550 history or 



the strait supposed to divide Van Diemen's land 

 from the continent. 



The great rage for trade before spoken of, pre- 

 vailing so universally in the colony, occasioned 

 continual scenes of contentions and litigation 

 among the inhabitants ; s6 much that inconve- 

 nience was felt in the liberties taken of impri- 

 soning the convicts, servants of the crown, for 

 debts due to the dealers, notwithstanding an 

 order which was given by Governor Phillip, in 

 which the colony were informed, that the pub- 

 lic servants (convicts) had no property, their 

 clothing, time, and labour, being the property of 

 Government, and not at their own disposal. This 

 order having wilfully worn out of recollection, 

 it was become requisite to renew it, and thus 

 prevent that loss of labour on the public works 

 which imprisoning their persons must occasion. 

 Notice was therefore again given, that the ser- 

 vants of the crown should not be imprisoned ; 

 and if any person was desirous of giving them 

 credit, it must be on the strength of their own 

 good opinion of such people; and it was now 

 again to be generally understood, that govern- 

 ment would not dispense with their labour for 

 any private dealings. 



On the 11th in the evening, a fire broke out 

 m the town of Sydney, which, but for great care 

 and activity, would have destroyed every house 

 on the East side. A row of buildings lately 

 erepted for the nurses and others employed in 

 and about the hospital, was set on fire, and con- 

 4 



