OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 205 



voured to build up Sydney and Paramatta at the expense of the morals 

 of the community, and appears to have discouraged free emigration. 

 The emancipated convicts were admitted by him to the same privileges 

 and immunities as the free settlers ; and he treated the whole colony as 

 if it were the gift of the mother country to those of her subjects who 

 had outraged her laws. This policy soon had its effect at home, where 

 it is said that crimes were committed in the hope of being sentenced to 

 transportation ; and it is asserted that the emancipated convicts, known 

 as ticket-of-leave men, were much more desirably situated than honest 

 persons of their own rank of life in the mother country. Many of 

 these in consequence wrote to their friends to come out to them, and 

 pointed out the means of doing so at the expense of the crown. This 

 state of things was offensive to the free settlers, who opposed the 

 endeavours of the colonial government to break down the distinctions 

 that naturally exist between the polluted and unpolluted. Their repug- 

 nance was increased by the attempt, on the part of the emancipated 

 convicts, to make property the only qualification for acquiring civil and 

 political rights. So strongly was the line of distinction drawn by the 

 free settlers at that time, that it remains unbroken to the present day, 

 and affects even the third and fourth generation. From the countenance 

 shown to the convicts by Governor Macquarie, their minds have 

 become impressed with the idea that the colony is intended for their 

 benefit ; and they consider that they have the best right to administer 

 the government, while the free emigrants in their opinion are inter- 

 fering with their rights, by occupying all places of emolument and 

 trust. Sufficient interest was excited by the complaints of the free 

 emigrants to cause a commission of inquiry to be appointed. Much 

 good resulted from its action, and a settled policy was at length 

 adopted in relation to the treatment of the convicts. 



Governor Macquarie was succeeded, in 1821, by Sir Thomas Bris- 

 bane, during whose administration all restrictions on the press were 

 removed. 



In 1824, by an act of Parliament, a Supreme Court was established, 

 having equity, common law, admiralty, and ecclesiastical jurisdiction. 

 Trial by jury was authorized under certain limitations, and the Legis- 

 lative Council instituted. This was a great improvement upon the 

 former system, and reduced the power of the Governor, which had 

 before been absolute, while it at the same time gave him the best 

 advisers. 



The Legislative Council consisted of the Governor, with three civil 

 officers, and three gentlemen not holding office. The establishment of 



