3Q() HISTORY OF 



carriage. The lower classes of convicts in these 

 cargos were mostly old men, fit only for hut- 

 keepers to remain at home and prevent robbery, 

 while the other inhabitants of the hut were at 

 labour : thus making good the old proverb, 

 '"' set a thief to catch a thief." 



A quantity of clothing being received by 

 these ships, and as no bedding had been sent, 

 the Governor bought a thousand bad rugs, ma- 

 nufactured in some of the Spanish settlements 

 on the coast of America, and were on board 

 the last prize. One of these, with a complete 

 suit of clothing, were issued to each of the 

 convicts. 



Many of the settlers declining to come for- 

 ward and assist with the small assessment of 

 sixpence per bushel on wheat, which was in- 

 tended to be taken toward the completion of - * 

 the gaol, it was now thought requisite to adopt 

 some other measure ; and, as any article of 

 luxury was conceived to be a fitter subject 

 than any other for taxation, an order was is- 

 sued, directing, that iC on a permit being ap- 

 plied for to land spirits, wine, beer, or other 

 strong drink from ships having those articles 

 for sale/' the person wishing for it must make 

 application to the gentlemen of the committee 

 appointed to carry on the building of the gaol, 

 and security was to be given them for the pay- 

 ment of Is. per gallon on the purchase of 

 spirits, 6*d. per gallon on the purchase of wine, 

 and 3d. per gallon on the purchase of porter 

 or strong beer : these sums, should the permits, 



