4+6 



ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [April, 



companions were refpited at the place of execution. Thefe unfortu- 

 nate people were both extremely penitent, confelfed the juftice of their 

 fentence, and acknowledged how much mifchief they had done, and 

 how much more they meditated, had they not been overtaken by 

 juftice. 



The fettlers, although certainly undeferving of the attention which 

 they met with from the Governor, were conftantly laying their com- 

 plaints before him ; many of thefe either did not exift at all, or were 

 of a moft trivial nature : one of the number, however, called for his 

 ferious attention. It originated in the unbounded rage for traffic that 

 pervaded nearly the whole fettlement. The delivery of grain into the 

 public ftorehoufes, when open for that purpofe, was fo completely 

 monopolized, that the fettlers had but few opportunities of getting the 

 full value for their crops. A few words will place this iniquitous com- 

 bination in its proper light. The fettler found himfelf thruft out 

 from the granary, by a man whofe greater opulence created greater 

 influence. He was then driven by his neceflities to difpofe of his 

 grain for lefs than half its value. To whom did he difpofe of it ? to 

 the very man whofe greater opulence enabled him to purchafe it, and 

 whofe greater influence could get it received into the public ftore 1 

 Order after order had been ilTued on this very fubjecl:, the ftore- 

 keepers being moft pointedly directed to give the preference to the 

 man whofe grain was the produce of his own labour ; and if any 

 favour were fhewn, to let it be to the poor but induftrious fettler. But 

 thefe neceflfary and humane directions had been too often fruftrated 

 by circumftances which were carefully kept from the knowledge of 

 the Governor ; it was, however, proved to him, that on occafion of 

 the ftore at the Hawkefbury being opened for the reception of 1500 

 bumels of wheat, the whole was engrofled by two or three of thefe 

 opulent traders, to the exclufion and injury of others, and of the 

 petty farmers in general. The ftore-keeper was not difmifled, becauie 

 a better might not have been found ; but the Governor directed, that 

 half the quantity of wheat thus partially and improperly put in fhould 



5 A* 



