179*0 OF NEW SOUTH WALES* 



more feverely felt in that country, as its inhabitants had but lately 

 experienced a change from a mod fcanty ration of fait provifions ; 

 and every ounce loft was of importance, as the fupply had been cal- 

 culated on a fuppofition of each caik containing its full weight. 



During the month of Auguft, the Governor thought it neceflary 

 to iffue fome regulations to be obferved by thofe convicts whofe fen*, 

 tences of tranfportation had expired. The number of people of this 

 clefcription in the colony had been fo much increafed lately, that it 

 became requifite to determine with precifion the line in which they 

 were to move. Having emerged from the condition of convicts, and 

 got rid of the reftraint which was neceffarily impofed on them while 

 under that fubjecYion, many of them feemed to have forgotten that 

 they were ftill amenable to the regulations of the colony, and ap- 

 peared to have fhaken off, with the yoke of bondage, all reftraint and 

 dependence whatfoever. They were, therefore, called upon to de- 

 clare their intentions refpecting their future mode of living. Thofe 

 who wifhed to be allowed to provide for themfelves were informed, 

 that on application to the Judge-advocate, they would receive a cer- 

 tificate of their having ferved their feveral periods of tranfportation j 

 which certificate they would depofit with the Commiflfary, as his 

 voucher for ftriking them off the provifion and clothing lift ; and 

 once a week they were to report in what manner and for whom they 

 had been employed. Such as fhould be defirous of returning to 

 England were informed that no obftacle would be thrown in their 

 way, they being at liberty to (hip themfelves on board of fuch vef- 

 fels as would give them a paflage. And thofe who preferred labour- 

 ing for the public were to give in their names to the Commiffary, 

 who 'would victual and clothe them as long as their fervices might 

 be required. 



Of thofe at Sydney and at Parramatta, who had fulfilled the fen- 

 tence of the law, by far the greater part fignified their intention of 

 returning to England by the firft opportunity ; but the getting 

 away from the colony was now a matter of fome difficulty ; as it 



A a was 



