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reg\ilarky, the chance of reformation must be Infinitely greater 

 than when they are worked in gangs, living with each other 

 amidst all the inducements to vice which such a town as Sydney 

 must afford to them ; and such, by all the evidence, appears to be 

 the effect of this system of distributing them amongst the 

 settlers. Nor is it to be lost sight of, that in the service of 

 settlers they are likely to acquire some knowledge of farming; 

 sod that if, from convicts, they became well-behaved and indus- 

 trious servants, a farther possibility is opened to them of ber 

 earning prosperous and respectable settlers. On these grounds 

 jour committee recommend as much as possible their distribu- 

 ti©ii as servants and labourers to individuals; and they have 

 ©bserved with much satisfaction, that such appears to be the 

 ^'stem pursued at present by Governor Macquarie : nor will 

 seeh an arrangement materially increase the expense to Govern- 

 ment, or impede the progress of its works. It is to be found in 

 the evidence of Mr. Commissary Palmer, that the expense of 

 each convict in the service of Government was about 40/. a 

 jear, and that a free labourer at Sydney could be hired for 'JOL 

 hut that he would do nearly twice as much work. Mr. Camp-? 

 Wl states the annual expense of a convict at 30/. ; but in the 

 ©ther point he agrees with Mr. Palmer. Some of the benefits 

 &£ this system must be lost where too many convicts are given to 

 me master, and in some instances 40 have been put under the 

 eootrol of a single settler ; but from the extent of some of the 

 farms, such a distribution appears to be unavoidable. In the 

 distribution of female convicts great abuses have formerly pre- 

 vailed ; they were indiscriminately given to such of the inha- 

 Mtants as demanded them, and were in general received rather 

 as prostitutes than as servants; and so far from being induced to 

 reform themselves, the disgraceful manner in which they were 

 disposed of operated as an encoutagement to general depravity 

 ©f manners. Upon the arrival of Governor Bligh two-thirds of 

 the children annually born within the colony were illegitimate. 

 Maniages have latterly become more frequent, consequently 

 prostitution is stated to have been less prevalent ; and Governor 

 Macquarie is directing his endeavours, under orders from the 

 Government here, " to keep the female convicts separate till 

 they can properly be distributed among the inhabitants, in such 

 manner as they may best derive the advantages of industry and 

 good character." He further states in his dispatch, dated April 

 30, 1810, that the situation of the colony requires that as many 

 male convicts as possible should be sent thither, the prosperity 

 of the country depending on their numbers; whilst, on the 

 contrary, female convicts are as great a drawback as the others 

 are beneficial. To this observation your committee feel they 

 Cimnot accede : they are aware that the women sent out are of 



