214 HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, ETC., 



They claimed the privilege of importing spirits, which was refused 

 to others, and of selling it to the non-commissioned officers, many of 

 whom held licenses to sell spirits by retail. In this way, many of 

 the officers of the New South Wales corps realized large sums by 

 trade, and counteracted all the endeavours of the governor to effect a 

 reform in the colony. 



In September, 1800, Captain King assumed his duties as governor, 

 and during the whole of his administration, which lasted till 1806, 

 provisions continued to be imported into the colony at the expense of 

 the home government, principally from the Cape of Good Hope and 

 Batavia. 



The military were gradually acquiring more power, and their 

 officers generally set the laws at defiance, assuming the right of 

 landing spirits from every vessel that arrived. Governor King 

 endeavoured to put a stop to this practice ; but the military, who had 

 become powerful and influential, overawed him. In an evil hour, 

 hoping to check their power and influence, he gave licenses not only 

 to the constables, but to the jailer, to sell rum ; and the latter, it is 

 said, was allowed to keep a public tap-room opposite the jail door. 



In consequence of this state of things, the Governor's power was 

 very much weakened, if not entirely destroyed, and the whole settle- 

 ment was thrown into confusion. The convicts were under no 

 efficient control, and bands of them, under the name of Bush 

 Rangers,* traversed the country, and entered the houses of the 

 settlers even in the open day, committing the most fearful atrocities. 

 Anarchy and confusion reigned every where. 



The Castle Hill convicts now mutinied, but were overcome, and 

 some of them executed. 



Captain Bligh, R. N. (who had commanded the Bounty), suc- 

 ceeded Captain King. During his administration, rum was the 

 medium of exchange, and the settlers had no other purchasers for 

 their produce but the privileged dealers in that article, who took 

 every advantage of them. 



In 1807, two stills for manufacturing spirits were imported by Mr. 



* The Bush Rangers are still very troublesome at times. In addition to the runaway 

 convicts, of which their bands are principally composed, they also include soldiers who 

 have deserted. They occasionally commit great barbarities, and are consequently much 

 dreaded. . Few indeed of the lonely settlements are safe from their depredations. In 

 order to suppress them, there is a body of mounted police ; but its numbers are too small 

 to put an effectual stop to the evil. 



