NEW SOUTH WALES'. 381 



duction would certainly take place the next 

 season. His Excellency also allowed a quantity 

 of wine and spirits to be landed, for the accom- 

 modation of those wl crops Jto secure, and 

 thus prevent the impositions they must be sub- 

 ject to in procuring them from-a petty dealer. 



The Reliance and Francis returned on the 24th 

 from Norfolk Island, with the relief of the mili- 

 tary. 



Before the morning of the 25th, the log gaol 

 at Paramatta was set on fire, and shortly con* 

 sumed. The prisoners confined there were with 

 difficulty saved from the flames, and so scorched 

 that one died in a few days. 



The rewards formerly thought proper to be 

 held out on other occasions, were offered to any 

 one, who would give evidence to convict the 

 incendries ; and the inhabitants were again 

 called on by that duty each owed to society, as 

 well as by his own interest, to use every means 

 to discover the perpetrators of such diabolical _ 

 mischief, which in its extent, involved the lives 

 of many, and the properties of every one. 



It is by no means wonderful, that in a coun- 

 try inhabited by convicts there should be an 

 antipathy to a gaol, so strong as to end in the 

 destruction of those, composed of combustible 

 materials, and though it might be thought, the 

 criminals on the outside, would have had a little 

 pity for those on the in, that was not found the 

 case either at the burning the prison formerly or 

 now, which shews too plainly the real state of 

 depravity to which human nature can reach. 



