218 HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, ETC., 



tleman came into office, the policy of selling lands, instead of making 

 free grants, was adopted ; this was considered an important change for 

 the colony. 



The money arising from the sales of land was set apart hy the home 

 government, to be applied to the immigration of free settlers; but great 

 complaints have been made that this fund has been diverted from the 

 original object, or that a surplus remained in the government coffers 

 unexpended. Labour is, in consequence, in the greatest demand in 

 all parts of the colon)', and the inconveniences of convict labour begin 

 to show themselves. From what I could understand, the assignment 

 system is getting into disrepute, and all the respectable settlers are 

 now turning their attention to the moral condition of the colony. 

 Strong representations have been made to the home government, and 

 an act has been passed, by which New South Wales is no longer to 

 be a penal settlement, and transportation thither is to cease. The 

 only points that are now used for this purpose are Moreton Bay and 

 Norfolk Island. 



The principles upon which free grants are made, have been subject 

 to great fluctuation. In Governor Macquarie's time, no grants to a 

 single individual could exceed one hundred and fifty acres. Many 

 of the difficulties and evils that resulted from these free grants, are 

 said to have grown out of his disposition (miscalled humane), which 

 led him to view the convicts as men in misfortune, rather than as the 

 outcasts of society. 



His regulations in entering on his duties were explicit, " that a 

 convict should receive a grant of land only, when from good conduct 

 and a disposition to industry he should be found deserving of favour, 

 and of receiving emancipation." In contradiction to the spirit of this 

 regulation, he made grants of land to any emancipated convicts, and 

 even appointed them to office as constables, &c! These emancipa- 

 tions were easily obtained, and transportation became, as has already 

 been stated, rather a reward than a punishment for crime. Instead 

 of bestowing his indulgences only on the deserving, a rule of action 

 which, if strictly carried into execution, would have been productive 

 of good, both to the rising community and the convicts themselves, 

 he dispensed his favours indiscriminately. He committed a double 

 error, when in addition he appointed them to office, thus placing 

 them over their companions in crime. Good could not be expected 

 to result from such a course, and the profusion with which land was 



