OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



399 



his countrymen that he had not killed the man in queftion, or any 

 man ; and that the foldiers were fent with him, to convince them that 

 the Governor would not fuffer him, his old friend and fellow voyager 

 (it muft be remembered that Ren-nil-long returned from England with 

 the Governor), to be ill-treated by them, on any falfe pretence; and 

 that he was determined to drive every native away from Sydney who 

 fhould attempt it. This threat had its effect. Mmy of them were 

 much alarmed when they faw in what manner and by whom Ben-nil- 

 long was attended ; and to be driven from a place whence they de- 

 rived fo many comforts, and fo much fhelter in bad weather, would 

 have been feverely felt by them, 



In the firft part of October the weather had been unfavourable; but 

 about the middle fome fhowers fell very feafonably for the harveft. 



November opened with the arrival of the Prince of Wales, victual- 

 ler, from England. She had failed in company with the Sylph, which 

 alfo had provifions for the fettlement on board, but which did not 

 arrive until the 1 7th. 



The ufeful regulation of numbering the different houfes in the town 

 of Sydney, particularly thofe in the occupation of the convicts, was 

 followed up by another equally ferviceable, which directed the inha- 

 bitants of each four divifions of the town (for into that number it was 

 portioned off) to meet, and from among themfelves elect three of the 

 raoft decent and refpectable characters, who were to be approved by 

 the Governor, and were to ferve for the enfuing year as watchmen, 

 for the purpofe of enforcing a proper attention to the good order and 

 tranquillity of their refpective divifions. 



Richard Atkins, Efq. having been directed to officiate as Judge Ad- 

 vocate of the colony, in the ab fence of the gentleman who had filled 

 that fituation fince the firft eftablifhment of the fettlement, and who 

 had now proceeded to England, a criminal court was held on the 

 •23d, when fentence of death was paffed upon eight prifoners who 

 were capitally convicted ; one, of the murder of the man whofe body 

 had been found on the north fhore in the laft month, and feven of 



robbing 



