380 mSTORY OF 



The criminal court assembled on the 16th, 

 wften two mates^ the ^p^ker were tried for 

 using menaces to a g|KQg,,Tor stopping their 

 boat when attempting t 1 spirits without a 



permit ; but as he had no authority for making 

 a seizure, they were acquitted. 



One John Morris was convicted of forgery, 

 and received, sentence of death ; but his fate 

 being determined by the majority of one voice, 

 this business must, as provided by the patent 

 for establishing the court, be referred to the 

 King in council. It was fortunate that such 

 instances did not often occur ; for the unfor- 

 tunate criminal must languish for many months 

 in so dreadful a state of uncertainty, that it 

 is hard to say, if the thus created punishment 

 by suspense, even though eventually the cul- 

 prit was pardoned, did not exceed the instant 

 punishment of death ; and if, after a lapse of 

 time, the pendant arm of justice inflicted the 

 rigorous sentence of the law, the poor wretches 

 state, must excite the commisseration of all 

 hearts composed of any softer materials than 

 iron. 



The settlers in a body again represented their 

 inability to bear a reduction in the price of 

 wheat this season, not only in consequence of 

 their former losses, but of the very high price 

 of those necessaries of life requisite for paying 

 their labourers : thus the Governor consented to 

 receive the wheat only at the former price of 10s. 

 per bushel, and they were then told the re- 



