the banks of this river, have selected their farms +in the district of Pitt Water; which extends along the northern +side of that spacious harbour, called "North Bay." These have +consequently the same facilities as those on the banks of the +Derwent for sending their produce to market by water, and they +naturally prefer this, the cheapest mode of conveyance. It may, +therefore, be perceived that the superior advantages which are +thus presented by an inland navigation, are the main causes why +the construction of regular roads has been so much neglected in +these settlements. So far, indeed, is this want of roads from +being an inconvenience to the inhabitants of them, that the +facilities afforded by this inland navigation for the transport +of all sorts of agricultural produce to market, is the principal +point of superiority which they can claim over their brethren at +Port Jackson. + +ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. + +In the two settlements on this island, there is but one court +of justice established by charter. This is termed the +Lieutenant-Governor's Court, and consists of the deputy judge +advocate, and two of the respectable inhabitants appointed from +time to time by the lieutenant-governor. The jurisdiction of this +court is purely civil, and only extends to pleas where the sum at +issue does not exceed L50; but no appeal lies from its +decisions. All causes for a higher amount, and all criminal +offences beyond the cognizance of the bench of magistrates, are +removed, the former before the Supreme Court, and the latter +before the Court of Criminal Judicature at Port Jackson. + +STATE OF DEFENCE, ETC. + +These settlements are in a very bad state of defence, having +but two companies of troops for the garrison and protection of +them both. They have consequently been infested for many years +past, by a banditti of run-away convicts, who have endangered the +person and property of every one that has evinced himself hostile +to their enormities. These wretches, who are known in the colony +by the name of bush-rangers, even went so far as to write +threatening letters to the lieutenant-governor and the +magistracy. In this horrible state of anarchy a simultaneous +feeling of insecurity and dread, naturally pervaded the whole of +the inhabitants; and the most respectable part of the +agricultural body with one accord betook themselves to the towns, +as the only certain means of preserving their lives, gladly +abandoning their property to prevent the much greater sacrifice +with which the defence of it would have been attended. There is +no species of outrage and atrocity, in which these marauders did +not indulge: murders, incendiaries, and robberies were their +ordinary amusements, and have been for many years past the +leading events in the annals of these unfortunate settlements. +Every measure that could be devised was taken for the capture and +punishment of these wretches. They were repeatedly outlawed, and +the most alluring rewards were set upon their heads; but the +insufficiency of the military force, the extent of the island, +their superior local knowledge, and the abundance of game, which +enabled them to find an easy subsistence, and rendered them +independent, except for an occasional supply of ammunition, with +which some unknown persons were base enough to furnish them in +exchange for their ill acquired booty; all these circumstances +conspired to baffle for many years every attempt that was made +for their apprehension. This long impunity served only to +increase their cruelty and temerity; and it was at last deemed +expedient by Lieutenant Governor Davy to declare the whole island +under the operation of martial law. This vigorous exertion of +authority was zealously seconded by the respectable inhabitants, +many of whom joined the military in the pursuit of these +miscreants, and fortunately succeeded by their joint exertions in +apprehending the most daring of their ringleaders, who were +instantly tried by a court martial and hanged in chains. This +terrible, though necessary example, was followed by a +proclamation offering a general amnesty to all the rest of these +delinquents who should surrender themselves before a certain day; +excepting, however, such of them as had been guilty of murder. +The proclamation had the desired effect: all who were not +excluded by their crimes availed themselves of the pardon thus +offered them. But strange to say, they were allowed to remain in +the island; and whether they were enamoured of the licentious +life they had been so long leading, or whether they distrusted +the sincerity of the oblivion promised them, and became +apprehensive of eventual punishment, in a few months afterwards +they again betook themselves to the woods, and rejoined those who +had been excluded from the amnesty. After this, they rivalled +their former atrocities, and a general feeling of consternation +was again excited among the well disposed part of the community. +And here, as it may not be uninteresting to many of my readers to +be acquainted with some of the specific outrages of these +monsters, I subjoin the following extracts from the Sydney +Gazette of the 25th Jan. 1817. + +The accounts of robberies by the banditti of bush-rangers on +Van Diemen's Land, presents a melancholy picture of the +distresses to which the more respectable classes of inhabitants +are constantly exposed from the daring acts of those infamous +marauders, who are divided into small parties, and are designated +by the name of the principal ruffian at their head, of whom one +Michael Howe appears to be the most alert in depredation. The +accounts received by the Kangaroo, which commence from the +beginning of November, state that on the 7th of that month, the +house and premises of Mr. David Rose at Port Dalrymple, were +attacked and plundered of a considerable property, by Peter +Sefton and his gang. The delinquents were pursued by the +commandant at the head of a strong detachment of the 46th +regiment; but returned after a five days hunt through the woods, +without being able to discover the villains, among whom is stated +to have been a free man, named Denis M'Caig, who went from hence +to Port Dalrymple in the Brothers. + +On the night of the 17th of November, the premises of Mr. +Thomas Hayes, at Bagdad, were attacked at a time when Mr. Stocker +and wife, and Mr. Andrew Whitehead (the former on their route +from Hobart Town to Port Dalrymple, with a cart containing a +large and valuable property) had unfortunately put up at the +house for the night. Michael Howe was the chief of this banditti, +which consisted of eight others. The property of which they +plundered Mr. and Mrs. Stocker on this occasion, was upwards of +L300 value, among which were two kegs of spirits. One of +these, a member of the gang wantonly wasted, by firing a +pistol-ball through the head of the keg, which contained eleven +gallons. They set their watches by Mr. Whitehead's, which they +afterwards returned; but took Mr. Stocker's away with their other +plunder. Mr. Wade, chief constable of Hobart Town, had stopped +with the others at Mr. Hayes's; but hearing a noise, which he +considered to denote the approach of bush-rangers, he prudently +attended to the admonition, and escaped their fury, which it was +concluded would have fallen heavily upon him, as they are at +variance with all conditions in life that are inimical to their +crimes. On the morning of the 2d instant, Mr. William Maum, of +Hobart Town, sustained the loss of three stacks of wheat by fire +at his farm at Clarence Plains, owing to the act of an +incendiary. + +On the 14th of November a large body, consisting of fourteen +men and two women, were unwelcomely fallen in with by a single +man on horseback, at Scantling's Plains. Howe and Geary were the +most conspicuous: they compelled him to bear testimony to the +swearing in of their whole party, to abide by some resolutions +dictated in a written paper, which one of them finished writing +in the traveller's presence. After a detention of about three +quarters of an hour, he was suffered to proceed under strong +injunctions to declare what he had been an eye-witness of; and to +desire Mr. Humphrey, the magistrate, and Mr. Wade, the chief +constable, to take care of themselves, as they were bent on +taking their lives, as well as to prevent them from growing +grain, or keeping goods of any kind. And by the information of a +person upon oath, it appears that they had about the same period, +forced away two government servants from their habitations, to a +distant place, on which the crimes of these wretches have stamped +the appellation of murderer's plains, (by themselves facetiously +called _the tallow-chandler's shop_) where they kept them to +work three days in rendering down beef-fat. How they could +afterwards appropriate so great a quantity of rendered fat and +suet, is truly a question worthy to be demanded; for it is far +more likely it should be taken off their hands by persons in or +near the settlements, who are leagued with them, in the way of +bartering one commodity for another, than that the bush-rangers +should either keep it for their own use, or bestow so much +trouble on the preparation of an article that would soon spoil in +their hands. The caftle that were in this instance so devoted, +were the property of Stones and Tray, who declare that out of +three hundred head, one hundred and forty have lately +disappeared". + +All the outrages above enumerated, it will be seen, were +perpetrated within the short period of ten days; and these +settlements continued the scene of similar enormities until the +July following, an interval of nearly eight months. On the +serious injury which the industrious and deserving of all +classes, must have experienced in that time, from the inability +of the government to afford them protection, it would be useless +here to dilate. It must be evident, that such extremes of anarchy +could not be of any long duration; and that one or other of these +two events became inevitable; either that the exertions and +enterprizes of the colonists should be brought to a stand, or +that these disturbers of the general tranquillity, should suffer +condign punishment. Fortunately the cause of public justice +triumphed, and the majority of these monsters either fell victims +to common distrust, or to the violated laws of their country. And +here, after detailing some few of their excesses, I cannot +refrain from giving in turn the account of the measures that led +to their discomfiture and apprehension, as extracted from the +Sydney Gazette of the 4th October, 1817. + +A meeting of public officers and principal inhabitants and +settlers, was convened at Hobart Town, by sanction of his honour, +Lieutenant-Governor Sorrel, (the successor of Colonel Davy) on +the 5th of July, for the purpose of considering the most +effectual measures for suppressing the banditti; when the utmost +alacrity manifested itself to support the views of government in +promoting that desirable object, and a liberal subscription was +immediately entered into for the purpose. The following +proclamation was immediately afterwards issued by the +Lieutenant-Governor. + +Whereas, the armed banditti, who have for a considerable time +infested the interior of this island, did on the 10th ultimo, +make an attack upon the store at George Town, which being left +unprotected, they plundered, taking away two boats, which they +afterwards cast ashore at the entrance of Port Dalrymple; and +whereas, the principal leader in the outrages which have been +committed by this band of robbers, is Peter Geary, a deserter +from his Majesty's 73d regiment, charged also with murder and +various other offences; and whereas, the undermentioned offenders +have been concerned with the said Peter Geary in most of these +enormities; the following rewards will be paid to any person or +persons, who shall apprehend these offenders, or any of them: + +Peter Geary--One Hundred Guineas. +Peter Septon, John Jones, Richard Collyer--Eighty Guineas +each. +Thomas Coine, Brown or Brune, a Frenchman--Fifty Guineas +each. + +And whereas, George Watts, a prisoner, who absented himself +from the Coal River, previous to the expiration of his sentence, +and who stands charged with various robberies and crimes, is now +at large: it is hereby declared, that a reward of eighty guineas +will be paid to any person or persons, who shall apprehend the +said George Watts. + +And all magistrates and commanders of military stations, and +parties, and all constables and others of his majesty's subjects, +are enjoined to use their utmost efforts to apprehend the +criminals above named. + +On the 10th of July, a division of the banditti proceeded to +George Town, and seizing upon the government boats, induced five +of the working people to abscond with them; upon representation +whereof to the Lieutenant-Governor, a proclamation was issued +requiring the return of those persons, under the assurance of +forgiveness, if so returning within twenty days, from the +consideration that the settlement of George Town had been for +some days without command or controul; the causes of which will +be found in our supplement of this day; wherein Mr. +Superintendent Leith, has, in his testimony upon the murder of +the chief constable of the settlement, declared his necessary +absence to Launceston at that express period. + +The gang of bush-rangers appeared in the vicinity of Black +Brush on Saturday, and were tracked on the following morning by +Serjeant M'Carthy, of the 46th, with his party. On Monday the +bush-rangers were at a house at Tea-tree Brush, where they had +dined, and about three o'clock Serjeant M'Carthy with his party +came up. The bush-rangers ran out of the house into the woods, +and being eleven in number, and well covered by timber and +ground, the eight soldiers could not close with them. After a +good deal of firing, Geary the leader was wounded, and fell; two +others were also wounded. The knapsacks of the whole and their +dogs were taken. Geary died the same night, and his corpse was +brought into town on Tuesday, as were the two wounded men. + +The remaining eight bush-rangers were seen in the +neighbourhood of the Coal River on Wednesday; but, as they must +have been destitute of provisions and ammunition, sanguine hopes +were entertained of their speedy fall. + +Dennis Currie and Matthew Kiegan, two of the original +bush-rangers, surrendered on the Monday following. + +On Wednesday, a coroner's inquest was held on the body of +James Geary, who died of the wound received in the affair at +Tea-tree Brush. Verdict, Homicide in furtherance of public +justice. + +Jones, a principal of the banditti, was shot in the beginning +of August, in the neighbourhood of Swanport, which is on the +eastern shore. For some days they had not been heard of; but by +the extraordinary exertions of Serjeant M'Carthy and his party of +the 46th regiment, were tracked and overtaken at the above place; +on which occasion Jones was killed on the spot by a ball through +the head. A prisoner of the name of Holmes was by the +bush-ranger's fire, wounded in two places, but we do not hear +mortally. + +On the Sunday evening after the above affair, some of the +villains effected a robbery at Clarence Plains; but became so +excessively intemperate from intoxication as to quarrel among +themselves; the consequence was, that another of the gang of the +name of Rollards, having been most severely bruised and beaten by +his associates fell into the hands of a settler, and was by him +taken a prisoner into Hobart Town. White and Johnson, two others +of the gang, were apprehended by Serjeant M'Carthy's party, on +Thursday the 14th of August, being conducted to their haunts by a +native woman, distinguished by the name of Black Mary, and +another girl. + +After the above successes in reducing the number of these +persons, some of them still continued out, on the 16th of August, +as appears from a report published: of the old bush-rangers, +Septon, Collyer, Coine, and Brune, also Watts, who kept separate +from the rest, and Michael Howe, who had before delivered himself +up, and after remaining some weeks in Hobart Town, took again to +the woods, from a dread, as was imagined, of ultimately being +called to answer for his former offences. At this period also, +there were two absentees from George Town, Port Dalrymple; a +number of the working hands having gone from that settlement +shortly before, all of whom had returned to their duty but these +two. White, Rollards, and Peck, were about this time under a +reward of sixty guineas for their apprehension, for an attempt to +commit a robbery at Clarence Plains: Peck was a freeman, the +other two prisoners. + +By the 6th of September, nearly the whole of the absentees of +whatever description had either surrendered or been apprehended; +and upon this day a proclamation was issued offering the +following rewards: for the apprehension of Michael Howe, one +hundred guineas; for George Watts, eighty guineas; and for Brune, +the Frenchman, fifty guineas; and in consequence of these prompt +and efficacious arrangements, additional captures had been made, +which placed it nearly beyond a doubt that Howe is almost, if not +the only individual of the desperate gangs now at large. + +This latter assertion, however, does not appear to have been +correct; for in a Sydney Gazette of the 25th of October, of the +same year, we have the following account of the apprehension and +surrender of some others of this banditti, and of an unsuccessful +attempt to take Michael Howe, which will tend to elucidate the +desperate character of this ruffian. + +Several persons have arrived as witnesses on the prosecution +of offenders transmitted for trial by the Pilot; two of whom are +charged with wilful murder, viz. Richard Collyer, as a principal +in the atrocious murder of the late William Carlisle and James +O'Berne, who were shot by a banditti of bush-rangers at the +settlement of New Norfolk, on the 24th of April, 1815; the +particulars whereof were published in the Sydney Gazette of the +20th of the following May. The other prisoner for murder is John +Hilliard, who was also one of the banditti of bush-rangers; but +being desirous of giving himself up, determined previously by +force or guile, to achieve some exploit, that might place the +sincerity of his contrition beyond doubt. Accident soon brought +the above Collyer, together with Peter Septon, another of the +banditti, within his power. He attacked and killed Septon, and +wounded Collyer, who nevertheless got away, but was soon +apprehended. It is for the killing of Septon, he is therefore to +be tried. Four of the prisoners sent by this vessel are for sheep +stealing. Another of the late banditti, George Watts, is come up +also, but under no criminal charge, as we are informed, he having +been desperately wounded by Michael Howe, in an attempt assisted +by William Drew, to take him into Hobart Town a prisoner; but in +which exertion Drew was shot dead by that desperate offender, and +the survivor Watts nearly killed also. + +* * * + +I have been thus copious in extracts from the Sydney Gazette, +to shew the lamentable state of danger and anarchy in which the +colonists on Van Diemen's Land have been kept by an +inconsiderable banditti; who, from the imbecility of the local +government, have been enabled to continue for many years in a +triumphant career of violence and impunity. This iniquitous and +formidable association may, indeed, be considered as crushed for +the moment, although the most desperate member of it is still at +large. But what pledge have the well disposed part of the +inhabitants, that a band equally atrocious will not again spring +up, and endanger the general peace and security? What guarantee, +in fact, have they that this very ruffian, the soul and center of +the late combination, will not serve as a rallying point to the +profligate, and again collect around him a circle of robbers and +murderers as desperate and bloody as the miscreants who have been +annihilated? And can the pursuits of industry quietly proceed +under the harassing dread which this constant liability to +outrage and depredation must inspire? There is no principle less +controvertible than that the subject has the same claims on the +government for support and protection, as they have on him, for +obedience and fidelity. The compact is as binding on the one +party, as on the other; and it is really discreditable to the +established character of this country, that any part of its +dominions should have continued for so long a period, the scene +of such flagrant enormities, merely from the want of a sufficient +military force to ensure the due administration of the laws, and +to maintain the public tranquillity. + +CLIMATE, ETC. + +The climate of this island is equally healthy, and much more +congenial to the European constitution, than that of Port +Jackson. The north-west winds, which are there productive of such +violent variations of temperature, are here unknown; and neither +the summers, nor winters, are subject to any great extremes of +heat, or cold. The frosts, indeed, are much more severe, and of +much longer duration; and the mountains with which this island +abounds, are covered with snow during the greater part of the +year; but in the vallies it never lingers on the ground more than +a few hours. Upon an average, the mean difference of temperature, +between these settlements and those on New Holland, (I speak of +such as are to the eastward of the Blue Mountains; for the +country to the westward of them, it has been already stated, is +equally cold with any part of Van Diemen's Land,) may be +estimated at ten degrees of Fahrenheit, at all seasons of the +year. + +The prevailing diseases are the same as at Port Jackson: i. e. +phthisis, and dysentery; but the former is not so common. +Rheumatic complaints, however, which are scarcely known there, +exist here to a considerable extent. + +SOIL, ETC. + +In this island, as in New Holland, there is every diversity of +soil, but certainly in proportion to the surface of the two +countries, this contains, comparatively, much less of an +indifferent quality. Large tracts of land perfectly free from +timber or underwood, and covered with the most luxuriant herbage, +are to be found in all directions; but more particularly in the +environs of Port Dalrymple. This sort of land is +_invariably_ of the _very best description_, and +_millions_ of acres still remain _unappropriated, which +are capable of being instantly converted to all the purposes of +husbandry. There the colonist has no expence to incur in clearing +his farm: he is not compelled to a great preliminary out-lay of +capital, before he can expect a considerable return; he has only +to set fire to the grass, to prepare his land for the immediate +reception of the plough-share; so that, if he but possess a good +team of horses, or oxen, with a set of harness, and a couple of +substantial ploughs, he has the main requisites for commencing an +agricultural establishment, and for ensuring a comfortable +subsistence for himself and family._ + +To this great superiority which these southern settlements may +claim over the parent colony, may be superadded two other items +of distinction, which are perhaps of equal magnitude and +importance. First, The rivers here have sufficient fall in them +to prevent any excessive accumulation of water, from violent or +continued rains; and are consequently free from those awful and +destructive inundations to which all its rivers are perpetually +subject. Here, therefore, the industrious colonist may settle on +the banks of a navigable river, and enjoy all the advantages of +sending his produce to market by water, without running the +constant hazard of having the fruits of his labour, the golden +promise of the year, swept away in an hour by a capricious and +domineering element. Secondly, The seasons are more regular and +defined, and those great droughts which have been so frequent at +Port Jackson, are altogether unknown. In the years 1813, 1814, +and 1815, when the whole face of the country there was literally +burnt up, and vegetation completely at a stand still from the +want of rain, an abundant supply of it fell here, and the +harvests, in consequence, were never more productive. Indeed, +since these settlements were first established, a period of +fifteen years, the crops have never sustained any serious +detriment from an insufficiency of rain; whereas, in the parent +colony, there have been in the thirty-one years that have elapsed +since its foundation, I may venture to say, half a dozen dearths, +occasioned by drought, and at least as many arising from +floods. + +The circumstance, therefore, of Van Diemen's Land being thus +exempt from those calamitous consequences, which are so frequent +in New Holland, from a superabundance of rain in the one +instance, and a deficiency of it in the other, is a most +important point of consideration, for all such as hesitate in +their choice betwixt the two countries; and is well worthy the +most serious attention of those who are desirous of emigrating to +one or the other of them, with a view to become mere +agriculturists. + +In the system of agriculture pursued in the two colonies, +there is no difference, save that the Indian corn, or maize, is +not cultivated here, because the climate is too cold to bring +this grain to maturity. Barley and oats, however, arrive at much +greater perfection, and afford the inhabitants a substitute, +although by no means an equivalent, for this highly valuable +product. The wheat, too, which is raised here, is of much +superior description to the wheat grown in any of the districts +at Port Jackson, and will always command in the Sydney market, a +difference of price sufficiently great to pay for the additional +cost of transport. The average produce, also, of land here, is +greater, although it does not exceed, perhaps not equal the +produce of the rich flooded lands on the banks of the Hawkesbury +and Nepean. A gentleman who resided many years at Port Dalrymple, +estimates the average produce of the crops at that settlement as +follows: Wheat, thirty bushels per acre; barley, forty-five +bushels per ditto; oats, he does not know, but say sixty bushels +per ditto. This estimate is not at all calculated to impress the +English farmer with as favourable an opinion of the fertility of +this settlement as it merits; but if he only witnessed the +slovenly mode of tillage which is practised there, he would be +surprised not that the average produce of the crops is so small, +but that it is so great. If the same land had the benefit of the +system of agriculture that prevails throughout the county of +Norfolk, it may be safely asserted that its produce would be +doubled. The land on the upper banks of the river Derwent and at +Pitt-water, is equally fertile; but the average produce of the +crops on the whole of the cultivated districts belonging to this +settlement, is at least one-fifth less than at Port +Dalrymple. + +These settlements do not contain either such a variety or +abundance of fruit as the parent colony. The superior coldness of +their climate sufficiently accounts for the former deficiency, +and the greater recency of their establishment for the latter. +The orange, citron, guava, loquet, pomegranate, and many other +fruits which attain the greatest perfection at Port Jackson, +cannot be produced here at all without having recourse to +artificial means; while many more, as the peach, nectarine, +grape, etc. only arrive at a very inferior degree of maturity. On +the other hand, as has been already noticed, the apple, currant, +gooseberry, and indeed all those fruits for which the climate of +the parent colony is too warm, are raised here without +difficulty. + +The system of rearing and fattening cattle is perfectly +analogous to that which is pursued at Port Jackson. The natural +grasses afford an abundance of pasturage at all seasons of the +year, and no provision of winter provender, in the shape either +of hay or artificial food, is made by the settler for his cattle; +yet, notwithstanding this palpable omission, and the greater +length and severity of the winters, all manner of stock attain +there a much larger size than at Port Jackson. Oxen from three to +four years old average here about 700 lbs. and wethers from two +to three years old, from 80 to 90 lbs.; while there oxen of the +same age, do not average more than 500 lbs. and wethers not more +than 40 lbs. At Port Dalrymple it is no uncommon occurrence for +yearly lambs to weigh from 100 to 120 lbs. and for three year old +wethers to weigh 150 lbs. and upwards; but this great +disproportion of weight arises in some measure from the greater +part of the sheep at this settlement, having become, from +constant crossing, nearly of the pure Teeswater breed. Still the +superior richness of the natural pastures in these southern +settlements, is without doubt the main cause of the increased +weight at which both sheep and cattle arrive; since there is both +a kindlier and larger breed of cattle at Port Jackson, which +nevertheless, neither weighs as heavy, nor affords as much suet +as the cattle there. This is an incontrovertible proof that the +natural grasses possess much more nutritive and fattening +qualities in this colony than in the other; and the superior +clearness of the country is quite sufficient to account for this +circumstance, without taking into the estimate the additional +fact, that up to a certain parallel of latitude, to which neither +the one nor the other of the countries in question extends, the +superior adaptation of the colder climate for the rearing and +fattening of stock, is quite unquestionable. + +The price of provisions is about on a par in the two colonies, +or if there be any difference, it is somewhat lower here. Horses +three or four years back were considerably dearer than at Port +Jackson; but large importations of them have been made in +consequence, and it is probable that their value is before this +time completely equalized. + +The wages of ordinary labourers are at least thirty per cent. +higher, and of mechanics, fifty per cent. higher than in the +parent colony; a disproportion solely attributable to the very +unequal and injudicious distribution that has been made of the +convicts. + +The progress made by these settlements in manufactures, is too +inconsiderable to deserve notice, further than as it affords a +striking proof in how much more flourishing and prosperous a +condition they are than the parent colony. + +The commerce carried on by the colonists is of the same nature +as that which is maintained by their brethren at Port Jackson. +Like these, they have no staple export to offer in exchange for +the various commodities which they import from foreign countries, +and are obliged principally to rely on the expenditure of the +government for the means of procuring them. Their annual income +may be taken as follows: + +Money expended by the government for the pay and subsistence +of the civil and military, and for the support of such of +the convicts as are victualled from the king's stores, L30,000 +Money expended by foreign shipping, 3,000 +Wheat, etc. exported to Port Jackson, 4,000 +Exports collected by the merchants of the settlement, 5,000 +Sundries, 2,000 + ------ +Total, L44,000 + ------ + + +The duties collected in these southern settlements, are +exactly on the same scale as at Port Jackson, and amount to about +L5,000 annually, inclusive of the per centage allowed the +collectors of them. + +A general Statement of the Land in Cultivation, etc. the +Quantities of Stock, etc. as accounted for at the General +Muster in New South Wales, taken by His Excellency Governor +Macquarie, and Deputy Commissary General Allan, commencing the +6th October, and finally closing the 25th November, 1817, +inclusive; with an exact Account of the same at Van Diemen's +Land. + +Acres in Wheat 18,462 + Ground prepared for Maize 11,714 + Barley 8561/2 + Oats 1563/4 + Pease and Beans 2041/4 + Potatoes 559 + Garden and Orchard 863 + Cleared ground 47,5641/4 + Total held 235,0031/4 + +Horses 3,072 +Horned cattle 44,753 +Sheep 170,920 +Hogs 17,842 +Bushels of Wheat 24,05 [sic] +Bushels of Maize 1,506 + +N. B. Total Number of Inhabitants in the Colony, including Van +Diemen's Land, 20,379. + +PART II. + +OPERATION OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT IN THE COLONY +FOR THE LAST FIFTEEN YEARS. + +It is generally considered a matter of astonishment that the +colony of New South Wales, situated as it is, in a climate equal +to that of the finest parts of France, of Spain, and of Italy, +and possessing a soil of unbounded fertility, should have made so +little progress towards prosperity and independence. The causes, +however, which have contributed to its retardment, are the same, +as have been attended with similar effects in all ages. Not only +the records of the years that are no more, but the experience +also of the present day, concur in proving that the prosperity of +nations is not so much the result of the fertility of their soil, +and the benignity of their climate, as of the wisdom and policy +of their institutions. Decadence, poverty, wretchedness, and +vice, have been the invariable attendants of bad governments; as +prosperity, wealth, happiness, and virtue, have been of good +ones. Rome, once the glory of the world; now a bye-word among the +nations: once the seat of civilization, of affluence, and of +power; now the abode of superstition, poverty, and weakness, is a +lasting monument of the truth of this assertion. Her greatness +was founded on freedom, and rose with her consulate; her +decadence may be said to have commenced with her first emperor, +and was completed under his vicious and despotic dynasty: her +climate and soil still remain; but the freedom which raised her +to the empire of the world has passed away with her +institutions. + +If we search still further back into antiquity, we shall find +that all the great nations which have at various times +preponderated over their neighbours, attained their utmost force +and vigour, during the period of their greatest freedom and +virtue; and that their decadence and ultimate annihilation were +the work of a succession of vicious and tyrannical rulers. The +empires of Persia and of Greece, were successively established by +the superior freedom and virtue of their citizens; and it was +only when the institutions, which were the source of this freedom +and virtue, were no longer reverenced and enforced, that each in +its turn became the prey of a freer and more virtuous people. + +The experience of modern times is still more conclusive on +this subject; because no part of the chain of events which have +contributed to the aggrandisement or impair of existing nations, +lies hid in the mist of ages. If we regard the unprecedented +wealth and power of our own country, we shall be convinced that +her present pre-eminent position is not so much the effect of her +soil and climate, since in these respects she is confessedly +behind many of the nations of Europe, as of the superior freedom +of her laws, which have engendered her a freer, more virtuous, +and more warlike race of people. It is to her superior polity +alone that she is indebted for a dominion, unparalleled in the +history of the world; and it is to its rigid maintenance and +enforcement that she must look for its durability. + +While England has been thus assiduously attentive to her own +immediate internal prosperity, she has not in general been +neglectful of those external possessions, which she has gradually +acquired by colonization, by conquest, or by cession. On the most +distant branches of her empire, she has engrafted, as far as +circumstances would in general admit, those institutions which +have been the main cause of her own internal happiness and +prosperity. In the West Indies, in Canada, and lately in the +Ionian Islands, she has introduced the elective franchise, and +established that mixed counterpoising form of government, whose +three component parts, though essentially different in their +natures, so admirably coalesce and form one combined harmonious +whole. It has, in fact, been one of the leading maxims of her +political conduct, and undoubtedly one of the chief causes of her +present greatness, to attach the people who have been embodied +into her empire, or who have emigrated from her shores only to +colonise new countries, and thus to extend her limits and +increase her resources, by an equality of rights and privileges +with her subjects at home. The navigation act, indeed, militates +in some degree, against the liberal view here taken of her +colonial policy; but the existence of this single act, which, +however its wisdom may be at present canvassed, there can be no +doubt has proved the basis of her commercial and maritime +ascendancy, will not invalidate the claim to liberality, of which +her colonial system is in other respects deserving. The conduct +of her government has undoubtedly been in most instances liberal +and enlightened; and if they have occasionally deviated from +their ordinary enlarged policy of establishing the representative +system, and leaving to the colonies, themselves, the liberty of +framing laws adapted to their several circumstances and wants, it +has been principally in those cases where the ancient inveterate +habits of the people, their difference of religion, and inferior +civilization, have rendered such deviations unavoidable. India +furnishes the principal example of such exception to her general +policy; yet, even in her remote possessions in that country, the +sixty millions who are subject to her sway, enjoy a security of +person and property unknown to them while under the government of +their native princes. It is on this amelioration in their +condition, and not on the strength and number of her armies, that +her dominion in that part of the world is founded; and after all, +what government is so stable as that which is bottomed on +opinion, and depends for its existence on general utility, and +the consent of the governed? Dominion may, indeed, be acquired, +and continued by force and terror; but if it have no other props +to support it, it is at best but precarious, and must, sooner or +later, fall, either by the resistance of those whom it would hold +in subjection, or by undermining their moral and physical +energies, and thus rendering them unfit even for the vile +purposes of despotism itself. + +The colony of New South Wales, is, I believe, the only one of +our possessions exclusively inhabited by Englishmen, in which +there is not at least the shadow of a free government, as it +possesses neither a council, a house of assembly, nor even the +privilege of trial by jury. And although it must be confessed +that the strange ingredients of which this colony was formed, did +not, at the epoch of its foundation, warrant a participation of +these important privileges, it will be my endeavour in this essay +to prove that the withholding of them up to the present period, +has been the sole cause why it has not realized the expectations +which its founders were led to form of its capabilities. + +It is not difficult to conceive that the same causes, which in +the lapse of centuries have sufficed to undermine and eventually +ingulph vast empires, should be able to impede the progress of +smaller communities, whether they be kingdoms, states, or +colonies. Arbitrary governments, indeed, are so generally +admitted to impair the moral and physical energies of a people, +that it would be superfluous to enter into an elaborate +disquisition, in order to demonstrate the truth of a position, +which has been confirmed by the experience of ages. Whoever is +convinced that he has no rights, no possessions that are sacred +and inviolable, is a slave, and devoid of that noble feeling of +independence which is essential to the dignity of his nature, and +the due discharge of his functions. This noble assurance that he +is in the path of duty and security, so long as he refrain from +the violation of those laws which may have been framed for the +good of the community of which he is a member, is the main spring +of all industry and improvement. But this dignified feeling +cannot exist in any society which is subject to the arbitrary +will of an individual; and although the governor of this colony +does not exactly possess the unlimited authority of an eastern +despot, since he may be ultimately made accountable to his +sovereign and the laws, for the abuse of the power delegated to +him, I may be allowed to ask, should he invade the property, and +violate the personal liberty of those whom he ought to govern +with justice and impartiality, where are the oppressed to seek +for retribution? Is it in this country, situated at sixteen +thousand miles from the seat of his injustice and oppression? To +tell a poor man that he may obtain redress in the court of King's +Bench, what is it but a cruel mockery, calculated to render the +pang more poignant, which it would pretend to alleviate? + +I am not here amusing myself with the supposition of +contingencies that may never occur. I am alluding to outrages +that have been actually perpetrated, and of which the bare +recital would fill the minds of a British jury with the liveliest +sentiments of compassion and sympathy for the oppressed, and of +horror and indignation against the oppressor. Leaseholds +cancelled, houses demolished without the smallest compensation, +on the plea of public utility, but in reality from motives of +private hatred and revenge; freemen imprisoned on arbitrary +warrants issued without reference to the magistracy, and even +publicly flogged in the same illegal and oppressive manner: such +were the events that crowded the government of a wretch, whom it +would be as superfluous to name, as it is needless to hold him up +to the execration of posterity* If such an immortality were, as +it appears to have been, the object of his pursuit, he has +completely attained it. Almost at his very offset in life, he +acquired a notoriety which has increased through all the +subsequent sinuosities of his career. Not content with pushing +the discipline of the service to which he belonged, in itself +sufficiently severe, to its extreme verge, by an excess of +vexatious brutality, he goaded into mutiny a crew of noble-minded +fellows, the greater part of whom it has been since discovered, +pined away their existence on a desolate island, lost to their +country and themselves, the sad victims of an unavailing remorse. +Yet there is one of them still living, who has since fully +evinced his devotedness for his country's glory, and has been +deservedly raised to that elevated rank in her service, which but +for him many more might have lived to attain. Despised by his +equals in his profession, and detested by his inferiors, he was +contradistinguished from other worthy officers of the same name, +by prefixing to his _that_ of the vessel which was the scene +of this act of insubordination, in the event the grave of many a +noble spirit, that might otherwise have proved an honour to +themselves and a credit to their country. The brutal tyranny that +characterised his conduct on this occasion, would have alone +sufficed to brand him with the imputation of "coward," had it +been even unconnected with the many subsequent acts of oppression +which have stamped his career, and of which it is to be hoped for +the prevention of future monsters, that the infamy will long +survive the records. The 26th of January, 1808, the memorable day +when, by the spontaneous impulse of a united colony, he was +arrested; and fortunate for the cause of humanity is it that he +was then arrested, for ever** in the perpetration of the most +atrocious outrages that ever disgraced the representative of a +free government, has substantiated his claim to this character +beyond the possibility of doubt. Dreading the resentment of the +people whom he had so often and so wantonly oppressed, and having +on his back that uniform which was never so dishonoured before, +he skulked under a servant's bed in an obscure chamber of his +house, but was at length discovered in this disgraceful hole, and +conducted pale, trembling, and covered with flue,*** before the +officer who had commanded his arrest; nor could this gentleman's +repeated assurances that no violence should be offered his +person, convince him for a considerable time that his life was in +safety from the vengeance of the populace: so conscious was he of +the enormity of his conduct, and of the justice of an immediate +and exemplary retaliation. + +[* The following anecdote, for the authenticity of +which I pledge myself, will afford a better illustration of this +monster's character, than whole pages of general declamation and +invective. At the period of his government cattle were very +scarce in the colony, and the stockholders were very tenacious of +allowing their cows to be milked, from the injury which it did +the calves. Milk was in consequence a great rarity; but as the +governor, naturally enough, did not choose to forego any of the +good things of this life, particularly whenever it was in his +option to obtain them without any expence, he had always a number +of cattle from the government herds, to furnish a supply of it +for his household. The surplus he generously distributed among +his favourites. One of these was a gentleman belonging to the +medical staff, who used in common with all those permitted the +same indulgence, to send his servant daily for his share of this +precious fluid. This unfortunate wight happened to go one morning +a little too late; and whether the person charged with the +distribution of this milk had been a little too liberal in his +donations to such of the gentlemen's servants as had attended in +due time, or whether the cows did not give their usual quantity +that morning, there was not a drop left for him on his arrival. +Not reflecting that this disappointment was occasioned by his own +negligence, he ventured to make some remarks, such as "he did not +know why his master should not have his share as well as another +gentleman, etc. etc." which proved so highly disagreeable to the +feelings of the great man who administered this highly important +office, that he immediately went and complained to the still +greater man who had invested him with it. This august personage +not only feelingly participated in the insult which had been +offered his faithful domestic, but also vowed that he should have +the most ample satisfaction. He accordingly ordered the +complainant to send the offending party into his presence on the +following morning; strictly enjoining him before hand, to take +especial care that he should remain ignorant of the chastisement +which was in petto for him. The next morning when the poor fellow +came as usual for his master's quota of milk, he was told by the +great man whom he had the day before unwittingly offended, that +the governor desired to speak to him. Wondering that so +distinguished a personage should even know that so humble a being +as himself was in existence, and at a loss to conjecture what +could be his gracious will and pleasure, he was ushered trembling +into his dread presence. In an instant his alarms were quieted. +The governor told him with a condescending smile, that as the +chief constable's house was in his way home, he had merely sent +for him to be the bearer of a letter to that person, from a +desire to spare his dragoon the trouble of carrying it. The poor +fellow, of course, delivered the letter with all haste, little +imagining what were its contents. When the chief constable +perused it, he ordered out the triangles; the poor wretch was +instantly tied up to them, and in a stupor of surprise and +consternation underwent the punishment, (whether twenty-five or +fifty lashes I am not sure) which was ordered to be given him, +without any explanation till after its infliction, of the reasons +why he received it. Was not this a refinement of cruelty worthy +the most atrocious monster of antiquity?] + +[** When I wrote this part of the present work the +person to whom it has reference was living; and the only +alteration which I have made in it since his death, has been the +necessary changes in the tenses of the verbs. My assertions have +been scrupulously regulated by truth; but I am still aware that +they might have been pronounced libellous in a court of justice; +and I have been advised by some of my friends to cancel them, on +the ground that the recollection of injuries should not be +prolonged beyond the grave. The applicability, however, of this +principle to private resentments is not more evident, than its +inapplicability to public. The tomb which ought to be the goal of +the one, is the starting-post of the other. It is the legitimate +province, nay, more, one of the most sacred duties of the +annalist to speak of public characters after their deaths, with +that severity of reprobation or of praise, to which their conduct +in public life may have entitled them. Have not all impartial +biographers and historians acted on this principle? And shall I +be deterred from following so just and salutary an example? If +when death has set his seal upon a man's actions, and when the +evil which he has committed is irremediable, the voice of censure +is still to be silent, when, I may ask, ought it to be heard? Had +such an ill-judged forbearance been practised by historians, +would the world have known that any tyrants, except those who may +exist at the present epoch, or who may have existed within the +reach of memory or of tradition, ever infested the earth? Would +not the enormities of the Dionysii, of Caligula, and of Nero, +have been long since forgotten? And would not many of those +princes who have merited and obtained the appellations of +"great," of "good," and of "just," have become as atrocious +monsters as _these_ were, but from the dread of being held +up as objects of similar execration to posterity? The tyrant, +indeed, whose conduct I would stamp with merited detestation, +moved, fortunately for the interests of mankind, in a humbler +sphere, and therefore, his atrocities have a greater tendency to +sink into premature oblivion. But is it a less sacred duty to +take all such steps as may be calculated to deter his successors +from treading in his footsteps; because they will only have +_thousands_ to trample upon instead of _millions_? +Ought not oppression in every community, whether great or small, +to be discouraged by every possible means? And what means are so +likely to effect this end, and to prevent these secondary tyrants +from sneaking out of the pages of record and recollection, as to +project their memories red-hot from the sun of public +indignation, with a long fiery train of inextinguishable +ignominy, which may serve to point out their tracks; and to +render them for ever glaring objects of dread and execration, not +only to the planet of which they may have proved the bane, but to +the whole system encircled by their orbits? In persevering, +therefore, in the remarks which I made on this man's actions when +he was living, it is my conscientious belief that I have only +acquitted myself of an imperative duty; and that I should have +been guilty of a gross dereliction of it, had I done otherwise. +On this conviction, unalloyed by any baser impulse, I rest the +defence of my conduct; should there be any of my readers, who may +be inclined to view it in the same unjustifiable light as it is +regarded by some few of my friends.] + +[*** See Lieutenant-Colonel Johnstone's +court-martial.] + +The instance of this man's conduct, is, I am willing to allow, +an aggravated one, and such as it is to be hoped for the honour +of our species would be rarely repeated. That it has occurred is, +however, sufficient to demonstrate the impropriety of confiding +unlimited power to any individual in future. The mere possession, +indeed, of such vast authority, is calculated to vitiate the +heart, and to engender tyranny; nor are examples wanting in +history of persons, who though models of virtue and moderation in +private stations, yet became the most bloody and atrocious +tyrants on their elevation to supreme power. So great, indeed, is +the fallibility of human nature, that the very best of us are apt +to deviate from that just mean, in the adherence to which +consists virtue. All governments, therefore, should provide +against this capital defect; they should be so constituted as not +only to have in view what should happen, but also what might; +possibilities should be contemplated as well as probabilities. +The power to do good should if possible be unlimited: the ability +to do evil, followed with the highest responsibility, and +restrained by a moral certainty of punishment. An authority such +as the governor of this colony possesses, might be tolerated +under a despotic government; but it is a disgrace to one that +piques itself on its freedom. What plea can be urged for +encouraging excesses in our possessions abroad, that would be +visited with condign punishment in our courts at home? Are those +who quit the habitations of their fathers, to extend the limits +and resources of the empire, deserving of no better recompence +than a total suspension of the rights and liberties which their +ancestors have bequeathed them? Are they on their arrival in +these remote shores, to meet with no one of the institutions, +which they have been taught to cherish and to reverence? If the +want, indeed, of these institutions, of which so many centuries +have attested the wisdom, had as yet been productive of no evil, +there might be some excuse offered for the withholding of them; +but after such a scandalous abuse of authority, the colonists +expected, and had a right to expect, that no subsequent governor +would have been appointed without the intervention of some +controlling power, which, while it should tend to strengthen the +execntive in the due discharge of its functions, might at the +same time protect the subject in the legitimate exercise and +enjoyment of his private and personal rights. Never was there a +period since the foundation of the colony, when the impolicy of +its present form of government was so strikingly manifest; and +never, perhaps, will there be an occasion, when the establishment +of a house of assembly, and of trial by jury, would have been +hailed with such enthusiastic joy and gratitude: and accordingly +the disappointment of the colonists was extreme, when on the +arrival of Governor Macquarie, it was found that the same unwise +and unconstitutional power, which had been the cause of the late +confusion and anarchy was continued in all its pristine vigor; +and that he was uncontrolled even by the creation of a +council. + +I would here have it most distinctly understood that I do not +mean to cast the slightest imputation on the conduct of this +gentleman, whom his majesty's ministers selected with so much +discrimination in this delicate and embarrassing conjuncture. The +manner in which he has discharged, during a period of more than +nine years, the important functions confided to him, has +completely justified the high opinion that was formed of his +moderation and ability. He has fully proved that he had no need +of any controlling power,* to keep him in the path of honour and +duty; and has raised the colony, by his single prudence and +discretion, to as high a pitch of prosperity, as it perhaps could +have attained, in so short a period, under such a paralysing form +of government. But it has not been in his power to benefit the +colony to the extent which he has contemplated and desired; many +of the projects which he has submitted to the consideration of +his majesty's ministers, have not obtained their approval. It +would appear, indeed, that the very parent, to whom this strange +unconstitutional monster owes its birth and existence, is +distrustful of her hideous progeny; and that by way of securing +the people whom she has suffered it to govern against the +unlimited devastations which it might be tempted to commit, she +has prohibited it from moving out of certain bounds, without her +previous concurrence and authority. The wisdom of this precaution +has been sufficiently manifested by the terrible excesses which +it has committed within the sphere of this circumscribed +jurisdiction. If its conduct, with the possession of this +imperfect degree of liberty has been atrocious, it cannot be +difficult to conceive to what lengths an unlimited power of +action might have tempted it to proceed. Still there can be no +doubt that this state of restraint, on the one hand so salutary +and provident, has on the other occasioned much injury, and +prevented the adoption of many measures of the highest urgency +and importance to the welfare of the colony. Among these the +failure of Governor Macquarie's attempt to procure the sanction +of his majesty's ministers for the erection of distilleries, is +perhaps the most justly to be deplored. + +[* Since I wrote this encomium on Governor +Macquarie's administration, a petition from some few individuals, +complaining of and enumerating several acts of oppression, said +to have been committed towards them by this gentleman, has been +presented to the House of Commons by Mr. Brougham. The honourable +and learned member did not, however, choose to pledge himself for +the correctness of the allegations set forth in this petition; +and therefore, until they are substantiated, the gentleman whose +conduct has been thus impeached, ought to be considered as +innocent of the charges preferred against him. If the event, +however, should prove that they are founded in truth, the fact +will only afford an additional proof of the demoralizing +influence of arbitrary authority on the minds of those who +possess it, and of the impolicy of suffering the present form of +government to continue in force a single hour beyond the period +necessary for its supercession. Never was there a more humane and +upright man than Governor Macquarie; and if the power with which +he has been for so many years intrusted, has indeed at length +propelled him beyond the bounds of moderation and justice, it may +be safely asserted that there are but very few men in existence +whom it would not have tempted to commit a similar +indiscretion.] + +From the period* at which this colony was able to raise a +sufficiency of grain for its consumption, the adoption of this +measure has been imperatively called for by the wants and +circumstances of its inhabitants; and it is to so palpable an +omission, that the constant succession of abundance and scarcity, +which, to the astonishment of many inquiring persons, has for the +last fifteen years alternately prevailed there, is mainly +ascribable. So long as the necessities of the government were +greater than the means of the colonists to administer to them, +the productive powers of this settlement developed themselves +with a degree of rapidity which furnishes the surest criterion of +its fertility and importance. But from the moment this impulse +was checked, from the instant the supply exceeded the demand, the +colony may be said to have continued stationary, with respect to +its agriculture; producing in favourable seasons, somewhat more +than enough grain for its consumption, but in unfavourable ones, +whether arising from drought, or flood, falling so greatly +deficient in its supply, that recourse has been invariably had to +India, in order to guarantee its inhabitants from the horrors of +famine, which have so often stared them in the face; and to +which, but for such salutary precaution, the majority of them +must have long ago fallen victims. These dreadful deficiencies +have been the natural and inevitable result of a want of market; +since no person will expend his time and means in producing that +which will not ensure him an adequate return for his pains. So +long, therefore, as other channels of industry, yielding a more +certain compensation for labour, were open, the colonist would +naturally prefer such more profitable occupation, to the +comparatively precarious and unproductive culture of his land; +and it was accordingly found, that many, who had till then +devoted their sole attention to agriculture, abandoned at this +period all tillage but such as was necessary for the support of +their households, and employed the funds which they had acquired +by the former successful cultivation of their farms, in the +purchase and rearing of cattle, which continued a certain +lucrative employment, long after agricultural produce had become +of a depreciated and precarious value. The reason why these two +branches of husbandry did not keep pace in this as in other +countries, is obvious, from the remoteness of its situation, +which rendered the conveyance of cattle thither so extremely +difficult and expensive, that but a very limited supply of them +was furnished, in comparison with its necessities. The increase, +therefore, of these cattle could only be proportionate to their +number; while no bounds were as yet assigned to the extension of +agriculture, but, on the contrary, the whole combined energies of +the colonists directed to this single channel, by the great +demand which existed for their produce. Not but that the rearing +of cattle was from the commencement equally, and indeed far more +profitable than the cultivation of the land; but their exorbitant +price excluded all but a few great capitalists from embarking in +so profitable an undertaking; while, on the contrary, a stock of +provisions with a few axes and hoes, and a good pair of hands to +wield them, were the principal requisites for an agricultural +establishment; and, indeed, in the early period of this +settlement, all these essentials were supplied the colonists by +the liberality of the government, till sufficient time had +elapsed for the application of the produce of their farms to +their own support. + +[* This epoch may be dated so far back as 1804: the +harvest of that year was so abundant, and the surplus of grain so +extensive, that no sale could be had for more than one half of +the crop. During the greater part of the following year, wheat +sold at prices scarcely sufficient to cover the expence of +reaping, thrashing, and carrying it to market; pigs and other +stock were fed upon it; and these two years of such extraordinary +abundance involved the whole agricultural body in the greatest +distress; grain was then their only property, and it was of so +little value that it was invariably rejected by their creditors +in payment of their debts. The consequence was that it was wasted +and neglected in the most shocking manner; scarcely any person +would give it house room, and had the harvest of the following +year proved equally abundant, the majority of the settlers must +have abandoned their farms, and sought for other employment. +Fortunately, however, for the agricultural interests, the great +flood of 1806 intervened to prevent the impending desertion; the +old and the new stocks on the banks of the Hawkesbury and Nepean +were all swept away, and thus for a few years afterwards the +supply of grain was pretty nearly kept on a level with the demand +for it.] + +But to return to the epoch when the supply of corn became too +great for the demand, and when, as has been already noticed, some +part of those who till then had been exclusively engaged in +agriculture, turned their attention to the more beneficial +occupation of rearing cattle; still the secession of these, who +formed but a very inconsiderable member of the agricultural body, +in consequence of the enormous price of cattle even at that +period, and the great capital which it consequently required to +become a stock-holder to any extent, afforded but a very trivial +relief to those who adhered from necessity to their original +employment. In this conjuncture, therefore, many of the next +richer class abandoned their farms, and with the funds which they +were enabled to collect, set up shops or public-houses in Sydney. +This town was at that time the more favourable to such +undertakings, in consequence of the brisk commerce carried on +with China, by means of American and India-built vessels, that +were in part owned by the colonial merchants, and procured sandal +wood in the Fegee Islands, at a trifling expense, which they +carried direct to China, and bartered for return cargoes of +considerable value. The Seal Islands too, which were discovered +to the southward of the colony, furnished about the same period, +an extensive and lucrative employment for the colonial craft, and +contributed not less than the sandal wood trade to the +flourishing condition of this port. It was also about this time +that the valuable whale fisheries, which the adjacent seas +afford, were first attempted; but repeated experiment has proved +that the duties which are levied, as well in this country as in +the colony, on oil procured in colonial vessels, amount to a +complete prohibition. Many of the merchants, whose enterprising +spirit prompted them to repeated efforts, in order to bear up +against the overwhelming weight of these duties, have found to +their cost, that they are an insuperable obstacle to the +successful prosecution of these fisheries, which would otherwise +prove an inexhaustible source of wealth to the colony, and +provide a permanent outlet for its redundant population. These +two branches of commerce, so long as they were followed, afforded +a support to great numbers of the colonists, and rendered the +shock which the agricultural body had sustained, less sensible +and alarming. I say these two, because the third has never been +prosecuted but with loss; and has, in fact, proved a vortex which +has devoured a great part of the profits which the othertwo +yielded. For some years, however, these two channels have been so +completely drained, that they are only at present pursued by +desperate adventurers, who seldom or never obtain a return +commensurate with the risk they run, and the capital they employ. +But even during the period of their utmost productiveness, the +number of persons who were immediately engaged in them, or who +abandoned the plough to place themselves behind the counter, was +far from providing a remedy for the disease of the agricultural +body: because in the former instance these two branches of +commerce were only capable of affording employment to a limited +population; and in the latter a capital was necessary, not so +great indeed as had been required to enter successfully on the +grazing system, but yet far more considerable than it was in the +ability of the majority of the colonists to raise. By these +migrations, therefore, the pressure and embarrassment of the +agricultural body, which by this time had gradually lost the +richest and most respectable portion of its members, was but +little, if indeed at all alleviated; and some other expedient +became everyday more and more necessary to be adopted by those +who remained. In this exigency many abandoned their farms +altogether, and hired themselves as servants to such richer +individuals as had occasion for their services; while others, and +undoubtedly the greater part of them, cultivated but a small +portion of their land, and afterwards travelled in search of +labour till harvest time, at which period they returned, reaped, +threshed, and disposed of their crops, and after recultivating +the same spot, sought, during the rest of the year, employment as +before, wherever it could be found. This is the mode of life +which a great number of the poor settlers pursue to this day. + +But the effect of these entire, or partial secessions from the +agricultural body, was not so extensively beneficial as might at +first be imagined. All this time the population was in a state of +rapid progression, both from the daily influx of people from +without, and from the amazing fecundity of the colonists within. +The distress, therefore, of the colony continued increasing in +proportion to its increasing population. And although it may +appear strange, that while it was a subject of such notoriety, +that the settlers were already too numerous for the occasions of +the colony, fresh volunteers should crowd to enrol themselves +under their banners; this surprise will cease when it is stated, +that the settling of new lands was for many years a matter of +traffic between the government and the colonists, by which, as it +is natural to conclude, the former were no great gainers. It was +their policy, and undoubtedly necessary in the early stages of +the settlement, and even at present under proper restrictions, to +encourage the extension of agriculture generally, but more +particularly in the inland districts, that are not subject to +flood; and to this end it was customary to support new settlers +with their wives, families, and servants, for eighteen months, at +the expense of the crown. The natural consequence was, that all +who had become free, either by the expiration of their servitude, +by conditional emancipation, or by absolute pardon, and who had +no means of support, embraced this offer of the government, which +assured them a subsistence that enabled them to seek at their +leisure for a more lucrative occupation elsewhere. Nor are these +poor creatures who thus profited by the liberality of the +government with an intention to abuse it, to be too harshly +condemned: still less so are those who, arriving strangers in the +colony, and having in most instances wives and families, the +support of whom in inactivity would be daily consuming their +little all, embraced this the only immediate mode of subsistence +that occurred to them. These people, as soon as the helping hand +of the government was withdrawn, and it became incumbent on them +to depend on their own proper resources, would be immediately +subject to the same privation and misery which pressed on their +body, and would consequently be under the necessity of resorting +to the same expedients for relief. The great increase which has +taken place of late years to the cleared lands in the colony, has +been the result of this system, and not the gradual progressive +operation of a flourishing agriculture. This assertion I consider +fully borne out by a comparison between the quantity of land +cleared, and the quantity in cultivation. By the last return from +the colony, taken so late as November, 1817, it appears that +there are 47,564 acres of cleared land, out of which only 32,814 +are cropped; 14,750 acres, therefore, (or nearly one-half of what +is in cultivation) are lying waste: a circumstance which can only +be accounted for in this manner, since the system of fallowing +land is not in practice. It must therefore be evident, that the +clearing of so great a portion of land over and above what is +required by the situation and wants of the colonists, must have +been effected by unnatural means. The increase of produce has +not, indeed, outstepped the growth of population, but it has kept +pace with it, and all the cleared land which is not employed in +the raising of this produce, has evidently been a useless +expenditure of labour. + +Thus this copious afflux of new colonists into the uninhabited +districts in the interior, which had hitherto been exclusively +occupied by the flocks and herds of the graziers, did not produce +that permanent advantage which the enormous expense incurred by +the government in their outfit, ought to have insured. At the +same time it was of the most undoubted injury to the +stock-holders, by preventing them from allowing their cattle to +roam at large during the night, from the danger of trespass and +poundage, which the indiscriminate dispersion of small +agricultural establishments over the whole face of the country, +without fences of any description to protect them, every where +occasioned. To be sure, the colonists will have derived this very +material advantage from the great quantity of cleared land, now +lying waste; that whenever the pernicious policy, which has +paralysed their energies, and blasted the general prosperity, +shall be relinquished, and a judicious system of encouragement +substituted in its stead, they will instantly be prepared to +profit by the capabilities which the wisdom and justice of the +parent government shall have at length afforded them. + +But the future increase in the cleared lands will not be +proportioned to the past, because directions have of late been +transmitted from this country, to allow future colonists only six +months provisions from the king's stores, for themselves and +their households, instead of eighteen months, as heretofore. This +very material diminution in the measure of encouragement held out +to future colonization, will clearly be attended with a threefold +operation. It will be a grievous disadvantage to such respectable +persons as emigrate from this country, with a real intention, but +with funds scarcely adequate to a permanent settlement in the +colony; it will still further discourage the existing +agriculturist and grazier, by lessening the demand of the +government for their produce; and it will increase the general +embarrassment, both by narrowing this channel of employment, +which was supplied by the liberality of the government, and by +curtailing the means of the colonists at large to provide labour +for that part of the population, which will be thus turned loose +on them twelvemonths sooner than usual. + +To the credit of the present governor it must be allowed that +he has done all that a benevolent heart and a sagacious head +could dictate, to counteract the growing distress and misery. He +has exhausted all the means in his power to give employment to +the large portion of unoccupied labour, which it has not been +within the compass of individual enterprize to absorb. He has +effected the greatest improvements in the capital, by enlarging +and straightening the streets, and by erecting various public +edifices of the highest utility and ornament. The same +superintending hand is visible throughout all the inferior towns +and townships, many of which indeed are of his own foundation. He +has made highways to every cultivated district, thus affording +the inhabitants of them the greatest facilities for the cheap and +expeditious conveyance of their produce to market. In fine, +throughout every part of the colony and its dependent settlements +at the Derwent and Port Dalrymple, he has effected improvements +which will long continue monuments of the wisdom and liberality +of their author. But it cannot be denied, however beneficial +these and other improvements of the same nature which are in +progress may be, either with respect to their immediate or more +remote consequences, that they are but mere temporary sources of +alleviation, whose benignant supply will cease with the discharge +of the great body of workmen whom they at present maintain in +activity. This, indeed, as well as all the other expedients which +I have already enumerated, as having been practised in order to +find outlets for the superabundant labour, have been productive +of no permanent result. + +This assertion is satisfactorily substantiated by the present +unnatural efforts of the colonists in the establishment of +various manufactories, particularly those of cloth and hats. I +say unnatural, because in the common course of things, the origin +of such establishments ought to be coeval only with an entire +occupation of the soil, and redundancy of population. And this +chiefly for two reasons: because a greater capital is required in +their foundation, and a greater degree of skill and dexterity in +their developement. It is on this account that in Canada, and our +colonies in the West Indies, which are in a great measure left to +the guidance of their native legislatures, and which it is +therefore to be presumed, adopt that line of policy at once most +consistent with their own interests, and with those of the parent +country, since in the persons of her representatives, she +approves or annuls their proceedings, we find that manufactures +have been altogether neglected, while their agriculture and +plantations, while, in fine, the exportation of raw materials, +whether the natural or artificial productions of these colonies, +has been promoted in every possible manner. That this is the +system which ought to have been pursued, we have a still more +forcible proof in the instance of the United States of America, +and of many of the ancient nations of Europe; which, unfettered +by any dependence whatever on any foreign power, and having +consequently adopted that policy, which has been found the most +consistent with their respective interests, have made but very +little progress in manufactures, and are therefore still under +the necessity of having recourse for manufactured commodities to +other countries. If then the promotion of agriculture be more +politic in many independent states, which have not yet attained +the same maturity of growth and civilization, that characterize +the principal manufacturing nations of the world, by how much +more prudent must the encouragement of it be in a dependent +colony like this; possessed as it is of all the requisites for an +unlimited extension of its agriculture in the fertility of its +soil, the benignity of its climate, and the extent of its +territory, and wanting all the essentials for the production of +manufactures, skill, capital, and population? + +The existing state of things, therefore, is not only contrary +to the welfare of the colony itself, but also in diametrical +opposition to the interests of the parent country. A great +manufacturing nation herself, it is her undoubted policy, and +that which on every occasion I believe but the present she has +pursued, to augment in her colonies, at one and the same time, +the consumption of her own _manufactures_, and the growth of +such productions as she has found essential to her own use, or to +the supply of other nations. The toleration, therefore, of a +system so averse to her acknowledged interests, can only be +attributed to ignorance, or inadvertence. But it is not in the +forcible abolition of these manufactories, created by necessity, +and still rendered indispensable by the same irresistible law, +that the condition of the colony is to be ameliorated or +redressed. So long as the same pernicious disabilities which have +already reduced the colonists to beggary and despair, and +rendered unavailing the resources of a country that might rival +in the number and value of its exports, the most favoured of the +globe are enforced, this manufacturing system is a lamentable but +necessary evil. After putting it out of their power to purchase +the more costly clothing of the mother country, it would be an +intolerable exercise of authority to prevent them from having +recourse to the homely products of their own industry and +ingenuity. Under existing circumstances, indeed, there is no +alternative between permitting them the use of their own +manufactures, and compelling them to go naked, or to clothe +themselves like the aborigines of the country in the skins of +animals. There is but one remedy for the disease of the colony: +it is to give due encouragement to agriculture, and to promote +the growth of exportable commodities, which its inhabitants may +offer in exchange for the productions of other countries. The +manufacturing system which has begun to take root, will then +wither away of its own accord; since it will then be the least +productive manner in which capital and labour can be +employed. + +Happy would it have been for the colonists, if these repeated +efforts, these distressing and embarrassing expedients to supply +their wants, had been the only injurious consequences resulting +from the stagnation of agriculture. The day when their wretched +situation shall have at length awakened the commiseration of the +parent country, would then have witnessed the term and bounds of +their sufferings. Alas! far different will be the case. Like a +ruined merchant, who would defer, to the utmost length, the +disgrace of bankruptcy, in the daily hope of some prosperous +adventure to retrieve his fortune and restore his credit, the +settlers have gone on contracting debts, which have accumulated +with the increasing embarrassments of the community. The +engagements of the majority of the cultivators, thus swelled in a +few years to a bulk, which they had no longer any chance of +reducing: pressed on all sides by their creditors, the mortgage +or sale of their farms became inevitable; and even these +sacrifices have, in general, been far from cancelling their +bonds; so that they not only have ceased to be proprietors, but +also still continue debtors to a large amount. Their creditors, +in many instances, a set of rapacious, unprincipled dealers, +availing themselves of the power which the law would give them +over the personal liberty of these, their debtors, immediately +took that advantage of their own commanding position, which might +have been expected from their characters. They engaged, or more +properly speaking, constrained, these poor wretches to cultivate +as tenants, the same soil which lately belonged to them, and +exacted from them in return, a rent too exorbitant to be paid. +Every succeeding year, therefore, has but tended to increase +their obligations, and they are, at present, identified with the +soil, and reduced to all intents and purposes, except in name, to +as complete a state of vassalage as the serfs of Russia. If they +should be in need of any trifling supply, it is to their +proprietors, and to them only, that they dare have recourse, +though they would be able to obtain the same articles a hundred +per cent. cheaper elsewhere. To their granaries the whole produce +of their industry is conveyed: and, in spite of all their toil +and privation, far from discharging their original debts, they +find themselves every day more deeply involved. The more they +struggle, the more complicated and firm becomes their +entanglement. Lamentable as undoubtedly must be such a hopeless +state of servitude, it still appears to them preferable to the +precincts of a prison. They respire the free invigorating air of +their plains, and can still traverse them at their option, or at +least when the season arrives which closes their daily task. But +this privilege, it must be confessed, is purchased at its +uttermost value. We have philanthropists among us, who justly +commiserate the condition of that unoffending race of people, who +dragged from the scenes of their nativity, and the habitations of +their fathers, have been consigned by a gang of merciless +kidnappers to perpetual slavery themselves, and to the still more +intolerable necessity of bequeathing an existence of similar +endurement and degradation to their offspring. After years of +strenuous indefatigable exertion these friends of humanity, these +noble champions of liberty have succeeded, if not in emancipating +those, who had already been consigned to this unmerited doom, at +least in preventing the further extension of this infernal +traffic. Would it not be an effort worthy the same philanthropy, +which has thus secured the protection and deliverance of +unoffending Africa, to procure the emancipation of suffering +Australasia? to raise her from the abject state of poverty, +slavery, and degradation, to which she is so fast sinking, and to +present her a constitution, which may gradually conduct her to +freedom, prosperity, and happiness? + +It must be admitted that this state of slavery, so galling to +the subjects of a free country, has been in some measure imposed +on the colonists by their own imprudent extravagance. Already but +too much inclined by their early habits of irregularity to +licentious indulgence, the prosperous state of their affairs +during the first fifteen years after the foundation of the +settlement, presented the strongest inducements to a revival of +their ancient propensities, which had been repressed, but not +subdued. Imagining that the same unlimited market, which was then +offered for their produce, would always continue, they only +thought of consuming the fruits of their industry; not doubting +that the same fields, which thus lavishly administered to the +gratification of their desires, would amply suffice for the more +moderate enjoyments of their offspring. But when once their +produce began to exceed the demand of the government, and when in +a short time afterwards from the want of due encouragement, all +the various avenues of industry that lay open were successively +filled, and the means of occupation eithergreatly circumscribed, +or entirely exhausted, these people, so long habituated to +unrestrained indulgence, found it difficult to support that +privation, which became incumbent on their condition; and in +order to procure those luxuries of which they so severely felt +the want, exhausted their credit, and ended by alienating their +possessions. There can be but little doubt if the colonists, +instead of expending, had providently accumulated the money which +they so profusely acquired during the period of their +agricultural prosperity, that their actual situation would have +been far preferable; for, though the gradual retrogradation, +which I should imagine it must at present be sufficiently +evident, that the colony has been undergoing for these last +fifteen years, would by this time have greatly diminished, if not +have totally absorbed their former savings, still their lands +would have remained to them, nor would they have been reduced to +that state of vassalage and misery, which they are this day +enduring. Lamentable therefore, as is their condition, the +consideration that it has thus far been occasioned by their own +imprudence, is apt to detract from that unbounded commiseration +which it would otherwise excite: if, on the other hand, we do not +reflect in extenuation of their thoughtlessness and extravagance, +that their former increased means of indulgence, were the result +of their industry; that this industry was in the first instance +called into activity by the encouragement of the government; that +it has since been paralysed by a concatenation of unwise and +unjust disabilities imposed by the same power; and that +consequently their present wretched and degraded situation is not +so much to be ascribed to their former improvidence as to the +actual impolicy and injustice of their rulers. If we furthermore +consider the short period in which this great change in their +circumstances has been effected, we shall feel convinced that so +sudden a transition from affluence to poverty could not be +patiently endured, and that every method of rendering so +unexpected and galling a burthen more supportable, would be +naturally and inevitably resorted to. To prove still more +satisfactorily that this state of slavery to which so large a +proportion of the original settlers are reduced, has not been so +much the result of their own imprudence as of the impolicy of +their government, numerous instances might be adduced of persons, +not indeed skilled in the arts of husbandry, whose habits have +always been regular and moderate, who have been for many years +stockholders as well as agriculturists, and who, notwithstanding +this two-fold advantage, aided by an undeviating economy, have +been unable to keep themselves free from the embarrassments in +which the bare cultivators of the soil are so generally involved. +To what end then, has their frugality been directed, if a few +years more will engulph their possessions, and reduce them to the +same state of vassalage and degradation, to which their less +provident brethren are already subjected? They have, indeed, in +the prospective some short period of unexpired freedom; but I +doubt much whether the gradual approach of inevitable slavery be +scarcely more enviable than slavery itself. + +The great concussion which the agricultural interests thus +sustained at the epoch when the productive powers of the colony +exceeded the consumptive, and the continued shocks to which they +have been exposed ever since, have not unfortunately affected the +agricultural prosperity alone, but have shaken to the foundation +the commercial edifice also. Unluckily both the agricultural and +commercial classes seem to have been alike ignorant of the +death-blow which had been struck at their welfare. The settler +continued in the same career of thoughtless extravagance which +his circumstances when they were even in their most flourishing +state had scarcely permitted, and the merchant went on without +hesitation, advancing him goods in the hope of extricating his +old customer from difficulties which he only imagined to be of +temporary pressure; never for a moment suspecting that they were +the forerunners of deeper embarrassment and ultimate ruin. Need I +state the consequences. The extended credits which the first +merchants thus gave the settlers on the strength of the +progressive increase of their produce, rendered them at last +unable to fulfil the engagements which they had contracted with +British and East India houses, and they were eventually involved +in the destruction which had so suddenly overwhelmed the great +mass of their debtors, on whom they were necessarily dependent +for support. All of them who had been distinguished by their +equitable dealings, and by their liberality of conduct, received +at this moment so rude a shock in their affairs that they have +been unable amidst the increasing decadence of the community at +large to re-establish their credit, and after disposing of the +scattered wrecks of their fortune, have not only been reduced to +penury, but are still indebted to their correspondents in the +amount perhaps of L100,000. These gentlemen thus driven +from the commercial circle by their liberality, unwillingly +inflicted a deadly wound on the credit of the colony. Foreign +merchants would no longer have any account dealings with their +successors; and generally ever since the commercial intercourse +with England and the East Indies has been maintained without any +confidence on the part of the merchants of these two countries; +the money has been received in one hand, and the goods delivered +in the other. This cautious system has given birth to another +race of merchants, much more prudent than their predecessors, but +also much less serviceable to the colony, and much less adapted +to its emergencies. These in their dealings have been forced to +observe the same circumspection which had been adopted towards +themselves, and have given no credit but to those whose means of +payment were unquestionable. As the majority of the colonists +have been always in the back ground, since the epoch which I have +just described, and have in consequence been unable to produce +ready money, a subordinate class of traders, but still superior +in their circumstances and the extent of their transactions to +those little inferior dealers, who are to be found in all +countries, started up, and have since acted as intermediary +agents between the importers and the great body of consumers. The +object of this class has been, and continues to be, not so much +to realize large fortunes in money, which indeed under existing +circumstances would be scarcely possible, as to acquire immense +landed possessions: and their system, which, in fact, is the +natural consequence of this policy, is to require of the settlers +mortgage securities anterior to the supply of such articles as +they may be in need of. As they are frequently unable punctually +to comply with the conditions of these mortgages, their creditors +eagerly embrace the opportunity, whenever it offers, of +foreclosing them, and are thus gradually becoming proprietors of +the finest estates in the colony; estates which whenever its +capabilities shall be called into unrestrained action will ensure +them and their posterity fortunes of a colossal magnitude. While +this class of traders are thus becoming the most considerable +landholders in this settlement, they have not only taken care not +to give credit to such an extent as might occasion a diminution +in their trading capital, but have even contrived to increase it +very materially. This system, therefore, of buying goods, and +afterwards selling them at an almost arbitrary profit, the +greater part of which is thus converted into landed property, is +daily gaining ground, and will infallibly in the end, unless +proper measures be speedily taken to counteract it, reduce the +great majority of the agricultural body to the same state of +vassalage which a large proportion of its members are already +enduring. And what renders the increasing wealth and power of the +small number who thus profit by the embarrassments of the +settlers, and make themselves masters of their persons and +properties, still more odious and galling, is the consideration +that in most instances they are the least deserving, and yet the +only class of the community to whom the present order of things +is favourable. While all the rest of the population are groaning +under the aggravated pressure of toil, privation, and despair, +they are fattening on the surrounding misery, and every day +making rapid strides towards the attainment of immense riches, +under the propitious shelter of a system which would appear to +have been expressly contrived for their especial aggrandisement, +at the expence of the freedom, prosperity and happiness of the +whole social body besides. Like vultures, that in the midst of +combats soar in safety above the destruction raging beneath, but +descend at its close and tranquilly devour the mangled carcases +which the exterminating engines of war have laid prostrate for +their repast, these men out of the influence of the oppressive +disabilities which are overwhelming all but themselves, eagerly +watch the progress of the surrounding misery, and impatiently +await its completion; more cruel than vultures, since covered +with the aegis that has unnerved the force and paralysed the +energies of their neighbours, they introduce themselves into the +midst of the havoc of their own species, and prey upon the living +victims who are sinking around them. + +And here, it may not be inexpedient to reconcile the existence +of so much distress, with so large an income, and so small a +population as the colony and its dependent settlements are known +to possess. The former, it has been seen, may be estimated in +round numbers at L170,000, the latter at 20,000 souls: so +that if the annual income were equally divided among the entire +population, and they were all agriculturists, and could furnish +themselves with food, (I make this supposition, because it is at +their option to become agriculturists, and it is consequently a +legitimate inference, that it is not the interest of such as have +not embraced this alteration to do so) they would each have man, +woman, and child, 8l. 10s. yearly for the purchase +of articles of foreign growth and manufacture alone. This I am +ready to allow, is comparatively a much larger sum than could be +appropriated by the inhabitants of this country to similar +purposes; and it would therefore appear on the first view, +incompatible with the doleful picture of distress which I have +drawn. If, however, the remoteness of the colony from England, +India, and China, the three principal supplying countries, be +duly considered, and the great expence of freight and insurance +unavoidably attached to so long a navigation, an expence which in +the first of these instances, is augmented in a two-fold degree, +by the entire absence of return cargoes; if it be stated that +these local disadvantages alone, render it impossible for the +importers to dispose of their merchandize for less than fifty per +cent. on the prime cost to their immediate purchasers, and that +at least three fourths of the population are obliged from the +want of ready money, to buy on long credits of these secondary +agents, who fashion their prices according to the nature and +extent of their customers' embarrassments, sometimes contenting +themselves with a second advance of fifty per cent.; but more +frequently affixing to their goods a profit of a hundred, a +hundred and fifty, and two hundred per cent.: if it be +recollected how far these grievous exactions are aggravated by +the system of vassalage just described, a system which places all +the unfortunate wretches who are reduced to it at the absolute +mercy of their rapacious landlords; if the profligate and +improvident habits and disposition of the generality of the +colonists be taken into the estimate, and their total disregard +of order and economy in their domestic arrangements; but above +all, if their unfortunate propensity to the excessive use of +spirituous liquors be superadded; a propensity which like Aaron's +rod swallows up every other passion, and for the momentary +gratification of which they willingly sacrifice every prospect of +present enjoyment, and deliberately entail on themselves and +their families lasting privation and want; I say if due +consideration be given to all these circumstances, it will be no +difficult matter to believe in the sad reality of the general +wretchedness and penury which I have depicted. But it must be +further evident that this equal division of the colonial revenue +has been assumed merely by way of exemplification, and that it is +a fiction, the realization of which is beyond the extreme verge +of possibility: a fiction which never has been and never can be +verified. In this colony as in every other community, there is a +regular gradation of property, and perhaps there is no country on +the face of the earth, except Russia, where it is so partially +distributed. If then I have reconciled the probability of the +wretched condition of the colonists, with the assumption of an +equality of wealth, when there is, in fact, the greatest +inequality, it must be evident that the picture which I have +drawn, pregnant and glowing as it is with distress, is far from +surcharged, and still requires both colouring and expression to +convey a perfect representation of the scene. + +Of the whole colonial income about L100,000 annually may +be considered as arising from the labours of the agricultural +body. This is undoubtedly that portion of the colonial wealth +which gets into most general circulation; but even _it_ is +far from undergoing that minute subdivision and universal +diffusion which are requisite for the maintenance of a constant +internal circulating medium. Created in the first instance by the +government in payment of the grain, meat, etc. furnished by the +settlers, it is immediately handed over by them to the traders to +whom they may be indebted, and from these again passes to the +importing merchants, on whom they may be dependent for their +supplies of merchandize, who in their turn eventually transmit it +to their foreign correspondents. It may consequently be perceived +that the purchases and sales which must be incessantly occurring, +besides those to which this part of the colonial income is thus +devoted, such as the sales of provisions in the markets, the +payment of wages, and, in fine, the infinite transactions to +which the wants or the whims of society are eternally giving +birth, and to which a common medium of determinate value is +essential are but little, if indeed at all facilitated by a sum +of money, which after passing through a few hands, disappears +from the colony for ever. To prevent, therefore, the interchanges +and activity of the community from being brought to a stand, it +became necessary to create some other circulating medium; and as +the government took no part in this highly important affair, the +whole burden of the arrangement fell upon the inhabitants. The +arrangement itself was, in consequence, such as might have been +expected from their circumstances and situation: the whole of +them who had any real, or apparent pretensions to responsibility, +became with one accord bankers; issuing small promissory notes to +provide for their minuter occasions, merely on the strength of +their credit, and frequently in anticipation of their means. This +"Colonial currency," as it was termed, soon experienced that +depreciation in the market, compared with the government, or +sterling money, which it was natural to expect from the doubtful +circumstances of many of its issuers. In a short time government +money could not be had for it under a discount of fifty per +cent.; still the drawers of these promissory notes were compelled +by the decisions of the court of civil jurisdiction to pay them +at par, whenever they were presented; so that all the persons of +real responsibility, who had been induced in the first instance +from necessity to adopt this system, withdrew their bills from +the market, and naturally preferred purchasing with government +money the notes of others at this depreciated rate, to the +issuing at the same rate notes of their own, which they would be +eventually obliged to take up at par. The consequence was that +all the subsequent issuers of these notes were needy adventurers, +who possessing little or no property adopted this method of +supplying their extravagance, or entering into desperate +speculations that could hardly succeed, in violation of every +principle of honesty, and at the expence of the industrious and +responsible part of the community. This subsequent currency, +therefore, encountered a still further depreciation; and when +government money could be at all obtained for it, it was only at +a discount of 100, 150, and even 200 per cent. Such, however, has +been the necessity for a circulating medium of some sort or +other, that the public, as if by a general implied consent, +without any expressed convention, have permitted the existence +and increase of this worthless substitute, and have thus affixed +a kind of nominal value to that which is in reality worth +nothing. + +To any one, who has not fully considered the difficulty +attending the exchange of one commodity for another, and the +impossibility of apportioning at all times, what one man may have +to dispose of to the exact value of what another man may have to +offer in return, an impossibility that would frequently prevent +the exchange altogether, and thus subject the parties to mutual +inconvenience and distress, the rude system of barter would +appear preferable to so vile a common standard of value as the +existing currency. Its badness, indeed, has been the means of +introducing the system of barter as far as it was practicable; +but as the entire introduction of this system would be hardly +compatible with the first imperfect elements of society, the +civilization of the colonists has imposed a limit to it, and +prescribed a necessity for the toleration of the present +circulating medium, which nothing but the creation of a better +can supersede. Two attempts were made to remedy this evil, but +they both in the event proved abortive; the richer class of the +inhabitants on these occasions formed combinations and entered +into resolutions not to receive in payment the bills of any +individuals who had not been admitted into their society. To +prevent a recurrence of the loss, which the original responsible +issuers of currency had sustained by its depreciation in the +market, they affixed to it themselves a specific depreciation, +promising in the body of their notes to pay them on demand in +government money at a discount, in the first of these instances, +of twenty-five per cent., and in the last of fifty per cent. But +it must be evident that a currency of this nature, payable on +demand, became of equal value with the sterling money of the +government, to those who took it at the stipulated depreciation; +and it was accordingly no sooner in circulation, than it got into +the hands of the importing merchants, and was presented to the +drawers for payment. It was thus too good for its intended +purpose; and the old worthless currency, which had been for a +while proscribed, gradually returned into circulation. The +present governor, sensible of the advantage which the colony +would derive from its supercession, and from the substitution of +another of intrinsic value in its stead, caused ten thousand +pounds worth of dollars to be sent from India, and had a piece +struck out of the middle of each, to which he affixed by +proclamation, the value of fifteen pence, and to the remainder +that of five shillings, making the whole dollar worth six +shillings and three pence. This money he caused to be given in +payment of the various articles of internal produce received into +the king's stores; but as they were exchanged every month, if +presented to the commissariat department, for bills on the lords +of the treasury, in the same manner as the government receipts +had been exchanged previously, they have not realized the hopes +of abolishing the currency, with which they were issued. Some few +of them, indeed, have from time to time eluded the grasp of the +merchants and traders, and got in consequence of the minuteness +of their separate value into temporary circulation; but the use +of the original currency has neither been superseded nor +diminished. + +That the colonists should have been thus forced during so long +a period, in spite of all their efforts, and contrary to the +desire of their government, to tolerate a medium of circulation +possessing no intrinsic value whatever, and dependent solely on a +general, constrained, and tacit consent for its support and +duration, is, I should apprehend, one of the most forcible proofs +which it is in the nature of things to adduce, in illustration of +their present poverty and wretchedness. It is impossible to offer +a more satisfactory demonstration of the inferiority of their +means to their necessities. Important under every point of view +as is the establishment of a safe currency, such is the +irresistible pressure of their debts, so much is their +expenditure superior to their revenue, that they can devote no +portion of it to the most urgent purpose of domestic economy: the +whole is absorbed, and does not suffice to procure those articles +of foreign supply, which are absolutely indispensable to +civilized life. + +By the last intelligence from the colony it appears, indeed, +that a company has undertaken the establishment of a colonial +bank, and obtained a charter for this purpose from the governor; +but I should imagine they cannot possibly succeed in creating a +permanent medium of circulation. The constant run that their +bills will have on them for payment, in consequence of the +imports of the colony being so much greater than its income, will +soon occasion them to exchange the whole of their capital for the +mortgage securities on which they at present issue it; and +although this circumstance will not perhaps detract from the +profits of this institution, it will render the toleration of the +existing currency, if not of undiminished, still of indispensable +necessity.* The introduction, therefore, of a safe and sufficient +medium of circulation may be still pronounced a desideratum, and +one of the first importance to the general prosperity of the +colonists. The government in their present distressed situation, +is perhaps the only power competent to the accomplishment of this +beneficial object, and it is to be hoped that they will no longer +delay effecting such a great and substantial amelioration. + +[* This is an event which the colonists do not appear +to anticipate. It is the general belief that the colonial +currency has been crushed for ever; but I am greatly mistaken if +that vile medium of circulation will not again revive before the +expiration of another twelve-month, unless either the capital of +the bank be greatly increased, or its operations be in future +confined to the discounting of bills at a short date, to the +utter exclusion of the system of advancing money on mortgage +securities.] + +Amidst the numerous deplorable consequences that have been +attendant on this constant state of embarrassment, none perhaps +is more deeply to be lamented than the great check which this +difficulty of finding a profitable occupation for labour has +proved to the progress of population. Mr. Malthus, who has +immortalized himself by his essay on this branch of political +economy, has so satisfactorily shewn that the increase of +population is proportioned to the facility of procuring +subsistence, and administering to the various wants of a family, +that it is quite unnecessary for me to repeat arguments with +which every one ought to be familiar, to prove that this colony +has not been exempt from the destructive influence of causes +whose operation has been steady and invariable in all ages and in +all countries. The inference that this difficulty has been a +preventive to marriage, and to the consequent progress of +population is self-evident: to be understood it only requires to +be stated. But the numerical increase of the colony has been +checked in a still greater degree, perhaps by the constant +returns from its shores which are daily occasioned by the same +causes. What inducement, in fact, exists for any person to remain +there who has the power of quitting it? Who would voluntarily +become an inhabitant of a country where he has no rights, no +possessions, that are sacred and inviolable? And where to this +insecurity of person and property are superadded the greatest +impediments to the extension of industry? A country of this kind, +it may be easily imagined, possesses no allurements for those who +have ever breathed a freer atmosphere; and it is not to be +wondered at, that hundreds of convicts on the expiration of their +several terms of transportation should be continually leaving a +country, where the freeman and the slave are alike subjected to +the uncontrolled authority of an individual; where the trial by +jury is unknown, and an odious military tribunal substituted in +its stead; and where there is no representative body to protect +them in the enjoyment of their rights, and to secure them either +from the imposition of arbitrary and destructive taxes, or from +the influence of unjust and impolitic laws. + +How far these two great checks to population which I have just +mentioned, have operated, may be best ascertained from the last +census taken in the colony in the month of November 1817. At that +time it appears that the population of all the settlements, +whether in New Holland or Van Diemen's Land, amounted only to +twenty thousand three hundred and seventy-nine souls. It is not +in my power to obtain returns of all the convicts who have been +landed at various times in this colony; but as it is now about +thirty years since the period of its foundation, very little +doubt can be entertained that the total of them must have nearly +equalled the amount of the actual population.* The number +transported thither for some years past cannot be estimated at +less than two thousand annually; yet notwithstanding this vast +yearly numerical accession, notwithstanding the unparalleled +salubrity of the climate, and the consequent small proportion +which the number of deaths bears to the number of births, the +population of the colony has been found to advance at a +comparatively slow pace. It cannot be supposed that it could ever +have been in the intention of the government, that those persons +whom the sentence of the law had exiled to these remote shores, +should thus be incessantly returning to those scenes, which had +witnessed their former irregularities and condemnation. However +sincere their reformation, it must be evident that with a +blemished character, the difficulty of obtaining employment and +procuring an honest livelihood, would be almost insuperable. It +has been accordingly found that these unfortunate persons have +generally renewed their ancient habits, and ended their career +either by falling sacrifices on the scaffold to the often +violated laws of their country, or by imposing on the government +a necessity for the second, and in many instances for the third +time of re-transporting them to this colony, where, if sufficient +encouragement and protection had been afforded them in the first +instance, they would have gladly remained, and have continued +good and useful members of society. + +[* This conjecture has been verified by a publication +which has lately appeared from the pen of the Honourable Henry +Grey Bennet, M. P. intituled, "A Letter to Lord Viscount Sidmouth +on the Transportation Laws; the State of the Hulks, and of the +Colonies in New South Wales." From this it appears that from May, +1787, to January, 1817, the number of convicts transported +thither amounted to seventeen thousand; so that the entire +increase which has taken place in the population in the course of +thirty years, both from emigration and births, cannot be +estimated at more than four thousand souls, so numerous have been +the returns of convicts after the expiration of their +sentences.] + +It is here but candid to confess, that one of the leading +causes why so many of this class are continually quitting the +colony, has been their desire to rejoin their wives and families. +This motive, however, no longer exists; since in a dispatch from +the noble secretary of state for the colonial department, to +Governor Macquarie, of which the receipt has been for some time +past acknowledged, it was directed that "returns should be +occasionally sent home of such convicts as may have applied for +permission for their wives to join them; and that it should be +therein stated whether such persons have the means of maintaining +their wives and families, in the event of their being allowed to +proceed to the colony." Measures have been already taken to carry +the humane intention here manifested by his majesty's government +into effect; and many hundreds who would otherwise have quitted +the colony, will now remain there, and thus both the permanency +of their reformation will be guaranteed, and the march of +colonization greatly accelerated. Generous Britain, not more +renowned in arts and arms, than in mercy and benevolence; may thy +supremacy be coeval with thy humanity! Or if that be impossible; +if thou be doomed to undergo that declension and decay, from +which no human institutions, no works of man appear to be exempt, +may the records of thy philanthropy hold the world in subject awe +and admiration, long after the dominion of thy power shall have +passed away! May they soften the hearts of future nations, and be +a shining sun that shall illuminate both hemispheres, and chase +from every region of the earth the black reign of barbarism and +cruelty for ever! + +While the existing system of government is thus rapidly +undermining the general prosperity and freedom, and presenting +the greatest checks to the progress of colonization, it is but +natural to conclude from the pertinacity with which it is +maintained, that it is at least productive of some beneficial +results to the power to which it owes its origin and existence. +It were a species of political anomaly to suppose that any order +of things diametrically opposite to the interests of the +governed, should be persisted in, unless it were attended with +some positive advantage to the governors. Ridiculous, however, as +in every case perhaps but the present such a supposition would +be, it is verified in the instance of this colony; since the +system pursued there, is not only destructive of the vital +interests of the inhabitants at large, but at the same time, +burdensome to this country, and contraventory of the very +intentions with which this settlement was established. This +assertion I shall shortly prove, and then leave it to more +sagacious politicians than myself, to demonstrate the consistency +of what appears to me the most absurd and incongruous paradox +that is to be met with in the history of governments. And first +that the present system is burdensome to this country, and what +is worse, must become every year still more so, is evident from +the gradually progressive augmentation which has taken place in +the expenditure of this colony. From 1788 to 1797, the total +expence was L1,037,230, or L86,435 per annum; from +1798 to 1811, it amounted to L1,634,926, or L116,709 +per annum; and from 1812 to 1815, both inclusive, to +L793,827, or L198,456 per annum. In 1816, the expence +was L193,775 10s. 83/4d. and in 1817 it +was L229,152 6s. 31/4d. being nearly +treble the annual amount in the year 1797. This estimate, indeed, +includes the cost of transportation; and the rapid increase that +has taken place of late years in the sum total, has been in a +considerable degree occasioned by the great increase in the +number of criminals sent out to the colony; but still that there +has been a regularly progressive augmentation to the internal +expenditure is quite incontrovertible. + +It requires no great portion of discernment to foretel that +while the present prohibitory system remains in force; while the +colony is alike prevented from profiting by its natural +productions, and from calling into life the artificial ones of +which it is capable, that it must continue an increasing burthen +and expence to the power on which it is dependent for support, +and which thus unwisely restrains its exertions. If the +consideration of the benefits which this country might eventually +derive from encouraging the growth and exportation of such +products as this colony might furnish; if the prospect of finding +at no very remote period in a part of our own dominions, various +raw materials essential to the fabrication of some of our staple +manufactures, and for which we are at present wholly dependent on +foreigners; if, in fine, the certainty of extending, instead of +destroying, a market for the consumption of those manufactures +themselves, be not motives of sufficient weight and cogency to +draw the attention of his majesty's ministers to the impolitic +and destructive order of things, which prevents the +accomplishment of these desirable ends; it is at least to be +hoped in these times of universal embarrassment, when the cry of +distress is resounding from one end of the kingdom to the other, +that the desire of effecting a retrenchment in this part of the +public expenditure, which has swelled to so enormous an amount, +solely from ignorance and mismanagement, will at length excite +inquiry, and give rise to a system that will unfetter the +colonists, and by gradually enabling them to support themselves, +no longer render them an unproductive and increasing burden to +this country. It is useless, and indeed absurd, for the +government to be sending out incessant injunctions for economy, +and to be eternally insisting upon the necessity of effecting +retrenchments, which their own impolitic restrictions render +impossible. The addition which is annually made to the population +of the colony must occasion a corresponding expenditure on the +part of the colonial government. The convicts, who are +transported thither, were maintained at a great expence while in +this country, and cannot be supported without cost there. So long +as the avenues to industry and enterprize are closed, it is +ridiculous to imagine that the colonists can undertake the +maintenance of a body of men, for whose labour they can find no +profitable occupation. The expence, therefore, of supporting the +great mass of convicts who are constantly arriving in this +colony, must necessarily increase in spite of all the +exhortations of the government, and all the efforts of the +governor, whoever he may be, to carry them into effect. The +present governor, indeed, has contrived in some measure to comply +with these recommendations of retrenchment with which he has been +harrassed; but his obedience has been attended with the adoption +of a most pernicious and indefensible system, that of granting +too promiscuously tickets of leave to convicts, before sufficient +time had elapsed for ascertaining the reality of their +reformation, and their title to so important an indulgence. This +privilege, which exempts them from the public works, and enables +them to seek employment in every direction throughout the colony, +it may be perceived, turns loose a set of men, who had been +solemnly pronounced to be improper and dangerous members of +society; and affords them an unrestrained opportunity of preying +upon the industrious and deserving, and of committing fresh +enormities, before they have made the atonement affixed to their +original offences, and required not more to uphold the +distinction which ought always to be drawn between virtue and +vice, than from a due regard to their future welfare and +regeneration. It is principally to the introduction of the ticket +of leave system that the considerable reductions which have been +effected of late years in the expences of the colony are to be +ascribed. How far this most pernicious and immoral system has +been carried, may be seen by reference to the colonial +expenditure for the four years anterior to 1816. In 1812 it +amounted to L176,781; in 1813 to L235,597; in 1814 to +L231,362; and in 1815 it had fallen to L150,087. In +the two following years, indeed, it has been seen that there has +been a considerable increase of expenditure; but still such has +been the extension of the ticket of leave system that +notwithstanding four thousand six hundred and fifty-nine convicts +were transported between January, 1812, and January, 1817, the +expences of the colony for this latter year were L6445 less +than for the year 1813; those of 1817 only amounting to +L229,152, while those of the year 1813 were L235,597. +This violent and unjustifiable mode of retrenchment, however, has +not been put into such extensive practice with impunity: it has +been attended with its natural and inevitable results, a +proportionate increase of demoralization and crime. The proof of +this assertion I shall rest on the following government +order:-- + +"Sydney, 30th August, 1817. In consequence of the +frequent robberies which have been of late committed between +Sydney and Paramatta; his Excellency the Governor deems it +expedient earnestly to recommend to persons in general to travel +only during the day time, and particularly to those who have the +charge of loaded carts, to set out from Sydney and Paramatta +respectively so early after sun-rise as to be enabled to reach +the place of their destination before sun-set. And with a view to +afford all possible protection to travellers, his Excellency +directs the principal superintendant of police at Sydney from and +after Wednesday the 3d of September next, to order two constables +from thence to patrole the road every night between Sydney and +Powell's Half-way House; and in like manner the principal +magistrate at Paramatta to order two constables from that place +to patrole the road every night between Paramatta and Powell's +Half-way House. The duty of such constables to commence at +sun-set and cease at sun-rise, until further orders. "The +magistrates are _particularly enjoined not to grant passes to +convicts either having tickets of leave or otherwise, excepting +on actual duty, or in cases of real emergency where the object is +satisfactorily explained to the magistrate_." + +This injunction to the magistrates not to grant the ticket of +leave-men passes except under particular circumstances would afford +the public very little additional security against their depredations; +since their total exemption from public or individual employment, +places them out of all restraint except such as may arise from +the surveillance of the police, which even in Sydney is badly +organized, because not sufficiently numerous, and to which in the +interior towns and districts it would be a farce to apply the +name of "Police" at all. + +I am aware that the governor has been induced to this measure +in compliance with positive instructions, rather than in +conformity with his own judgment. But a system in such direct +violation of every principle of justice, morality, and +expediency, can never be long tolerated. Its continuance, in +fact, would soon annihilate all industry, and convert the colony +into a den of thieves and murderers, unfit for the abode of +virtue and honesty, and dangerous to the government itself which +had authorized it.--It is an extreme which cannot endure, and +which is of so violent a nature that it will beget a remedy for +itself, and compel the government to recal into its employment, +and reduce under salutary restraint, a set of persons, who ought +never to have been freed from it till the expiration of their +sentences, or, at most, till they had given the clearest proof of +a sincere reformation. This system, therefore, of granting +tickets of leave to convicts shortly after their arrival, though +undoubtedly attended with a considerable saving to the +government, is of too immoral and dangerous a tendency to be +carried to any considerable extent; so that the expences of the +colony great, unnecessarily great as they are, must infallibly +increase with the progress of transportation, so long as the +grievous disabilities and impolitic restrictions under which the +colonists are groaning, remain unrepealed. + +Having thus shewn that this colony has hitherto been an +increasing burthen to this country, and that it must necessarily +continue so under its present unwise constitution, I proceed in +the next place to prove that its existing system of government is +also contraventory of the philanthropic intentions which gave +rise to its foundation. The principal object which the government +of this country had in view was undoubtedly the reformation of +the thousands exiled to these distant shores. The punishment +which it thus inflicted, in banishing them from their native +country, and separating them from their friends and connexions, +was not the end itself, but the means which it employed to effect +this humane and laudable purpose. Has then the colony in any one +point of view realized this comprehensive and philanthropic +scheme of morality and regeneration? It has, indeed, proved a +receptacle for those whose crimes rendered them unfit for the +community which rejected them from its bosom, and in so far has +been of some utility to the public; but have the restraints to +which they have been subjected; has the system, in fact, by which +they have been governed during their exile, generally revived +that morality and virtue, the absence of which propelled them in +the first instance to the commission of crime, and will always +continue them in the same career of vice and punishment? Have +those, who have expiated their original offence, by undergoing +the penalty which the law annexed to it, experienced a +reformation in their principles and conduct? And are they +generally qualified either to return to the country that banished +them, or to become good and useful citizens in the one by which +they have been adopted; and which, since it has constantly +witnessed their deportment, can best appreciate the reality and +extent of their merits? The records of the several courts of +criminal judicature are the surest criterion by which to judge of +this important particular, and will be found decidedly +confirmatory of the alarming augmentation of immorality and +crime, which distinguishes every succeeding year, and that too in +a proportion far exceeding what would be naturally consequent on +the increase in the population. + +On reference to the Sydney Gazattes for the year 1817, I find +that there were in all ninety-two persons tried by the criminal +court. The offences with which they were charged were as follow: +1st, For murder eleven; four of whom were convicted and executed: +two were adjudged only guilty of manslaughter; and five were +acquitted. 2dly, For burglaries, eight, five of whom were +capitally convicted, but their sentences afterwards commuted into +transportation to the Coal River for life; five were transported +thither for fourteen years, one for seven years, and one was +acquitted. 3dly, For highway robbery, one, who was transported to +Newcastle for fourteen years. 4thly, One incendiary, transported +for life. 5thly, One for cutting and maiming, acquitted. 6thly, +Nine for cattle stealing; of whom two were capitally convicted, +their sentence afterwards commuted into transportation for life; +five were originally sentenced to the same punishment, one +transported for fourteen years, and one was acquitted. 6thly, +Three for sheep stealing; all capitally convicted, but their +sentences commuted into transportation for life. 7thly, Two for +horse stealing; one of whom was capitally convicted but not +executed, the other sentenced to solitary confinement. 8thly, One +for rape, but acquitted. 9thly, Twenty-seven for privately +stealing in dwelling and out-houses; two of whom were transported +for fourteen years, nine for seven years, one for four years, +four for three years, two for two years, one sentenced to +solitary confinement, and six acquitted. 10thly, Two for forgery, +found guilty, but sentence deferred. 11thly, Two for receiving +stolen goods, one of whom was sentenced to the pillory and to +four years transportation, and the other to transportation alone +for the same period. 12thly, Five for pig stealing; of whom two +were transported to Newcastle for fourteen years, one was flogged +and put in the pillory, one transported to Newcastle for two +years, and one acquitted. Lastly, Nineteen for petty larceny; of +whom one was sent to Newcastle for four years, one for three +years, fourteen were sentenced to various terms of solitary +confinement, and three acquitted. + +From this statement, therefore, it appears that during the +year 1817, out of the ninety-two persons who were tried for +various offences, which it will be seen were for the most part of +a heinous nature, no fewer than seventy-three were convicted, +fifteen capitally, four of whom were executed, the remaining +eleven had their sentences commuted into transportation to the +Coal River for life; that there were six others originally +sentenced to the same punishment; that there were five +transported for fourteen years, ten for seven years, and that the +remaining thirty-seven were either transported for terms under +seven years, or were punished by solitary confinement. Appalling, +however, as this catalogue of crime must be acknowledged, when +compared with _that_ which could be produced in any other +community of similar extent, it would still appear on the first +view to argue well in favour of the reformatory influence of this +colony: since Governor Bligh in his examination before the +committee of the House of Commons, in the year 1812, presented a +document purporting to be a list of criminals tried between +August, 1806, and August, 1807, from which it appears that one +hundred and seventeen* persons were arraigned before the criminal +court during this interval. If we were therefore to abide by the +records of the criminal court alone, we should draw the most +satisfactory conclusions with respect to the progress of +reformation in the morals and habits of the people since that +period. The comparison, indeed, between the catalogue of crime in +the years 1806 and 1817, would be most gratifying; as +notwithstanding that the population of the colony rather more +than doubled itself since the former year, the latter presents a +decrease in the number of criminals of twenty-five, or in other +words, crimes would appear to have diminished in the ratio of +about 9/4 to 1. If the records, therefore, of the criminal court +were decisive on the subject, it would be impossible not to +confess that the system pursued in this colony has fully answered +the humane intentions for which it was founded. But unhappily +these records are no standard by which to judge of the +reformatory tendency of the system. During Governor Bligh's +administration, all offenders except those who were charged with +the most trifling misdemeanors, were tried by the criminal court. +He was a second Draco, who considered the smallest offence +deserving of death: and wo to the wretch whom the criminal court +doomed to this punishment, for he invariably carried its sentence +into execution. His successor, however, has acted on more +merciful principles; and, besides, crimes have so rapidly +multiplied of late years, that the judge advocate would not have +sufficient time for presiding in the two civil courts of which he +is the head, were he obliged to dispose of all the culprits that +might be arraigned in the criminal court. But it is well known to +those who are at all conversant with the state of the colony, +that but a very small portion of the offences which are committed +there, are now brought under the jurisdiction of this court. The +majority of the criminals who are now tried by it are either free +persons, or such as have obtained emancipations; i.e. those whom +the various governors have made free in the colony, but who are +not at liberty to quit it. The benches of magistrates, and the +superintendent of police, are delicate of deciding on charges in +which the members of these two free classes are implicated; but +they dispose of offenders already under the sentence of the law +in a summary manner, either by transporting them to the Coal +River, by putting them in the gaol gangs, by sending them (if +they happen to be females) to the factory, or by simply ordering +them corporal punishment, unless they are charged with murder, or +some capital felony; and even in this latter case they frequently +inflict some summary punishment. With respect to the first of +these summary modes of punishment, transportation to the Coal +River, it has already been stated that the population of this +settlement amounted in the year 1817, to five hundred and fifty +souls: of these not more than one hundred, including the civil +and military establishments, and the settlers and their families +on the upper banks of the river, were free. The remaining four +hundred and fifty, therefore, were persons who had been convicted +of crimes either by the criminal court or by the magistracy, and +retransported thither for various periods. Those few, it has been +seen, who are condemned to this punishment by the criminal court, +are for the most part sentenced to long terms of transportation; +but as nine-tenths of the criminals at this settlement are sent +thither either by the benches of magistrates, or by the +superintendent of police, who seldom transport for a longer +period than two years, and more frequently for one year, or six +months, the population may at a very moderate calculation be +considered as undergoing a complete change every two years, or in +other words, it may be concluded that two hundred and twenty-five +persons are annually transported thither by way of punishment. We +must therefore add this number to the culprits convicted before +the court of criminal judicature, and we shall then have a total +of three hundred and eighteen persons annually convicted of +crimes in the colony. This is of itself an alarming sum of +criminality; but we must not stop here, since it only conducts us +to the second of the summary modes of punishment which I have +enumerated; viz. the gaol gangs. There are upon an average about +fifty persons in the gaol gang at Sydney, and about the same +number in the gaol gangs belonging to the other towns and +districts in the colony. These are criminals convicted of smaller +offences than those who are transported to the Coal River; they +are worked from sunrise to sun-set, and are locked up in the +prisons during the night. This mode of punishment is seldom +inflicted for a longer term than four months. It may therefore be +safely computed that these gaol gangs are changed once in this +period, or in other words, that three hundred persons annually +pass through this ordeal. This further addition to the formidable +catalogue of crimes already made out, increases the total to six +hundred and eighteen persons, yet only leads us to the third mode +of summary punishment, viz. labour at the factory at Paramatta. +The number of women sentenced to this mode of punishment may be +averaged at one hundred and fifty, and as the average term of +their sentences does not exceed six months, we have a farther +number of three hundred to add to the above estimate. This +increases it to nine hundred and eighteen persons; but we have +still one other mode of punishment in petto, corporal punishment +simply; and I have no doubt that the numbers on whom it is +annually inflicted will at least swell the grand total of persons +convicted of various criminal offences during the year 1817, +either by the criminal courts, by the benches of magistrates, by +the superintendent of police, or by the district magistrates to +one thousand. We may now draw some sort of a comparison between +the amount of crime in the years 1806 and 1817. I should imagine, +on the highest calculation, that not more than one hundred +persons in addition to those tried by the criminal court during +that year, could, from the system then in practice, have been +summarily dealt with by the magistracy; but allowing even that +there were two hundred, and that the whole number of persons +stated by Governor Bligh to have been tried by that court were +found guilty, a most improbable supposition, the year 1806 will +only then give a total of three hundred and sixteen offenders, +i.e. not one third the amount of those who were convicted in the +year 1817. Crime therefore has been trebled, while the population +has only been doubled, or in other words, the increase of the +former has been to the increase of the latter as three to +two. + +[* Page 42 Appendix to the Report of the House of +Commons in 1812.] + +What else, indeed, could be expected from a system which is +every day enlarging the circle of poverty and distress? Is it +within the possibility of belief that people should become more +honest as they become more necessitous? That they should +scrupulously refrain from making inroads on the possessions of +their richer neighbours, while they themselves are suffering +under the influence of progressive penury? Under such +circumstances it would be the very height of absurdity to expect +an increase of virtue and honesty. Wherever it is not within the +compass of industry to provide for its wants, a recourse to crime +in order to make up the deficiency is inevitable to a certain +extent even in a moral country. What then must be the result of +this inability in a felon population, long habituated to theft, +and naturally predisposed to criminality? In such a community as +this, the government are doubly bound to neglect no measures +which may be calculated to repress this vicious propensity. If +they adopt the contrary line of conduct; if they administer +stimulants to vice instead of anodynes; if they, in fact, create +incitements to dishonesty too potent even for virtuous misery to +withstand, are not _they_ the authors of a system thus +impregnated with corruption, virtually the parent of the +monstrous litter to which it gives birth? And though according to +the inflexible principles of justice, any violation of the +property of another is not to be exculpated, humanity will always +pity the distressed delinquent, and wish that she had the power +of substituting the primary author of the crime in the place of +the condemned criminal. How would the world be reformed, if the +framers of the unjust and impolitic laws, which are every where +the bane of mankind, and the cause of so much misery and vice, +were arraigned at the bar of justice, and compelled to answer for +all the depravity that might be traced to the demoralizing +influence of their measures? + +The picture of the colony which I have presented, aggravated +as it is, faithfully delineates the different descending +gradations by which it has sunk to its present abyss of misery, +and is of itself sufficiently demonstrative of the radical defect +that there is in its polity, and of the necessity for an +alteration in it: nevertheless, it may not be altogether +inexpedient to dive a little into futurity, and to view through +the mirror of the imagination the further results which the +experience of the past may convince us that a perseverance in the +same course of restriction and disability will infallibly lead +to. It requires not the gift of divination to foresee that the +manufacturing system, which has already taken such deep root, and +so rapidly shot up towards maturity, will still further confirm +and consolidate itself with the increasing poverty of the +community. For several years the importation of British +manufactures, particularly of cottons, has been comparatively +speaking on the decline, in consequence of the competition +occasioned by large importations of those articles from India; +which though in general of inferior quality, have been more +adapted to the circumstances of the colonists from their inferior +price. The consumption of hats and woollen cloths has also been +diminished, but not to the same considerable extent by the +colonial manufactures of the same denomination, which are +likewise much inferior to the British, but have the two-fold +advantage of being cheaper, and to be obtained for wool, grain, +meat, etc. without the intervention of money, which it is +generally out of the power of the consumers to furnish. + +This system of barter, which has materially favoured their +growth, and must necessarily still further encourage and extend +it, is not, as might at first be imagined, prejudicial to the +manufacturer; since the wool which he thus receives in exchange +for his commodity is the raw material required for its +reproduction, and therefore saves him the trouble of seeking it +in other quarters; and the meat, grain, etc. are distributed +among his workmen at the market prices of the day, and free him +from the necessity of paying the full value of their labour in +money, which under existing circumstances would most probably be +impracticable. The system itself, therefore, seems to have been +engendered by events, and to be peculiarly adapted to the present +state of poverty and wretchedness, to which the great mass of the +colonists are reduced. And although in other countries, and even +in this, if its agricultural powers were unfettered, the workmen +employed in the fabrication of these manufactures would not +perhaps consent to receive this mixed compensation for their +labour, yet amidst the actual difficulties of procuring a +subsistence, and possessed as they are of trades, for which till +lately there was no demand whatever, and for which at the present +moment there is far from an active competition, they are not only +glad to accept this mode of payment, but would even submit to +much harder conditions. We may therefore perceive, that if the +manufacturer can sell for ready money as much of this commodity +as is requisite to the payment of the residue of their wages, and +at the same time equivalent to the profit which he may derive +from his concern, it is all that he need absolutely require. This +manufacturing system being thus not only suited to the increasing +poverty of the community at large, but also favourable to the +interests of all the parties concerned in it, whether the +proprietors or the workmen, cannot but gain ground. A few years, +in fact, will completely put it out of the power of at least +seven-eighths of the population to have recourse to the +manufactures of this country: the expences of the colony will, +indeed, as I have satisfactorily proved, continue to increase, +but still only in proportion to the augmentation in the body of +convicts and others, maintained at the charge of the government; +while, on the contrary, the population of the colony, in spite of +all the checks imposed on it, will be extending itself more +rapidly within, than by transportation and emigration from +without. Its revenue, therefore, will be every year to be divided +among a number of competitors increasing much more rapidly than +itself. Thus their ability to purchase the more perfect and +expensive commodities of this country, will become daily more +circumscribed, till at length the use of them will be entirely +superseded, or at best confined to the higher orders of society; +who, it is probable, may be induced in the long run both by the +growing perfection of their native manufactures, and by +patriotism, to abjure the consumption of all goods that may have +a tendency to augment the prosperity of their common oppressor. +The colonists, in fact, have only to advance a few steps further +in the manufacturing system to be completely independent of +foreign supply. Already fabricating to a considerable extent +their own cloth, the first perhaps of manufactures in utility and +importance; already furnishing in a great measure their own hats, +leather, soap, candles, and earthenware, they have only to +provide their own linen, and to erect iron founderies, to become +possessed of all that can be termed strictly necessary to their +subsistence and even comfort. And these two objects will +doubtless be soon effected by the active agency of the same +powerful necessity, which has so rapidly given rise to the +various manufactures already mentioned. It is, indeed, rather a +matter of surprise than otherwise, that attempts have not been +already made to establish manufactories of these two highly +important articles; since the colony, on the one hand, is +peculiarly adapted to the growth of flax, and on the other +abounds, as it has been seen, with iron ore of the richest +quality. + +To what feelings, then, to what conduct, it may be asked, will +this independence in the resources of the colonists, the bitter +fruit of so much privation and misery, give birth? Will this, the +painful result of so many years' injustice and oppression, tend +to strengthen the bond of union between the colony and this +country? Or will it not be the crisis that will sever it for +ever? England, placed as she is at present on the pinnacle of +glory, and reposing in security on the basis of that commercial +and maritime greatness, from which the gigantic efforts of united +Europe have not been able to remove her, may laugh to scorn the +presumption of any colony, however powerful, that might attempt +to shake off her authority. Like Jupiter on Olympus, she has only +to stretch out her hand and overthrow the united force of all her +colonies with the chain to which she has bound their destinies. +No one can doubt, that such an attempt would be preposterous at +the present moment, nor would the most strenuous advocate for +colonial independence, the most violent enemy to the supremacy of +this country, dream of its immediate execution. Still let her not +lull herself into a false security; let her not measure the +forbearance of the colony by its own impotency and +insignificance. Despair always begets resources, and inspires an +unnatural vigor. The enmity of the most feeble becomes +formidable, when it has justice ranged under its banners, and +ought not to be excited without necessity. Besides, is it worthy +the character of a nation, who has evinced herself the determined +enemy of tyrants, and the avenger of the freedom of the world, to +become the oppressor of her own subjects, and that too for the +mere sake of oppression, in subversion alike of their interests +and of her own? Has she not, and will she not always have +_external enemies enow_ to contend with, without thus +creating, _unnecessarily_ creating, _domestic ones?_ +Let her from the midst of the glory with which she is environed +compare her situation, brilliant and imposing as it is, with what +it might have been: let her look at the consequences of her +former injustice. Is not the most formidable on the list of her +enemies, a nation, which might have this day been the most +attached and faithful of her friends? A nation which, instead of +watching every occasion to circumscribe her power, would, if its +rights had been respected, have been still embodied with her +empire and confirmatory of her strength? Will this terrible +lesson have no influence on the regulation of her future conduct? +Will not this dear bought experience teach her wisdom? Or has she +yet to learn that the reign of injustice and tyranny involves in +its very constitution the germ of its duration and punishment? +Let her ask herself, "what would have been the consequence if, +during the late war with America, the ports of this colony had +been open to the vessels of that nation?" How many hundreds of +the valuable captures, which the Americans made in the Indian +seas and on the coast of Peru, might have safely awaited there +the termination of the war, which were recaptured by her cruisers +in view of the ports of their country? How many hundreds of their +own vessels, that shared the same fate, would have still belonged +to their merchants? And is there no probability, that a +perseverance in the present system of injustice and oppression, +may on some future occasion, urge the colonists to shake off this +intolerable yoke, and throw themselves into the arms of so +powerful a protector? May they not by these means acquire +independence long before the epoch when they would have obtained +it by their own force and maturity? Or at least may they not +place themselves under the government of more just and +considerate rulers? How would this country repent her folly, if +she should thus become the instrument of her own abasement; if +she should herself be the cause of establishing a power already +the most formidable rival of her commercial and maritime +ascendency, in the very heart of her most valuable possessions, +at the main external source of her wealth and prosperity? + +To those who are acquainted with the local situation of this +colony; who have traversed the formidable chain of mountains by +which it is bounded from north to south; who have viewed the +impregnable natural positions, that the only connecting ridge by +which a passage into the interior can be effected, every where +presents; to those who are aware that this ridge is in many +places not more than thirty feet in width, and have beheld the +terrific chasms by which it is bounded, chasms inaccessible to +the most agile animal of the forest, and that will for ever defy +the approach of man; to those, I say, who are acquainted with all +these circumstances, the independence of this colony, should it +be goaded into rebellion, appears neither so problematical nor +remote, as might be otherwise imagined. Of what avail would whole +armies prove in these terrible defiles, which only five or six +men could approach abreast? What would be the effect of artillery +on advancing columns crowded into so narrow a compass? A few +minutes exposure to such a dreadful carnage, would annihilate the +assailing army; or at best only preserve its scattered remnants +from destruction by raising an intervening barrier of the +carcases of its slaughtered martyrs. If the colonists should +prudently abandon the defence of the sea-coast, and remove with +their flocks and herds into the fertile country behind these +impregnable passes, what would the force of England, gigantic as +it is, profit her? She might, indeed, if they were unassisted in +their efforts by any foreign power, cut off their communication +for awhile with the coast; but her armies entirely dependent on +external supply, and at so great a distance from the centre of +their resources, would gradually moulder away, as well by the +incessant operation of a partisan warfare, as by defection to +their adversaries, whom her troops would be led to combat only +with regret. They would not enter into a war of this description +with the same animosity and desire of vengeance that might +actuate their leaders. They would behold in their opponents, +Britons, or the descendants of Britons, placed in hostile array +against them unwillingly, and not from any ancient and inveterate +spirit of hatred and rivality, but from constrained resistance to +tyranny, and in vindication of their most sacred and indubitable +rights. Nor would they in the midst of their disgust for so +unjust and unnatural a contest, behold the beauty and fertility +of the country without drawing a comparison between their +condition, and what it would be, were they to quit the ranks of +oppression, and become the champions of that independence, which +they were destined to repress. Such will be the consequences of +the impolitic and oppressive system of government pursued in this +colony; such the probable results of the contest to which it must +eventually give rise. If I have been unqualified in expressing my +reprobation of such unwise and unjust measures; if I have evinced +myself the fearless assertor of the rights of my compatriots; and +if I have spoke without reserve of the resistance which the +violation and suppression of those rights will in the end +occasion, I must nevertheless protest against being classed among +those who are the sworn enemies of all authority, and who place +the happiness of communities in a freedom from those restraints +which the wisdom of ages has established, and demonstrated to be +salutary and essential. I hope, therefore, that my principles +will not be mistaken, and that I shall not be exposed to the hue +and cry which have been justly raised against those persons who +are inimical to all existing institutions. There is not a more +sincere friend to established government and legitimacy than he +who mildly advocates the cause of reform, and points out with +decency the excrescences that will occasionally rise on the +political body, as well from an excess of liberty as of +restraint: such a person may prevent anarchy; he can never +occasion it. + +These are the views by which I have been actuated in writing +this essay. If my hopes should be realized, if I should happily +be the means of averting the thunder cloud of calamity and +destruction which is even now gathering on the horizon of my +country, and threatens at no very remote period to burst over its +head, and to scatter death and desolation in its bosom, it is all +the recompence I seek. If my efforts should unfortunately prove +abortive; if I should fail to rouse the friends of peace and +humanity to its succour and relief, I shall have experienced a +sufficient mortification, without undergoing the additional one +of being classed with a band of ruffian levellers, who under the +specious pretext of salutary reform seek, like the jacobin +revolutionists of France, the subversion of all order, and the +substitution in its stead, of a reign of terror, anarchy, and +rapine, amidst the horrors of which they may satiate their +avarice, and glut their revenge. Let then the purity of my +motives be unimpeached, if I should be defeated in the +accomplishment of my object. But why should I despair of success, +when I have every support that ought to ensure it? Right, reason, +expediency, morality, religion, are all on the side of my +oppressed country, and must eventually procure the termination of +her sufferings. The disabilities, indeed, under which she has +been so long groaning, grounded as they are in no motives of +policy, but averse to them _all_, ought rather to be +ascribed to inadvertence than design. Engaged as this country has +been in a tremendous conflict, on the dubious issue of which her +very existence as a nation was staked, she has had little or no +leisure for attending to the internal economy of her colonies: in +the midst of her own unparalleled sufferings and sacrifices, +theirs have been disregarded or forgotten. It is the knowledge of +this circumstance that has shed a ray of hope and consolation +athwart the gloom which has been thickening year after year +around the colony. It is this consideration that has enabled its +inhabitants to support burdens which would otherwise have been +found intolerable. Let then their just expectations be at length +fulfilled, and let them not continue the only portion of the +king's subjects, who have no personal reason to rejoice at the +happy termination of this long and arduous contest. Their +moderation and forbearance under their grievances, have given +them an additional claim to redress, scarcely less forcible than +the existence of the grievances themselves. Yet already years +have elapsed, since the consolidation of general peace and +tranquillity, and no attention has been paid to their situation +and remonstrances. Already, therefore, the spirit of discontent +so long repressed by hope, but reviving with the progress of this +unnecessary, this unaccountable delay, has begun to manifest +itself, and will soon assume a determinate shape and form. Let +the government repress this feeling of hostility, while they have +yet the power: a few years further inattention will render it +hereditary and rivet it for ever. It is in the tendency of +colonies to overstep even legitimate restraint; they will never +long wear the fetters of injustice and oppression. I am aware +that it is not one of the least difficult proofs of legislative +wisdom to frame regulations adapted to each progressive stage of +colonization, and that this difficulty increases with the +maturity which the colony in question may have attained; but +although the treatment of colonies upon their arrival at that +degree of ascendency, when the enforcement of ancient +restrictions, founded on the interests, or supposed interests of +the parent country, but contraventory of the prosperity of the +colonies themselves, becomes dangerous or impracticable, is, it +must be allowed, a point of extreme delicacy and tenderness; +there can at no time be any doubt entertained of the propriety of +abandoning a system founded upon error and injustice, and +productive of detriment, as well to those who have imposed it, as +to those who are suffering under its baneful operation. It is +therefore to be hoped that so unwise and unjust a system will no +longer be continued; that his majesty's government will at length +allow the colonists to use freely the natural productions of +their country, and to increase to the utmost its artificial ones; +that they will, permit them to call their own energies, their own +resources, into life and action, and no longer impoverish them by +rendering them the prey of richer colonies, and what is still +more absurd and vexatious, of foreigners; that they will, in +fine, grant them the free unrestricted enjoyment of those +privileges which the bounty of the Creator has extended to them, +and which it is not in any human authority to withhold, +consistently with the eternal, immutable principles of right and +equity. + +These privileges consist in the removal of certain +agricultural and commercial restraints, which I shall separately +enumerate; and in a free government, under the protecting shade +of which, the colonists may fearlessly exercise and enjoy their +personal and private rights, without molestation or +hindrance. + +PART III. + +VARIOUS ALTERATIONS SUGGESTED IN THE PRESENT POLICY OF THIS COLONY. + +Of all the steps that could be taken for the relief of the +colony, none certainly would prove of such immediate efficacy, as +the creation of distilleries, and the imposition of so high a +duty on the importation of spirits from abroad, as would amount +to a prohibition. The advantages that would be attendant on this +measure may, perhaps, be most forcibly illustrated by a short +review of the actual loss which the colonists have sustained +during the last fifteen years, from the want of its adoption. The +spirits imported during this period may be safely estimated on an +average at the annual value of L10,000, amounting in +fifteen years to the sum of L150,000: and if we add to this +L100,000 more, which it may be calculated that the +government have expended in this interval, in the importation of +corn, flour, rice, etc. from other countries, we have a grand +total of L250,000, that would have been saved to the colony +by the erection of distilleries. The application of so large a +sum to the immediate encouragement of agriculture, would have +imparted life and vigor into the whole community, and would have +effectually prevented that increasing poverty, and the black +train of evils consequent on it, which I have already depicted. +And although from the increased demand for foreign luxuries, +which so great an addition to the colonial income would have +naturally occasioned, but a small part perhaps of this sum would +have eventually continued in general circulation, still the means +of the colonists would have at least been brought to a level with +their wants; and a sterling circulating medium would have +remained sufficient for all the purposes of domestic economy. +Under such circumstances there can be little doubt that the +active and enterprizing spirit of our countrymen would have long +since effected the establishment of an export trade, which would +have freed the colony from future embarrassment, and the mother +country from the enormous expence which she is annually forced to +incur in its support. But the continual and amazing fluctuations +which have taken place in the price of corn, have been a +death-blow to the success of every effort that has been directed +to this most important object. At least but one out of all the +numerous attempts that have been made by individuals, (for none +have been made by the government,) to raise various articles of +export, has realized the expectations of its sagacious author, +and promises to become eventually of permanent relief and +importance to the colony. But it will be more in the order of the +arrangement which I have marked out for myself, to treat of this +very important subject hereafter: I recur, therefore, to the +conclusion which I was about to draw from the foregoing premises; +that to the perfect success of every enterprize of a manual +nature, it is essential that the price of provisions in general, +but of corn in particular, should be reduced to such a point as +to afford a fair profit to the grower; and at the same time that +it should not be subject to any such extraordinary rise as to +superinduce a proportionate increase in the price of labour. To +keep the value of corn in this just mean, it is necessary that +the growth of it should be encouraged to a pitch far beyond the +sphere of the ordinary demand; and this is to be effected +generally in two ways, by augmenting the internal consumption by +artificial means, as by breweries, distilleries, etc. and by +permitting a free exportation of the surplus. But the colony is +at present unable from the smallness of its resources and its +remoteness from Europe, the great mart for the surplus corn of +other countries, to become a competitor with them in this branch +of commerce: it follows, therefore, that the constant abundance +of corn indispensable to the establishment and maintenance of an +export trade, can only be guaranteed by the enforcement of all +such measures as have a tendency to increase internal +consumption; and of these I again repeat that the erection of +distilleries, etc. is the most easy and the most efficacious. + +Independent of this general reasoning, which is equally +applicable to all countries, the colony can unhappily furnish +particular grounds of argument in the unfortunate localities of +its agricultural settlements, which render the adoption of this +measure of still more imperative necessity. Allured to the banks +of the river Hawkesbury, both by the superiority of the soil, and +the facilities which the navigation of this river afforded for +the conveyance of produce to market, a circumstance of material +advantage even at this moment, but of incalculable importance at +a period, when as yet there were few or no cattle for the +purposes of land carriage, the first colonists were encouraged by +Governor Phillip to establish themselves on this low fertile +tract of country, not so much perhaps from choice as necessity. +His successors, influenced in part by the same considerations, +followed his example in directing the current of colonization +into the same channel, till in the lapse of about fifteen years +the whole of the fertile lands on the banks of this river were +completely appropriated. Thus unfortunately for the colony, its +principal agricultural establishment was formed in a situation +subject to the inundations of a river, whose waters frequently +rise seventy or eighty feet above its ordinary level. + +The present governor, to his lasting honour be it mentioned, +has done all that prudence could effect with the limited means +confided to him, for the prevention of the calamities invariably +consequent on these destructive inundations. He has placed the +great mass of the colonists, who have been settled during his +administration, in districts that are not subject to flood; thus +securing to themselves and the community at large the fruits of +their industry. He has also established townships on the high +grounds, which generally at the distance of a mile or two from +the river border its low fertile banks, and has held out various +encouragements, in order to induce the settlers to remove their +houses and stacks to them. The richer class have in most +instances been alive to their own interests, and have abandoned +their ancient abodes on the verge of the river: so that the +destruction occasioned by future floods will be infinitely less +extensive. But, still, a great part of the poorer class adhere to +their ancient habitations, impelled by the double motive of +avoiding the cost of carrying their crops to these townships, and +from thence back again to the river, in order to send them to +market by the boats, which ply on it for this purpose. And to +such as have not horses and carts of their own, and would +consequently be obliged to hire them, a residence on the banks of +the river is a saving of greater magnitude than might be at first +imagined. + +The greatest obstacle to the complete realization of the +governor's project, arises from the extreme poverty of the great +body of the settlers, occasioned, as I have already noticed, by +the limited and precarious market afforded for their produce. To +build a house, however small, is an undertaking in this colony as +every where else, which can only be effected with adequate means; +and if the colonists do not resort in crowds to these townships, +it is not because they are insensible to the advantages which +they would derive from a removal to these seats of security, but +because their penury chains them to their present dangerous and +miserable hovels, and compels them in spite of their better +reason to hold their lives and property on the most precarious of +all tenures, the caprice of the elements. But could the governor +succeed in this, his project to the utmost, could he induce every +settler on the banks of the Hawkesbury to remove to these +townships, he would be still far from guaranteeing the colony +from the calamitous effects of these inundations; since they are +not periodical, like the risings of the Nile, but happen at all +times, as well when the crops are in stack as when growing, when +they are in the infancy of vegetation, as when they have attained +maturity and are fit for the sickle. Some other expedient, +therefore, would still be necessary to guard against those +inundations which may happen at such disastrous periods; and +there is but one that will be found sufficient at all times and +under all circumstances. It is to encourage by artificial means, +the growth of corn so far beyond what is necessary for the bare +purposes of food, that in years of scarcity, whether arising from +flood or drought, these artificial channels of consumption may be +stopped, and the whole of the corn in the colony appropriated to +the supply of the inhabitants. And this encouragement would be +amply afforded by the establishment of distilleries; since +allowing the colony to require sixty thousand gallons of spirits +annually, twenty thousand bushels of grain would be expended in +distillation, the whole of which, when necessity required, might +be diverted from its ordinary course of consumption, and directed +to the purposes of subsistence. + +These advantages, great as they must be allowed to be, are not +the only ones that would follow the erection of distilleries. +This measure would still further promote the prosperity of the +agricultural body, by creating in the market a competition with +the government for the purchase of grain, and would thus destroy +the _maximum_, that has been hitherto arbitrarily assigned +as an equivalent for their produce generally, without reference +to the state of the crops, whether they have been productive or +otherwise. The prejudicial operation of this maximum was noticed +in the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons +made in the year 1812, and the propriety of devising some remedy +for this evil strongly enforced; but this recommendation has +hitherto been disregarded, from the want, perhaps, of information +sufficiently precise to enable the government of this country to +attend to it. + +I close the catalogue of arguments which I adduce in support +of this measure with the last and most powerful of them all, its +beneficial influence on the morality of the rising generation. I +do not so much take into calculation its probable bearing on the +existing race of colonists, the greater part of whom are and +will, perhaps, always be more or less addicted to the pernicious +habits contracted in their early days of riot and debauchery, as +on their posterity, who will necessarily soon form the majority +of this colony, and whose amelioration or reformation all +legislative measures should have principally in view. With those +the immoderate use of spirituous liquors is a long contracted +disease, which it is perhaps past the skill of legislation to +cure. It is like an old inveterate ulcer, whose roots have +penetrated into the seats of vitality, and are so intimately +interwoven with the very principles of existence, that the knife +cannot be applied to the extirpation of the one, without +occasioning the destruction of the other. But though this +gangrene can never be entirely eradicated, the experience of late +years has shewn that it may be prevented from increasing, and +even considerably reduced. Drunkenness has been observed to be +less frequent since the unlimited importation of spirits was +permitted, even among that class who were most addicted to this +vice during the long period when the importation was in a great +measure restricted, the price of liquor exorbitantly enhanced, +and the consequent difficulty of obtaining it much more +considerable. Great, therefore, as are the present facilities to +the indulgence of this propensity, they should be still further +extended, and this would be effected by internal distillation; +for although the importation of spirits from other countries has +been for many years past subject to no restriction, but the +payment of a certain duty, which would be equally levied on all +spirits made in the colony, still the expence of freight, +insurance, etc. would be avoided, the price proportionably +abated, and the means of indulgence increased in the same +ratio. + +The immediate effect of this free circulation of spirits +having been so beneficial, we may easily infer what would be its +remote consequences; and it is to these, to the gradual +developement of moral perfection, that all laws which are framed +with a reference to this end, should be directed, and not to +sudden and violent reformations, which are seldom or never +attended with the desired results. It was, indeed, natural to +expect that this pernicious drug would be depreciated, in the +estimation of its consumers, in exact proportion to its +superabundance; and although the removal of all restriction to +the importation of spirits, might in its immediate beneficial +operation on the morals of the existing generation, so long +curtailed in the use of them, and so long habituated to excess, +whenever occasion offered, have been a matter of serious +speculation, before this experiment was tried, its immediate +result has far out-stripped the expectations of its most sanguine +supporters. The present influence of this measure having been so +satisfactory, there cannot be a doubt that the effect of internal +distillation on the morality of future generations will be still +more salutary and decisive. It is well known that in the +countries that are celebrated for the production of wines and +spirits, as France, Spain, Italy, etc. so great is the sobriety +of the people, that a drunken person is an object of contempt, +and a sight which is but very seldom witnessed. This sobriety, +therefore, can only be the consequence of a steady, equable +supply, which induces moderate enjoyment, without holding out any +temptation to excessive indulgence. And however strange or +unaccountable this fact may at first appear, the reason of it may +be traced to the nature of man, the same inconsistent creature in +all ages and in all countries. Intervening obstacles to +enjoyment, far from repressing his desires, serve but to +stimulate and inflame them; and so perverse and capricious is he +in his conduct, that he despises, or at best holds in but +secondary estimation, the real substantial good that is within +his grasp; while remote or unattainable objects fire his +ambition, and swell into fanciful and preposterous proportions +the treacherous illusions of a fertile imagination, which +possession alone can dissipate and reduce to their proper +standard and value. It is thus that lofty mountains seem to +connect themselves with the heavens by enveloping clouds; but +stripped of their deceptious covering, they stand reduced to +their primitive dimensions, the blue vault towers far above their +heads, and the eye sees and defines their just limits and +magnitude. + +There can be but one objection urged against the establishment +of colonial distilleries; that it will deprive the resident +merchants in India, from whence by far the greater proportion of +spirits is at present imported into the colony, of this branch of +commerce. The trade, however, of that country is on too extensive +a scale, to be perceptibly affected by so trifling a restriction, +which, in fact, has always existed till within the last five +years; as the importation of spirits, till that period, was +always subject to limitation, and only permitted by express +licence. But were the case otherwise, what right has one portion +of the empire to look for aggrandisement at the expense of +another? Ought the welfare and happiness of twenty thousand +persons to be sacrificed, in order to promote the views of a few +interested individuals? If it were politic in his majesty's +government to concede any superiority of privilege to any one +body of the king's subjects over another, surely a colony +composed entirely of Englishmen has reason to expect that such a +concession should be made in its favour, and not to its prejudice +in favour of a country acquired and in some measure maintained by +force, and connected with the parent country by no ties of common +origin and affinity, by no congeniality of habit, by no +similarity of religion. But the colonists neither expect nor +desire any such concessions: they seek the possession and +enjoyment of their own indubitable rights; they would not curtail +those of others: they neither want to render other colonies +tributary to their prosperity, nor to continue, as they have +hitherto been, tributary to that of others. + +If, on the other hand, we take a hasty survey of the +advantages, which I trust it has been satisfactorily proved, +would be consequent on internal distillation, never, it will be +seen, was there a measure which could adduce in its support more +urgent and weighty considerations. It would afford employment, +and thus impart fresh health and vigor to the agricultural body, +debilitated by long suffering and disease; it would place the +means of the colonists on a level with their wants, and by +creating a good and sufficient medium of circulation in the place +of the present worthless currency, would give rise to other +channels of industry, and to the speedy establishment of an +export trade. It is the only possible way of insuring the colony +against the calamitous effects which have hitherto been +invariably attendant on the inundations of the river Hawkesbury; +it would lessen the injurious preponderancy of the government in +the market, by creating a great competition for the purchase of +grain, and would thus prevent the arbitrary imposition on this, +the principal production of the colonists, of a maximum that is +frequently beneath its just value, and it would improve the +morals of the present and of future generations. With these +irresistible arguments in favour of this measure, it must be +evident that the cause of justice and morality would be violated +by any further unnecessary delay in its adoption. + +The next object of internal consumption, to which in my +opinion the government ought to direct the attention of the +colonists, is the growth of tobacco. The amount of the annual +importation of this article from the United States of America and +the Brazils, (the two supplying countries) cannot be estimated at +less than five thousand pounds. This would be a very material +saving to the colony in its present circumstances, and one that +might be effected with the greatest ease, and without prejudice +to any part of the empire. The only question in this instance is, +whether it be more politic that the colony should supply itself, +or be dependent on foreigners. There are no contending interests +to reconcile, no portion of his majesty's subjects in any part of +the globe, who could wish to oppose the imposition of a +prohibitory duty on the importation of this article into the +colony. And this is the only measure that would be necessary to +direct the attention of the settlers to this highly important +production, for which it has been found that the climate and soil +of the colony are peculiarly adapted. In three years at most, +after the adoption of this regulation, the colonists would raise +a sufficient quantity of tobacco for their own consumption. It +will be an after consideration for the government to take the +requisite means to promote the increased growth and exportation +of this highly important product to the mother country. The +immense advantage that she would derive from possessing in one of +her own colonies, an article of such general consumption, and for +which she is at present entirely tributary to foreign powers, is +too obvious to need illustration, and too considerable not to +attract the attention and encouragement of her legislature. + +Hemp, flax, and linseed, are also productions to which the +climate and soil of the colony, and its dependent settlements at +the Derwent and Port Dalrymple are remarkably congenial, and the +growth of which might be easily promoted by wise regulations. Yet +highly valuable as are all these productions, and altogether +dependent as is this country for the amazing quantities of them, +which she consumes in her navy, her manufactures, and her +commerce, no attempt has been made since the establishment of the +colony to direct the attention of its inhabitants to their growth +and exportation. The views of the different gentlemen, who have +been successively intrusted with the government, have either +never reached so far, or else their means have been inadequate to +the accomplishment of these great ends. In embellishing the +capital, and erecting various public edifices, of which, however, +I do not mean to question the utility, their attention appears to +have been chiefly absorbed. It seems never to have come into +their contemplation that all these embellishments would have been +the natural and inevitable results of the increasing prosperity +of the community, but that they could never of themselves either +create or promote it. A flourishing agriculture, a thriving +commerce, would have equally effected all these objects; but with +this material difference, without that enormous expence to this +country with which they have been attended. The imposition of +small taxes for the promotion of public objects, is no grievance +to a people whose prosperity is the work of a wise and +considerative government. An impolitic and oppressive one cancels +alike the will to make, and the power to levy such contributions; +and imposes on itself the necessity of moderating its wants, or +of having recourse to foreign channels for their supply. In this +instance the great burden of these public undertakings has fallen +on this country, nor have they been the most inconsiderable item +in the amount of the colonial expenditure. Yet all that has been +already lavished, and all that this country may hereafter lavish +in prosecution of the same narrow and absurd system, will have +but little influence in promoting the real purposes of +colonization. + +This mania for building, which has always directed the +government, has unfortunately communicated itself to the +colonists, particularly those who inhabit the various towns, and +they are at present in the condition of a man who has a large +house, but wants wherewithal to furnish and support it. Their +situation would be more enviable, if they had smaller habitations +replete with a greater degree of plenty and comfort. The +establishment of an export trade, that may enable them to procure +in sufficient abundance those foreign commodities which long +habit has rendered indispensable to civilized life, is what they +desire, and what a wise government would desire also; more +especially since the parent colony is a great manufacturing +nation, and possesses the power of supplying the commodities in +question. Millions more expended in the same improvident manner +as heretofore, will not effect this great object; and with half +the expence already incurred a politic government would have +already accomplished it. Of this assertion the labours of an +individual, who, if on the one hand he has met with some support +from the more liberal and enlightened administration of this +country, has constantly experienced, on the other, all the +opposition which the envy and malevolence of the local government +could throw in his way, furnish an indubitable proof. + +This gentleman, John Mac Arthur, Esq. formerly a captain in +the New South Wales corps, which was afterwards converted into +the 102d regiment, embarked more largely from the very +commencement of the colony, in the rearing of sheep and cattle, +than any other individual. Notwithstanding the very great profits +which his extensive flocks and herds yielded him, a circumstance +that would have satisfied the ambition, and lulled to sleep the +inquiries of a less penetrating mind, he foresaw so long as +fifteen years back, what has since been realized, the crisis of +general distress and embarassment, to which the course pursued by +the local government, would eventually conduct; and on the +occasion of his being unjustly ordered to this country by the +then governor, where he soon vindicated himself from the charges +imputed to him, he convinced the ministry of the advantages that +would accrue to the nation from promoting in the colony the +growth of fine wool; and obtained from them a considerable grant +of land, and various encouragements besides, in order to enable +him to carry this highly important project into execution. Among +other indulgences, he procured an order in council permitting him +to embark on board the vessel that was to reconvey him to the +colony, four Spanish ewes and a ram, which he had purchased out +of the king's flocks. With this small beginning he undertook, and +in spite of an incessant war waged against him by malignity and +misrepresentation, the withholding in some measure of the +encouragements ordered by the liberality of his majesty's +ministry, and endless other disappointments and vexations that +would have damped any ordinary resolution, his efforts have been +crowned with the most complete success, and he has at present not +less than five thousand sheep, of which the wool from continual +crosses with Spanish tups, the progeny of the few sheep purchased +by him at the sale of the king's flocks, has become as fine as +the best imported from Saxony, and has been found to surpass it +in elasticity, a quality highly conducive to the firmness and +durability of the cloth. Many gentlemen also of the colony who +have large flocks, sensible of the folly of breeding sheep for +the mere sake of the carcases, which in consequence of the +limited population, and unlimited extent of grazing country, have +already become of inferior value, and in a short time more will +be worth little or nothing, entered some years back on this +gentleman's system; and there may, perhaps, be among all the rest +of the sheep holders, the same number of fine woolled sheep which +he alone possesses. Here then is an exportable article of immense +consequence to the colony, and of the highest political +importance to this country; an article indispensable to the +support of her staple manufacture, and for which she has hitherto +been altogether dependent on foreign nations; yet has no attempt +but the one I have just alluded to, been made, either by the +government of this country, or of the colony, to direct the +attention of the sheep-holders to its production; on the +contrary, the greatest obstacles have been thrown in the way of +this gentleman's success, obstacles which none but the most +enthusiastic spirit could have surmounted. Thanks, however, to +his invincible perseverance, the dawn of prosperity is at length +breaking on the colony. The long stormy night of suffering and +misery is drawing to a close; yet a few years, and the sun of +peace and plenty will appear on its horizon. But although this +event will in the natural course of things soon take place, its +approach may be greatly accelerated, or retarded by the wisdom or +folly of the government. The colonists, in spite of every +impediment they may have to encounter, cannot much longer remain +insensible to the advantages which _they_ possess, who have +already followed the wise example of this gentleman: _these_ +they will daily behold in the enjoyment of comparative ease and +happiness, and in possession of a certain progressive income, +exposed to few or no contingencies, and dependent on no man for +its extent and duration; while on the other hand, they will find +that their own income must not only diminish every year, but also +rest for its continuance on the good pleasure of their governor, +who, if he should even possess the will, would not want the power +to enlarge it to any considerable amount, and who, should he be +their enemy, might at any time reduce it to nothing. The manifest +superiority, therefore, which the proprietors of fine woolled +possess over those of coarse woolled sheep, would alone suffice +in the end to draw the attention of all the sheep-holders in the +colony to the improvement and perfection of the wool of their +flocks. This is happily a much easier task at present than at the +period when Mr. Mac Arthur first entered on the system of +crossing. At that epoch there were few sheep in the colony, but +such as had been introduced from the East Indies, which it is +well known are entirely covered with hair. This race, so +disgusting in its appearance to Englishmen, has long since +disappeared; nor are there any sheep at present, whose wool could +be termed actually coarse: the wool of the Leicester breed is +perhaps the coarsest that could any where be found. A few years +continual crossing with Spanish tups would consequently suffice +to cover all the sheep in the colony with fine wool. Three +crosses which under a proper system would occupy about six years, +would be sufficient, if the government would employ the means at +their disposal, to accomplish this great national object. The +number of sheep in the month of November last amounted, as it has +already been seen, to 170,920; out of which, as I have just +stated, 10,000 are of the pure Spanish breed or nearly: it may +therefore be perceived what an immense exportation of this +precious article might take place in a few years, under judicious +and politic regulations. + +No country in the world is perhaps so well adapted to the +growth of fine wool as this colony. There is in its climate +alone, a peculiar congeniality for the amelioration of wool, +which has been found of itself to occasion in a few years, a very +perceptible improvement in the fleeces of the coarsest +description of sheep. Even the East India breed, entirely covered +with hair, produce without being crossed with a finer race a +progeny, the superiority of whose fleece over that of the parent +stock is visible in every remoter generation. This amazing +congeniality of climate is supported by local advantages of equal +if not greater importance. For hundreds of miles into the +interior, the country has been found to be covered with the +richest pasturage, and every where intersected with rivulets of +the finest water. A constant succession of hill and dale +diversifies the whole face of the country, which is so free from +timber, that in many places there are thousands of acres without +a tree. + +The settlements at the Derwent and Port Dalrymple, though +situated in a colder climate, and therefore in all probability +not equally congenial to the growth of fine wool, afford the same +excellent pasture, and contain in every respect besides, the same +facilities for the rearing of Spanish sheep, whose fleeces it is +reasonable to expect on comparing the climate of these +settlements, with that of Saxony, would not degenerate, if the +same system which prevails in that country were followed in the +management of sheep in this. + +Saxony is situated between the 50th and 51st parallels of +north latitude; and Van Diemen's Land, on the northern and +southern parts of which these two settlements are formed, between +the 41st and 43d degrees of south; so that allowing for the +superior coldness of the southern hemisphere, the whole of this +island possesses a climate more congenial to the growth of wool, +than the finest parts of a country, whose wool exceeds in value +that of Spain and Italy. The settlers, however, have not yet +opened their eyes to the advantage of having fine woolled flocks, +although they have for many years past had but a very limited +market for their mutton, and the government there, as at Port +Jackson, have made no efforts to turn their attention to this +object. + +This unaccountable indifference to a matter of such vast +political importance, it is to be hoped will at length be +followed by a proper degree of attention and encouragement. Among +all the various ends proposed by our extended colonial system, +none perhaps is more intrinsically worthy the cordial undeviating +support of his majesty's government, than the one in question. In +twenty years, the extensive exportation which might be effected +under proper regulations in this single article, would alone +raise the colonists from the point of depression and misery to +which they have been reduced, to as high a pitch of affluence and +prosperity as is enjoyed by any portion of his majesty's subjects +in any quarter of the globe. Before the expiration of that +period, I am convinced that they might be enabled to ship for +this country, at least a million's worth of fine wool annually; +and for the accomplishment of this vast national object, it would +not be necessary for this country to expend one far-thing more +than is at present _wasted_ in prosecution of a system of +mere secondary importance, and having little or no bearing on the +eventual prosperity of the colony. It is only by establishing +this prosperity on a solid basis, by encouraging the growth of +exports, until they rise to a level with its imports, that it can +be converted from an unproductive and ruinous dependency into a +profitable and important appendage. Whenever it shall have +attained this point of advancement, whenever it shall have +acquired an independence in its resources, then, and not before, +will it begin to answer the real ends of all colonization, the +extension of the commerce and rescurces of the empire. Then like +some vast river of the ocean, will it pour back its majestic +stream into the bosom of its parent flood, and contribute to the +circulation and salubrity of its bounteous author. + +Among the various remaining articles of export, which the +colony is capable of producing, and to which the industry of its +inhabitants might be gradually attracted, the last two that I +shall specify, are the vine and the olive. These, indeed, with +the various productions which I have already named, are capable +of such vast extension, as to be fully adequate to absorb all the +energies of the colonists for many years to come, whatever may be +the increase in their numbers. To mention, therefore, the endless +less important productions to which the climate and soil of this +colony are equally congenial, would only be to perplex their +choice, and to divert, perhaps, their industry into less +productive channels. It would be superfluous to dwell upon the +happy results that would attend the general introduction and +culture of these two productions, both with reference to them as +articles of internal consumption and exportation; since it is +well known how materially they contribute to the comfort and +affluence of the countries which are blessed with them. I shall, +therefore, only just mention that the greatest facilities have +been lately afforded for their general culture by the same +gentleman who first introduced the Spanish sheep into the colony; +and that there is only now wanting the fostering hand of the +government to occasion their further propagation. + +One of the most efficacious measures that could be adopted, as +well for their general introduction, as for that of the various +other valuable productions before enumerated, would perhaps be +the establishment of a colonial plantation, in which a certain +number of the most enterprizing youths might be instructed in +their culture and preparation. This institution might, I am +convinced, be founded under a proper system without occasioning +any considerable expence. The first step to be taken would of +course be the selection of a fit allotment of ground, which ought +to be granted to trustees, according to the usual forms of law. +These should consist of a certain number of gentlemen of +consideration in the colony, who would consent to hold this +office as an honorary one, without any view to private emolument, +and for the mere sake of promoting the public weal. To place this +institution near the capital, Sydney, where the greater part of +the land is already located, and besides of a very indifferent +quality, ought not, by any means, to be attempted, not only for +these reasons, but also because the youth, whom it would be the +main object of this institution to train up to economical and +laborious pursuits, would run the risk of contracting the vicious +habits, and falling into the excesses of that town; a probability +which a removal to a proper distance from that sink of iniquity, +would effectually provide against. The most eligible situation, +perhaps, for the establishment of this highly important +institution would be some fertile spot in the cow pastures, +which, as it has been already mentioned, are injudiciously +reserved for the use of the wild cattle, notwithstanding that +they have nearly disappeared. + +The only two individuals who have grants of land in this +district are Messrs. Mac Arthur and Davison; and my +recommendation that this institution should be formed in the same +district, is not more influenced by the fertility of its soil +than by the contiguity which it would in this case possess to the +former gentleman's estate; a contiguity, which would enable him +frequently to visit it, and to afford the director of it such +information as could not fail to contribute very materially to +its progress and success. It must be quite unnecessary for me to +dwell on the importance of confiding the superintendence of such +an establishment to some one, who might be duly qualified for the +discharge of the duties that would be attached to it. Perhaps the +government would act wisely, if my suggestion on this head should +be deemed worthy of attention, in selecting for this office an +intelligent person from the South of France, who has been +accustomed to the culture of the vine and the olive. These with +tobacco, hemp, and flax, are the objects to which, I am of +opinion the attention of such an institution would be most +beneficially applied. And if, as is not improbable, it should be +found impracticable to procure a person acquainted with the +culture and preparation of all these various productions, it +would not be difficult to discover among the colonists themselves +men of good character possessing the knowledge in which he might +be deficient, and who might be assigned him as assistants, but +still placed under his direction and control. The encouragement +which I consider should be held out to the director, as well as +to his subordinate agents, ought not to consist of stipulated +salaries, which might superinduce lethargy, and prevent them from +contributing their utmost to the success of the establishment, +but of a certain proportion of the clear profits of the concern, +after the deduction of all contingent expences. What I conceive +this proportion ought to be, I will hereafter specify, as also +the manner in which I would distribute the remainder. The +subjects which I propose for immediate consideration are: 1st, +The manner in which this institution might be founded; 2dly, The +number and description of the candidates to be admitted, with the +manner of their occupation; and, lastly, the nature of the +encouragement to be accorded them. + +The means necessary for this undertaking must be unavoidably +supplied by the government. "The Police Fund" is so burdened with +charges of one sort or another, that I fear it would prove of +itself inadequate to the completion of this measure; although +there can be no doubt, that most of the ends to which this fund +is at present devoted are of but subordinate utility, and might +be very advantageously postponed to the object under +consideration. The erection of the different buildings that would +be immediately required for the various incipient purposes of +this institution, and the supply of its inmates with provisions +and the requisite implements of husbandry during the first +eighteen months of its establishment, after which period I +consider they would be fully able to administer in these respects +to their own wants, would be the principal expences to be +incurred. About L6000 would suffice for these objects; +while, in return, its operation would gradually extend itself to +every district, would develope and bring to maturity various +exportable commodities, which are as yet lying in embryo, and +which this country does not possess in any of her colonies; and, +in fine, would be more sensibly felt, and become more extensively +beneficial, in proportion to its own progressive march towards +perfection. + +Secondly, With respect to the number of candidates to be +admitted, they ought perhaps, in the first instance, to be +limited to fifty, although they might, and indeed ought to be +subsequently increased to not fewer than two hundred. More than +those in the commencement, before a due degree of order and +economy could be introduced, would undoubtedly create confusion +and an unnecessary augmentation of expence. Fifty are as many as +I conceive could be advantageously occupied for the first two or +three years. It must, however, be obvious, that the capability of +this institution for the reception and profitable employment of a +greater number of pupils, would very materially depend on the +director, and be, in a great measure, accelerated or retarded by +his ability or incompetency for a due discharge of his +duties. + +As to the description of these candidates, it would, I +consider, be proper that they should consist of young men born in +the colony, or who may have come to it with their parents; that +they should not exceed eighteen years of age, nor be under +fifteen; that they should be of docile tempers and regular +habits, which points should be ascertained previously to their +admittance; and that their parents or guardians should bind them +apprentice for the space of four years to the trustees or +directors of this establishment for the time being, during which +period they should renounce all control over them whatever. + +I will not here pretend to prescribe all the various modes of +occupation which it might be proper to allot them; I have already +enumerated those productions, the culture of which I conceive +might be most advantageously taught and disseminated by means of +this institution. Others, however, of equal and perhaps greater +utility, may be hereafter suggested by persons more conversant +with the situation and interests of the colony, and ought +unquestionably, if there be any such, to become identified with +those which I have specified. Whatever may be the decision of +more competent judges than myself on this subject, I may perhaps +confidently venture to recommend, that the pupils should be +divided into classes, that each of these should be instructed in +a particular sort of culture at a time; and that upon the +attainment of a thorough knowledge how to cultivate and prepare +any one article, and not before, their attention should be +directed to some other, and so on, till the expiration of their +several apprenticeships. It would be proper also to allow their +parents or guardians the selection of the occupations in which +they might wish their children or wards to be instructed, in so +far at least, as such occupations might be compatible with any of +the purposes of the institution. + +And lastly, with reference to the nature and extent of the +encouragements to be accorded to the pupils, I would recommend, +in order that their energies might be stretched to the greatest +possible point of extension, that six eighths of the net annual +profits arising from their labours should be set apart, and +remain in the hands of the trustees, for their sole use and +benefit; and that on their retiring from this institution, the +accumulated amount should be equally divided among them, both to +secure their successful establishment in life, and to render the +knowledge which they may have severally acquired, of permanent +benefit to the community. I would also recommend that the +accounts both of the expenditure and profits of the institution +should be annually submitted to the trustees for their approval, +and afterwards printed and distributed among the pupils, not only +for the purpose of provoking inquiry into their accuracy, and +obtaining that rectification in case of error, which it might be +difficult to effect after the lapse of five years; but also with +a view to bring home to their understandings, and to convince +them beyond the possibility of doubt, of the benefits which they +may have derived from their past labours; a conviction that would +prove the most cordial incentive, the most powerful lever which +could be applied to their future industry and exertion. I would +lastly recommend, that the quantity of land, and indeed that the +encouragements of every kind which the government are in the +habit of granting to the ordinary class of settlers, should be +increased in a two-fold proportion to the pupils of this +institution; but as it evidently would not be expedient or +equitable that those who might habitually violate the regulations +to be made for the good government of this little community, +should receive on the one hand an equal recompence with those +whose conduct might have always been regular and exemplary, or +that they should be deprived on the other of their quota of the +emoluments that might accumulate during the period of their +apprenticeships, I would suggest, in order to mark that due +gradation which in every well regulated society must necessarily +exist in the scale of rewards to be accorded to such as may be +subordinate or refractory,--industrious, or idle; that these +latter encouragements should only be extended in this double +ratio to those who might quit the establishment with a +certificate of good conduct from the director. + +With regard to the allowance to be made the gentleman to whom +the directorship might be confided, I should imagine that one +eighth of the clear profits arising from the institution, would +be a most liberal compensation for his trouble and attention, and +that the remaining eighth would be an equally handsome provision +for the whole of his assistants: one of whom would be required +for the superintendence and instruction of each of the classes +into which it might be determined that the pupils should be +divided. + +Such are the principal measures which are essential to the +revival of the agricultural prosperity. I will now briefly notice +the various restrictions with which the commercial interests have +been not less injudiciously fettered, and the removal of which is +of the highest importance to the progress and welfare of the +colony. These may be divided into two heads, duties and +disabilities; and first, with reference to the duties with which +the various articles of export that the colonists possess or +procure, have been shackled by the successive governors. The +duties in question are enumerated in the following schedule, and +are levied upon the undermentioned articles, whether they are +intended for home consumption or for exportation, in which latter +case it will be seen that some few of them are even doubled. + +On each ton of sandal wood L2 10 0 +On each ton of pearl shells 2 10 0 +On each ton of beche la mer 5 0 0 +On each ton of sperm oil 2 10 0 +On each ton of black whale or other oil 2 0 0 +On each fur seal skin 0 0 11/2 +On each hair ditto 0 0 01/2 +On each kangaroo ditto 0 0 01/2 +On cedar or other timber from Shoal-haven, or any other part +of the coast or harbours of New South Wales (Newcastle excepted, +as the duties are already prescribed there) when not supplied by +government labourers, for each solid foot -010 For every twenty +spars from New Zealand or elsewhere100On timber in log or plank +from New Zealand, or elsewhere, for each solid foot 0 1 0 +For each ton of coals from Newcastle for home consumption 0 2 6 +Ditto if exported 0 5 0 +For each thousand square feet of timber for home consumption 3 0 0 +Ditto if exported 6 0 0 + + +That all these duties should be levied on these different +articles, in as far as they may be consumed in the colony, may be +highly expedient; but that they should be equally levied on +exportation, and in two of the most material instances doubled, +is so manifestly absurd, that it must be quite superfluous to +dilate on the subject. It is a system of policy which it may be +safely asserted is unknown in any other part of the world; and +nothing but the indubitable certainly of its existence would +convince any rational person that it could ever have entered into +the contemplation of any one intrusted with the government of a +colony. These duties have had the effect which might have been +expected from them; they have in most instances amounted to +actual prohibitions. Their operation, indeed, has been found so +burdensome and oppressive, that the colonial merchants have +frequently petitioned the local government for relief; but no +attention whatever has been paid to their repeated +representations and remonstrances. Had it not been for the duties +on coals and timber, some hundred tons of these valuable natural +productions would have been exported annually to the Cape of Good +Hope and India; since the vessels which have been in the practice +of trading between those countries and the colony have always +returned in ballast; and the owners or consignees would, +therefore, have gladly shipped cargoes of timber or coals, if +they could have derived the most minute profit from the freight +of them. This observation holds good in a great measure with +respect to the various other articles which have been enumerated: +the exportation of the whole has been greatly circumscribed by +the same ridiculous and vexatious system of impost. It can hardly +be credited that the veriest sciolist in political economy could +have been guilty of such a palpable deviation from its +fundamental principles; but it is still more unaccountable, that +a succession of governors should have pertinaciously adhered to a +system of finance so absurd and monstrous. + +Highly injurious, however, as are the duties which are levied +in the colony, they are not nearly so oppressive as those which +are levied in this country, on spermaceti, right whale, and +elephant oils procured in vessels built in the colony. The duties +on the importation of such oil into this country, are L24 +18s. 9d. for the first sort, and L8 6s. 3d. for the two last. +If we add to these enormous duties those which are levied +by the authority of the local government, it will be perceived +that all the spermaceti oil procured by the colonial vessels +has to pay a duty of L28 8s. 9d. and all the right whale and +elephant oil a duty of L10 6s. 3d. before it can come into +competition with the oil of the same description +procured in vessels built in the united kingdom. It has, however, +been seen, that the colonists, propelled not less by that spirit +of enterprize which distinguishes Englishmen in every quarter of +the globe, than by the desire of finding profitable employment +for that large portion of unoccupied labour, of which I have +hastily pointed out the causes and march for the last fifteen +years, have frequently attempted, notwithstanding these +overwhelming prohibitions, to carry on these fisheries, but +always without success; and that the valuable fishery of right +whales which the river Derwent affords at a particular season, is +now only resorted to, in order to procure the trifling supply of +oil which is requisite for the East India market and for internal +consumption. All attempts to export oil to this country have been +for many years abandoned; since the trade could only be +maintained at a dead loss, as the ruinous experience of many of +the colonial merchants has abundantly attested. The reason why +these enormous duties were imposed on oil procured in the +colonial vessels is not generally understood here, but it is +universally known in the colony; and the knowledge has materially +tended to increase the dissatisfaction which the imposition of +such duties would of itself, to a certain extent, have naturally +excited. The act which authorizes these duties, is one of those +smuggled acts by which, to the disgrace of our legislature, the +welfare and happiness of helpless unprotected thousands have been +so frequently sacrificed on the shrine of individual avarice or +ambition. It originated in a certain great mercantile house +extensively concerned in the South Sea fisheries, and could never +have been passed, had there been a single person in either house +of parliament, at all interested in the prosperity of this +colony. This act, indeed, is such a terrible deviation, such a +monstrous exception to the usual policy of this country with +respect to the fisheries, that it carries with itself the +strongest internal evidence of its polluted origin. No such +restrictions had ever before been imposed on any of our colonies, +as will be sufficiently evident, if we compare the duties which +are levied in this country on oils procured in the vessels +belonging to the colonies in North America and the West Indies, +with those which are levied on oils procured in the vessels +fitted out from the united kingdom. These duties are as +follow: + +*Train oil, the produce of fish, or creatures living in the +sea, taken and caught by the crew of a British built vessel, +wholly owned by his majesty's subjects, usually residing in Great +Britain, Ireland, or the islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, +Sark, or Man, registered and navigated according to law, and +imported in any such shipping, per ton 0 8 33/4 + +[* See Pope's Practical Abridgment of the Laws of +Customs and Excise, etc. etc. Title 246.] + +Train oil, the produce of fish, or creatures living in the +sea, taken and caught on the banks and shores of the island of +Newfoundland and parts adjacent, wholly by his majesty's subjects +carrying on such fishery from that island, and residing therein, +and exported directly from thence in a British built ship or +vessel, registered and navigated according to law, per ton 1 4 111/4 + +Train oil, the produce of fish, or creatures living in the +sea, taken and caught wholly by his majesty's subjects, usually +residing in any of the Bahama or Bermudas islands, or in any +British plantation in North America, and imported in a British +built vessel, registered and navigated according to law, per +ton 3 6 6 + +Train oil, the produce of fish, or creatures living in the +sea, taken and caught wholly by his majesty's subjects, usually +residing in any other British plantation, territory, or +settlement, and imported in a British built vessel, registered +and navigated according to law, per ton 8 6 3 + +Spermaceti oil, or head matter, taken and caught by the crew +of a British built vessel, wholly owned by his majesty's +subjects, usually residing in Great Britain, Ireland, and the +islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, or Man, registered +and navigated according to law, and imported in any such vessel, +per ton 0 8 33/4 + +Spermaceti oil, or head matter, taken and caught on the banks +and shores of the island of Newfoundland and parts adjacent, +wholly by his majesty's subjects carrying on such fishery from +that island, and residing therein, and imported directly from +thence in a British built vessel registered and navigated +according to law, per ton 1 4 111/4 + +Spermaceti oil, or head matter, taken and caught wholly by his +majesty's subjects, usually residing in any of the Bahama or +Bermudas islands, or in any British plantation in North America, +and imported in a British built vessel, registered and navigated +according to law, per ton 4 19 9 + +Spermaceti oil, or head matter, taken and caught wholly by his +majesty's subjects, usually residing in any other British +plantation, territory, or settlement, and imported in a British +built vessel, registered and navigated according to law, per +ton 24 18 9 + + +From the foregoing statement it will be perceived that the +duty levied on train oil, or spermaceti oil, or head-matter +procured by the inhabitants of Newfoundland, is precisely the +same, and only three times the amount of _that_ which is +levied on the same substances procured by British subjects +residing in the united kingdom; and that the duty levied on oil, +procured by British subjects residing in the Bahama, or Bermudas +islands, or in the plantations in North America, is only +_eight_ times the amount on train oil, and _twelve_ +times the amount on spermaceti oil or head-matter, of _that_ +which is levied on the same substances taken by British subjects +residing within the united kingdom. While on the other hand, the +duty levied on oil procured _in any other colony_; (for +mark, the contrivers of this act had sufficient cunning not to +particularize the unfortunate colony against which it was levied) +is _twenty times greater_ on train oil, and oh, _monstrous +injustice!_ upwards of _sixty times_ greater on +spermaceti oil, or head-matter, than _that_ which is levied +on similar substances taken by British subjects residing within +the limits of the united kingdom. The duty, therefore, which is +payable on train oil procured in vessels belonging to this colony +is _nearly seven times_ greater than _that_ which is +payable on the same description of oil taken in vessels belonging +to the island of Newfoundland, and _considerably more than +double that_ which is payable on it, when taken in vessels +belonging to the Bahama or Bermudas islands, or to the +plantations in North America; while the duty which is levied on +spermaceti oil, or head-matter, procured in vessels belonging to +this colony, is _five times_ the amount of _that_ which +is levied on such oil or head-matter, when taken in vessels +belonging to the Bahama, or Bermudas islands, or to the +plantations in North America; and _twenty times_ the amount +of _that_ which is levied on similar substances when taken +in vessels belonging to Newfoundland. This very unequal +proportion which the duties levied on these two sorts of oil, if +procured by the inhabitants of this colony, bear to each other +when compared with the duties which are levied on the same +substances if procured by the inhabitants of any of the foregoing +colonies or plantations, furnishes an additional proof, were any +required, of the correctness of my assertions with respect to the +origin of the act by which they were imposed. The house who were +the authors of it, could not consistently get the duty on one +description of oil raised, without at the same time admitting the +necessity for raising the duty on the other; but as they were not +interested in the right whale fishery, they were only anxious to +prevent the colonists of New South Wales from embarking in the +sperm whale fishery; and could they have accomplished this object +without running the risk of discovering the covert aim of the act +in its progress through parliament, they would have gladly +compromised this point with them, and have left the right whale +fishery open to them on the same conditions as it was before the +enactment of this bill. To have evinced, however, any such +tolerant inclination might have betrayed their design, and +accordingly the colonists were debarred from both the fisheries; +for notwithstanding that regular gradation has by no means been +adhered to in the imposition of these duties, which had been +previously observed in the scale of the duties levied in the +other colonies or plantations, they have in both instances been +more than sufficient to constitute actual prohibitions. + +That any superiority of privilege whatever should have been +conceded by the legislature of this country, in the various acts +which have been passed for the encouragement of the fisheries, to +British subjects residing within the limits of the united +kingdom, is at best a manifest injustice to such of her subjects +as inhabit the colonies; but yet so long as this partiality was +confined within any reasonable bounds, it would not have excited +any considerable feeling of dissatisfaction. That there should, +however, be any gradation in the scale of duties to be levied on +any description of merchandise procured or produced in the +colonies themselves, is a system which it is impossible to +reconcile with any principle of justice or policy. Still so long +as this disproportion of impost, however unwise and unjust, did +not become so burdensome and oppressive as to confine this branch +of commerce, whatever it might be, to the privileged colony or +colonies, some palliation might be offered by its advocates for +its continuance, although the warmest of them would not be able +to attempt its vindication. But that any one colony should be +utterly excluded from privileges freely accorded to another, is +such a monstrous stretch of tyrannical partiality, that it never +could have been deliberately discussed in a free government, and +must therefore have been contrived by the secret machinations of +private avarice and corruption. + +Can any reason be adduced why British subjects residing in one +colony, should be excluded from the whale fisheries more than +British subjects residing in another? Why vessels built in +Canada, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, or the Bahama islands, should +possess a privilege denied to vessels built in New Holland or Van +Diemen's Land? The whale fishery is not more contiguous to the +inhabitants of the former colonies than to those of the latter; +yet every encouragement is afforded for the carrying on of the +one, and every obstacle thrown in the way of the successful +prosecution of the other. Why such a broad line of distinction is +drawn, it is impossible to divine; since the disability which is +the consequence of it, is not only not in furtherance of any of +the ends contemplated by the navigation act,* but in diametrical +opposition to the whole of them. This will be evident if we refer +to its preamble, and to a few of its prominent provisions. +"Whereas for the increase of shipping and encouragement of the +navigation of this nation, wherein under the good providence and +protection of God, the wealth, safety, and strength of this +kingdom is so much concerned; it is enacted that no goods, or +commodities whatsoever, shall be imported into, or exported out +of any lands, islands, plantations or territories to his Majesty +belonging, or in his possession, or which may hereafter belong +unto or be in the possession of his Majesty in Asia, Africa, or +America, in any other vessels whatsoever, but in such vessels as +do truly and without fraud belong only to the people of England, +Ireland, or are of the built of and belonging to any of the said +lands, islands, plantations, or territories as the proprietors +and right owners thereof, and whereof the master and +three-fourths of the mariners at least are English, under the +penalty of the forfeiture and loss of all the goods and +commodities which shall be imported into, or exported out of any +the aforesaid places, in any other vessel, as also of the vessel +with all its tackle," etc. From this, which is the principal +clause of the act, it clearly appears that British subjects in +whatever part of the empire they may happen to reside, are +entitled to precisely the same privileges, and that vessels built +in any of her colonies are to all intents and purposes to be +deemed of British built, in the same manner and on the same terms +and conditions as if they had been built within the limits of the +united kingdom, i. e. so long as the master and three fourths of +the crew are British subjects. That this admission to a perfect +equality of privilege, was and is still the intent not only of +the navigation act, but of all the leading acts of navigation +which have been passed since, we shall be still further +satisfied, if we trace them in their whole progress to the +present hour. It will not, however, be necessary to extend our +examination either way beyond the great registry act passed in +the twenty-sixth year of the reign of his present majesty, cap. +60. "By this act very considerable alteration was made in the +whole concern of registering shipping, with a view of securing to +ships of the _built_ of this country, a preference and +superiority which they had not enjoyed so completely before. The +plan of regulation then proposed to parliament was the result of +an inquiry and deliberation of great length before the committee +of Privy Council for the Affairs of Trade and Plantations; and +that inquiry was commenced and carried on, and the measure at +length decided upon principally by the exertion and perseverance +of the late Earl of Liverpool."** What vessels are still deemed +in this careful and elaborate revision of the navigation code to +be of _British built_, may be seen from the first clause of +this act, which ordains "that no vessels _foreign built_ +(except such vessels as have been, or shall hereafter be taken by +any of his Majesty's vessels of war, or by any private, or other +vessel, and condemned as lawful prize in any court of admiralty) +nor any vessel built or rebuilt upon any foreign-made keel or +bottom, in the manner heretofore practised and allowed, although +owned by British subjects, and navigated according to law, shall +be any longer entitled to any of the privileges or advantages of +a _British built ship_, or of a ship owned by British +subjects, and all the said privileges and advantages shall +hereafter be confined to _such ships only_ as are _wholly +of the built_ of Great Britain or Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, +and the Isle of Man, or of some of the plantations, islands, or +territories in Asia, Africa, or America, which now belong, or at +the time of building such vessels did belong, or which _may +hereafter belong to_ or be in the possession of his Majesty; +provided always, that nothing hereinbefore contained shall extend +to prohibit such foreign built vessels only as before the 1st of +May, 1786, did truly and without fraud wholly belong to any of +the people of Great Britain or Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, and the +Isle of Man, or of some of the plantations, etc. etc." Here then +we have cited the _two leading clauses_ in the _two +leading acts_ of navigation, and both prove that the objects +which this country had in view, were to create nurseries of +seamen for her navy, and to secure to her subjects, in whatever +part of her extended empire they might reside, the benefit of the +carrying trade. The imposition, therefore, of any duties on her +subjects in any of her colonies, greater than those which are +levied under similar circumstances on her subjects at home, far +from being in unison with the liberal and enlightened policy of +the navigation laws, is a broad deviation from their fundamental +principles, and the creation of an entire system of exclusion, +such as the one under consideration is, _a fortiori_, an +utter violation of their letter and spirit. That any prohibitory +duties of this sort could ever have been enacted, will appear +still more surprising, if we look a little further into the +policy which this country has pursued with respect to her other +fisheries, particularly the cod fishery on the banks of +Newfoundland, and parts adjacent. For when by the 15th Charles +II. cap. 7. she enlarged the scope of her great navigation act, +and to the two main original objects contemplated in this act, +viz. the creation of nurseries for seamen, and the securing to +her subjects the carrying trade, she superadded a third, viz. +that of making herself the _entrepot_ for the deposit of all +goods and commodities, whether the growth, production, or +manufacture of Europe, or of her colonies, it having been +foreseen that this alteration in her maritime code would be +prejudicial to the cod fisheries, and that it would most +materially conduce to their prosperity and extension still to +allow salt, provisions, wine, etc. to be imported _directly_ +from various countries not subject to the dominion of the crown +of England into the colonies from whence these fisheries are +carried on, this enlarged act,*** after ordaining "that no +commodity of the growth, production, or manufacture of Europe +shall be imported into any land, island, plantation, colony, +territory, or place to his Majesty belonging, or which shall +hereafter belong unto, or be in the possession of his Majesty in +Asia, Africa, or America, (Tangier only excepted) but what shall +be _bona fide_ and without fraud, laden and shipped in +England, and in English built shipping, and whereof the master +and three fourths of the mariners at least are English, and which +shall be carried directly thence to the said lands, islands, +plantations, colonies, territories or places, and from no other +place whatsoever, any law or usage to the contrary +notwithstanding, under the penalty of the loss of all such +commodities of the growth, production, or manufacture of Europe, +as shall be imported into any of them from any other place by +land or by water, and if by water, of the vessel also in which +they were imported with her tackle, etc. etc." immediately +subjoins:--"Provided that it shall be lawful to ship and lade in +such ships, and so navigated as in the foregoing clause is set +down and expressed in any part of Europe, salt for the fisheries +of New England and Newfoundland, and to ship and lade in the +Madeiras wines of the growth thereof, and to ship and lade in the +Western Islands, or Azores, wines of the growth of the said +islands, and to ship and take in servants or horses in**** +Scotland or Ireland, and to ship or lade in Scotland all sorts of +victual, the growth or production of Scotland, and to ship and +lade in Ireland all sorts of victual of the growth or production +of Ireland, and the same to transport into any of the said lands, +islands, plantations, colonies, territories or places." Here then +is an instance of a very material deviation from the spirit of +the navigation laws for the sole purpose of encouraging a +fishery; but who can deny its policy? The legislature in this +case had to decide whether they would extend this great national +nursery for seamen, or whether they would check its growth by +preventing the direct trade between these colonies and Europe, +Madeira, the Azores, etc. and by making herself the +_entrepot_ for the deposit and exchange of all the produce +of these fisheries on the one hand, and of the productions of +Europe, etc. etc. that were necessary for their extension on the +other. The advantages that she would have derived from such a +selfish arrangement, she wisely foresaw would be more than +counterbalanced by the concomitant detriment which her maritime +interests would have sustained from it. And hence this deviation +from one of the leading objects of her navigation laws, a +deviation which has not only been continued ever since, but even +considerably enlarged; for many other places are now included in +the direct commerce with these colonies, as will be seen by +reference to the 46 Geo. III. c. 116. which recites, "whereas by +the laws in force no commodity of the growth, production, or +manufacture of Europe, is allowed to be imported into any place +to his Majesty belonging, or which shall hereafter belong unto, +or be in the possession of his Majesty in Asia, Africa, or +America, but what shall be _bona fide_ and without fraud, +laden and shipped in Great Britain, or Ireland, except salt for +the fisheries of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Quebec, which may +be laden in any port of Europe, and also except any goods fit and +necessary for the fishery in the British colonies or plantations +in America, being the growth, produce, or manufacture of Great +Britain or Ireland, or of the islands of Guernsey or Jersey, +which may be shipped and laden in the said islands respectively +by any of the inhabitants thereof, and also except wines of the +growth of the Madeiras and the Western Islands, or Azores, which +may be laden at those places respectively: and whereas, it may +tend to the benefit of the British fisheries, and to the +advantage of the commerce and navigation of this country, if +permission was given for certain other articles to be shipped for +the British colonies in North America, at other places in Europe +than those hereinbefore mentioned, under certain regulations and +restrictions:" it is therefore enacted that any fruit, wine, oil, +salt, or cork, the produce of Europe, may be shipped and laden at +Malta, or Gibraltar, for exportation direct to the said +plantations in North America, on board any British _built_ +vessel, owned, navigated, and registered according to law, which +shall arrive with the produce of the said fisheries taken and +cured by his majesty's subjects carrying on the said fishery from +any of the said plantations, or from Great Britain or +Ireland. + +[* 12 Car. II. chap. 18.] + +[** Reeves, second edition, p. 397.] + +[*** 15 Charles II. cap. 7.] + +[**** England, Ireland and Scotland, since united +into one kingdom.] + +I have been thus copious in extracts from the navigation laws, +to prove that the great leading principles of these laws would +not only be in no wise encroached upon by allowing the +inhabitants of this colony to carry on the whale fisheries in +their own vessels, but also that the duties which were thus +clandestinely imposed on oils so procured, have been a flagrant +violation of them, and that they are a single isolated exception +to a general rule. Nor would the abolition of the duties in +question, and the consequent encouragement of these fisheries, +prove injurious to the British merchants at home, as must have +been apprehended by those who were the authors of the prohibitory +law by which these duties were enacted. Looking, indeed, at the +mere situation of the colony, it would not be unnatural to +conclude that its contiguity to the sperm whale fisheries, on the +coast of New Zealand, New Caledonia, and New Guinea, would give +its inhabitants such a decided advantage over the persons +carrying on the same fisheries from this country, that these +latter would soon be forced to abandon a ruinous competition, and +that she would consequently be deprived of the very important +benefits which she at present derives from it. The fears, +however, which are apt to arise on this view of the subject will +be immediately dissipated if it be considered, that the rope, +canvas, casks, and gear of every description, necessary for the +outfit of the colonial vessels for these fisheries, are furnished +by this country, and can never be obtained in the colony under an +advance of fifty per cent. on the prime cost; that the sperm oil +in the market is unequal to the demand for it, an assertion +proved as well by the existing bounties held out by the +legislature for the encouragement of these fisheries, as by the +enormous wages gained by the seamen employed in them; that these +bounties themselves operate as a considerable prohibition to the +colonists; and, lastly, that many years must elapse before the +colonial fishermen can be properly organized, and rendered as +expert as the English. These various disadvantages under which +the inhabitants of this colony labour, are all but one of a +permanent nature, and it is evident will always more than +counterbalance the single local superiority which they possess, +and ensure the English merchants a decided advantage in the +market;--an advantage which if it will not outstrip all +competition, will at least only just permit that salutary +opposition which is essential to the prevention of monopoly and +to the interests of the public. + +It must, I should imagine, by this time be quite obvious, that +the removal of the duties in question would be in complete unison +with the spirit of the navigation laws, and with that liberal and +enlightened policy, which this country has on all other occasions +invariably observed, with respect to colonies in parallel +circumstances. In establishing, therefore, a precedent, I hope +that I have made out a case sufficiently strong to warrant the +interference of the legislature. It may not, however, be +altogether superfluous, if it be only to point out the injury +which this country has sustained from her past injustice and +impolicy, just to glance at the advantages that she would possess +in future wars from having an extensive body of seamen at her +disposal in the South Pacific Ocean. Hitherto our squadrons in +India have been entirely supplied with seamen from this country, +and the great mortality which takes place on that station +requires this supply to be constantly kept up. It is well known, +although fewer actions take place in the Indian seas than perhaps +on any other of our maritime stations, that the number of deaths +occasioned by the influence of the climate alone are +proportionally more considerable than in any other part of the +world, with the single exception, I believe, of the coast of +Africa. It becomes, therefore, a question of the greatest +importance, whether considered in a political or philanthropic +point of view, to ascertain if this lamentable expenditure of +human life might not be considerably diminished by manning our +ships of war in the Indian seas with the inhabitants of New +Holland. It is well known that our settlements in this vast +island are situated in a climate which forms a mean between the +temperature of this country and India. There is consequently +every probability, that the persons born in these colonies would +be able to support the extreme heats of India much better than +Englishmen. Be this, however, as it may, there can be no doubt of +the advantage which this country would derive from having a +valuable nursery for seamen in a situation, from which her navy +in the East might at no very remote period be so easily supplied +on all occasions of emergency. This prospect cannot fail to prove +an additional motive with the government for the abolition of +duties, which, if persevered in, will for ever stifle all +commercial enterprize, and debar not only the colonists +themselves, but the parent country also from the various +important advantages, which I should presume it is now evident +that an uncontrolled ability to prosecute these fisheries would +infallibly secure to one and the other. + +With reference now to the commercial disabilities which have +been imposed on this colony: the first impediment, the removal of +which may be said to be of any material importance to its +mercantile prosperity, is the clause in the East India Company's +charter*, which provides, "that it shall not be lawful for any +vessel, the registered measurement whereof shall be less than +three hundred and fifty tons, other than such vessels as may be +employed by the East India Company as packets, to clear out from +any port in the united kingdom for any place within the limits of +the said company's charter, or be admitted to entry at any port +of the united kingdom from any place within those limits.**" When +this act was passed, the pernicious bearing of this clause on the +colony was most probably overlooked. It has been found +prejudicial in the following respects:--First, The demand for +British goods is not sufficiently extensive to absorb cargoes of +such magnitude; so that when any such have arrived, they have +generally been attended with a loss to the owners, who will +probably soon become too wise to continue such a hazardous +commerce. Those merchants, indeed, who were in the habit of +shipping cargoes in smaller vessels for the colonial market, +before the passing of this act, have already abandoned, in a +great measure, their connexion within the colony, which is at +present chiefly dependent for its supplies of British +manufactures, on the captains of the vessels employed in the +transportation of convicts. These supplies, therefore, have +naturally become unequal and precarious: sometimes being +unnecessarily superabundant and cheap, and at other times being +so extremely scarce and dear as to be entirely beyond the reach +of the great body of the consumers. Such great fluctuations are +obviously not more repugnant to the well being and comfort of the +colonists themselves than to the mercantile interests of this +country. + +[* 53 Geo. 3. c. 155.] + +[** The colony of New South Wales is within these +limits.] + +Secondly, The tendency of this act is not less injurious to +the colonists with regard to the few articles of export which +they are enabled to produce or collect for the British market. +These indeed are only three in number, wool, hides, and seal +skins, and are at present very inconsiderable in quantity; but +the two former articles must necessarily increase every year, and +will at length become of great extent and importance. The +probable amount of the colonial exports has been already rated at +about L28,000, out of which I consider that not more than +L15,000 worth is conveyed to this country. The remainder +consists of sandal wood, beche la mer, etc. exported principally +to China. It may therefore be perceived that the whole of the +annual exports of this colony would not suffice for half the +freight of a single vessel of the size regulated by the act in +question. It happens, in consequence, that the different articles +of export which the colonists collect, frequently accumulate in +their stores for a year and a half, before it becomes worth the +while of the captain of any of the vessels which frequent the +colony, to give them ship-room; and even then they do it as a +matter of _favour_, not forgetting, however, to extort an +exorbitant return for their _kindness and condescension_. +The owners, indeed, of these vessels are so well aware of the +inability of the colony to furnish them with cargoes on freight, +that they generally manage before their departure, to contract +for freights from some of the ports in India; a precaution which +increases still more perceptibly the difficulty which the +colonists experience in sending their produce to market. It must, +therefore, be evident that they suffer a two-fold injury from +this act, both as it prevents a regular supply of the colonial +markets with British manufactures, and as it impedes the +conveyance of their exports to this country. It is to be hoped, +then, that this unnecessary and oppressive provision of the act +will be revised, and that vessels of any burden will be suffered +to trade between this country and the colony, until its increased +growth and maturity shall have rendered the revision of obsolete +efficacy. + +The last disability of serious detriment to the colonists, is +that their vessels cannot navigate the seas within the limits of +the East India Company's charter. I say _cannot_; because, +although since the late renewal of their charter vessels built in +this colony are, I should apprehend, entitled to all the +privileges of other British built vessels, so long as they are +navigated according to law, it has not yet attained sufficient +strength to be enabled to build vessels of the burden of three +hundred and fifty tons; and if it even possessed this ability, +such vessels could only convey the produce of the countries in +the Eastern seas, to which the free trade has lately been opened, +to certain ports in the united kingdom. The colonists, therefore, +are virtually precluded from trading in their own vessels within +these limits; a restriction highly injurious to them, and of no +benefit whatever to the company. Till within these few years the +vessels built at the Cape of Good Hope were subject to a similar +restraint; but its useless and oppressive tendency became so +glaring, and the restraint itself so obnoxious to the people who +were suffering under it, that it was at length removed by an +Order in Council, dated 24th September, 1814, which was made by +virtue of an act passed so long back as the 49th* year of the +reign of his present Majesty. By the 57th Geo. 3. c. 95. this +settlement was expressly included, for all the purposes of the +act, within the limits of the East India Company's charter. The +same reasons that sufficed for granting this privilege in the one +instance, are at least equally conclusive in the other; and it is +to be hoped, that the legislature will soon release the colony of +New South Wales also from so grievous and unnecessary a +restraint. Indeed no new act for this purpose is necessary; for +the 57th Geo. 3. c. 1. after reciting, "whereas it is expedient +under the present circumstances, that the trade and commerce to +and from all islands, colonies, or places, and the territories +and dependencies thereof to his Majesty belonging, or in his +possession in Africa or Asia, to the eastward of the Cape of Good +Hope, excepting only the possessions of the East India Company, +should be regulated for a certain time in such manner as shall +seem proper to his Majesty in Council, notwithstanding the +special provisions of any act or acts of parliament, that may be +construed to affect the same," enacts, "that it shall be lawful +for his Majesty in Council, by any order to be issued from time +to time, to give such directions, and make such regulations +touching the trade and commerce to and from the said islands, +colonies, or places, and the territories and dependencies +thereof, as to his Majesty in Council shall appear most expedient +and salutary; any thing contained in any act of parliament now in +force relating to his Majesty's colonies and plantations, or any +other law or custom to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding." +It may, therefore, be perceived that the disability in question +might be removed by a simple Order in Council. Whenever his +Majesty's government shall have freed the colonists from this +useless and cruel prohibition, the following branches of commerce +would then be opened to them: First, they would be enabled to +transport in their own vessels their coals, timber, spars, flour, +meat, etc. to the Cape of Good Hope, the Isle of France, +Calcutta, and many other places in the Indian seas, in all of +which markets more or less extensive exist for these and various +other productions which the colony might furnish; Secondly, they +would be enabled to carry directly to Canton the sandal wood, +beche la mer, dried seal skins, and in fact all the numerous +productions which the surrounding seas and islands afford for the +China market, and return freighted with cargoes of tea, silks, +nankeens, etc. all of which commodities are in great demand in +the colony, and are at present altogether furnished by East India +or American merchants, to the great detriment and dissatisfaction +of the colonial. And, lastly, they would be enabled in a short +time, from the great increase of capital which these important +privileges would of themselves occasion, as well as attract from +other countries to open the fur trade with the north-west coast +of America, and dispose of the cargoes procured in China; a trade +which has hitherto been** exclusively carried on by the Americans +and Russians, although the colonists possess a local superiority +for the prosecution of this valuable branch of commerce, which +would ensure them at least a successful competition with the +subjects of those two nations. + +[* Cap. 17.] + +[** Many attempts have been made by the legislature +to encourage British subjects to carry on this commerce from the +ports of the united kingdom, but they have in a great measure +failed in this object: see Convention with the King of Spain, 33 +Geo, 3. c. 52. Indeed, during the period of the Company's +exclusive trade with China, it can only be successfully +undertaken by persons residing within the limits of their +charter.] + +Such are the principal alterations in the policy of this +colony which appear most essential to its progress and welfare. +All these indeed, and many other privileges, which, though of +only secondary consideration, would tend like a constant +concurrence of small rivulets to swell and enlarge the stream of +colonial prosperity, would be the natural consequences of a free +representative government. If I have, therefore, gradually +ascended from effect to cause, after the manner of experimental +philosophy, I have chosen this mode of elucidation, not because +it was the only one which offered for the illustration of my +subject, but because I consider the inferences to be drawn from +it more satisfactory than those to which the opposite mode of +reasoning (that of descending from generals to particulars) +conducts; because it would be as easy that the abolition of the +various grievances which have been enumerated should be coeval +with the creation of the free constitution, by which such +abolition would be eventually accomplished; and lastly, because +the additional tedious delay which would otherwise intervene +between the establishment of a colonial legislature, the +representation of grievances by which it would be followed, and +their consequent removal,--a process that would occupy two years, +might be thus avoided; or in other words, the same period of +unnecessary endurance and misery spared to the ill fated +inhabitants of this colony. In recommending, however, that the +government of this country should authorize the immediate +adoption of the measures which I have proposed, I do not mean to +imply that such authorization alone would be productive of the +important results in contemplation. However extensively +beneficial in their present and remote effects the privileges +thus conferred might prove, they would nevertheless be +unsatisfactory and incomplete, so long as they were unaccompanied +with a government competent and willing to watch over and secure +their continuance. While it should be in the power of any +individual to suspend or annul them, what guarantee, in fact, +would exist for their permanence and durability? What solid basis +on which the capital and industry, which they might be calculated +to elicit, could repose in security? + +The confidence, indeed, which an impartial governor might +inspire, would most probably, as often as the colony might be +blessed with a chief of this description, give a momentary +impulse to the activity of the colonists, and create a temporary +prosperity among them; but the shortness of his administration +will always interrupt the completion of his projects, and the +caprice, imbecillity, or injustice of some one or other of his +successors, like the blast of the sirocco, wither up the tender +shoots of prosperity, which a consistent and protecting +government would have nurtured and brought to maturity. The +experience of the past has sufficiently evinced the little +dependence which is to be placed on the degree of countenance and +protection which the system of one governor, however beneficial +the prosecution of it might prove, is likely to meet with from +_his successor_. It is, indeed, in the nature of man, to +prefer his own projects to those of any other: there is a degree +of pleasure in striking off from the beaten path, and rambling in +the untrodden wilds of speculation and experiment, which is alone +sufficient, without the help of bad motives, to account for the +diversity of policy, by which the administrations of the various +governors have been contra-distinguished. This inherent principle +of our nature, so averse to the realization of every beneficial +design, which is not capable of immediate development, ought +evidently to be counteracted and not encouraged, as it is at +present, to the utmost point to which an uncontrolled and +ridiculous caprice may choose to indulge it. The existing system +of government is, in fact, a woof of inconsistency, from which no +great harmonious tissue can proceed. A gentleman is appointed to +this important situation: on his arrival in the colony he finds +no council, no house of assembly, not even a colonial secretary +to assist him: a stranger, and naturally unacquainted with its +interests, he is necessarily obliged to have recourse to some +person or other for advice: to avoid the appearance of ignorance, +which however he cannot but possess, he will not most probably +apply to the gentleman whom he supersedes; and he again, from a +principle of delicacy, will not be forward in offering his advice +unsolicited: those who had been the assistants, and perhaps able +assistants of the latter, will keep aloof, as much out of respect +to the gentleman whom they had last served, as from that fear of +obtrusion, that feeling of diffidence, which is inherent in +persons of real merit and probity; so that it is ten to one but +he falls into the hands of the faction who had been the enemies +of his predecessor, only perhaps because he had too much honour +and integrity to promote their selfish views, at the expence of +the public weal. Scarcely, therefore, will this gentleman have +quitted the colony, before the whole of the superstructure which +he had been rearing will have been pulled down, and another of a +different description commenced in its stead. Such has almost +invariably been, and such will continue to be the conduct of the +actual government; nothing judicious or permanent can ever be +expected to proceed from it. How then, it may be asked, can +prosperity be expected to flow from sources so precarious and +inconstant? Are they calculated to supply that regular equal +stream of security and confidence which has been found essential +to the progress of improvement? But were the existing system of +government essentially conservative in its nature, instead of +being virtually destructive, it would still prove inadequate and +inefficient. The circumstances and wants of this colony will vary +every year, and consequently require either such partial +modifications or entire alterations of policy as may be suited to +each progressive stage of advancement. Its government, therefore, +ought to be so constituted, as not only to possess the power of +revising old laws, but also of framing new ones. It ought, in +fact, to involve in itself a creative as well as a conservative +faculty; a faculty which might enable it to accommodate its +measures to every change of situation, and provide an instant +remedy for every unforeseen and prejudicial contingency. Nothing +short of this will suffice to inspire that confidence which alone +can be productive of permanent prosperity. The government of an +individual, however respectable he may be, will always engender +distrust and cramp exertion. Man is distinguished from the rest +of the creation by his circumspection and providence. There must +exist a moral probability of reaping before he will venture to +sow. This cautious calculating disposition too, is most +predominant in those who are in the most easy circumstances: +where the liability to incur loss is greatest, the spirit of +enterprize is generally most restrained. But this class, which +contains the great capitalists of all countries, are precisely +those whose means, if they could be _enticed_ into activity, +would be productive of the most beneficial results. No soil is so +barren, no climate so forbidding, as not to present facilities +more or less favourable for the absorption of capital, and the +extension of industry. Wherever the tide of improvement is at its +height, and a reflux ensues, it is to the impolicy of the +government, and not to the sterility of the country, that this +retrogradation is to be attributed. Prosperity and happiness +belong to no climate, they are indigenous to no soil: they have +been known to fly the allurements of the fertile vale, and to +nestle on the top of the barren mountain: the plains of Latium +could not secure their stay, yet have they freely alit on the +snow-capt summits of Helvetia: they have been the faithful +companions of freedom in all her wanderings and persecutions: +they have never graced the triumphs of injustice and +oppression. + +I have now hastily sketched the principal incidents which have +characterized the march of this colony during the last fifteen +years. If I have neglected representing its more early efforts; +if I have excluded from view the amazing difficulties and +privations with which its immediate founders had to contend; if, +in fine, I have altogether omitted in the picture the numerous +interesting events that took place during the first fifteen years +of its establishment, I have been induced to all these omissions +by a conviction, that the existing system of government, if not +the most eligible that could have been devised, was at least +unproductive of those glaring ill consequences, with which it has +subsequently been attended. A singleness of design and a unity of +action, could not be deviated from during the period of its +infancy by the most ignorant and inexpert bungler in political +science. There was a broad path open to its government, which it +could not possibly mistake. The colony as yet entirely dependent +on external supplies, always precarious from their very nature, +but rendered still more so by a tedious, and at that time almost +unexplored navigation, would unavoidably turn its whole attention +to the single object of raising food, and emancipating itself as +soon as possible, from so uncertain and dangerous a dependence. +The principle of fear would have sufficed to propel the colonists +to a spontaneous application of their strength to the realization +of this end, independent of any directing power whatever. It was, +therefore, only on the attainment of this most important point, +that the impolicy of the present form of government became a +matter of speculation, and subsequently, that it has been +demonstrated by its practical result,--the wretched situation to +which it has reduced a colony, that might be made, as I have +satisfactorily established, one of the most useful and +flourishing appendages of the empire. It is at the epoch when the +produce of the colonists began to exceed the demand, and when +their industry, instead of being encouraged and directed into new +channels of profitable occupation, was not only left to its own +blind unguided impulse, but also placed under the most impolitic +and oppressive restrictions, that I have taken up the pencil, and +made a rapid but faithful delineation of the deplorable +consequences that have been attendant on a concatenation of +injudicious and absurd disabilities, which, though not altogether +imposed by its immediate government, would have been easily +removed by the more weighty influence of a combined +representative legislature. I have therefore throughout the whole +of this essay, considered the present government not only +responsible for its own impolitic conduct, but also for the +existence of those grievances which have been created by a higher +authority, and of which it has wanted the will or the power to +procure the repeal. I have commenced by glancing at some of the +most striking events that ancient history affords, to prove that +the prosperity of nations has kept pace with the degree of +freedom enjoyed by their citizens, and that their decadence and +eventual overthrow have been invariably occasioned by a selfish +and overwhelming despotism. Descending to more modern times, and +adverting to the condition of existing nations, I have shewn that +the unparalleled power and affluence of our own country, which I +have selected out of them by way of exemplification, are solely +to be attributed to the superior freedom of her laws, which have +engendered her a freer, more virtuous, and more warlike race of +people. From these striking illustrations, this steady +coincidence of cause and effect, deduced from the records of the +greatest among ancient and modern empires, I have concluded that +every community which has not a free government, is devoid of +that security of person and property which has been found to be +the chief stimulus to individual exertion, and the only basis on +which the social edifice can repose in a solid and durable +tranquillity. That the system of government adopted in the colony +of New South Wales does not rest on this foundation stone of +private right and public prosperity, I have proved from the +detestable tyranny and consequent arrest of a governor, whose +conduct anterior to his being intrusted with this important +charge, it will have been seen, was such as might have led +without any extraordinary powers of discrimination to a +prediction of the catastrophe that befel him. The atrocities +perpetrated by this monster, and the events to which they gave +rise, are sufficient to convince the most incredulous, that the +colonists have no guarantee for the undisturbed enjoyment of +their rights and liberties, but the impartiality and good +pleasure of their governor; and that they have no resource but in +rebellion against the unprincipled attacks and unjustifiable +inroads of arbitrary power. So radically defective, indeed, is +the government to which they are subjected in its very +constitution, that it not only holds out, in the uncontrolled +authority which it vests in the hands of an individual, the +strongest temptations for the exercise of tyranny to those who +may habitually possess an overbearing and despotic temperament, +but has also a manifest tendency, as history amply attests, to +vitiate the heart, and to produce a spirit of injustice and +oppression in those who may have been antecedently distinguished +by a well regulated and humane disposition. While it is thus, on +the one hand, calculated to beget the most monstrous atrocities +within the sphere of its jurisdiction, I have shewn that it has +not, on the other, been invested by the power to whom it owes its +origin and existence with the ability to perform any extended +good; and that while it involves in its essence all the elements +of destruction, it possesses no one principle of vitality. Of +this assertion the administration of Governor Macquarie, who if +you may judge from the length of time during which he has held +this high office, would appear to possess a greater portion of +the confidence of his Majesty's ministers, than any of his +predecessors, furnishes an indubitable proof: for relieved as the +mind of the reader will have been from the undivided indignation, +disgust, and abhorrence, which the excesses committed in the +foregoing government cannot fail to excite, by a review of the +prudence and moderation by which his career has been +contra-distinguished, he will nevertheless have beheld the +colony, from the want of privileges, of which this gentleman has +not possessed sufficient influence to procure the authorization, +sinking in spite of his upholding hand, from a comparative state +of affluence and comfort, to the lowest depth of poverty and +endurance. He will have seen the colonists checked in their +agricultural pursuits, rushing promiscuously into every avenue of +internal industry that lay open to them, and afterwards +constructing vessels, and not only exploring every known shore +within the limits of their territory, in search of sandal wood, +but even discovering unknown islands abounding with seals. He +will have viewed them exhausting these temporary sources of +relief, and attempting, but obliged to desist by the weight of +impolitic imposts, both internal and external, from those +inexhaustible fountains of wealth, the valuable whale fisheries +that exist in the adjacent seas. He will have beheld them from +inability to purchase the more costly commodities of other +countries, making the most astonishing exertions in manufactures, +and thus impelled by necessity to the adoption of a system not +more averse to the interests of the parent country than to their +own; and which under a well regulated government, would have been +one of the last effects of maturity and civilization. He will +have witnessed, notwithstanding these vigorous and unnatural +efforts, numbers of them bending every day beneath the pressure +of embarrassment, and at length stripped of their lands, and +deprived of their freedom, by a set of rapacious and unprincipled +dealers, who are gradually rendering themselves masters of the +persons and property of the agriculturists; the greater part of +whom, if the present system continue a few years longer, will be +virtually reduced to a state of bondage, and condemned to +minister to the ease and enjoyments of the worthless and the +vile. He will have seen that, while the poorer settlers have +already in general fallen victims to the unjust and impolitic +disabilities with which they are beset, the circle of distress +has extended itself from these, the _central body_ of the +community, to its _circumference;_ and that the imports have +so constantly preponderated in the balance over the united weight +of the income and exports, that the whole wealth of the colony +has been continually flowing into foreign countries, for the +payment of the necessary commodities furnished by them, leaving +no money in circulation for the important purposes of domestic +economy, and compelling the colonists by a general, constrained, +and tacit convention, to tolerate, as a substitute for a +legitimate circulating medium, a currency possessed of no +intrinsic value whatever. He will have beheld this rapid torrent +of distress forcibly driving back the tide of population, both by +the difficulties which it throws in the way of rearing up a +family, and by the numerous bodies of freed convicts, whom it +propels to a return to their native country, the greater part of +whom, more from necessity than choice, are led to a resumption of +their ancient habits, in order to procure a subsistence, and +either impose on the government the expense of retransporting +them to this colony, or end their career of iniquity by falling +victims to the vengeance of the laws which they had so often +violated. He will have seen during these continual and violent +concussions, by which the whole social edifice has been shaken to +the foundation, that the expenditure of the colony has been in a +state of the most rapid increase, and that the existing system of +government is incompatible with its diminution. He will, in fine, +have been satisfied that the immorality and vice which it was the +main object of the legislature to repress and extirpate, are +making the most alarming progress and extension. + +Looking a little beyond these, the actual results of the +present order of things, he will find that it is affording the +most efficacious assistance and encouragement to the perfection +of the manufacturing system, already in a state of considerable +advancement, and that a few years more will so greatly +circumscribe the means of the colonists, that the majority of +them will be entirely excluded from the use of foreign +commodities, and compelled to content themselves with the homely +products of their own ingenuity; and that thus not only one of +the great ends of colonization, the creation of a market for the +consumption of the manufactures of the parent country, will be +defeated by her own impolitic conduct, but also a spirit of +animosity will be engendered by the recollection of the +privations and sufferings encountered by the colonists in their +tedious and painful march to this unnatural independence in their +resources; a spirit which will be handed down from father to son, +acquiring in its descent fresh force, and settling at length into +an hereditary hatred, which it will no longer be in the power of +the government to extinguish, and which will propel them, +whenever an opportunity offers, to renounce the control of such +unwise and unfeeling masters. Passing from this gloomy picture of +vexatious tyranny and unmerited suffering, he will proceed to the +more grateful contemplation of the remedies that are proposed as +a cure for the present evils, and as a preventive against the +future tremendous eruption with which the existing system, a +mountainous agglomeration of impolicy and barbarity, is so +fatally pregnant. He will be satisfied that the application of +the restoratives prescribed, will both reintegrate the +agricultural body, now in the last stage of debility and +consumption, and impart fresh life and vigour into the +commercial, which is equally impaired; and that while the parent +country will by these means restore the tone and energies of the +colony, she will be contributing in the most effectual manner to +her own strength and greatness. He will be persuaded that all +these most desirable ends will inevitably follow the +establishment of a free representative government; and that +however salutary the adoption of the measures proposed might be, +unaccompanied with that internal power of legislation from which +they would have eventually proceeded, they would of themselves be +utterly inadequate to effect a perfect and permanent cure for the +existing evils; and that nothing short of a local legislature, +properly constituted, can on the one hand either inspire into +capitalists that confidence which is essential to the free +unimpeded extension of industry, or be competent on the other, to +provide an instant relief for those growing wants, which spring +out of the progress of advancement, and are contingent on those +changes of circumstances and situation, to which incipient +communities are so peculiarly liable. He will, in fine, be +convinced even to demonstration, that the erection of a free +government in the colony of New South Wales would be a panacea +for all its sufferings; that it is the only measure which can +ease this country of the enormous burden which it will otherwise +entail on her, and save the unspent millions that will be +ingulphed, _uselessly_ ingulphed, in the devouring vortex of +the present system; and that the creation of an export trade of +raw materials, and the consequent extended consumption of her +manufactures which the proposed change of government would +superinduce, is the only way in which she can ever repay herself +for the immense expence that she has lavished on this colony, as +well during the period of its really helpless infancy, as during +the still longer interval of its restrained growth and fictitious +imbecillity. + +PART IV. + +VARIOUS CHANGES PROPOSED IN THE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT. + +It being thus clear and indubitable that free representative +governments are the only foundation on which the prosperity and +happiness of communities can safely repose, it only remains to +ascertain how far the actual circumstances and situation of this +colony are compatible with the concession of so great and +important a privilege. At my very offset in this essay, after +glancing in a cursory manner at the history of the most +celebrated ancient and modern empires, and shewing that their +progress kept pace with their freedom, and that their +retrogradation is to be dated only from the epoch when they fell +under the dominion of arbitrary and ambitious despots, whose +successors gradually completed the work of destruction which they +had commenced, I was compelled in candour to admit that the +heterogeneous ingredients of which this colony was compounded, +did not at the period of its foundation, afford his Majesty's +government the power, if they had even possessed the will, to +establish a free representative system. It is therefore incumbent +on me, now that I have demonstrated the beneficial influence +which free governments have in promoting the prosperity of +communities in general, and have proved that this colony has for +many years been languishing in a state of impeded growth, and +tottering imbecillity, from the inefficiency of its +administration to adopt those measures which are necessary to its +revigoration; I say it is incumbent on me to shew that the +component parts of this body politic, have undergone such a +change since the period of its creation, as will warrant its +identification in this respect with other states, and justify the +conclusion that such institutions are essential to its welfare as +have been found conducive to theirs. + +It must be almost superfluous to state, that when this colony +was formed, it was composed, with the exception of its civil and +military establishments, entirely of convicts. It was +consequently impossible that a body of men, who were all under +the sentence of the law, and had been condemned for their crimes +to suffer either a temporary suspension, or total deprivation of +the civil rights of citizens, could be admitted to exercise one +of the most important among the whole of them, the elective +franchise; and to have vested this privilege in the civil and +military authorities, both of whom then as at present were +subject to martial law, and were besides at that time without +landed property, the only standard I conceive by which the right +either of electing or being elected can in any country be +properly regulated, would have been equally improper and absurd. +A council indeed might have been appointed, but even an +institution of this kind might have clogged the wheels of the +government by its opposition, and could have been of but little +assistance with its advice; for as it has been already stated, +there was but one object to be pursued, and that was to promote +by every means the agriculture of the colony, so as to emancipate +it as soon as possible from a precarious and dangerous dependence +on other countries. Until, therefore, the free inhabitants of the +colony had increased to a sufficient number to exercise the +elective franchise, and until its productive powers had +outstripped its consumptive, and it became necessary either to +create new markets for its produce within, or to direct a portion +of its strength to the raising of articles for exportation to +other countries, the establishment of a free representative +government would not have been expedient had it even been +practicable. + +The period at which the produce of this settlement fairly +exceeded the internal demand for it, may, as I have already +noticed, be dated so far back as the year 1804, being about +sixteen years after the period of its foundation. It has been +already seen that the harvests of that and the succeeding year +were so abundant, that no sale could be obtained for more than +one half of the crop;--that had it not been for a tremendous +flood which happened in 1806, the majority of the cultivators +must have abandoned their farms, and sought for other +occupation;--and that since that period there has fortunately +been a succession of floods and droughts, which with the +exception of two or three seasons of equal plenty, have kept the +productive powers of the colony nearly on a level with its +consumptive, or else the situation of the settlers, deplorable as +it now is, would have been infinitely more so. How radically +defective, then, must be the government of this colony, when what +would be calamities of the most serious and afflicting nature in +a well organized community are here blessings! Is it in the +nature of things to adduce more weighty arguments in proof of the +necessity which has existed since the above period for its +supercession? Ought not a government that would have felt the +importance, and have possessed the power of creating new channels +of consumption for agricultural produce to have been then +instituted? This great object, it has been already shewn, could +have been in no way so easily accomplished as by the erection of +distilleries. To have diverted the attention of any part of the +agriculturists from the growth of corn, would have been highly +impolitic in a country, where the greatest and most fertile +portion of the arable land is subject to such awful inundations. +On the contrary, it was and still is expedient, that the whole +agricultural energies of the colony should be confined to the +production of grain, until the surplus become so great as to +leave no chance whatever of these inundations being any longer +attended with their former baneful consequences. But this can +only be effected by creating a sure and adequate market for this +surplus; and whether such market is to be found in the colony, or +to be sought for abroad, no power either would have been, or is +so fully competent to accomplish this important purpose, as an +independent legislature chosen from the midst of the community, +whose interests are identified with its own. + +With respect to the expediency or even practicability of +instituting a body of this nature so long as fourteen years back, +I am aware that there exists a great difference of opinion among +the respectable class of the colonists themselves. For my own +part, however small may have been the number of those from or by +whom a colonial legislature could at that time have been formed, +I consider of but little moment in solving this great problem. +The only question it appears to me to be ascertained, is, whether +a legislative assembly, however small the number of whom it might +have been composed, and however limited the body of electors by +whom it might have been chosen, would not have done its utmost to +promote its own interests, or what would have been the same +thing, the welfare of the community which it represented. I +cannot conceive the possibility of any one's doubting that such +would have been its conduct; and in this case what power could +have been instituted in the colony that would have been so well +calculated to foster its infant efforts, and develope its nascent +prosperity, as one that would have been invested with the +faculties of legislation; or in other words, with the authority +to enact as a matter of course those measures of which the +existing government has not had sufficient influence to procure +the authorization. + +The expediency, however, of having established a house of +assembly in the colony at the period in question, is at this +moment, perhaps, rather a matter of curious speculation, than of +profitable inquiry. Extensively beneficial, as would in all +probability have been its effects, it is nevertheless useless to +deplore an omission which cannot now be remedied. Nor has the +absence, perhaps, of this important institution been altogether +without its advantages. It has at least indisputably proved the +inefficiency of the present system of government, and that the +colony could not have sunk under any other form of administration +whatever, to a lower ebb of poverty and wretchedness, nor have +become a heavier and more unproductive burthen to the mother +country. The want, therefore, of an internal legislature has +combined every consideration that could be adduced in proof of +the necessity of changing the present system, and adopting in its +stead that form of government which has been found so salutary +and efficacious in all countries where it has been established. +The only question that remains to be ascertained, is whether the +colony is _now_ in a state of maturity for the reception of +so important a privilege as the elective franchise; and this I +conceive will be best answered by a reference to the numerical +strength of its free population. At the general muster or census +concluded on the 19th of November, 1817, there were found to be +in all the various settlements and districts of the colony of New +South Wales, and its dependencies, twenty thousand three hundred +and twenty-eight souls, of whom sixteen thousand six hundred +and sixty-four were in the various towns and districts belonging +to Port Jackson. Out of these there were six hundred and ten +soldiers, and six thousand two hundred and ninety-seven convicts, +leaving a free population, independent of the military, of nine +thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven souls. At Newcastle, a +settlement about sixty miles to the northward of Port Jackson, +there were five hundred and fifty souls, about seventy of whom +were free. At the settlements of the Derwent and Port Dalrymple, +there were in all three thousand one hundred and fourteen souls, +of whom two thousand five hundred and fifty-four were at the +former place, and five hundred and sixty at the latter: out of +these there were about two hundred soldiers, but the number of +free persons I have not been able precisely to discover. As these +settlements, however, include the majority of the colonists and +their families, who were removed from Norfolk Island; and as by +far the greater proportion of the convicts who have been +transported from this country have been sent to Port Jackson, I +have no doubt that the number of free persons there, may be +safely estimated at three fourths of their entire population, +seeing that it is about two thirds of the population of Port +Jackson. According to this rate of computation, therefore, the +number of free persons in these two settlements, after previously +deducting the two hundred military, will amount to about two +thousand one hundred and eighty-six souls. It may, consequently, +be perceived, that the grand total of the free population of all +these various colonies in the latter end of November, 1817, may +be safely estimated to have been eleven thousand nine hundred and +seventy-three, being an excess of four thousand four hundred and +seventy above the number of convicts, or in the proportion of +more than three to two. + +As the establishment of the legislative assembly in question +could not, however, be well effected before the end of the year +1819, it may not be altogether irrelevant to ascertain what will +be the probable amount of the free population at that period. The +number of births in the colony cannot at present be computed +under two thousand annually, since the increase in these various +settlements between the month of November, 1816, and the month of +November, 1817, is found to have been three thousand two hundred +and eighty-nine souls; and the number of convicts transported +thither from the first of January, 1816, to the first of January, +1818, was only three thousand one hundred and eight. Allowing, +therefore, that one half of these, or one thousand five hundred +and fifty-four, were transported to the colony during the year +1817, the increase that took place there, from birth and +emigration will have been one thousand seven hundred and +thirty-five: to which if we add five hundred, the number of +persons that probably quit the colony annually; the actual rate +of increase in the free population in the course of the year +1817, may be fixed at two thousand two hundred and thirty-five +souls. Of these the surplus above two thousand, is perhaps +composed of emigrants, and the remainder of births. If we add to +these one thousand more, who it may be safely calculated yearly +become free, by pardon or expiration of servitude, we have an +annual augmentation to the free population of three thousand two +hundred and thirty-five souls: so that if we take the year 1817, +as a standard of computation, and it is evidently a low one, the +free population will amount by the end of the year 1819, to at +least eighteen thousand four hundred and forty-three souls. This +is an elective body much more extensive than is to be found in +several of our West India islands, where houses of assembly have +been long established. But as this free population is of a mixed +description, and composed as well of persons who have been +convicts, and have become free either by the expiration of their +respective sentences, or by pardon, as of those who have been +born in the colony, or have emigrated to it, and have never +suffered the penalties of the law, a very delicate question here +arises as to the propriety of extending to the first of these +classes the privilege of being admitted into the legislative +body. There is, I am aware, a party in the colony, by whom the +very notion of granting such a privilege to a class of men who +have been subject to the lash of the law, would be treated as a +chimera pregnant with the most fatal consequences to this infant +community. In this, as in most other societies, there is an +aristocratic body, which would monopolize all situations of +power, dignity and emolument, and put themselves in a posture to +domineer alike over the governor and the people. If you consult +one of this faction (they deserve no milder appellation) he will +tell you that it is dangerous to vest any authority beyond the +narrow circle of his own immediate friends. Until the +administration of General Macquarie, this body considered +themselves possessed of an equal right to the governor's +confidence, as if they stood in the same relation to him which +the nobility of this country bear to the king, and were _de +jure_ his hereditary counsellors. Before his government the +great body of the people. I mean such as had become free, +scarcely possessed any privilege but that of suing and being sued +in the courts of civil jurisdiction. The whole power, and nearly +the whole property and commerce of the colony, were in the hands +of this faction, who with a very few exceptions were composed of +the civil and military, and of persons who had belonged to these +bodies formerly. And even in those few solitary instances which +could be adduced, of persons originally convicts, who were +_allowed_ to acquire an independence, their prosperity was +to be traced to the patronage and protection afforded them by +some member of the aristocratic junta, to whom they either acted +as agents in the disposal of their merchandize (for it was +considered by these gentlemen derogatory to their dignity to keep +shop and sell openly) or resorted for the purchase of goods on +their own accounts. At the prosperity, however, and importance of +this faction, the present governor has levelled many a deadly +blow within these last nine years; but more particularly in +prohibiting the military to hold lands, or to be concerned in +traffic, in raising to situations of the highest trust and +dignity many deserving persons who had been convicts, and in +throwing open the ports of the colony to an unlimited importation +of all sorts of merchandize. But he has not effected these +radical and salutary changes in the colonial policy without +having encountered a long and inveterate hostility. Many have +been the attempts which this faction have made to vilify his +motives and misrepresent his actions; but to every charge of his +enemies his unshaken integrity and unwearied zeal for the +conscientious discharge of his duties have proved a sufficient +refutation. The opinion of this gentleman with respect to the +expediency of adopting a liberal system, that may prove an +effectual stimulus to reformation and good conduct in those who +have unhappily deviated from the path of rectitude, has been +expressed unequivocally both in his dispatches, and in the +prominent measures of his government, and will deservedly carry +with it more weight than the whole collected opposition which I +anticipate from those who have been his opponents and +calumniators. The covert aim of these men is to convert the +ignominy of the great body of the people into an hereditary +deformity. They would hand it down from father to son, and raise +an eternal barrier of separation between their offspring, and the +offspring of the unfortunate convict. They would establish +distinctions which may serve hereafter to divide the colonists +into _castes_; and although none among them dares publicly +avow that future generations should be punished for the crimes of +their progenitors, yet such are their private sentiments; and +they would have the present race branded with disqualifications, +not more for the sake of pampering their own vanity, than with a +view to reflect disgrace on the offspring of the disfranchised +parent, and thus cast on their own children and descendants that +future splendor and importance, which they consider to be their +present peculiar and distinguishing characteristics. Short-sighted +fools! they foresee not the consequences of their narrow +machinations! They know not that they would be sowing the seeds +of future discords and commotions, and that by exalting their +immediate descendants, they would occasion the eventual +degradation and overthrow of their posterity. Such would be the +result of their ambition; for it is the curse of injustice that +it brings with it sooner or later its own punishment. Happily for +the colony the realization of their projects depends not upon +themselves; and his Majesty's ministers will not lend their +sanction to schemes of private aggrandizement, which can only be +accomplished by the sacrifice of the public good. If these men +have not themselves the sagacity to dive into futurity, and to +foresee the dangers and contests to which unjust privileges and +distinctions must eventually give birth, shall the government be +equally blind and improvident? Shall they in the short space of +thirty years forget the benevolent designs for which this colony +was founded, and convert what was intended as an asylum for +repentant vice, not into a house merely of salutary correction, +which may moderate with reviving morality and cease entirely with +complete reformation, but into a prison of endless torture, where +though the sufferings of the body may terminate, the worst +species of torture, the endurements and mortifications of the +soul, are to end only with existence? Shall a vile faction be +allowed to inflict on the unfortunate convict a punishment +infinitely greater than that to which he has been sentenced by +the violated majesty of the law? Has not a jury of impartial +freemen solemnly investigated the case of every individual who +has been transported to this colony? And have not the measure and +duration of their punishments been apportioned to their +respective offences? Is it then for any body of men to assert +that the law has been too lenient, and that it is necessary to +inflict an ulterior punishment which shall have no termination +but in the grave? Shall the unhappy culprit, exiled from his +native shore, and severed perhaps for ever from the friends of +his youth, the objects of his first and best affections, after +years of suffering and atonement, still find no resting +place,--no spot where he may hide his shame and endeavour to +forget his errors? Shall the finger of scorn and derision be +pointed at him wherever he betake himself? And must he for ever +wander a recreant and outcast on the face of the earth, seeking +in vain some friendly shore, where he may at length be freed from +ignominious disabilities, and restored to the long lost enjoyment +of equal rights and equal protection with his fellows? + +I am aware it may be here urged that these men, if they were +to return to this country, could never enjoy the privileges for +which I am contending; and that the very same laws, which have +fixed the bounds of their corporal punishment have deprived them +for ever of the most valuable rights of citizens. To this I +reply, that in this country, whither if the whole of the convicts +who have been exiled from its shores were to return, they would +form but an inconsiderable portion of the people, all such +disqualifications as the law has annexed to conviction in a court +of justice, are good policy; because they tend to promote virtue +and discountenance vice. But the very same grounds of policy +require that such disqualifications should not exist in New South +Wales. There the great mass of the people are composed of persons +who have been under the operation of the law, and who were +transported with the avowed intention of the legislature to +effect their reformation. How then is this great philanthropic +end to be best attained? Is it by holding out no inducements to +good conduct, no distinction between repentant vice and +incorrigible enormity? Those who have been convicted of the +higher order of offences, and have been in consequence +transported for life, are from the very nature of their sentences +precluded from ever enjoying the privilege in question, unless, +indeed, their very exemplary conduct subsequently induce the +governor to extend to them the benefit of the king's pardon. +This, however, is an indulgence at present so rarely accorded, +that the whole of this class may be in a manner considered as +being without the pale of citizenship; and it is therefore such +only as have been convicted of crimes to which the law has +annexed the minor penalties of seven or fourteen years +transportation, who could generally become candidates for a seat +in the legislative assembly? How many of this description have +been detected in their first offence, in their very offset in the +career of criminality? How many ever afterwards deplore their +errors in sackcloth and ashes, and conduct themselves in the most +correct and unexceptionable manner? And shall no distinction be +made between _them_ and the still persevering offender whom +no inducements can withhold, no punishments deter from the +commission of fresh enormities? Shall the _novice_ in crime +and the _veteran_ be placed on the same footing and held in +equal estimation? To what end do they profess themselves to be +Christians who can maintain such infernal doctrines? How can they +reconcile them with that universal charity and good will +inculcated in their religion? How can they themselves expect +pardon of their God, who would thus withhold oblivion from their +repentant fellow creatures? If it be then alike conformable to +the principles of Christianity and sound policy, to make a +discrimination between the reformed sinner, and the still +hardened and abandoned profligate, what incentive to good conduct +would prove so efficacious as the prospect of regaining, after +years of unimpeachable integrity, all those civil rights which +they had forfeited, of becoming once more privileged to act as +jurymen, magistrates, and legislators? Such a possibility would +quickly revive the latent sparks of virtue wherever they were not +quite extinct, and electrify the mind when all other applications +would fail to rouse it from its despondence and lethargy. And +shall not this _sole efficacious remedy_ be administered, +because a set of _interlopers_, persons in no wise connected +with the purposes for which this colony was founded, wish to +monopolize all the respectable offices of the government, all the +functions of emolument, power, and dignity to themselves? Shall +the vital interests of the whole community sink before the +ambitious projects of a few designing individuals, who have no +object in view, but their own personal aggrandizement, and the +maintenance of a self-assumed aristocratic importance? And who +would build their own and their families' prosperity on the ruins +of the social edifice, on the misery and degradation of +thousands? But it is useless to enlarge on this topic: ministers +will not allow their judgments to be warped by the subtle +representations of this faction. In organizing that new +constitution for this colony, of which every motive of humanity +and policy conspires to demonstrate the necessity, they will be +actuated solely by those principles that are best calculated to +further the philanthropic and enlightened ends which were +contemplated by the legislature at the period of its foundation. +The good of the many will not be sacrificed to the sordid views +of the few, and no disqualifications will be permitted, but such +as are confessedly necessary for the repression of vice, and the +promotion of morality and religion. + +But, while I am thus contending against the total exclusion of +such as may have been convicts from the enjoyment of this great +privilege, I would by no means imply that the doors of the +legislative assembly should be thrown open to _all +indiscriminately_ who may _happen_ to be _free_. An +unrestricted ability to exercise a function of such great +confidence and dignity, would superinduce consequences equally +fatal with those against which I would guard: in endeavouring to +shun one extreme, it behoves us equally to avoid falling into the +other. The very principle which _forbids_ their _utter +inadmissibility_ to become legislators, demands that +_none_ should be able to arrive at that dignity, but those +whose conduct during their abode in the colony shall have been +_absolutely unimpeachable_. Retrospection should not be +pushed _beyond_ the period of their _arrival;_ but +their _subsequent_ behaviour should be subjected to the +_severest tests_, to the _most rigorous scrutiny_. +_Conviction_ either before a court or a magistrate, for any +_offence_ of a _criminal nature_, should be a +_bar_ to their pretensions _for ever_. Crimes committed +in this country should be overlooked when followed by +_adequate_ atonement and _indubitable_ reformation; but +the _interests_ as well of the _rising generation_, as +of the _great body_ of the _convicts themselves_, +require that the _re-convicted_ felon, whom neither the +_hope_ of _distinction_ can _reclaim_, nor the +_fear_ of _punishment deter_ from a recurrence to his +old iniquities, should be branded with the _lasting +impressions_ of _infamy_, and rendered for _ever +afterwards incapable_ of exercising so respectable and +important a function as the one in question. + +With respect to the nature and extent of the property to be +possessed by the members of the legislative assembly, I am of +opinion, that a freehold estate of five hundred acres in any part +of the territory of New South Wales, or its dependent settlements +on Van Diemen's Land, should be considered a sufficient +qualification, and that in the case of electors twenty acres of +freehold should give the right of voting at elections for the +districts in which such freehold property may be situated; and +that either a leasehold of the value of L5 a year, or +paying a house rent of L10 a year, that of voting at +elections for towns. Excepting conviction, therefore, in this +country as a ground of exclusion both as respects the candidates +and the constituents, and making the above variation in the +standard of their respective qualifications as to property, I +think that every cause of rejection which is deemed in Canada of +sufficient efficacy to invalidate the claims of either party, +should be held of equal force in this colony, not only with +persons who may have been convicts, but with all such as may wish +either to vote for the return of members, or to become members of +the legislative body themselves. In framing, indeed, a +constitution for the colony, that of Canada would, I suspect, be +upon the whole the best model for imitation; since there is not +only a much stronger affinity between the great body of its +inhabitants, and those of New South Wales, than exists in any of +our other colonies; but every succeeding year will render the +approximation of their character and pursuits still more +complete. + +There is but one topic more connected with the establishment +of a house of assembly in this colony, on which I intend to +comment; and I notice it not so much with a view to offer fresh +arguments in support of the necessity of this measure, which I +consider I have already sufficiently demonstrated, as to state +all the prominent reasons which might be adduced on the occasion. +It is a fundamental maxim of the British constitution, that no +taxes shall be levied on the subject without his consent +expressed by his representatives, and yet duties have been +exacted in this colony for the last fifteen years, by the mere +authority of the various governors. These, it has been seen, are +appropriated to various purposes of internal economy, all of +great public importance and utility, to which it is but equitable +that the colonists should contribute. This system of taxation +originated, I believe, with Governor King, but whether with the +sanction of his Majesty's ministers, or from his own suggestion I +am not able to determine. Since his time I should imagine that +not less than two hundred thousand pounds have been levied in +this unconstitutional manner; and until the administration of the +present governor, those who paid this money had not even the +satisfaction of knowing how any part of it was applied. From the +secrecy indeed which was observed in the expenditure of this +fund, and the rapacious character of his predecessor, many of the +colonists suspected that very little of it was appropriated +during his time to the purposes for which it was intended. This +misapplication of it, however, is but a matter of conjecture; and +it was probably to shelter himself from the possibility of +falling under a similar imputation, that the present governor has +caused quarterly accounts, which are first verified by a +committee consisting of the lieutenant governor and the judge +advocate, and afterwards examined and approved by himself, to be +published for the general information. This custom, however, is a +deviation, although it must be confessed a good one, from +precedent: and the colonists have no guarantee that his +successors will not revert to the same mysterious application of +this fund that has been practised by his predecessors. In this +case it may be converted into a fruitful source of peculation and +plunder, and be at last in a great measure diverted from the +public objects for which it was instituted to the satiation of +private rapacity, and the colonists become gradually burdened +with an overbearing load of taxation, merely for the purpose of +enriching their governors. Be this, however, as it may, the +illegality of levying money by the authority of any individual, +is, I should presume, quite unquestionable; and I have no doubt +that if any of the colonists had public spirit enough to resist +the payment of these duties, the court of civil jurisdiction +would not enforce it; since the decisions of this court are +solely founded on acts of parliament. The magistrates of the +colony might indeed take upon themselves to direct the execution +of the governor's orders, which authorize the levying of these +taxes, but I have doubts, since resistance to these orders would +not amount to an act of a criminal nature, and the point at issue +would be a mere matter of debt between an individual and the +government, whether they even would consent to give such an +illegal method of taxation the sanction of their support. At all +events an appeal would lie in the shape of a writ of certiorari +to the civil court, which could not avoid annulling the judgment +of the magistrates, and consequently declaring the governor's +conduct unwarranted and illegal. Such an occurrence would +evidently be attended with the most prejudicial effects; for not +to dwell on the mortification which the governor for the time +being would experience at discovering in so disagreeable a way +that by treading in the footsteps of his predecessors, he had +been exercising a power to which his situation gave him no claim, +there can be little doubt that a victory of this nature gained by +an individual over the executive would be the signal for the +institution of suits against the government for the recovery of +all the money that has been levied under such an illegal and +arbitrary authority. To prevent the probability of being forced +to refund so large a sum of money to the persons or their heirs +from whom it has been thus illegally wrested, and to legalize all +future levies of duties in the colony, the establishment of a +colonial legislature certainly offers the only judicious and +constitutional expedient. + +I would not that it should be considered from the foregoing +remarks that the colonists are averse to taxation. On the +contrary, it is my belief that they would cheerfully contribute +whatever may be necessary for the promotion of objects _purely +colonial_; but they expect, and have a right to do so, that +all such objects should be submitted to the consideration and +approval of their representatives, and that their money should +not be taken out of their pockets, whether they will or not, by +the mere _ipse dixit_ of a governor. Few are discontented +with the present rate of taxation, because it is moderate; and, +with the exception of that small part of the colonial revenue +which arises from duties on articles of export, may be even +considered judicious; inasmuch as the great bulk of the duties +falls on luxuries which can be dispensed with, without +occasioning any material diminution of comfort and enjoyment. But +all are averse to the manner in which these duties are levied; +for if they once admit that a governor has the right to exact one +farthing by his single authority, what limits can be afterwards +assigned to the exercise of this power? He may on the very same +principle tax every article of consumption, and on the plea of +public contributions undermine the whole prosperity and happiness +of the community. That the different governors have been allowed +to prosecute this system without opposition for so many years, +could only have arisen from the peculiar constitution of this +colony; but its population has now attained a degree of +consequence and respectability, which will not much longer tamely +permit such an unprecedented deviation from all constitutional +authority; and the best way to obviate the unpleasant +circumstances of the contest, to which a continuance of the +present system must shortly give rise, is to create a body +legally endowed with the powers of legislation. + +On the expediency of appointing a council, his Majesty's +ministers are, I believe, themselves agreed; and I will not, +therefore, enter at great length on the subject. The arbitrary +and revolting acts, which the want of a controlling body of this +nature has already occasioned, furnish the most convincing proof +of its necessity. No power, in fact, could be established, which +would at one and the same time prove so firm a defence to the +subject, and so stable a support to the executive. A council in +the colonies bears many points of resemblance to the House of +Lords in this country. It forms that just equipoise between the +democratic and supreme powers of the state, which has been found +not less necessary to repress the licentiousness of the one, than +to curb the tyranny of the other. Besides, it at all times +provides a remedy for the inexperience or ignorance of governors; +and is a sort of nucleus, round which all new bodies may easily +agglomerate. Like a handful of veterans in a newly raised +regiment, it will be capable of setting in motion the whole +machinery of the government, and establishing with the greatest +celerity that organization and discipline which are as requisite +in administration as in war. There is but one precaution to be +observed in the formation of the council: it is to give the +members of it an adequate salary, or in other words to insure the +independent and conscientious discharge of the duties of their +highly important office. + +The expediency of appointing a colonial secretary rests in a +great measure on the same grounds as that of creating a council. +How can a private secretary, whom every new governor is at +present under the necessity of bringing out with him, be capable +of entering at once upon the duties of the most complicated and +laborious office in the colony? It is evident that a considerable +time must unavoidably elapse, before he can acquire, how great +soever his abilities, that fund of local information which can +alone qualify him for his situation. In the mean while it is ten +to one but he becomes the tool of one or other of his clerks, who +are for the most part convicts; and thus the principal acts of +the governor, which from the confidential nature of his office +are necessarily very materially influenced by his advice, may be +secretly dictated by persons who possess very little principle or +character, and who if they be themselves too insignificant to +profit to an extensive degree by the measures of the government, +may for a trifling consideration become the agents of richer and +more powerful individuals, and the public good be inadvertently +sacrificed at the shrine of private avarice or ambition. + +The last measure which I consider necessary to the prosperity +of this colony is a radical reform in the courts of justice. It +has long since been noticed that at the principal settlement and +its dependencies, there are five courts, one of criminal and the +other four of civil judicature, viz. the criminal court, the +governor's court, the supreme court, the court of vice admiralty, +the high court of appeals, all of which are held in Sydney, and +the lieutenant governor's court, which is held in Hobart Town. +The constitution of these various courts has been already +explained, and a mere cursory glance at their several +jurisdictions, will convince us of the danger and absurdity of +their organization. To commence in the order in which I have +noticed them, what can be more improper than the constitution of +the criminal court? At the time indeed, when this court was +instituted, there was a necessity that it should wholly consist +of the officers of the colony, since they and convicts were the +only two classes of whom it was composed; but even then, what +motive existed for excluding the civil officers? Were they either +less competent to be members of a court, whose decisions ought to +be founded solely on the laws of England, or were they less +respectable than the military and naval? The bare appearance of +this tribunal has long been odious and revolting to the majority +of the colonists. It is disgusting to an Englishman to see a +culprit, however heinous may be his offence, arraigned before a +court clad in full military costume; nor can it indeed be readily +conceived that a body of men, whose principles and habits must +have been materially influenced, if not entirely formed, by a +code altogether foreign to the laws of this country, should be +able on such occasions to divest themselves of the soldier, and +to judge as the citizen. Without meaning to impugn the general +impartiality and justice of their decisions, it may be easily +imagined that _an individual might happen_ to be +_traduced_ before a court, of which _all_, or +_part_ of the members, might from various causes be +_his_ enemies. No one has mixed much in military society, +without witnessing that _esprit du corps_ which is so common +in regiments, and which, however much it may contribute to their +union and happiness, is, in a community of this nature, of the +most dangerous tendency to the individual, against whom its +collected fury may be levelled. It must be remembered that this +colony is not like a country town from whence a regiment may be +removed the moment its conduct becomes obnoxious to the +inhabitants. There the regiments necessarily remain for many +years, and from this very circumstance, disputes of a much more +serious and rancorous nature are apt to arise between the +inhabitants and the military, than are known in this country. And +this observation applies more particularly to the officers and +the superior class of the colonists: since the disputes and +contests which take place between the lower orders of the +inhabitants and the common soldiery, generally arise on the spur +of the moment, and evaporate with the immediate cause of the +provocation; while the others are more frequently the effect of +cool and deliberate insult, and consequently settle into a fixed +and inveterate hostility. Under these circumstances, therefore, +it is not to be wondered at, that no person should feel himself +in perfect security. The respectability of the higher order of +the colonists may indeed shield the generality of them from any +likelihood of their being ever arraigned before this tribunal; +but still it might happen to them to be traduced before a court +composed of their bitterest foes, not only on charges of a mixed +nature, such as assault, battery, libel, etc. but also on others +of a much weightier responsibility. The _probability_ of +such a contingency would be still further increased if the +governor should happen to have imbibed the same spirit of +hostility against the accused, which I have supposed actuating +the military. For although the present governor, in order to +render the administration of justice as unimpeachable as the +nature of this court will allow, has invariably appointed the +members of it according to the roaster furnished by the +commanding officer of the regiment, his predecessors did not, I +believe, invariably observe the same delicacy, nor is it +incumbent on his successors to imitate his example. Any person +therefore, who may unfortunately become obnoxious to the governor +and the officers of the regiment, or indeed any part of them, +should he be accused of any offence within the pale of the +criminal court, might be thus forced to take his trial before his +_selected_ and _implacable_ enemies. In this extremity +what could he do to rescue himself from their gripe? He would +have no _right_ to _challenge one_ of them; and if the +_sanctity_ of an _oath_, and the _dread_ of the +_future scorn_ and _detestation_ of mankind, did not +_deter_ them from the _commission_ of a _crying_ +and _palpable injustice_, his _innocence_, were it as +_clear_ as the _noon day_, would _avail_ him +_nothing_, and he must _unavoidbly sink_, the +_devoted victim_ of _foul conspiracy and deadly +revenge_. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the history of +the proceedings of this court from the period of its institution, +to shew how far the _whole_ or any _part_ of this +supposed case may have been in any instance verified. That it +_may occur_ is sufficient to _prove_ the +_necessity_ for changing the constitution of this court, and +to _justify_ the _general anxiety_ which is felt by the +colonists for the introduction of that _right_, so dear to +the heart of every Englishman, _the trial by jury_. It is +this _inestimable privilege alone_ which can _insure_ +them the _tranquil enjoyment_ of their _persons_ and +_property_, and enable them, while _possessed_ of +_conscious integrity of conduct_, to set at _defiance_ +the _confederated efforts_ of their _enemies_, and to +_despise_ both the _open attacks_ of _power_ and +the _secret contrivances of malignity_. + +The constitution of the governor's court and of the supreme +court, is liable to the same objection. They are both composed of +the judges, who have each a vote in their respective courts, and +of two members specially appointed by the governor: so that none +of those causes of challenge which are held sufficient in this +country to disqualify a juror, are of any validity in the courts +of this colony. In the governor's court, indeed, the two members +are to be appointed from among the respectable inhabitants; but, +although the governor himself is the only judge of the measure of +their respectability, he could not well avoid selecting them out +of that class which in case of the introduction of trial by jury, +would have a right from their property and character to be +summoned as jurymen. In this court, therefore, an individual in a +trial with the crown, would have a much greater chance of +obtaining justice than in the supreme court; because the two +members of it are to be appointed from the magistracy, and might +be selected by the governor from their known zeal and corrupt +devotedness to his service. But it is of infinitely greater +importance that the decisions of this latter court should be the +less exposed of the two to the possibility of bias; because in +the former the injury which an individual could sustain from an +unjust verdict could only amount to L50, and in the latter +it might extend to L3000, and consequently occasion his +utter ruin. I limit the injustice which might arise from the very +improper constitution of this court to the above sum; because, +although it is competent, as I have before stated, to take +cognizance of all pleas to any amount whatever, an appeal would +lie, from the high court of appeals, whose verdict I here take it +for granted, would in all crown causes be confirmatory of the +judgment of the inferior court, to the king in council, when the +matter in dispute exceeded this sum. Any unjust verdict, +therefore, for more than L3000, would of course be reversed +in this country; but this is a trifling set-off against the heavy +charges to which the court is in other respects liable; since few +of the colonists are wealthy enough to be concerned in causes +where the matter at issue could attain so great an amount: so +that this remedy is quite beyond the reach of the majority of the +inhabitants, and they are abandoned to the scourge of oppression, +wherever a capricious and overwhelming tyranny may choose to +single out its victim. It is highly necessary, therefore, that +the constitution of both these courts should undergo an immediate +revision, and be so framed as to ensure henceforth the impartial +administration of justice to _all_. They are not to be +tolerated because they cannot commit a robbery beyond this +enormous amount, and because there are some few individuals, +whose prosperity is too deeply rooted to be overturned by the +malignant fury of vengeful despots. It must be evident that the +power of the governor of this colony is sufficiently leviathan, +uncontrolled as he is by a council, and possessed as he is of an +incontrovertible right to nominate the most obsequious of his +creatures as jurymen on all trials, whether of a civil or +criminal nature, to endanger the property and life of every +individual under his government. Nor should it here be forgotten +that there has been a governor who, if the colonists had not +arrested him in his iniquitous career of vengeance and despotism, +would have hurled death and destruction from one end of the +colony to the other. Without the circle of his immediate +creatures, with the most favored of whom it is well known that he +was in a commercial partnership, every individual who either had +attained affluence, or was gradually rising to it, was the object +of his hatred or envy. The former he detested, not more because +they had no need of his protection, than from fear they should +promulgate to the world his nefarious proceedings; the latter +because they were absorbing some portion of that wealth, which he +wished should flow wholly into the coffers, the contents of which +at the division of the spoil he was to have so large a share of. +It does not follow, therefore, because his successor has not +imitated his base example, because he has surrounded himself with +respectable counsellors and a conscientious magistracy, that we +should overlook the possibility that his very successor may +undermine the whole superstructure which he has been rearing, and +become in every respect as great a monster as the wretch who +before drove the colonists to desperation and rebellion. +Experience is the beacon of past times set up for the guidance of +future; and those who shape their course by it, shall avoid +striking on the rocks to which it forbids approach. Woe to the +pilot who disregards this friendly admonition, and runs on +incredulous of the risk. Soon in the midst of surrounding reefs +he shall when too late repent his temerity, and wish, that +content with the experience of others he had not authenticated by +the shipwreck of his hopes, the folly of his incredulity, and the +reality of the danger! It is with governments as with +individuals. The institutions which have occasioned anarchy and +devastation before, will, if persisted in, produce them again. +Vile and detestable as have been the monsters of antiquity, the +world still contains their parallels; and if they languish in +obscurity, if they have not attained a celebrity equally +atrocious, it is because they possess not equal facilities for +the display of their real character and propensities. Human +nature is still the same, and wherever a field is opened for the +growth of tyranny, there that poisonous fungus, a tyrant, will +shoot up. + +But the encouragement which these courts in general hold out +for the indulgence of private animosities, and their consequently +imperfect adaptation to the administration of justice, are not +the only reasons which may be urged for a change in their present +organization. The whole of the inhabitants of the various +settlements in Van Diemen's Land, are in a great measure placed +without the pale of the law. They have, indeed, what is termed +the lieutenant governor's court, but as I have already observed, +it can only take cognizance of pleas to the amount of fifty +pounds, and possesses no criminal jurisdiction whatever. They are +consequently left without any internal protection from the +spoliations of lawless ruffians, and in a great measure from the +scarcelyless pernicious depredations of dishonest creditors. For +although they may obtain redress in both instances in the courts +established at Port Jackson, nothing but an invincible necessity +will propel them to seek so distant and expensive a remedy. The +consequence is, that scarcely any but delinquents of the very +worst cast, as murderers and housebreakers, are ever brought to +trial; for notwithstanding all criminal prosecutions are +conducted at the cost of the government, and the witnesses are +paid their indispensable expenses from the police fund, still, +what with the period that elapses in the voyage to Port Jackson, +the delays incident to the courts themselves, and the time that +the witnesses must generally wait before they can obtain a +passage back again, very few of the persons who are constrained +to give evidence on such occasions can possibly manage to resume +their domestic occupations under three months. This to a set of +men, who are for the most part agriculturists, is too serious a +sacrifice of private advantage to public duty; and it is not, +therefore, to be wondered at that a general disposition should be +manifested by the inhabitants of Van Diemen's Land to suffer +quietly the depredations that may be committed on their property, +rather than incur perhaps the much greater loss attached to the +prosecution of the offender. The remedy, which they possess for +civil injuries is, indeed, somewhat more palatable, but still far +too remote and expensive. The principal reason, indeed, why so +many debts and obligations contracted in these settlements, +become matter of action before the supreme court at Port Jackson, +is to be traced to the satisfaction which results from compelling +one who considers himself a privileged plunderer, and at liberty +to fatten with impunity on the industrious, to disgorge the +wealth of others, which he may have thus sucked. The expence, +however, of supporting witnesses at so great a distance from +their homes, and the precarious issue of suits in general, induce +many creditors to run the risk of voluntary payment at some +future period, who would not hesitate to institute actions +against their debtors, if there were a competent tribunal within +their reach. The want, therefore, of a court possessing an +unlimited civil and criminal jurisdiction, is of the most baneful +consequence to these infant settlements. It encourages all +species of crimes and dishonesty, strikes at the very root of +virtue and religion, and cannot but have a most pernicious effect +on the morals of the rising generation. + +Such are the leading defects in the actual system of +jurisprudence established in this colony; and I think it will not +be disputed that a more crude and undigested organization of the +colonial courts could hardly have been devised. Whether the +judges of these courts have made any representations on the +subject to his Majesty's government I am not aware; but I should +apprehend not, or surely they would have been remodelled ere this +after a more perfect design. To effect this highly important +object would be a matter of very great ease: it appears to me +that the following measures would amply suffice. 1st, The entire +abolition of the actual courts of civil and criminal +jurisdiction; 2dly, The creation in their stead of one supreme +court, consisting of a chief justice and three puisne judges; +3dly. The establishment of trial by jury; and lastly, the +creation of a high court of appeals to consist of the governor in +council. The sittings of the supreme court should only be held at +Sydney, the seat of government; but circuits should be +established through-out the different districts of the colony, +and of its dependent settlements in Van Diemen's Land, and +commissions of assize, of oyer and terminer, and of general gaol +delivery should be issued by the governor to the judges at stated +periods, and they should determine among themselves their +respective circuits. These courts of assize should possess the +same power as belongs to similar courts in this country, and in +some respects it might be advisable that they should be vested +with a still more extensive authority. In the settlements in Van +Diemen's Land I am of opinion that no appeal should be allowed +from the decisions of the court of assize to the supreme court at +Sydney, unless the verdict should exceed three hundred pounds; +but it would of course be proper that the judges of this court +should possess the power of granting new trials, on the same +grounds on _which_ such are accorded in this country. In +judgments, however, for more than the above sum an appeal to the +supreme court should be admitted. + +With respect to the civil jurisdiction of the courts of assize +in the various districts belonging to Port Jackson, I think it +ought to be considerably curtailed, and that their decision +should not be final in any instance whatever; because the removal +of causes to the supreme court would be attended with a +comparatively trifling expense and inconvenience to the parties. +From the judgment of this latter court itself, I am of opinion +that an appeal should lie in all causes where the damages might +be estimated at more than one thousand pounds to the high court +of appeals, and that its decisions should be conclusive in all +pleas under the amount of three thousand pounds; but where the +matter in dispute exceeded this sum, that an appeal should lie +_en dernier resort_ to the king in council. If to these +courts were added a court of admiralty, possessing both a civil +and criminal jurisdiction, the system of jurisprudence would be +quite adequate to all the present necessities of the colony; +justice would be brought home to the doors of all his Majesty's +subjects in these remote and extended settlements; the delay and +expence now attendant on civil and criminal prosecutions, would +be in a great measure obviated; and the loyal and industrious +would be effectually protected, both from the secret depredations +of the midnight plunderer, and from the open dishonesty of the +unprincipled debtor: hundreds of indolent and profligate persons +who now prey in one way or the other on the hard earned savings +of thrift and frugality, would be compelled to resort to the +pursuits of industry for a subsistence; vice and immorality would +be checked, and the wealth, happiness, and virtue of the +community at large rapidly flourish and expand. + +Of all the changes or modifications which I have thus ventured +to recommend in the polity of this colony, the creation of a +council, the appointment of a colonial secretary, and these +alterations in the system of its jurisprudence, are the only +measures which would be attended with an increase of expence. The +establishment of a house of assembly, might of course be effected +without any cost whatever, and even the remodelling of the courts +of justice would be productive of but a very trifling addition to +the scale of the civil establishment. The three judges who at +present preside in the various courts, might be transferred to +the supreme court, which I have recommended to be substituted in +their stead; so that the appointment of one new judge is the +principal additional expense of which this reorganization of the +courts would be productive. It is true that it would be necessary +to place all the puisne judges on the same footing in point of +salary, and likewise to appoint an attorney general to act in +behalf of the crown, but all this might be liberally accomplished +for about six thousand pounds per annum. As to the court of +admiralty, the chief justice might be appointed to preside in it, +whenever circumstances might require it to be held; but this +necessity would occur so seldom that no additional salary need be +allowed him on this account. A few barristers would be necessary +besides the attorney general, to support the respectability of +these courts; but I consider that the practice arising out of +them, would be sufficiently extensive to repay a few gentlemen of +the bar very liberally for the sacrifices they would make in +emigrating to this colony, and that the government need not hold +out any pecuniary inducements to effect this object; although it +is only four or five years since two attornies were each allowed +L300 per annum by way of encouragement for them to go out +and practise in the courts at present established there. Since +that time, however, two more have voluntarily gone out to the +colony without any salary whatever, and have found that there is +sufficient litigation without the assisting liberality of the +government. An addition therefore of L6000 per annum to the +civil establishment of this colony, would effect the great +radical reformation in its polity, of which it has been the main +object of this essay to prove the wisdom and necessity; while on +the other hand, the savings which this country would derive from +the adoption of the various alterations proposed, would be found +not only in the almost immediate check which would be imposed on +the rapidly increasing expenditure of this colony, but also in +the great permanent reduction in it, which would be the eventual +consequence. The best means of accomplishing these highly +important ends shall be the subject of the following section. + +On the Means of reducing the Expences of this Colony. + +The establishment of a free constitution in the place of the +arbitrary authority of an individual, would superinduce so many +privileges of which the colonists have hitherto been debarred, +that they would not at first be fully sensible of the nature and +extent of their new acquisitions. The great facilities which +would be presented to agricultural and commercial enterprize, +would not at once be generally perceived, or extensively +embraced. Industry, though one of the most active principles of +human nature, settles when long restrained into a habit of +inertion, which cannot be instantly overcome. When the mounds +within which this principle has been long confined, are suddenly +removed, it will not of itself rush at once into every new +channel in its way, and stop only when it has found its own +level. It is not like fluids possessed of an inherent elasticity +and tendency to motion, but requires a directing impulse to set +and continue it in activity, and its activity will then only be +in proportion to the power and energy applied. It is not, +therefore, to be expected, because the great fundamental changes +which I have recommended in the polity of this colony would if +adopted, immediately create new sources of profitable occupation, +and completely unfetter the long restrained industry and +enterprize of its inhabitants, that they are at once to take full +advantage of their situation. There is a timidity in man, which +though not sufficient to curb the adventurous spirit of his +nature, tends materially to check and repress it. This principle +alone, therefore, would suffice to prevent the sober and discreet +part of the colonists from rushing headlong into the various new +avenues of profitable occupation that would be open to them; but +there is also in their poverty a still more effectual impediment. +Though labour is itself the origin and measure of all wealth, it +contributes but little to public or private advantage when left +to its own isolated and unconnected efforts. It is only when in a +state of union, and when subjected to the controul of a directing +intelligence, which can combine its energies, and render them +subservient to the attainment of some single end, that it becomes +capable of effecting great beneficial results. But this necessary +combination of labour can only be maintained by the help of +capital; and where such capital does not exist, these great +united efforts, the effect of the gradual accumulation of wealth, +and the main cause of the prosperity of all ancient and populous +communities, cannot be immediately organized and established. +This observation in its reference to this colony, it will be +seen, bears more particularly on the commercial privileges of +which its inhabitants would thus become possessed. These +undoubtedly would not be extensively embraced, until a very +considerable accumulation of capital should have arisen from the +progress and perfection of agriculture. This and manufactures are +therefore the only two immediate channels that remain for the +absorption of labour and the development of industry. The latter, +I have long since endeavoured to prove would never have occupied +any share of the attention of the colonists, had those +encouragements which the government had at their disposal, been +bestowed on the former. The manufacturing system, now so rapidly +gaining ground, has been one of the retributive consequences of +the short-sighted and illiberal policy of which this unfortunate +colony has been so long the victim, and will cease of itself, +whenever the existing impediments to the extension of agriculture +shall be removed, for the best of all reasons, because no person +will select a less profitable undertaking when a more profitable +one, and one requiring less skill, capital, and assiduity, lies +open to him. Agriculture, therefore, as soon as it shall be freed +from its present restraints, will afford the readiest and most +accessible channel for carrying off the large accumulation of +stagnant labour which at present infests this colony. It is this +mass of superfluous labourers, for whom there exists only a +fictitious demand, and with whom the government are at present +obliged to give a bounty in the shape of clothing and provisions, +to induce the settlers to accept their services, that constitutes +the main source of the great and increasing expenditure of this +colony; and it is to this point alone that all radical and +comprehensive schemes of retrenchment must be directed. The +impoverished condition of the colonists, to which circumstance +alone the expences of the government are mainly attributable, +arises from the means of employment not keeping pace with the +rapid increase in the population, and yet perhaps there is no +community in which equal encouragements to industry are to be +found. It has already been stated that within the last six years +the population of this colony has actually doubled itself, in +other words, it has advanced in this respect with a celerity +nearly four times as great as the United States of America,--a +country whose rapid numerical increase has been a subject of +astonishment to the whole world. It may therefore be perceived +that this unparalleled augmentation in the population of this +colony, must of itself afford an unprecedented stimulus to +agriculture;--a stimulus, perhaps, with which the agricultural +progress of any other country could not keep pace. It is well +known that Poland, which is the greatest corn country in Europe, +and whose whole strength is directed to the pursuits of +agriculture, does not export more than one month's consumption of +grain for its population. America exports somewhat less, but +would be able, without doubt, to export somewhat more, if the +collected force of its inhabitants were applied to the raising of +corn; yet still neither the one nor the other of these countries +would be enabled to support such a rapid increase of population +as is taking place in this colony. Such, however, is its +fertility that the vast encouragement afforded by this +unprecedented augmentation in its numbers (who, it must be +recollected, are for the most part adults, and not, as in the +case of old established societies, infants, and in consequence +not gifted with the full powers of consumption,) so prodigious, I +say, is its fertility, that there is far from a sufficient demand +for labour. The settlements in Van Diemen's Land alone, on the +occasion of the flood which took place in the month of March, +1817, at the Hawkesbury river, the principal agricultural +establishment, and where, for the causes I have already +explained, the colonists, in most instances, allow their stacks +to remain within the influence of these destructive inundations, +were able to supply Port Jackson with about twenty thousand +bushels of wheat, the whole of which was raised without any +probability of a market, and would have perished in the hands of +the growers, or at best, have become the food of hogs, had it not +been for the great loss of grain occasioned by the overflowing of +the above river. It may, therefore, be perceived, that the +colonists in Van Diemen's Land raise on the strength of the bare +possibility of a flood happening at the principal settlement, +very nearly as much corn as is required for their own +consumption; and there can be no doubt if their industry was +stretched to the utmost point of extension, that they would be +enabled to export at least three times as much as they thus +casually furnished in the year 1817. The settlements, however, at +Port Jackson, cannot pretend to equal fertility of soil, yet even +their productive powers are considerably cramped by the want of +an adequate market. How this most important object might be +effected, and profitable occupation created for all the labour +that is now, or may be hereafter disposable in the colony, I have +already explained at considerable length; and it is under the +presumption that my recommendations on this head will be deemed +worthy of adoption, that I shall hereafter submit a plan for +gradually diminishing the colonial expenditure. + +The readiest way of accomplishing this object would be to +abolish at once the system of victualling and clothing the +convicts from the king's stores; but this is impracticable and +must be done judiciously, and in proportion only to the gradually +increasing demand for labour. This mode of retrenchment, indeed, +has already been pushed further than circumstances have +warranted. The ticket of leave system, by which convicts are +permitted to go on their own hands, and administer in any way +that they can to their own wants, though first intended as a +reward to the really reformed and meritorious convict, has of +late years been resorted to as the most efficacious means of +lessening the expences of the government. And hence the very end +and aim of this colony, the reformation of the lawless gang who +are transported to its shores, have been postponed to a paltry +saving, unworthy the character of the nation, and subversive in a +great measure of the philanthropic intentions with which the +legislature were originally actuated. The alarming increase of +crime that has taken place within the last few years, is the +re-action of this pernicious and mercenary system, which has +already been carried to such an extent as to endanger the lives +and property of every honest and well disposed inhabitant of the +colony. This system, so injurious of itself, has been powerfully +seconded by the lax and indiscriminate manner in which convict +servants have been assigned to the various settlers. Being in +most instances freed or emancipated convicts themselves, many of +them possess but little character, and in fact only accept the +different indulgences that are held out to colonization, with a +view to the immediate profit which they can derive from them, and +without any intention of performing the remote conditions which +they tacitly or expressly enter into with the government. So long +as their servants are victualled and clothed at the cost of the +crown, they in general avail themselves fully of their services, +but the moment this great indulgence ceases, they generally +compound with them, and in consideration of the performance of a +stipulated quantity of labour free of expence, grant them an +exemption from their employment for the remainder of the year, +and consequently, a licence to prowl about the country, and +plunder at every convenient opportunity, the honest and deserving +part of the community. And although the present governor has +taken every step that could be devised for the suppression of +this pernicious practice, yet in consequence of the thinly +inhabited state of the colony, and the remoteness of the various +agricultural settlements from one another, circumstances which +prevent the appointment of proper persons to detect and punish +such violations of public orders, his efforts have been in a +great degree unavailing. He is well aware of the nature of the +disease under which the colony is languishing, but he has not the +power to administer the only effectual remedy. Create but a +sufficient market for the colonial produce, and labour will then +become too valuable to be suffered thus to remain in inactivity. +It will then and not before be the interest of the settlers to +push their servants' exertions to the utmost. The competition +that will then exist for the products of labour, will be the best +guarantee for its proper application. The method which I am about +to submit for the suppression of this alarming state of anarchy +and danger, will, it must be confessed, occasion a very +considerable immediate addition of expence; but this is necessary +to rectify the great and increasing evils of the ticket of leave +system, and to insure the honest and laborious colonist that +security of person and property which the injudicious extension, +within these few years, of this narrow-minded system has so +greatly endangered. Without the enjoyment of a full and +sufficient protection, the colonists, however enlightened may be +the future conduct of their government in other respects, will +make but a timid and feeble advance in the various departments of +internal industry. A certainty of reaping the fruits of their +exertions, is indeed an indispensable preliminary to the +resumption of those active habits which have been so long +paralyzed, and a recurrence to which is the main stock whereon +all _shoots_ of future retrenchment must be engrafted. Under +a hope, therefore, that an internal legislature, which I again +insist can alone fully provide for the present and future +necessities of this colony will be established, I venture to +propose the following plan for eventually diminishing the scale +of its expenditure: + +First, That the ticket of leave system, except in as far as +its continuance may be really essential to the promotion of good +conduct in the convicts, should be abolished. + +Secondly, That the ticket of leave men, and all the convicts +now in the service of individuals, whether victualled and clothed +at the expence of the crown or not, should be called in and +re-assigned, either to their present masters or to others, and +that these should be allowed with them the premium hereafter to +be named; but that they should be previously in every instance +required to give security to the government, that such convict +servants should not on any account be permitted to be absent from +their respective employments. + +Thirdly, That instead of the present mode of victualling and +clothing the convicts from the king's stores, the settlers should +be allowed a stipulated premium with them, one fifth less than +the actual cost of maintaining them, and that this premium should +diminish one fifth yearly from the date of the changes in the +colonial polity, which have been recommended. + +Fourthly, That the price now directed to be paid convict +servants for their extra time, should be reduced from L10 +in the men, to L5; and from L7 to L3 +10s. in the women: and that this reduction should be +subtracted from the amount of the above premium, and carried to +the credit of the government. + +Fifthly, That all such convicts as may arrive in the colony +within the five years next ensuing the above period, other than +those who may be required for the government works, should be in +like manner assigned to deserving applicants, with the decreased +premium of the year in which they may arrive. + +Sixthly, That at the expiration of the above period of five +years, the whole of the government works which are now for the +most part carried on by convicts, victualled and clothed from the +king's stores, should be performed by contract. + +Seventhly, That the utmost encouragement should be held out by +the government to the emigration of wealthy individuals to the +colony; and that with a view to effect this object, not only a +passage should be furnished them free of expence in the various +transports, which are annually sent thither, but that also the +quantity of land to be hereafter granted them, should be +increased in proportion to their capital, from eight hundred +acres (the present customary grant) up to five thousand. + +Lastly, That the unappropriated lands most eligibly situated +for the purposes of colonization, should be surveyed and marked +out into sections, each containing one square mile, or six +hundred and forty acres; that each of these sections should be +again subdivided into four parts; that thirty-six of these +sections should as in America form a township; that at stated +periods the lands so surveyed should be set up to auction, and +sold to the best bidder, provided the price offered for them +should exceed one dollar per acre; if not, that they should be +retained until they could be sold for such price at some +subsequent period; that the same credit should be given for the +purchase of these lands as is given in America, and the same +discount on ready money; and that the amount of such sales should +go to the Police Fund, and be employed in defraying the expences +of the colony. + +The object of the foregoing propositions must be too evident +from the preliminary remarks which I have made, to need any +extended illustration; nevertheless, it may not be altogether +inexpedient to say a few words in further explanation of them to +such persons as have bestowed no portion of their attention on +the circumstances and situation of this colony. The first, +second, and third articles speak for themselves. The remedy here +proposed for the alarming evils, which I have so copiously traced +to the causes of their origin and continuance, will certainly +occasion the government for the next five years a very great +additional expence; but after the most mature reflection on the +present impoverished state of this colony, and the deeply rooted +habits of idleness and vice, which a fifteen years' deprivation +of the most important civil and political rights has occasioned, +I can devise none besides that could be applied with any +probability of effecting a radical and permanent cure. The +arrangement recommended in the third article, I mean the +substitution of a premium for the present mode of clothing and +victualling the convicts, would be highly favourable to the +agricultural interests, both by limiting to the cultivators of +the soil, the supply of the food consumed by their servants, and +by sparing them the trouble and expence of sending their carts +for it to the king's stores, an exemption which would be attended +with a considerable saving to such of them as inhabit districts +remote from the towns: it would also be a source of economy to +the government, by enabling them to make a great reduction in the +commissariat department. The only objection I can anticipate to +this article, is, that it fixes an arbitrary rate of reduction on +the premium to be allowed the settlers with the convicts; and +that this rate may prove greater than the advance which the +colony may make in the various avenues of internal industry. This +may possibly be the case, although I consider the period I have +named sufficiently protracted to allow the colonists due time to +ascertain the nature and extent of their newly acquired +privileges, and to profit by them. If, however, it were +practicable, it would certainly be more eligible that they +themselves should become the arbiters of the abatement which +should annually take place in the premium to be given with the +convicts. I do not, however, well know how this desideratum could +be effected, unless the grand juries during the circuit of the +courts in the different districts, could be empowered to inquire +into and determine the increase that may take place in the demand +for labour, and regulate the price of it, or in other words the +premium to be given with it accordingly. To detract as far as +possible from the increased expence which would follow the +adoption of the measures recommended in the first, second, and +third articles, is the object of the fourth. By making the +abatement here proposed in the amount of the wages now directed +to be paid by the settlers to their convict servants, and +carrying it to the credit of the government, an immediate saving +of L5 per man, and L3 10s. per woman would be +effected. And if the calculation be accurate that each male +convict victualled and clothed at the expence of the crown costs +L18, and each female L12 10s. it will be seen +that above one fourth more might be supported by the government +in the manner here recommended, and that likewise a fifth might +be annually added to the number, without occasioning any increase +whatever in the colonial expenditure. The weight too of this mode +of retrenchment would not fall on the settler, and by operating +as a check to agriculture perhaps prolong the period when the +various departments of industry will be enabled to absorb the +large mass of labour which is annually regurgitated on the shores +of this colony, but on the convicts themselves, to whose +reformation indeed, (the primary object of its foundation) it is +essential that every incentive to the renewal of their ancient +disorderly and profligate habits should be withdrawn. Even with +this diminished scale of wages, the situation of the convicts +would be far preferable to that of the labouring class in this +country. L2 10s. to the men, and L1 +10s. to the women, would then remain, independently of +their food and clothing, which is surely quite sufficient for the +"_menus plaisirs_" of a set of persons who are supposed to +be smarting under the lash of the law. Article fifth needs no +explanation. Article sixth, contemplates the saving that might be +effected in the public works of the government, by exchanging at +the expiration of the period, when the bounty to be allowed to +settlers with convicts shall cease, the present mode of carrying +them on by a body of men, victualled and clothed at the expence +of the crown, for the more economical plan of contracting for +them with the lowest bidder. I limit the commencement of this +method of retrenchment to the above period, because so long as a +necessity exists for giving a bounty with convicts, there can be +no doubt that it would be judicious for the government to profit +as far as possible by the labour of persons whom even in the +employment of individuals, they would be in a great measure +obliged to support. But the moment this necessity shall cease, it +is equally indubitable that a considerable saving might be +effected by carrying on the public works by contract. Where a +body of fourteen or fifteen hundred convicts are employed under +the superintendence of the most active and upright man, there +will always be a system of idleness and plunder, which his +assiduity will never be able entirely to baffle. Out of the +immense number of minor agents on whose intelligence and +integrity he would be obliged to place a considerable degree of +dependence, it is not readily to be believed, however great may +be his activity and discrimination, that he would not be +frequently deceived, and that those very men on whom he most +relied to suppress the dishonest inclinations of others, would +not themselves occasionally profit by the facilities to plunder +and peculation, which the confidence they enjoyed might throw in +their way. That such is, and always has been the case in this +colony, no person at all conversant with its real state, can have +any hesitation in asserting; and consequently that the +substitution of contracts in the place of the present mode of +conducting the public works, would become a very important source +of economy at the period in question. Article the seventh, is +intended to encourage emigration to the colony, and to turn to +its shores some portion of the immense numbers who are annually +withdrawing from this country to the United States of America. It +appears almost inexplicable how the government can look on, and +behold the thousands who are propelled by various causes to quit +their native land, and not make some vigorous efforts, if not to +check this strong tide of emigration, at least to divert it to +our colonies, where in general it is so much required, and might +become of such immense and permanent utility to the empire. It is +true that of those who thus abandon the land of their +forefathers, many are actuated by political animosities, and +could not by any means be induced to settle in any of our +colonies. But it is not less certain that there are others, and +that the majority are of this class, whom mere distress and +inability to provide for the growing wants of their families, +unalloyed with any political feelings whatever, most reluctantly +drive to seek an asylum in America, and who deeply lament the +necessity of betaking themselves to a country where they and +their children may one day be compelled to draw their paricidal +swords against the mother that gave them birth. It cannot indeed +be denied that the government to prevent this horrible +alternative, have for a long time held out considerable +encouragements to persons emigrating to Canada; but besides that +the policy of thus peopling at so considerable an expence a +country which in the natural course of events must become an +integral member of the American union, is at least questionable, +it is well known that three-fourths of those who are thus induced +to settle in Canada, end by removing to the United States. The +intense severity of the winters, and the unavoidable suspension +of the pursuits of agriculture during six months in the year, +with the habits and language of the Canadians, so repulsive and +annoying to the generality of Englishmen, sufficiently account +for this circumstance, without taking into computation the +superior advantages of climate and soil which the greater part of +the United States is represented as possessing. If the impolicy, +therefore, of encouraging emigration to Canada be disputed, still +the inefficiency of the means employed to attain the end +contemplated by the government ought to decide them to try some +other expedient to prevent so large a stock of British industry +and capital from thus adding to the resources of a nation, who is +already the most formidable, as she is the most rancorous on the +list of our enemies. No measure, perhaps, that could be adopted +would tend so effectually to the accomplishment of this object, +as holding out the great encouragement specified in this article +to all such as may settle in this colony. Possessed as it is of a +most salubrious and diversified climate, fertile soil, and +unbounded extent of territory, it evidently contains every +requisite for the formation of a great and flourishing community; +and whenever it shall be blessed with a free government will +offer much greater facilities for the development of industry and +the acquisition of wealth, than are to be found in the United +States. Until the colony, however, shall possess this fundamental +privilege, every attempt of the government to divert the current +of emigration thither from America must prove in a great measure +unavailing. A free constitution is the first want of those who +have known the blessings of one; and no prospects of profit to an +honourable and independent mind can compensate for its loss. +There can be little doubt, therefore, that as soon as this +indispensable preliminary to general emigration shall be granted, +thousands of persons will embark for this colony, and continue to +contribute to the wealth and power of their native country, who +would otherwise become citizens of her most formidable and +inveterate rival. + +The adoption also of the measures here recommended, would have +a sensible effect in diminishing the expenditure of this colony; +and would amply compensate for any loss which the government +might sustain by affording settlers a passage thither, free of +expence, in the transports. I commenced this section by an +attempt to prove that the great immediate hindrance to the +employment of the large mass of unoccupied labour in the various +new departmeuts of internal industry that will be created by the +establishment of a free government, will arise from the want of +capital; and the premium I have recommended to be granted with +convicts for the first five years ensuing the proposed change in +the colonial polity, is intended to impart an _artificial_ +vigour into the community, and to allow of that accumulation of +wealth, which may afterwards suffice of itself to keep in +solution all the disposable labour of the colony. Every +accession, therefore, of capital that may take place, will +contribute to swell the colonial stock to that extent which is +necessary for the complete occupation of the convicts, and thus +become the means of accelerating the period when the government +will be entirely emancipated from the necessity of allowing the +settlers a bounty with them. + +The last article scarcely needs any explanation. Whenever that +extensive emigration of capitalists which I confidently +anticipate would follow the establishment of a free government +shall take place, the sale of the crown lands would evidently +become a source of considerable profit, and would go a long way +towards defraying the expences of the colony. It would also be +the means of bringing numbers of rich speculators thither, who +wonld not think of emigrating even for the increased indulgences +which I have recommended in the foregoing article. A man of +fortune would then be enabled to vest his money in land to the +exact extent that he might desire; whereas at present, he must +either be content with the portion assigned him, or else purchase +by _dribblets_ the _farms_ that may become vacant in +the vicinity of his estate, and after all perhaps, be annoyed by +having the possessions of others in the midst of his own. It is +true that individuals, who do not possess sufficient land for the +support of their flocks and herds, are allowed to feed them on +the unappropriated lands, and can therefore increase their stock +to any extent they may please. But the rapid progress of +colonization places the crown lands every day at a greater +distance from the original settlements, and occasions a constant +necessity for receding, so that at last that part of his stock +which the farmer cannot feed at home is gradually removed to an +inconvenient distance, and no longer can have the benefit of his +personal superintendence. With men of capital, therefore, the +class of whom it has been seen that the colony is most in need, +this sale of the crown lands at half the price which is demanded +for land in America, would prove a very powerful stimulus to +emigration, and would consequently have a twofold operation in +diminishing the expenditure of this colony; viz. by filling the +coffers of the Police Fund, and by occasioning that accession of +capital, which I have before shewn to be essential before the +government can be freed from the burden of supporting the +convicts. + +On the Advantages which the Colony offers for +Emigration. + +After the gloomy picture which I have drawn of the actual +condition of the colony; after having represented both its +agricultural and commercial interests as being already not only +in a state of impair, but also of increasing dilapidation and +ruin, it may appear somewhat paradoxical that I should attempt to +wind up the account with an enumeration of the advantages which +it holds out to emigration. If due consideration, however, be +given to the nature of the ingredients of which the agricultural +body is composed; if it be recollected that it consists +principally of persons, who have been since their earliest years +habituated to every sort of vice and debauchery; of persons bred +up in cities, and unacquainted with the arts of husbandry, who +had, therefore, to contend against the combined force of an +inveterate propensity to the profligate indulgences of their +_ancient_ mode of life, and of utter ignorance of the +laborious occupations and thrifty arts of their _new_: I say +if all these serious impediments to success be impartially +weighed, it will be seen that the _anomaly_ is rather +_apparent_ than _real_. Nevertheless I do not mean to +imply that this colony or its dependencies, present at this +moment any very flattering prospects for the _mere +agriculturist_. That the _skilful farmer_ would be +enabled to obtain an _independent_ and _comfortable +subsistence_ is, however, _indubitable_; and the larger +his family, provided they were of sufficient age to afford him an +effectual co-operation, the greater would be his chance of a +successful establishment. Hundreds of this laborious class of +people, who in spite of unremitting toil and frugality, find +themselves every day getting behind-hand with the world, would +undoubtedly better their condition by emigrating to this colony, +if there were only a probability that they would be enabled to go +on from day to day as they are doing here. In this country they +are at best but _tenants_ of the soil they cultivate; +whereas there they would be _proprietors_, and the _mere +advance_ which would be taking place in the value of their +farms, would before many years not only render them +_independent_ but even _wealthy_. Of the truth of this +assertion, we shall be fully convinced by referring to the price +of land on the banks of the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers, the +only parts which can be said to be even tolerably colonized. It +has already been stated that as far as the river Hawkesbury is +navigable, the unimproved land is worth five pounds per acre, and +improved land double this amount. This land was at first of no +value whatever; because in the infancy of societies, so long as +there is an unlimited scope of land of the first quality, which +any one may occupy as far as his occasions require, it is evident +that there would be no purchasers; since it is absurd to imagine +that any one would buy that which he could obtain for nothing. It +is only, as Mr. Ricardo has demonstrated, when land of an +inferior quality is brought into cultivation, and when the +difference in the produce of the two sorts gives the occupier of +the one a superiority over the occupier of the other, and renders +it as eligible for a person to cultivate land of the first +description as a tenant, and to pay the proprietor the difference +of produce by way of rent, as to be himself the proprietor of +land of the second description; or when the situation of the +different appropriated tracts of land does not admit of the +conveyance of their produce to market at an equal cost; and thus +again gives the owners of those farms which are more contiguous, +an advantage over the owners of those which are more remote: I +say it is only when societies have made that progress, which +begets one or other of these contingencies, or both, that land is +of any value whatever. In the course, therefore, of thirty-one +years, the tract of land in question, taking the unimproved part +as our criterion, since the improvements made in that portion of +it, which is in a state of cultivation, may be considered +tantamount to the difference in value between the one and the +other, has evidently risen to this enormous price, from having +been of no worth whatever: or in other words, each acre of land +has increased in value during the interval that has elapsed since +the foundation of the colony at the rate of 3s. 2 +1/2d. per annum; and this too under the most impolitic and +oppressive system, to which any colony, perhaps, was ever +subjected. How much greater then, will be the future rise in the +value of landed property, if, as there is now every reason to +hope from the attention which the government are at this moment +paying to the state of this colony, the whole of the disabilities +under which its inhabitants have been so long groaning, should at +length be abandoned? Without taking at all into the estimate the +immediate amelioration which a radical change in the polity of +this colony, would occasion in the condition of the agricultural +body; without depending on the probability that it will soon be +in the power of the laborious and frugal settler to rise rapidly +to wealth and independence; it must be evident that the mere +increase which is yearly taking place in the value of landed +property, affords of itself the strongest inducement to +emigration; since if it does not hold out to the industrious man +the prospect of acquiring immediate wealth, it relieves him from +all apprehensions for his family, should a premature destiny +overtake himself. He at least knows that every succeeding year +will be augmenting in a rapid manner the value of his farm, and +that the same spot which administers to his and their present +wants, cannot fail to suffice for their future. This is of itself +a most consolatory prospect; it at all events prevents the +present good from being embittered with any dread of future evil; +it permits the industrious man the tranquil enjoyment of the +fruits of his labours, and rescues him from the necessity of +hoarding up against the approach of gathering calamity, against +the stormy season of impending poverty. + +The amelioration, that would take place in the condition of +the mere labourer, who should emigrate to this colony, without +funds adequate to the formation of an agricultural establishment, +would not be so considerable. Still there can be no doubt that +the honest and industrious man would always be able to provide +for himself and his family a sufficiency of food and clothing; +comforts which with his utmost endeavours he can hardly obtain in +this country without having recourse to parochial relief. He +would, therefore, at all events emancipate himself from this +humiliating,--this demoralizing necessity; for although there is +confessedly a greater portion of labour in the colony than can at +present be maintained in activity, any person who might emigrate +thither voluntarily would easily find employment, when those who +are, or have been under the operation of the law would seek for +it in vain. A good character is a jewel of greater value there +than in this country, because it is more difficult to be met +with; and consequently all the advantages which it procures its +possessor in the one place, it will insure him at least in a +two-fold measure in the other. + +The colony offers very little encouragement to the +manufacturer. The manufacturing interests are not at present in +the most prosperous situation; and if the government should, as +there is every probability, at length adopt those measures which +are called for by every consideration of justice and expediency, +a few years will annihilate them entirely. To this class +therefore, with reference both to the proprietor and workman, a +removal to this colony would undoubtedly be prejudicial. + +For the artisan and mechanic, who are skilled in the works of +utility, rather than of luxury, there is, as it has been already +remarked, no part of the world, perhaps, which affords an equal +chance of success. To any, therefore, who have the means of +transporting themselves and families to this colony, the removal +would be in the highest degree advantageous. They could not fail +to find immediate employment, and receive a more liberal return +for their labour, than they would be able to procure elsewhere. +The blacksmith, carpenter, cooper, stone-mason, brick-layer, +brick-maker, wheel and plough-wright, harness-maker, tanner, +shoe-maker, taylor, cabinet-maker, ship-wright, sawyer, etc. etc. +would very soon become independent, if they possessed sufficient +prudence to save the money which they would earn. For the master +artisan and mechanic, the prospect of course is still more +cheering; since the labour they would be enabled to command would +be proportioned to the extent of their capital. + +The advantages, however, which the colony offers to this class +of emigrants, _great_ as they undoubtedly are, when +considered in an isolated point of view, are absolutely of _no +weight_ when placed in the balance of comparison against those +which it offers to the capitalist, who has the means to embark +largely in the breeding of fine woolled sheep. It may be safely +asserted that of _all_ the _various openings_ which the +world at this moment affords for the _profitable investment_ +of money, there is not _one equally inviting_ as this +_single channel_ of _enterprize_ offered by the colony. +The proof of this assertion I shall rest on a calculation so +plain and intelligible, as I hope to be within the scope of the +comprehension of all. Before we proceed, however, it is necessary +to settle a few points, as the data on which this calculation is +to be founded; viz. the value of wool, the weight of the fleece, +and the number of sheep to be kept in a flock. With regard to the +value of the wool grown in this colony, the last importations of +the best quality averaged five shillings and sixpence per pound +in the fleece. This was sold last month; [March, 1819] and as the +market was at that time overcharged, and as moreover the best +description of wool yet produced in this colony, is far from +having attained the perfection of which it is capable, and which +a few more crosses with the pure breed will undoubtedly effect in +it, it may be safely concluded, that this is the lowest price at +which this sort of wool will ever be sold. This will be more +evident, if we contemplate the gradual rise in value, which the +wool from the same gentleman's flocks has been experiencing +during the last four years. In 1816, it was sold for 2s. +6d. per pound in the fleece; in March, 1818, for +3s. 6d. per pound; in July, 1818, for 4s. +4d. per pound; and in March, 1819, for 5s. +6d. per pound in the fleece. For some of this last +quantity of wool, properly sorted and washed, Mr. Hurst of Leeds +was offered 9s. per pound, and refused it. To take the +future average price of wool at 5s. 6d. per pound, +is, therefore, forming an estimate, which in all probability will +fall far short of the truth. However, let this be one of our +data; and let us allow three pounds, which is also an estimate +equally moderate, as the average weight of each fleece. The +weight of a yearling's fleece may be taken at three quarters of a +pound, and the value of the wool at 2s. 9d. per +pound. The number of ewes generally kept in a flock by the best +breeders are about 330, and we will suppose that the emigrant has +the means of purchasing a flock of this size of the most improved +breed: this with a sufficient number of tups may be had for +L1000. These points being determined, let us now proceed to +our calculation. + +[Table not included in this text version--see html version. Ed.] + +It would be useless to prosecute this calculation, since any +person who may be anxious to ascertain its further results, may +easily follow it up himself. It will be seen that with the most +liberal allowances for all manner of expenses, casualties and +deteriorations, capital invested in this channel will yield the +first year an interest of 131/2 per cent. besides +experiencing itself an increase of nearly 24 per cent.; that the +second year it will yield an interest of nearly 25 per cent. +besides experiencing itself a further increase of rather more +than 371/2 per cent.; and that the third year it will yield +an interest of nearly 37 per cent. besides experiencing itself an +additional increase of about 421/2 per cent. or, in other +words, money sunk in the rearing of sheep in this colony will, +besides paying an interest of about 751/2 _per cent_. +in the _course_ of _three years_, _rather more than +double itself_. Here then is a mode of investing capital by +which the proprietor may insure himself not only an annual +interest, the ratio of which would augment every year in the most +astonishing progression, but by which the capital itself also +would experience an advance still more rapid and extraordinary. +Any person, therefore, who has the means of embarking in this +speculation, could not fail with common attention to realize a +large fortune in a few years. His chance of so doing would be +still greater if he should happen to be acquainted with the +management of sheep; but this is by no means an +_indispensable_ qualification; for such is the fineness of +the climate, both in the settlements in New Holland and Van +Diemen's Land, that all those precautions which are necessary to +be observed in this country, in order to shelter this animal from +the inclemency of the seasons, are there, quite superfluous: +sheds, indeed, are not only useless, but injurious; the flocks +never do so well as when they are continually exposed to the +weather. It is only necessary that the folds should be shifted +every other day, or if the sheep are kept by night in yards, to +take care that _these_ are daily swept out. + +The extent to which capital might thus be invested is +boundless; since if the breeder did not possess as much land as +would feed the number of sheep that he might wish to keep, he +would only have to send his flocks beyond the limits of +colonization, and retire with them as the tide of population +approached. His hurdles, and the rude huts or tents of his +shepherds, might always be removed with very little difficulty +and expense; and if his and his neighbours' flocks should happen +to come into contact, such is the immensity of the wilderness +which would lie before him, that he might exclaim in the language +of Abram to Lot: "Let there be no strife I pray thee between me +and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herds-men; for we be +brethren. Is not the whole land before us? Separate thyself I +pray thee from me. If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will +go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will +go to the left." Such, should any of these disputes occur, might +always be their amicable termination. There is, and will be for +ages to come, whatever may be the extent of emigration, more land +than can possibly be required. The speculation, therefore, of +growing wool can meet with no checks from the want of pasturage +in the colony, and it is equally improbable that it can be +impeded by the want of a market in this country. It is well known +that the Saxon wool cannot be sold under the present prices +without loss to the growers. The severity of the climate of +Saxony, renders it indispensable for the sheep-holders to take a +variety of precautions which are not only useless in this colony, +but would even prove highly detrimental to the constitution of +this valuable animal. In the former country, the flocks are kept +almost invariably in sheds of a very costly construction both by +day and night, and are fed almost wholly upon hay; in the latter, +they are always better when kept in the open air and fed on the +spontaneous herbage of the forest. The mildness of the seasons, +therefore, spares the colonists two immense sources of expence, +and will without doubt in the end, enable them to undersell and +ruin the Saxon wool growers; since the only point of superiority +these latter can pretend to is their greater contiguity to the +market, and this, in consequence of the extreme value of the +commodity, is of too trifling import to demand consideration. The +freight of wool from the colony, has already been reduced to +three pence per pound, which is very little more than is paid for +the transport of wool from Saxony; and all the other expences, +with the exception of insurance, as brokerage, store-room, etc. +are precisely the same. Upon these grounds, therefore, I am +contented to rest the support of my assertion, that the world +does not at present contain so advantageous, and I might also +add, so extensive an opening for the investment of capital as the +one in question. + +With reference to the commercial prospects presented by this +colony, they are certainly much more limited, but still of very +considerable scope. The extraordinary fluctuations which are +incessantly taking place in the prices of all sorts of +merchandize, are evidently capable of being turned to great +account by a skilful and cool calculator. Any person of this +character possessed of sufficient capital to enable him to buy +goods when the market should happen to be in a state of +depression, and to keep them in his store till the glut should +pass by, could not fail to realize a rapid fortune. The only +event that could prevent his success, would be an imprudent +avidity. If he should be once tempted to go out of his depth, so +that he would be compelled to sell whether at gain or loss, in +order to make good his payments, he would most probably sink +never more to rise. But if he would never speculate beyond the +compass of his actual means, he might easily clear fifty per +cent. per annum on the amount of his trading capital. + +Were I asked to particularize any avenue of industry not +strictly included in any of the foregoing general classes, in +which persons inclined to emigrate to this colony, might embark +with a fair chance of success, I should say that any one who had +the means of taking out a steam engine of six or +eight-horse-power with the requisite machinery for sawing boards, +would make it answer his purposes very well; that a timber +merchant also, possessing a capital of three or four thousand +pounds, might employ his funds very advantageously by +establishing a timber yard; and that a skilful brewer who could +command five thousand pounds and upwards, would succeed either at +Sydney or Hobart Town. It would be necessary, however, that he +should understand the process of making malt, since there are no +regular maltsters yet in the colony, and that he should also grow +his own hops.* Until, therefore, he had established a hop +plantation sufficient for his concern it would be requisite that +he should make arrangements to be supplied with hops from this +country. There are already several breweries in New South Wales, +but the beer which is made in them is so bad, that many thousand +pounds worth of porter and ale imported from this country, is +annually consumed in these settlements. This is in some measure +occasioned by the inferiority of the barley grown at Port +Jackson; but more, I am inclined to believe, by the want of skill +in the brewers. If the indifferent quality of the beer, however, +be attributable to the badness of the barley, this impediment to +success would be removed by emigrating to Van Diemen's Land; +since the barley raised in both the settlements in this island is +equal to the best produced in this country. I should also say, +that the skilful dairyman who could take out with him a capital +of from one to two thousand pounds, would do well in any of these +settlements, but more particularly in New South Wales. Butter, as +it has been already remarked, is still as high as 2s. +6d. per pound, notwithstanding the immense increase which +has taken place in the black cattle. The extreme dearness of this +article arises principally from the natural grasses not being +sufficiently nutritive to keep milch cattle in good heart, and +from the colonists not having yet got into the proper method of +providing artificial food. Any one, therefore, who would +introduce the dairy system practised in this country, could +hardly fail of finding his account in it. + +[* The hop thrives very well at Port Jackson: there +are several flourishing plantations owned by the brewers. This +plant has not, I believe, yet been introduced into the southern +settlements; but as they bear a much greater affinity to this +country in point of climate than Port Jackson, no doubt can be +entertained that it might at least be cultivated there with equal +certainty of success.] + +These various advantages which this colony and its +dependencies offer for emigration, have many points of +superiority over any to which the United States of America can +lay claim; if we even admit the truth of all that the most +enthusiastic admirers of that country have written, respecting +its flourishing condition. Mr. Birbeck*, whose "Letters," if not +"Notes," contain strong marks of an exaggerated anticipation of +their resources and capabilities, has not, though evidently under +the influence of feelings quite incompatible with a correct and +disinterested judgment, ventured to rate his imaginary maximum of +the profit to be derived from farming in the Illinois, (which +appears to be the principal magnet of attraction possessed by the +United States,) so high as I have proved by a calculation, to +which I defy any one to attach the character of hyperbolical, +that the investment of capital in the growth of fine wool in this +colony will infallibly produce. This too, although certainly the +most inviting and extensive channel of enterprize which it +contains, is not its only ground of preference: it has many +temptations besides for emigration, of which the United States +are wholly destitute: among these the following are perhaps the +most considerable. + +[* See Mr. Cobbett's Letter to Mr. Birbeck on his +"Letters from the Illinois."] + +First, Any person of respectability upon emigrating to this +colony, is given as much land as would cost him four hundred +pounds in the United States. + +Secondly, He is allowed as many servants as he may require; +and the wages which he is bound to pay them, are not one third +the amount of the price of labour in America. + +Thirdly, He, his family and servants, are victualled at the +expence of the government for six months. + +These are three considerations of great importance to the +emigrant, and quite peculiar to this colony: added to which the +value of the produce of this gratuitous land and labour is three +times as great as in the Illinois, as will be seen by a +comparison of the prices of produce there as given by Messrs. +Birbeck and Fearon, and the prices of similar produce as stated +in the first part of this work. It is true that there is not the +same unlimited market as in America; but it must be evident, +that, if the price of labour were even equal, the colonist who +could dispose of one third of his crops, would be in a better +condition than if he were established in the Illinois, and could +find vent for the whole. The market, however, has never been +circumscribed to this degree in periods of the greatest +abundance; and the immense arrivals of convicts, that have been +daily taking place for the last three years, have increased the +consumptive powers of the colony so considerably, that there has +at most been but a very trifling surplus in the barns of the +farmers at the close of the year. On the other hand, all articles +of foreign growth and manufacture are in general much cheaper +than in the Illinois, and the other remote parts of the American +Union, provided the purchaser has ready money, and is not under +the necessity of having recourse to secondary agents for goods on +long credit. + +Here, then, are many powerful reasons why persons bent on +emigration should prefer this colony to America. The only point +is whether the latter can throw any weightier arguments into the +opposite _scale_. What may be urged on the other side of the +question, may, I apprehend, be comprised under these two heads: +first, the greater contiguity of the United States to this +country, and the consequent ease and cheapness with which +emigration thither may be effected; and, secondly, the +superiority of their government. + +The first of these points merits very little consideration, +except in the instance of those who have not the means of +choosing between the two countries. If a person only possess the +power of removing to that which is the more contiguous, +eligibility is out of the question: he is no longer a free agent. +But the difference in the cost of emigrating is far from being so +considerable as might be imagined on a mere view of their +comparative distances from this country. I understand that a +gentleman of great experience and respectability in the +commercial world, has presented a calculation to the committee of +the House of Commons, which is now occupied with an inquiry into +the state of this colony, from which it appears that a family, +consisting of a man, his wife and two children, with five tons +for their accommodation and for the reception of their baggage, +might emigrate to the colony for one hundred pounds, inclusive of +every contingent expense, provided a sufficient number of +families could be collected to freight a ship. The same gentleman +calculates that a single man might be taken out thither for +thirty pounds.* The difference, therefore, in the mere cost of +emigrating to the two places is so trifling, that the superior +locality of the one cannot be admitted as any sort of set off +against the superior advantages of the other. With respect, +however, to the last plea, that has been adduced in favour of +emigration to the United States, the superiority which they +possess in a free government, it must be admitted, that this is a +decisive ground of preference, and a blessing to which the +greatest pecuniary advantages cannot be considered a sufficient +counterpoise. And if it be imagined that the present arbitrary +system of government is not drawing to a conclusion; if it be +apprehended that it has not yet reached its climax of oppression +and iniquity, and that it will be enforced until all who are +within the sphere of its influence are reduced to a state of +moral degradation and infamy, and the colony becomes one vast +stye of abomination and depravity; the emigrant will do well to +discard from his mind every mercenary consideration, and to turn +away with disgust from all prospects of gain; so long as they are +only to be realized by entering into so contagious and +demoralizing an association. But if he believe that the hour is +at hand when the present system is to be abolished; when +oppression is to be hurled from the car in which it has driven +triumphantly over prostrate justice, virtue, and religion; and +when the dominion of right and morality is to be asserted and +established; then I have no hesitation in recommending him to +give a preference to this colony. In the agonies of approaching +dissolution, the efforts of tyranny will be feeble and impotent. +Moral corruption, though the inevitable result of a voluntary +submission to the will, is not the consequence of an indignant +and impatient sufferance of its rule for a season; and the chance +of personal injury would be still more precarious and uncertain. +Under the most arbitrary governments the vengeance of the despot +has seldom been known to extend beyond the circle of his court; +his victims have been among the ambitious candidates for power +and distinction. The retired pursuits of unobtrusive industry +have proved a sanctuary, which has remained inviolate in all +ages. + +[* See a calculation in the Appendix made by an eminent merchant +in the city; from which it appears that a single man, on the +ration allowed sailors on board of a king's ship, might be +conveyed to the colony at a still cheaper rate.] + +"The lifted axe, the agonizing wheel, +Luke's iron crown, and Damien's bed of steel, +To men remote from pow'r but rarely known, +Leave reason, faith, and conscience all our own." + + +APPENDIX. + +Civil Establishment, and Public Institutions in the Territory +of New South Wales and its Dependencies. + +Seat of Government, Sydney. + +* * * + +Captain General, Governor in Chief, Vice Admiral, and +Commander of the Forces, His Excellency Lachlan Macquarie, Esq. +Major General in the Army, and Lieutenant Colonel of the 73d +Regiment. + +* * * + +Lieutenant Governor--James Erskine, Esq. Lieutenant Colonel of +the 48th Regiment. + +Aid-de-Camp to his Excellency the Governor, John Watts, +Lieutenant in the 46th Regiment. + +Major of Brigade--Henry Colden Antill, Captain in the 73d +Regiment. + +* * * + +_High Court of Appeals_. + +Judge--His Excellency the Governor in Chief. + +Secretary--John Thomas Campbell, Esq. + +Clerk--Michael Robinson, Gent. + +Door-keeper--Serjeant Charles Whalan, of the 46th +Regiment. + +* * * + +_Court of Vice Admiralty_. + +Judge--John Wylde, Esq. L. L. B. + +Registrar--John Thomas Campbell, Esq. + +Clerk to the Registrar--Mr. Michael Robinson. + +Marshal--William Gore, Esq. + +Cryer--Mr. Edward Quin. + +* * * + +_The Governor's Court_. + +The Honorable the Judge Advocate and Premier Judge of this +Territory--John Wylde, Esq. L. L. B. + +Members--Two Inhabitants of the Territory, specially appointed +by Precept from His Excellency the Governor and Commander of the +Forces. + +Clerk, and Registrar of the Court--Joshua J. Moore, Gent. + +Cryer--Mr. Edward Quin. + +* * * + +And it is to be noted, that this Court has cognizance of all +pleas, where the amount sued for does not exceed 501. sterling +(except such pleas as may arise between party and party, in Van +Diemen's Land); and from its decisions there is no appeal. + +* * * + +_The Supreme Court_. + +The Honorable the Judge--Barron Field, Esq. + +Members--Two Magistrates of the Territory, appointed by +Precept from His Excellency the Governor. + +Clerk of the Supreme Court--Mr. John Gurner. + +Cryer--Mr. Edward Quin. + +Solicitors--Mr. Thomas Wylde; Mr. William Henry Moore; Mr. +Frederick Garling; Mr. T. S. Amos. + +* * * + +_Secretary's Office_. + +Secretary--John Thomas Campbell, Esq. + +Principal Clerk Michael Robinson, Gent. + +Second ditto--Mr. Charles Reid. + +Assistant Clerks--Mr. James Sumpter; Mr. Thomas Ryan. + +* * * + +_Commissariat Staff_. + +Deputy Commissary General--David Allan, Esq. + +Assistant Commissary General--John Palmer, Esq. +Parramatta; + +Acting Assistant Commissary General--W. Broughton, Esq. Hobart +Town; + +Deputy Assistant Commissary General--P. G. Hogan, Esq. + +Acting Ditto--Thomas Archer, Esq. Port Dalrymple. + +Clerks on the Commissariat Staff--Mr. E. Hobson, Parramatta; +Mr. A. Allan, Sydney; Mr. R. Fitzgerald, Windsor; Mr. George +Johnston, Sydney. + +Principal Assistant Clerk--Mr. T. W. Middleton. + +Storekeepers--Mr. W. Scott, Sydney; Mr. S. Larken, Parramatta; +Mr. John Tucker, Newcastle; Mr. R. Dry, Port Dalrymple; Mr. John +Gowen, Liverpool; Mr. John Rayner, Hobart Town. + +Assistant Clerks--Mr. John Flood, Mr. E. J. Yates, Mr. John +Rickards, Mr. J. Hankinson, Mr. George Smith, Mr. C. Sommers, Mr. +N. Edgworth, Mr. C. Bridges, Mr. W. Todhunter, Mr. Richard +Walker, Mr. Todd Watson--at Sydney. + +Mr. J. Obee, at Parramatta--Mr. B. Rix, at Windsor--Mr. W. +Kitchener, Port Dal.--Mr. John Gregory, Hobart Town--Mr. W. +Turner, Hobart Town. + +Messenger--Thomas Parsons. + +Store Assistant--T. Jennings. + +Cooper--Edward Hewen. + +* * * + +_Provost Marshall's Department_. + +Provost Marshall--William Gore, Esq. + +Clerk--Mr. Henry Hart; + +Bailiff and Officer at Sydney--Mr. W. Evans; + +Ditto at Windsor, etc.--Mr. Richard Ridge. + +* * * + +_Church Establishment_. + +Principal Chaplain of the Territory--The Rev. Samuel Marsden, +Parramatta; + +Assistant Chaplain at Sydney--Rev. Wm. Cowper; + +Assistant Chaplain at Windsor--Rev. Robert Cartwright; + +Assistant Chaplain at Castlereagh--Rev. Henry Fulton; + +Assistant Chaplain for Port Dalrymple, but now officiating at +Liverpool--Rev. John Youl. + +Assistant Chaplain appointed for Liverpool--Rev. Ben. Vale, +returned to Europe on leave of absence. + +Parish Clerk of St. Philip's, Sydney--Mr. Thomas Taber; + +Ditto of St. John's, Parramatta--Mr. John Eyre; + +Ditto of the Chapel at Windsor--Mr. Joseph Harpur. + +* * * + +Magistrates. + +The Principal Magistrate of the Territory, and Chairman of the +Bench of Magistrates at Sydney--The Honorable the Judge +Advocate. + +_Magistrates of the Territory and its Dependencies_. + +D'Arcy Wentworth, Esq. + +John Thomas Campbell, Esquire. + +_Magistrates of the various Settlements of the +Territory_. + +At Sydney--W. Broughton, Esq. absent at Hobart Town; Simeon +Lord, Esq. Richard Brooks, Esq. + +Clerk to the Bench of Magistrates--Joshua John Moore, +Gent. + +Assistant Clerk--Mr. Ezekiel Wood. + +At Parramatta--The Rev. Samuel Marsden; Hannibal M'Arthur, +Esq. + +At Windsor--William Cox, Esq. + +At Wilberforce--Rev. Robert Cartwright; + +At Castlereagh--James Mileham, Esq. Rev. Henry Fulton; + +At Liverpool--Thomas Moore, Esq. + +At Bringelly--Robert Lowe, Esq. + +At Hobart Town--Rev. Robert Knopwood, A. M. A. W. H. Humphrey, +Esq. James Gordon, Esq. Francis Williams, Esq. A. F. Kemp, +Esq. + +At Port Dalrymple--Brevet Major James Stewart, 46th Regiment; +Thomas Archer, Esq. + +* * * + +_Medical Staff_. + +Principal Surgeon--D'Arcy Wentworth, Esq. + +First Assistant ditto--Mr. James Mileham, at Windsor. + +Second ditto ditto--Mr. William Redfern, at Sydney; + +Acting ditto ditto--Mr. Wm. Evans, at Newcastle; + +Acting ditto ditto--Mr. Major West, at Parramatta; + +Acting ditto ditto--Mr. R. W. Owen, at Sydney; + +Acting ditto ditto at the Lunatic Asylum, Castle: Hill, Mr. +Thomas Parmeter. + +Assistant at General Hospital--Mr. Henry Cowper. + +* * * + +_Surveyors of Crown Lands_. + +Surveyor General--John Oxley, Esq. + +Deputy Surveyor--Mr. James Meehan. + +Ditto at Hobart Town--Mr. G. W. Evans. + +* * * + +Collector of Quit-Rents, Mr. James Meehan. + +* * * + +_Naval Officer's Department_. + +Naval Officer--John Piper, Esq. + +Assistant to the Naval Officer--Mr. Alfred Thrupp. + +Wharfingers--Mr. William Hutchinson; Mr. James Stewart. + +* * * + +Acting Engineer, and Artillery Officer, and Inspector of +Government Works--Captain John Gill, 46th Regiment. + +Civil Architect--Mr. F. H. Greenway. + +* * * + +Barrack Master--Charles M'Intosh, Esq. + +* * * + +_His Majesty's Dock Yard_. + +Master Boat Builder--Mr. William Cossar. + +Book-keeper--Mr. John Fowler. + +* * * + +Harbour Master--Mr. Stephen Milton. + +* * * + +_Superintendents_. + +Of Government Stock--Mr. Rowland Hassall; + +Assistant Superintendent of ditto--Mr. Sam. Hassall; + +Of the Lunatic Asylum at Castle Hill--Mr. George Sutter; + +Of Government Labourers and Cattle, and of Public Works at +Windsor--Mr. Richard Fitzgerald; + +Of Public Labourers, etc. at Sydney--Mr. William +Hutchinson; + +Of Carpenters at Parramatta--Mr. Richard Rouse; + +Of Bricklayers--Mr. Thomas Legg; + +Of Government Mills--Mr. Abraham Hutchinson. + +* * * + +_Principal Overseers of Government Stock, under the Orders +of the Superintendent_. + +Mr. Thomas Arkell, and Mr. William Chalker. + +* * * + +_Trustees and Commissioners of Turnpike Roads and +Highways_. + +For the Roads from Sydney to Hawkesbury--D'Arcy Wentworth, +Simeon Lord, and James Mileham, Esquires; + +For the Roads to and from Liverpool, branching out at any of +the above--Thomas Moore, Esq. + +* * * + +Inspector of Highways and Bridges--Mr. James Meehan. + +* * * + +_Female Orphan Institution_. + +Patron--His Excellency the Governor. + +Patronesses--Mrs. Macquarie; Mrs. Wylde; Mrs. Hannibal +M'Arthur. + +Committee for the Orphan Fund. + +His Honor Lieutenant Governor Erskine; + +The Honorable Mr. Judge Advocate Wylde; + +The Reverend Samuel Marsden, Principal Chaplain; + +The Reverend Wm. Cowper, Assistant Chaplain; + +Hannibal M'Arthur, Esq. + +Treasurer--Reverend Samuel Marsden; + +Master of the School--Mr. William Hosking; + +Matron--Mrs. Hosking. + +_Institution for the Civilization, Care, and Education of +the Aborigines or Black Natives of New South Wales_. + +Patron, the Governor; Patroness, Mrs. Macquarie. + +* * * + +Committee. + +1. His Honor Lieutenant Governor Erskine, President. 2. The +Honorable Mr. Judge Advocate Wylde;--3. J. T. Campbell, Esq.--4. +D. Wentworth, Esq.--5. William Redfern, Esq.--6. H. M'Arthur, +Esq.--7. The Rev. Wm. Cowper;--8. The Rev. Hen. Fulton;--9. Mr. +Rowland Hassall. + +Secretary and Treasurer of the Institution--John Thomas +Campbell, Esq. + +Schoolmaster-- + +* * * + +_Masters of the Public Schools throughout the +Territory_. + +At Sydney--Mr. Thomas Bowden; + +At Liverpool--Mr. Robert Keeves; + +At Parramatta--Mr. John Eyre; + +At Windsor--Mr. Joseph Harpur; + +At Richmond--Mr. Matthew Hughes; + +At Kissing Point--Mr. James Cooper; + +At Wilberforce--Mr. M. P. Thompson; + +At Newcastle--Mr. H. Rainsforth. + +* * * + +_Police Establishment at Sydney_. + +_Committee of the Police Fund_. + +The Lieutenant Governor; the Judge Advocate. + +Treasurer--D'Arcy Wentworth, Esq. + +Superintendent of Police--D'Arcy Wentworth, Esq. + +Assistant to the Superintendent--Mr. Robert Jones. + +Principal Clerk in the Police Office . . . + +Assistant Clerk--Mr. Ezekiel Wood. + +Six District Constables, and 50 Constables in Ordinary; + +Chief Constable at Sydney--Mr. John Redman; + +Ditto ditto at Parramatta--Mr. Francis Oakes; + +Ditto ditto at Windsor--Mr. John Howe. + +Keeper of the County Gaol at Sydney--Mr. John Jaques. + +Clerk to ditto--George Jubb. + +* * * + +Coroner--Mr. J. W. Lewin. + +Ditto for Windsor, and the Districts on the Banks of the +Hawkesbury--Mr. Thomas Hobby. + +* * * + +_Bank of New South Wales_. + +President--J. T. Campbell, Esq. + +Directors--D'Arcy Wentworth, Esq.--John Harris, Esq.--Thomas +Wylde, Esq.--William Redfern, Esq.--William Gore, Esq.--Robert +Jenkins, Esq. + +Secretary and Cashier--Mr. E. S. Hall. + +Principal Accountant--Mr. R. Campbell, junior. + +* * * + +_Printing Office_. + +Government Printer--Mr. George Howe. + +* * * + +_Post Office_. + +Post Master--Mr. Isaac Nichols. + +Deputy at Hobart Town--Mr. James Mitchell. + +* * * + +_Licensed Auctioneers and Appraisers_. + +At Sydney--Mr. Simeon Lord; Mr. David Bevan. + +At Parramatta--Mr. Richard Rouse; Mr. Francis Oakes. + +At Windsor--Mr. John Howe. + +Clerk of the Market at Sydney--Mr. Miles Fieldgate. + +Clerk of the Market and Fair at Parramatta--Mr. Francis +Oakes. + +N. B. These Fairs are held half-yearly; viz. the second +Thursday in March, and the first Thursday in October + +* * * + +Marine Establishment. + +His Majesty's Colonial Cutter Mermaid, employed in surveying +the Coast, Lieutenant Philip Parker King, R. N. Commander. + +His Majesty's Colonial Brig Elizabeth Henrietta--Mr. Thomas +Whyte, Master. + +His Majesty's Colonial Brig Lady Nelson, at present undergoing +repair--Mr. David Smith, Master. + +* * * + +_Harbour Pilots_. + +At Port Jackson--Mr. Robert Mason; Mr. Robert Murray. + +At Hunter's River--Robert Whitmore. + +* * * + +_Newcastle_. + +Commandant--Captain Wallis, of the 46th Regt. + +Acting Assistant Surgeon--Mr. William Evans. + +Store-keeper--Mr. John Tucker. + +* * * + +_Civil Establishment at Hobart Town_. + +Lieutenant Governor of the Settlements on Van Diemen's +Land--Lieutenant Colonel William Sorrell; + +Deputy Judge Advocate--Edward Abbott, Esq. + +Chaplain--Reverend R. Knopwood, A. M. + +Surgeon--Mr. Edward Luttrell; + +Assistant Surgeon--Mr. H. St. John Younge; + +Acting Assist. Commissary General--W. Broughton, Esq. + +Provost Marshal--Mr. Martin Tims; + +Surveyor of Lands--Mr. G. W. Evans; + +Inspector of Public Works--Captain Nairn, 46th Regt.; + +Naval Officer--Mr. John Beamont; + +Store-keeper--Mr. Rayner; + +Auctioneer--Mr. Richard Lewis; + +Harbour Pilot--Mr. Michael Mansfield; + +Two Superintendents, and two Overseers. + +_Magistrates at Hobart Town_. + +Reverend R. Knopwood, A. M; Acting Assistant Commissary +General Broughton; James Gordon, Esq.; A. W. H. Humphrey, Esq.; +Francis Williams, Esq.; A. F. Kemp, Esq. + +* * * + +_The Lieutenant Governor's Court, Van Diemen's Land_. + +Deputy Judge Advocate--Edward Abbott, Esq.; + +And two resident Inhabitants, appointed as Members by His +Honor the Lieutenant Governor. + +Clerk to the Deputy Judge Advocate--Mr. N. Ayres. + +* * * + +And it is by Charter provided, that the present and all future +Governors, Lieutenant Governors, the Judge Advocate, Judge of the +Supreme Court, and Deputy Judge Advocate, shall be Justices of +the Peace throughout the Territory and its Dependencies; and all +Places and Settlements therein, with all the Powers possessed by +Justices of the Peace in England, within their respective +Jurisdiction. + +* * * + +_Civil Establishment at Port Dalrymple_. + +Commandant--Brevet Major James Stewart, 46th Regt. + +Assistant Chaplain, now doing duty at Head Quarters, Reverend +John Youl; + +Surgeon--Mr. Jacob Mountgarret; + +Assistant Surgeon--Mr. John Smith; + +Superintendent of the Government Herds--David Rose, Esq. + +Inspector of Government Public Works--Mr. William Elliot +Leith; + +Store-keeper--Mr. R. Dry. + +Harbour Master. + +Master of the Public School--Mr. Thomas M'Queen; + +Acting Master Carpenter--Mr. Richard Sydes. + +* * * + +_Magistrates_--Brevet Major James Stewart, 46th Regt. +Thomas Archer, Esq. + +* * * + +Fees and Dues in the Various Offices. + +* * * + +SECRETARY'S OFFICE.--GOVERNOR'S FEES. + +For the great seal to every grant, not exceeding 1000 acres 0 5 0 +For all grants exceeding 1000 acres, for every 1000 each +grant contains 0 2 6 +For a license of occupation 0 5 0 + + +Secretary's Fees. + +For every grant, and passing the seal of the province, +if under 100 acres 0 5 0 +Between 100 and 500 acres 0 10 0 +All above 0 15 0 +In grants of land, where the number of proprietors shall +exceed 20, each right 0 2 6 +In ditto, where the number of proprietors shall not exceed +20--the same as for grants in proportion to the quantity of land +For license of occupation of land 0 2 6 +For every grant of land from 1000 to 20,000 acres, take for the +first 1000 acres 15s. and for every 1000 acres more, 2s. 6d. + +_Fees to be taken by the Surveyor General of Lands._ + +For each grant, not exceeding 40 acres 0 7 6 +Ditto 90 ditto 0 10 0 +Ditto 190 ditto 0 15 0 +Ditto 250 ditto 1 0 0 +Ditto 350 ditto 1 10 0 +Ditto 400 ditto 2 0 0 +Ditto 750 ditto 2 12 6 +Ditto 1000 ditto 3 5 0 +Ditto, on town leases, per foot on street front 0 0 1 +And on all grants exceeding 1000 acres for each 100 acres +so exceeding 0 4 0 + + +Auditor's Fees. + +For the auditing of every grant 0 3 4 + + +Registrar's Fees. + +For recording a grant of land, for or under 500 acres 0 1 3 +For ditto from 500 to 1000 acres 0 2 6 +For every 100 acres to the amount of 20,000 0 10 6 +For recording a grant of a township 1 0 0 + + +To be received in the Secretary's Office. + +On all colonial appointments, and commissions of whatever kind, +where the official seal is affixed 5 5 0 +On all special licenses for marriages 4 4 0 +On the registering of vessels exceeding 40 tons per ton; 0 1 0 +And to the Principal Clerk 0 10 0 +For all vessels not exceeding 40 ton's 2 0 0 +And to the Principal Clerk 0 10 0 +On affixing official seal to the clearances of vessels of +foreign voyages, or fishing, per ton 0 0 6 +For every person leaving the colony, whereof ls. goes to +the Principal Clerk 0 2 6 +Transcripts of all papers, per folio of 72 words ls. and +transcribing Clerk, per ditto, 3d. 0 1 3 +Licenses for colonial vessels coastwise to the Coal River, +Hawkesbury, or elsewhere, not extending to Van Diemen's Land +or Bass's Straits, as heretofore to Coal River 0 5 0 + + +Fees to the Principal Clerk + +On free or conditional pardons, each 0 5 6 +Certificates and tickets of leave, each 0 2 8 +N. B.--Six-pence of the free and conditional pardons, +and two-pence on certificates and tickets of leave, are to be +paid to the Government Printer, as a remuneration for the +paper and printing. + + +On receiving Appeals. + +If for the sum of L50, or under, as heretofore 1 1 0 +Upwards of L50, and not exceeding L100 2 2 0 +Upwards of L100, and not exceeding 300 3 3 0 +Any sum exceeding L300 5 5 0 +On all Appeals To the Principal Clerk 0 10 0 +To the Door-keeper 0 5 0 +Affixing colonial seal to appeals to the King in Council 5 5 0 +Principal Clerk 1 0 0 +Transcripts of all papers, per folio of 72 words ls. +and transcribing Clerk per ditto, 3d. 0 1 3 + + +Naval Office. + +Entry for a ship with articles for sale, and in Government +service 0 15 0 +Ditto, ditto, and not in Government service 1 10 0 +Ditto with no articles, ditto ditto 0 15 0 +Ditto for all foreign vessels 3 0 0 +Permission to wood and water, for every vessel not exceeding +100 tons per register 1 0 0 +For every vessel upwards of 100, and not exceeding 200 tons 2 0 0 +For every vessel upwards of 200, and not exceeding 300 ditto 3 0 0 +For every vessel upwards of 300, and not exceeding 400 ditto 4 0 0 +For every vessel upwards of 400, and not exceeding 500 ditto 5 0 0 +For every vessel upwards of 500 tons 6 0 0 +Ditto to trade 1 1 0 +Dues of each bond 0 10 6 +Ditto of port clearance 0 5 0 +Ditto ditto to the Naval Officer's Clerk 0 2 6 +Ditto to Naval Officer's Clerk, for each permit to land +spirits or wine, per cask 0 0 6 + + +For Colonial Vessels + +Deeds of entry and clearance to the Hawkesbury 0 4 0 +Ditto ditto to Newcastle 0 10 0 +Ditto to the fishery or settlements at the southward 0 10 0 +Ditto to Naval Officer's Clerk 0 2 0 + + +King's Dues for Orphans + +For each ton of coals for home consumption 0 2 6 +Ditto ditto exported 0 5 0 +For each 1000 square feet of timber for home consumption 3 0 0 +Ditto ditto exported 6 0 0 + + +Duties + +Ships from any part of the world importing cargoes +(the manufactures of Great Britain excepted) to pay a duty of +5 per cent. _ad valorem_ on the amount of their respective +invoices. +On every gallon of spirits landed 0 10 0 +Ditto wine ditto 0 0 9 +n every pound of tobacco 0 0 6 +Wharfage on each bale, cask, or package 0 0 6 +The Naval Office to receive 5 per cent. on all duties collected +at this port. + + +Wharfinger's Fees. + +On each bale, cask, or package, landed or shipped 0 0 3 +Metage per ton on coals 0 2 6 +Measure of timber, per 1000 feet 0 2 0 + +The following duties to be levied and collected by the Naval +Officer on the articles hereunder named, upon their arrival and +landing, whether for colonial consumption or re-shipment. + +On each ton of sandal wood 2 10 0 +On each ton of pearl shells 2 10 0 +On each ton of beech-le-mer 5 0 0 +On each ton of sperm oil (252 gallons) 2 10 0 +On each ton of black whale or other oil 2 0 0 +On each fur seal skin 0 0 11/2 +On each hair ditto 0 0 01/2 +On each kangaroo ditto 0 0 01/2 +On cedar, or other timber, from Shoal Haven, or any other +part of the coast or harbours of New South Wales (Newcastle +excepted, as the duties are already prescribed there), +when not supplied by government labourers, for each solid foot 0 1 0 +For every 20 spars from N. Zealand or elsewhere 1 0 0 +On timber, in log or plank, from New Zealand or elsewhere, +for each solid foot 0 1 0 + + +Gaoler's Fees. + +From every debtor on his discharge from each action 1 0 0 +From every sailor confined for being disorderly, for the +first night thereof 0 2 6 +For every following night 0 1 0 +From every free person thereof, and person having a ticket of +leave, taken up and confined for being disorderly, on the +discharge of the same, each 0 3 0 + +From every person receiving a certificate of his or her term +of transportation being expired (reference being always had to +the black book in his possession) 0 0 6 + + +Fees to be received by the Chief Constable + +On the apprehending and lodging in gaol any sailor who may be +found riotous or disorderly, of constables assisting in the +apprehension 0 2 6 +For each night that sailors so apprehended may be confined; +which is to be directed as the foregoing 0 2 6 +For the apprehending of deserters or runaway sailors, to be +divided equally among apprehending constables and himself 2 0 0 +For serving summonses from the Judge Advocate's Office, for debts +under 40s. each summons 0 1 0 +For the seizure of stills, or other articles prohibited by the +Colonial Regulations, and ordered for distribution among the +seizing Constables, the Chief Constable is to receive an equal +proportion with them. + + +Surplice Fees. + +Marriages by License, Clergyman 3 3 0 + Clerk 0 10 6 + Sexton 0 5 0 +Ditto by Banns, free persons Clergyman 0 10 6 +Clerk banns 0 2 0 +Clerk marriage 0 3 0 +Sexton marriage 0 10 6 +Christenings, for registering Clerk 0 1 0 +Churching, free persons only Clergyman 0 1 0 + Clerk 0 0 6 + Sexton 0 0 6 +Funerals, free persons--Clergyman 0 3 0 + Clerk 0 1 0 + Bell 0 0 6 + Grave digger 0 2 6 + + +Post Office Charges + +Every letter, English or Foreign 0 0 8 +Every parcel not exceeding 20lbs. 0 1 6 +Every ditto if exceeding 20lbs. 0 3 0 +Every colonial letter from any part of the territory 0 0 4 +Soldiers' letters, or those addressed to their wives 0 0 1 + +_Market Duties at Sydney_.--Grain, etc. lodged in the +store to be paid for as follows; viz. wheat or barley 3d. per +bushel; maize or oats 2d. per ditto; potatoes 3d. per cwt. and if +not sold the same day shall pay store-room rent every succeeding +market day the articles continue there, to the clerk, who is not +to deliver up such articles until the same be paid. + +_Market and Fair Duties at Parramatta_. + +For each horse, mare, gelding, or foal, if sold 0 1 6 +Ditto ditto, ditto, if not sold 0 0 6 +For each bull, cow, ox, or calf, if sold 0 1 0 +Ditto ditto, ditto, if not sold 0 0 4 +Sheep, lambs, or pigs, per score, if sold 0 2 0 +Ditto, ditto, ditto, if not sold 0 0 8 +And any number of sheep, lambs, or pigs, under a score, +for each sold 0 0 11/2 +Ditto, ditto, ditto, if not sold 0 0 01/2 + +_Ferry_ across the River Hawkesbury, called _Nowland's Ferry:_ + +Tolls for each foot passenger 0 0 3 +A saddle horse 0 1 6 +A foal 0 0 6 +A horse and chaise 0 2 6 +A cart with 1 horse or two bullocks 0 2 6 +A ditto with 2 horses or 3 bullocks 0 3 0 +A waggon with 4 horses or 6 bullocks 0 4 0 +For horned cattle 1s. per head +For do. if more than 1, and not exceeding 20, 9d. per ditto +For ditto, if upwards of twenty, 6d. per ditto +For sheep 2s. per score, or 7s. 6d. per hundred +For hogs and goats 2d. each, or 2s. per score +Passengers to pass and repass the same day for one payment. + + +Toll Gates between Sydney and Parramatta: + +For each head of horned cattle 0 0 2 +For each score of sheep or swine 0 0 10 +For every single horse 0 0 3 +For every cart drawn by a single horse or bullock 0 0 4 +For every cart drawn by 2 horses or bullocks 0 0 6 +For every cart drawn by 3 horses or bullocks 0 0 9 +For every cart drawn by 4 horses or bullocks 0 0 10 +For every waggon drawn by 2 horses or bullocks 0 0 10 +For every waggon drawn by 3 horses or bullocks 0 1 0 +For every waggon drawn by 4 horses or bullocks, or more 0 1 2 +For every single horse chaise 0 1 0 +For every curricle with two horses 0 1 6 +For a four-wheel carriage drawn by 2 horses 0 2 0 +For the same drawn by three horses 0 2 6 +For the same drawn by four horses 0 3 0 + +N. B. The tolls between Parramatta and Windsor are exactly the +same as those between Sydney and Parramatta, only at the former a +cart drawn by 4 horses or bullocks is 10d. + +_Tolls at the New Bridge over the South Creek at Windsor, called Howe Bridge_. + +For each foot passenger 0 0 2 +Ditto ditto single horse 0 0 6 +Ditto ditto ditto, or bullock in draft 0 1 0 +A cart, with 2 horses or bullocks 0 1 2 +For each horse or bullock above that number 0 0 2 +Waggons, or four wheeled carriages with two horses or bullocks 0 1 6 +For each head of cattle not in draft, under a score 0 0 6 +For every score 0 5 0 +Ditto ditto per hundred 1 0 0 +Ditto ditto sheep, goat, or pig, under a score 0 0 1 +Ditto ditto a score 0 1 0 + +The Governor and Family, the Lieutenant Governor, and all +persons on public duty to pass free. + +_Tolls to be taken at the Ferry across the River Hawkesbury_. + +(This is Mr. Howe's Ferry). + +For each foot passenger 0 0 3 +A single horse 0 1 0 +A single horse chaise 0 1 6 +A chaise with 2 or more horses 0 2 6 +A cart with 1 horse or bullock 0 2 6 +Each additional horse or bullock 0 0 3 +Waggons, or 4 wheeled carriages, with 3 horses or bullocks 0 2 0 +Each horse or bullock 0 0 3 +Each head of cattle not in draft, under 6 0 0 9 +Ditto ditto under 20 0 0 6 +Every score 0 7 6 +Every sheep, goat, or pig, under a score 0 0 1 +Ditto ditto per score 0 1 0 +Ditto ditto per hundred 0 4 0 + +The unweaned young of every kind, half price. + +_Tolls to be taken at the Bridge over the Chain of Ponds, near Windsor_. + +For a single horse 0 0 3 +A cart and horse, or two bullocks 0 0 6 +Ditto with more than two 0 0 9 +A waggon with 3 horses or 4 bullocks 0 1 0 +Ditto with more 0 1 3 +A single horse chaise 0 1 0 +A four-wheel carriage 0 1 6 +Horned cattle, each 0 0 2 +Sheep and pigs, per score 0 1 0 + + +The Colonial Garden. + +Potatoes. + +For a general winter crop in field or garden, should be +planted from the end of January to the end of February, or even +the beginning of March, rather than lose the planting; and they +will come into use in winter, when cabbages and other vegetables +run to seed. The ground should if possible be prepared a month +before the planting, and a preference given by the country +gardener to new ground, or dry wheat stubble, where the soil is +light. The town gardener should keep his ground in a good state +by frequent light manuring. + +The sets made choice of should be the produce of the last +winter crop; and when planted should have a covering of light +manure; without which the ground will be impoverished; but with +such assistance be improved. + +The best potatoes to preserve for sets are of a middle size, +as well for profit as security; for if the largest are made use +of, there must be a considerable waste; and those of the dwarf +kind should be rejected, from their degeneracy and weakness. + +An experienced gardener, who has been a settler here more than +twenty years, plants his seed potatoes uncut for the winter crop; +his reason for which is, that if they are cut they are likely to +perish in the ground, from the rains of March; which will not be +the case if put in whole. + +In July the ground should be prepared for the summer crop, at +which time the winter crop will be fit for digging; in which +process every care should be taken to prevent their being +bruised; and if possible they should be dug in cloudy weather, to +avoid exposure to the sun, which would rot them; whereas if +carefully preserved they will keep sound for a length of time; +which will be the more desirable, as at this season vegetables +are mostly scarce and dear. + +In August the planting should be made, or even in September, +if necessary; and at the end of the latter, or in October, they +will require to be hilled and earthed, and well cleansed from +weeds, which must also now and then be done as weeds make their +appearance. In the choice of seed for this crop, a middle sized +potatoe should be preferred, without any objection to their being +cut, as is the customary mode of planting. + +_Manure_.--Fresh stable dung, and litter, or decayed +thatch, answers better for manure than that which is very rotten; +but if the ground be fresh and light, they will want no manure, +and the potatoes be of a better quality, though probably less +plentiful. + +In October you may also plant potatoes for a latter crop; and +this, though perhaps less abundant than that sown in August or +the beginning of September, will nevertheless be sufficiently +productive to pay well the expence and labour of planting. + +The potatoe is so essential and desirable an article of food, +that too much care cannot be bestowed in their culture and +preservation; for should other crops fall short, this will afford +the grower a certain means of supporting his family. + +Carrots and Parsnips + +For a general crop, may be best sown in December and January. +The ground should be dug deep, and broke up very fine. If the +soil be light, the seed should be sown on a calm day, and trod +in. + +_Carrots_ and _Parsnips_ may also be planted in +July, and also in November. They thrive best in an open +situation, or a light sandy soil; and after they come up, should +be thinned and set out with a small two inch garden hoe. + +Cabbages + +For a constant supply may be sown in January, April, May, +July, August, October, and early in November, at a time when the +ground is in a moist state. The plants sown in April will not run +to seed. Care should be taken to set out the plants in a richer +and stronger ground than the bed they are taken from; otherwise +the crop will be poor. Their first bed should now and then be +weeded with the hand, in dry weather, and the freshest and +strongest plants removed first. In setting them out, a passage +should be allowed between the rows of at least two feet, and in +the rows the plants kept eighteen or twenty inches distant from +each other, which will allow them a free circulation of air. As +they grow up, they should occasionally be earthed up a little, +and carefully weeded, as nothing has a more negligent and +slovenly appearance than a foul bed of cabbage. In very dry hot +weather, their first bed should be watered now and then; after +rain they should be set out, but not during its continuance, as +it would wash the mould from the roots, and numbers decay without +taking root at all in the new bed. Cabbages run to seed in August +and September. + +A gardener of long experience in the Colony has favored us +with the following remarks on the culture of the cabbage: +"Although cabbage seed may be here sown with advantage at several +times of the year, yet I have of late years confined myself to +two sowings only; namely, in January, and as near the middle of +May as I could find the weather most favorable, for two general +crops. That sown in January comes well in for a winter supply; +but must be taken great care of, or will come to nothing; for as +January is one of our hottest months, they will require to be +shaded from the sun's excessive heat by boughs, which if closely +twined together will continue their shelter even after the leaves +are withered; and also, to be watered at least once in every two +or three days, until they get pretty strong in the ground. The +other crop, sown in May, will come into use early in summer; and +do not require any care more than they usually receive." + +Turnips + +The ground should be prepared in February; and at the latter +end of the month some may be planted; for which purpose gentle +showery weather is most favourable. + +Turnips for a general crop should be sown early in March, and +they will be ready for food for sheep in the beginning of May. +During their growth they require hoeing once or twice, to thin +and keep them clean, if the land be foul. + +Turnips for table use may be sown at any time between March +and September, or the beginning of November, when absolutely +necessary. + +_Turnips for Sheep_.--The ground should be prepared in +January and February, by the plough or hoe, harrowing, manuring, +and totally cleansing it from all weeds whatever, so that it be +brought into the best state possible. + +_The Seed_.--To raise turnip seed properly is an object +worthy of the strictest attention. To do this, the bed should be +examined carefully when the turnips have attained about a third +of their size, and the largest, smoothest, and most healthy taken +up and transplanted into a richer bed, in rows a foot wide, and +about six inches between the plants that are in the same +row.--The seed will be fit to cut the latter end of November. + +Cauliflower. + +The seed may be sown at any time between November and +February; but best in December. Some sow about the middle of May +for a summer crop, and this practice is found to answer. + +Asparagus. + +The seed should be sown in October, in drills, four drills in +a bed four feet wide, the ground being first well prepared, and +richly manured. At the latter end of April, or beginning of May, +the haulm should be cut down within two inches of the bed (though +some cut it nearly level), and constantly kept from weeds. The +ground should be dug with a three pronged fork, and not with a +spade, as the latter will cut the crown of the roots, and destroy +the plants. A professed gardener of twenty-three years practice +in the colony assures us, that he has now a bed of twenty years +standing, which constantly yielded a good crop until the year +before last, the failure of which he attributed to the ground +being worn out, and therefore set out a fresh bed. In this +country it requires a cool soil, and that the beds should not be +laid too high, four or five inches being a sufficient height. + +Onions. + +In March prepare the ground, by breaking it up well, and +richly manuring it. At the end of the month, and beginning of +April, sow for a light crop of onions for immediate use. + +In April prepare for a general crop, which should be sown at +the latter end of the month, or beginning of May, to keep them +from going to seed. When they grow to a proper size, which will +be from the latter end of October to the beginning of November, +they should be carefully laid down, so as not to break the tops; +for should the tops be broke, and the wet penetrate, the onions +will inevitably spoil. When fit to draw, they should be gathered +on a fine dry day, and lain under cover, so as not to be at all +exposed to the sun. + +Pease and Beans of all kinds. + +The ground should be prepared in March, by well working and +manuring; and at the end of the month, and in April, they may be +sown for a spring crop. Some sow from the beginning of March till +the middle of June, as occasion may require. + +Prepare in August for a latter crop; and + +French beans may be as well sown in October as at any other +time. + +Cucumbers, Pumpkins, and Melons. + +The ground should be got ready for these in August, and they +should be sown in September. + +Radishes. + +May be sown when turnips are sown. + +Lettuces and Small Sallad + +Are sown every month, for a constant supply; but lettuces are +best sown in April and November, and small sallads in May, and +the latter end of November. + +Grass and Clover. + +Turnip ground, on which either is intended to be sown, should +be cleared, cleaned, and broke up in August, great care being +taken to leave no weeds or large clods. + +Spinage + +Is best sown in March and September. + +Brocoli, brown and white + +Should be sown the beginning of January, and treated as +cabbage sown at that time. Some observe the practice of sowing +from November until February, but this is a vague method, and not +to be depended on. + +Strawberries. + +March is the proper season for planting this fruit. The +runners and leaves should be all cut close away before they are +set, which will strengthen them greatly, and before winter they +will have new leaves. If planted in clumps, the fruit will be +larger than if suffered to run over the bed; but by the latter +method they preserve a more delicate appearance, and are +certainly less likely to contract filth. + +As soon as planted, a sprinkling of fresh earth should be +thrown over the beds, which should be plentifully watered twice +or thrice a week, if the season turn out dry; and as the plants +require much air, they should be thinned, in order to preserve a +free circulation. + +When sown in beds, the following mode of treatment should be +observed:--When the bed is well prepared, plant the rows of the +large kinds, such as the Chili and Carolina, two feet apart, and +allow one foot between each of the plants in the same row. The +smaller kinds do not require so much space; eighteen inches +between the rows, and eighteen between the plants will be +sufficient; but as much greater space may be given as the ground +will admit of. + +In April all strawberry beds should be well dressed and +cleaned, in order to prevent the lodging of insects; and in July +they should be gone well over, and have their spring dressing; in +doing which the runners must be taken off from the plants, and +the weeds cleared away. The ground will then also require to be +loosened, and would be much benefited by a layer of fine manure +and fresh earth between the rows, as this treatment will +strengthen the plants, and produce the largest and finest +fruit. + +Raspberries + +Should also be dressed and cleaned in July. + +Grapes. + +Begin in April to pinch and prune the vines, which must be +cleaned from all cankered and unhealthy leaves or other +substances, to preserve them from insects. In July they should +also be gone over, and pruned and nailed, where requisite. All +walls and stakes should then be attentively examined, to prevent +the harbouring of insects, which will otherwise destroy the young +wood and fruit. + +Pine Apples. + +In the management of Pinery, should gentlemen incline their +attention thitherward, the following observances will be useful. +In May let them be unplunged, and lain down on their sides, till +all their leaves be free from water. Take off all yellow leaves, +and suckers, and let these suckers be plunged into fresh pots of +earth, and in a fresh bed of heat, by means whereof the Pinery +will always be kept full. The spider is their chief enemy, and +therefore should not be permitted to harbour near them, as the +smallest of the tribe will kill the crown, and destroy the +fruit. + +Trees of all Kinds + +In JANUARY and FEBRUARY should be BUDDED. A competent judge +will best inform himself of the proper time for this operation by +the ripe appearance of the buds themselves. For this use the +practical gardener chooses a small instrument which may be made +of bone, with wrappers of worsted, which being elastic, is better +than bark, or any other substitute. The tops of the budded stocks +are by some left uncut until the August or September following; +but a gardener of much experience in the Colony makes it a rule +to cut his tops off immediately, as the buds strike much sooner +with this practice. + +PEACHES and PLUMS are best budded upon their own stocks. + +APRICOTS may be budded upon peach stocks. + +The ENGLISH MULBERRY upon the cherry; or Cape; and ORANGES +will succeed best upon lemons; and all tender trees are better to +be budded in summer than in spring. + +It may be here proper to observe, for the better information +of those who have not given themselves the trouble of dividing +the year into seasons, and which it would indeed be difficult to +do by a comparison with those to which in Europe we were +accustomed, that the spring months are, _September, +October_, and _November_; the summer months, _December, +January_, and _February_; the autumn months, _March, +April_, and _May_; and the winter months, _June, +July_, and _August_. Hence it is observable, that our +wheat harvesting begins in the last of the spring months, +November, and is entirely over before the end of summer. + +In March, all fruit trees should be examined, and the broken +or decayed limbs taken off. + +In May, all fruit trees should be pruned, except evergreens, +and such branches as are necessary to be taken off cut close to +the tree, that the wound may heal the sooner, and thus prevent +the tree from injury by rain or dew. + +In May, orange trees may be safely transplanted, as well as +in + +June; which is the general season for transplanting fruit +trees: in doing which, the roots should be carefully taken up, +and planted as near to the surface as possible, taking care at +the same time that the whole be covered, being first spread out +like an open hand; after which the covering may be thickened with +a little rich manure; and when the hole is filled, the earth +about the root should be trodden gently, so as to fix the +position of the plant. + +June is also the best time for making layers, and planting +cuttings from hardy trees. + +In July, such fruit trees as were not transplanted in June +should be removed, and stocks to bud and graft upon +transplanted. + +In August, evergreens may be transplanted, in which great care +must be observed, as they are very tender; and as their roots +will not bear exposure to the sun, they must be so carefully dug +round as to admit their being taken up with as large a ball of +earth clinging to the root as can be done, in which exact state +they always should be fresh planted. + +In August, also, the nursery will require to be well gone over +and cleaned, and young trees prepared for grafting. Wall fruit +and shrubs must be now particularly attended to, in divesting +them of every foul or decayed substance. + +In this month, also, all gardens should be cleaned and +dressed. The gardener ought to be particularly attentive in +keeping off weeds and insects, as grubs frequently make their +appearance at this time, which very much injure all vegetable +productions. + +This month also the nursery wants cleaning, and the young +trees must be prepared for grafting: the weeds preparatory to +which, must be cut down and destroyed, or they will afterwards +give much trouble. Decayed branches should likewise be taken from +fruit trees; and such trees as appear stunted should have the +ground opened about the roots. + +SEPTEMBER is a good month for grafting fruit trees, the scions +intended for grafts being cut off a fortnight or three weeks +before, and the ends which are cut stuck in the ground until +wanted for use. + +Trees budded at the beginning of the year must now be cut down +within about two inches of the bud; this space above the bud +being left to tie the young shoots to, to prevent their being +broken off by the wind. No shoots should be suffered to grow but +the eye that was budded, and all others should be rubbed off as +soon as they appear. + +OCTOBER.--Young trees that were grafted in September should +now be examined, and all the young shoots broken off, but one or +two, both from the grafts and stocks:--The clay must be taken +off, and the bandages loosened. The ground between the rows of +all young trees should also be kept clear of weeds, or they will +deprive the trees of a great part of their nourishment. + +Apricot and peach trees should be examined this month, and +where the fruit appears to be set too thick, which will be mostly +the case in prolific seasons, they must be reduced to a moderate +quantity. This must nevertheless be done with care, and only such +of the fruit as is proper to remain left upon the tree. + +In this month the garden should be cleaned all through, and +walls and fruit trees well examined, to prevent insects from +lodging. + +In NOVEMBER such trees as were inoculated the previous summer +will want the young shoots tying, either to the top of the stock, +or to have a stake driven in near them to tie the shoot to, that +they may not be broken off by the wind. All budded and grafted +trees will in November want constant attention. All shoots that +do not grow from the eye of the bud, or from the graft, must be +taken off, that the graft or bud may receive all the nourishment +the stock can afford. + +In November evergreens may be propagated by layers, from the +young shoots of the summer's growth. + +In December the same observance is to be attended to with +respect to evergreens; and peach trees should now be thinned of +their fruit, where it appears too thick. + +_Observations on some particular Fruit Trees_. + +The Orange. + +In pruning, the knife should be as little used as possible, if +you wish them to bear. The southerly winds are very unfavorable +to their growth, and parts opened by the knife admit the air, and +kill the bloom. This tree is perhaps more infested by ants than +any other; and the black contracted appearance of the leaves is +much attributed to this insect. From this persuasion, which is +pretty general, various methods have been tried to keep them off. +Human ordure laid round the boll of the tree will prevent their +appearing so long as it retains moisture, but not longer; tar has +been applied round both the trunk and branches, and only answered +while moist; yet a cure, if the ant be really inimical, is +certain to be found, with little trouble, and without expence, in +common suds from a wash tub, in which ley has been used. This +wash should be laid well about the roots in the evening, when the +ants have left the tree, which will be mostly the case, and in +wet weather always so, and there need be little apprehension of +their return next morning; a woollen bandage, dipped in oil, will +also be found a preventative to their ascending the tree. This +application, whenever ants appear, will have the desired effect; +but whether these insects are injurious to the tree or not, is to +be doubted upon this principle, namely, that the ant, being +excessively carnivorous, is instinctively led to the orange tree +in quest of the eggs, exuviae, larvae, etc. of some very minute +insect, whose eggs are attached to the leaves by a glutinous +substance, emitted by themselves in such quantity as to discolour +the leaf, the pores of which being thus stopped, it becomes hard +and tusky, and gradually closes. It seems impossible that this +change should be produced by the ant: for if it even attacked or +destroyed the blossom, this would not affect the leaves when the +tree is not in bloom; and therefore it is rational to conclude +that their changed appearance proceeds from some other cause, +perhaps from some other insect, perhaps from the assaults of the +weather, or some peculiarity in its soil or situation, or from a +combination of these and other causes; in exemplification whereof +it is worthy to be remarked, that a gardener in the Brickfields +planted a number of seed sixteen years ago, all from the same +tree; of which forty-four came up, and were all treated with +equal care. None shewed fruit until about seven years since; when +one produced about two-hundred oranges, and four or five others +had from thirty down to ten or a dozen each. The following year +the same trees were full; and afterwards others began to bear. +This very great disparity in their time of bearing, keeping in +mind at the same time that the seeds were from the same tree, all +sown at once, and all equally well attended to, would be +sufficient to excite astonishment, were we not to make allowance +for the various causes that might have tended to accelerate or +retard their growth. + +The gardener himself says, that the chief of the defaulters +were a good deal shaded from the sun by a range of peach trees, +which depriving them of a great proportion of the warmth +necessary to a fruit which thrives best in the hottest climates, +he considers sufficient to occasion all the difference spoken +of. + +The Apple + +Has a great enemy in a minute insect called the Cochineal, +owing more, perhaps, to its being nearly of the same colour, than +from any resemblance to the Spanish insect of that name. A +gentleman who had eight trees that had for several years borne a +delicious apple, had the mortification to find the whole of his +trees at once infested by those insects in excessive number; +after which they left off bearing, and after failing in many +experiments to relieve them, he came unwillingly to the +resolution of cutting down the trees. These insects are of a dark +red, approaching to a purple, and combine in such numbers on the +roots as well as branches, as to shew in protuberated clusters, +exhibiting a downy whiteness on the surface. A gardener of the +colony, who has attended a good deal to this matter, affirms that +a weed called the Churnwort presents a perfect remedy to the +disaster; with this weed, the roots, cleared of the earth, and +the branches also, he advises to be thoroughly well rubbed. + +[TABLE: VICTUALLING ONE MESS OF FIVE MEN.] +[Table not included in this text version--see html version. 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