364 
Account of 
On the 21st April, 1825, Lieut, (the late Brigade 
Major) Butler, then of the 40th regiment, assumed the 
command of the settlement, relieving Lieut. Wright, who 
had to proceed with his regiment to Sydney. 
Under Captain Butlers management a daily improve¬ 
ment was visible in every branch of the service at Mac¬ 
quarie Harbour; his activity and perseverance in carrying 
on the works,— his firm and severe, yet humane and just 
government of the prisoners, could not fail to produce 
the most salutary effects. Building after building was 
erected, every part of the settlement brought into culti¬ 
vation, excellent quays bordered the front, whilst fences, 
constructed of successive tiers of paling some thirty feet 
high, were made to protect the rear of the settlement 
from the blasting effects of the north-west winds; raft 
after raft of Huon pine came floating down the Gordon, 
and from the adjacent banks: boats, cutters, schooners, 
and brigs left the dock-yard. The land upon which the 
dock-yard itself stood was taken from the sea. Philip 
Island was brought into cultivation; in fact Capt. Butler 
left nothing to his successors to perform,—they had 
merely to continue to carry on the works either begun 
or in contemplation. 
During Captain Butler’s administration murders con¬ 
tinued to be committed occasionally, and prisoners to 
attempt their escape, though with an exception or two 
without success. The most serious attempt at absconding 
was made in December, 1828 : the pilot had taken down 
and discharged a small craft or lighter, named after him¬ 
self the James Lucas , with a cargo of materials to enlarge 
his quarters. The next morning, between nine and ten 
o’clock, he went on board, and having stept below, was 
surprised at finding the hatches suddenly closed upon 
him by his boat’s crew and two other convicts who had 
come down with him. The men threatened to murder 
