1 8 A COLONIAL AUTOCRACY. 



and that there were some notably peaceful and happy home- 

 steads but it is unluckily true that in 1810 they were still 

 exceptional. 



Those in authority laid down the simple rule never possible 

 in practice that the convicts were not to be supplied with 

 liquor, and also sought to regulate the quantity to be imported. 

 Yearly the growth of population made this task more difficult. 

 Under the instructions drawn up for Admiral Hunter in 1794, 

 it became necessary to produce the express permission of the 

 Governor in writing before landing any spirits. Under regula- 

 tions drawn up in the Colony this spirit, having paid a heavy 

 duty, might be sold by the importers to officers and others in 

 certain quantities decided upon by the Governor. It was, 

 however, quite within the Governor's discretion to decide at 

 any time that the settlement was already sufficiently supplied, 

 and King, who followed Hunter in 1800, turned away more 

 than one cargo of spirits and became extremely unpopular on 

 that account. Officers of all ranks and the merchants threw 

 themselves into the business of monopolising the spirit trade 

 and raising the price for retailer and consumer. The convicts 

 and emancipists, unable to obtain a regular supply, became 

 more and more eager for the liquor. They were there, unwill- 

 ing immigrants, deprived of liberty, living under better but less 

 exciting conditions than in the hovels and slums of London ; 

 the pickpockets had no pockets to pick, the forgers and 

 coiners no bank notes or coins to counterfeit. Those who 

 had not been habitual criminals had endured a long schooling 

 in degradation by constant companionship with their fellows 

 first while waiting for trial, then in prisons or river hulks, 

 and finally packed close together for a six months' voyage. 

 For these the separation from homes and families and father- 

 land was harder to bear. They had a chance to make a fresh 

 start in New South Wales, but they had also the continual 

 bitterness of self-reproach. Under these circumstances nearly 

 all the prisoners drank, and drank wildly, a few perhaps 

 seeking indifference the majority to gratify a physical craving. 



When spirit could be bought the poorest were willing to sell 

 all they had to get it. The limits on importation caused a 

 multiplication of illicit stills. The home authorities refused to 



