KeW south WALES. 22/ 



nearly effected. The bottoms were destroyed 

 by worms, for want of pitch, tar, paint, and oil ; 

 and to render the Francis capable of going to 

 Norfolk Island, with the Reliance, it was found 

 necessary to reduce part of the Supply's sails 

 for her use. 



Provisions and stores were now anxiously 

 expected, as \6 months had elapsed since the 

 arrival of the last. 



April opened with five men being capitally 

 convicted at a court of criminal judicature, of 

 seizing two boats, with an intent of escaping. 

 One was convicted of a robbery ; three were 

 transported to Norfolk Island for 14 years ; one 

 for 7; one was adjudged corporal punishment, 

 and one acquitted. 



Two of the five, condemned for seizing the 

 boats, suffered at Sydney. Their companions 

 were respited at the place of execution. They 

 seemed penitent, and confessed the justice of 

 their sentence, acknowledging much mischief 

 they had done, and how much more they medi- 

 tated, had they not been taken. 



One man, for robbery, of* the name of Mitton, 

 was executed at Paramatta, certainly a fit sub^ 

 ject for example. lie had been twice pardoned 

 after sentence of death ; once in Ireland, and 

 once here for a similar offence for which he 

 now suffered. 



Before this man was executed, he confessed 

 that many robberies had been concerted, and 

 were to have been committed by him and others. 

 He mentioned, as the chief instigator, a woman 

 named Robley (the wife of a blacksmith at 



