208 HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, ETC., 



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 

 distributed among the whole class of emancipated convicts, whether 

 they had been set free before the expiration of their term for good 

 behaviour, or had served their time out, produced positive injury. 



During our stay at Sydney, a convict-ship arrived; and being 

 desirous of obtaining a view of her accommodations, and the mode of 

 treating the convicts, I visited her. This vessel was prepared expressly 

 for the purpose. Between decks, a strong grated barricade, well 

 spiked with iron, is built across the ship at the steerage bulkhead. 

 This affords the officers a free view of all that is going on among the 

 prisoners. 



Bunks for sleeping are placed on each side all the way to the bow, 

 resembling those in a guard-room. Each of these will accommodate 

 five persons. There is no outlet but through a door in the steerage 

 bulkhead, and this is always guarded by a sentry. Light and air are 

 admitted through the hatches, which are well and strongly grated. 

 The guard is under the command of a sergeant, and is accommodated 

 in the steerage, the whole being under the orders of a surgeon, whose 

 duty it is to superintend and regulate every thing that relates to the 



