214 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



and the soil had sufficient variety for purposes of cultiva- 

 tion ; wild beasts were few, fish was plentiful, grass was 

 luxuriant, and the water-supply good. He proceeded to 

 enlarge upon the means necessary for assisting an infant 

 colony ; and upon the ultimate advantages which would 

 fall to Great Britain, in new outlets for mercantile 

 activity and maritime enterprise. The Committee in their 

 Report asserted the humanity and soundness of Sir 

 Joseph's views. 1 



When the conflict with our American colonies finally 

 ended in separation, in 1782, a vast number of the people 

 had already been compelled to find refuge in other lands. 

 Many of them went across the frontier, and became the 

 staple foundation of modern Canada. Many more came 

 to the old home. England was swarming with these 

 Loyalists, as they were called. They were often aided 

 from the public funds ; but the question arose, and 

 became urgent, as to their ultimate settlement. And 

 there arose a project, for those who were willing to go, 

 for making a new home in the land discovered by Captain 

 Cook and immortalized by Banks and Solander. 



One of Banks 's old shipmates was J. M. Matra (other- 

 wise Marra), already mentioned in connection with the 

 second cruise of the Resolution. He was probably an 

 Irish- American of those days. In 1783, he wrote to 

 Lord North, asking for a " share in the allowance 

 granted to the Loyal Americans/' 



In July of the same year, he sent this remarkable 

 message to Sir Joseph Banks : 



" I have heard a rumour of two plans for a settlement 



1 The proposal to make a convict settlement in New Holland was 

 not everywhere approved. Visions of an Alsatia, a nest of pirates and 

 so forth, arose in the eyes of many persons. Alexander Dalrymple made 

 a strong protest (July, 1785) to the Hon. East India Company against 

 establishing a penal colony in the South Seas. v. A Serious A dmonition 

 to the Public on the intended Thief Colony at Botany Bay, being comments 

 on Dalrymple's letter ; the same being quoted in full. 



