65 A V O Y A G E T O 
^ yjj\^" Governor Phillip advanced, and addreffing firft the 
' — private fcldiers, thanked them for their fteady good 
condu6t on every occafion : an honour which was re- 
peated to them in the next general orders. He then 
turned to the convids, and diftindtly explained to them 
the nature of their prefent fituation. The greater part, 
he hade them recolle6l, had already forfeited their lives 
to the jullice of their country : yet, by the lenity of its 
laws, they were nov/ fo placed that, by induflry and 
good behaviour, they might in time regain the advantages 
and eftimation in fociety of which they had deprived 
themfelves. They not only had every encouragement 
to make that effort, but were removed almofl entirely 
from every temptation to guilt. There was little in 
this infant community which one man could plunder 
from another, and any didioneft: attempts in fo fm^all a 
fociety w^ould almofl infallibly be difcovered. To per- 
fons dete6ted in fuch crimes, he could not promife any 
' , mercy; nor indeed to any who, under their circum- 
itances, fliould prefum.e to offend againff the peace and 
good order of the fettlement. What mercy could do 
for them they had already experienced ; nor could any 
good be now expeded from thofe whom neither paft 
warnings, nor the peculiarities of their prefent fituation 
could preferve from guilt. Againff offenders, therefore, 
the rigour of the law would certainly be put in force : 
while they whofe behaviour fliould in any degree pro- 
2 jxiife 
