OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 233 



crews of merchantmen are frequently carried off by these fellows, 

 and they are in consequence at times detained until the master or 

 assignee resorts to the agents of these crimps, who are ready to give 

 them a crew at four or five guineas for each sailor. I was told, a 

 few days after my arrival, that the crimps had determined to get 

 some of the men of the squadron; and they succeeded in enticing 

 away the crew of the tender Flying-Fish and three or four other 

 men belonging to the ships. The vigilance and system of these 

 crimps bid defiance to the laws and police, who although quite 

 aware of the existence of the evil, find it out of their power to put a 

 stop to it. Since my departure, the shipping interests have memo- 

 rialized the Government and Council, and there is a prospect that this 

 nuisance will be abated. 



As respects the higher class of society, it is in all respects the same 

 as is met with in England and America, among well-educated per- 

 sons. Perhaps as to fashion it is a little more colonial, but not more 

 so than the distance from whence fashions originate would account 

 for. The cordial welcome and hospitality we met with could not be 

 surpassed any where. 



The Governor is appointed by letters patent, under the great 

 seal of the United Kingdom ; but he acts under the direction of the 

 legislature. 



The Legislative Council consists of a number not exceeding fifteen, 

 and not less than ten ; the members are appointed by the King, and 

 are all residents within the colony. 



The Governor is president of this council, and is entitled to vote as 

 a member upon all questions; when it is equally divided, he has 

 an additional or casting vote. To the Governor and Council is dele- 

 gated the power to make laws, for the peace, welfare, and good 

 government of the colony, not repugnant to any act, charter, &c, 

 which may have been issued, or to the laws of England ; and no law 

 or ordinance can be passed, unless first laid before the Council by the 

 Governor. 



The Governor is, by statute, invested with the right of property in 

 the services of offenders or convicts who have been transported, and he 

 may assign this right to others. He is captain-general and governor- 

 in-chief, and has full control over all the military and civil authori- 

 ties. He is empowered, and required, to administer oaths to the Chief 

 Justice, and the members of the Executive Council ; to keep the public 

 seal ; and is invested with authority to suspend members of the Execu- 



vol. n. 59 



