179 1 0 OF NEW SOUTH WALES. t $l 



sind the beef was lean, and (being cured with fpices) truly unpala- 

 table. Much of both thefe articles, when they came to be drefTed, could 

 not be ufed ; and, being the belt that could be procured at Batavia, no 

 inclination was excited by thefe fpecimens to try that market again. 



It having been reported to the Governor, that Bryant had been 

 heard frequently to exprefs, what was indeed the general fentiment 

 on the fubject among the convi&s, that he did not confider a mar- 

 riage contracted in that country as binding ; his Excellency caufed 

 thefe people to be informed, that none would be permitted to quit 

 the colony who had wives or children incapable of maintaining the ra- 

 rely es and likely to become burdenfome to the fettlement, until they 

 had found Sufficient fecurity for the maintenance of fuch wives and 

 children. This order was defigned as a check upon the erroneous 

 opinion which was formed of the efficacy of Mr. Johnfon's (the 

 clergyman) nuptial benediction ; and if Bryant had thought as little 

 of it as he was reported to do, his taking his wife with him could 

 only be accounted for by the dread of her defeating his plan by dis- 

 covery if She was not made perfonally interefted in his efcape. 



Orders were given for limiting the length of fuch boats as mould be 

 built by individuals to fuch Size as might deter the convicts from at- 

 tempts to take them off. Alfo regulations as to the people employed 

 in boats after Sun-Set, whofe names were to be given in writing tQ 

 trie officer on guard, to prevent any convict taking them from the 

 wharfs under pretence of filling or other Services* 



