3 2o ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [January, 



worft of the convicts, ever on the watch for opportunities, looked on 

 the play-houfe as a certain harveft for them, not by picking the 

 pockets of the audience, but by breaking into their houfes while the 

 family might be enjoying themfelves at the theatre. 



Among other objects of civil regulation which required the Gover- 

 nor's attention, was, to remedy an evil of great magnitude. It appeared, 

 that for a confiderable time paft they had been in the practice of mak- 

 ing and vending a fpirit, the quality of which was of fo deftructive a 

 nature, that the health of the fettlement in general was much endan- 

 gered. 



A practice fo iniquitous and ruinous, being not only direct difobe- 

 dience of his Majefty's commands, but deftructive of the welfare of 

 the colony in general, the Governor in the moft pofitive manner for- 

 bade all perfons, on any pretence whatfoever, to diftil fpirituous liquors 

 of any kind or quality, on pain of fuch fteps being taken for their pu- 

 niftiment, as would effectually prevent a repetition of fo dangerous an 

 offence. The conftables of the different diftricts, as well as all other 

 perfons whofe duty it was to preferve order, were ftrictly enjoined to 

 be extremely vigilant in difcovering and giving information, where, 

 and in whofe poffeffion, any article or machine for the purpofe of dif- 

 tilling fpirits might then be, or fhould hereafter be erected, in oppo- 

 sition to this notification of the Governor's refolution. In purfuance 

 of thefe directions, feveral ftills were found and cleftroyed, to the great 

 regret of the owners, who, from a bufhel of wheat (worth at the 

 public (lore ten fhillings), diftilled a gallon of a new and poifonous 

 fpirit, which they retailed directly from the ft ill at five millings per 

 quart bottle, and fometimes more. This was not merely paid away 

 for labour, as was pretended, but fold for the purpofe of intoxication- 

 to whoever would bring ready money. 



The many robberies which were almoft daily and nightly commit- 

 ted, rendered it expedient that fome fteps mould be taken to put a ft op- 

 to an evil fo deftructive of the happinefs and comfort of the induftri- 

 ous inhabitants. Several attempts had been made by the Gorn miliary, 



to 



