Preliminaries necessary for colonising the Nicohars. 1 29 



by personal observation of the surprising influence which the 

 transportation system has exercised in Australia upon the cul- 

 tivation and development of the soil, as also upon the social 

 condition of the convicts themselves, we do not hesitate, de- 

 spite the distrust of experiments of such a nature which pre- 

 vails in certain philosophic circles of Europe, to express our 

 opinion, that with a little prudence and forbearance convict 

 labourers in abundance could be imported, who would be at 

 once better off, more contented, and more disposed to do hon- 

 our to their man's estate than as at present confined at home 

 in their dreary prison cells.* 



If the various experiments hitherto made have all fallen 

 through, the ''effect defective" undoubtedly arises from the 

 deficiency of means requisite for such an undertaking, and in 

 the limited number of men, merely humanly speaking, who 

 were engaged in such enterprises. The mere prime cost of 

 clearing and cultivation, so as to enable them to anticipate a 

 good return for their labour, must be set down as at the 

 lowest computation between £100,000 and £150,000; the 

 number of labourers employed in the undertaking at from 

 300 to 400 ; of whom all skilled artisans, such as carpenters, 

 joiners, locksmiths, blacksmiths, bricklayers, masons, &c., 

 must accompany the settlers from Europe. 



The sums expended for the first outlay must not however 

 be set down as entirely thrown away, since the fertility of 



• In the Sydney chapter the reader will find the Transportation question pretty 

 fully discussed. 



VOL. II. K 



