PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
• 885
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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advantage. The "Neptune," therefore, was sent from England in December 1848, to Bermuda in order to embark these convicts and convey them to the Cape. On the 14th of March, 1849, an answer was received to the circular despatch, stating that the inhabitants were averse to the introduction of convicts upon any terms. On the 19th of March two despatches were addressed to the Governor, explaining more fully the quality of these convicts, and the condition in which they would be placed; and upon the 23rd of March a hope was expressed that when these circumstances were better under- stood, the apprehensions which had been excited in the colony would subside.
44. Considering, however, the reluctance dis- played by the inhabitants of the Cape, it was not thought fit that any more convicts should be sent to that destination. On the 27th of March, some of Her Majesty's Ministers announced in the House of Commons, that if the feeling of the colonists against transportation to it, in every form, was universal, and not to be modified, the measure would not be persevered in, and the same announce- ment was repeated in a despatch to the Governor, dated the 18th of April, 1849.
45. This communication having been made to the colony, it was not contemplated that the violent resistance which ensued would be made to the reception of a small party of 300 men, selected as the most harmless convicts who could be met with, for the purpose of their being dispersed over a ter- ritory of vast extent, and in the midst of a large
Sir H. Smith, December 19, 22,
1848 January 5, 1849. Parliamentary Paper on Cape, April 4, 1849, pages 19 to 29.
Ibid., pages 41 to 47.
1850.
free population. On the 13th of August was Parliamentary Paper of January received a despatch from Sir H. Smith, dated 24th May. 1849, earnestly deprecating the conversion of the Cape into a penal settlement; and on the 14th and 17th of September arrived two further despatches from him, dated the 29th of June and
1850.
24th of July, which showed the height to which Parliamentary Paper of Muary the excitement had risen on the question of receiv- Nep-
ing the particular convicts embarked in the "
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tune. As is explained, however, in Lord Grey's despatch No. 403, of the 30th of November, for some time no directions were sent, under the im- pression that the Governor must have been com- pelled to come to onc decision or another, and that the issue of fresh directions might only increase
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his difficulties. But at the above-mentioned date of the 30th of November, the Governor was ap prised that the "Neptune" and her convicts were
to be sent on to Van Diemen's Land; and upon the 8th of December the requisite legal documents for the purpose were forwarded.
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
46. No particular events connected with Trans- portation occurred in this colony in the year 1849. There is no doubt, however, that it largely benefited by the temporary relief it enjoyed through the strenuous efforts of Government to obtain another outlet for convicts. To New South Wales nearly 1670 male convicts were sent in the course of 1849; only 300 were sent to Van Diemen's Land. The reports of the Lieutenant-Governor and Comp- troller-General continue very satisfactory, and exhibit a growing improvement. Unnatural crime, which had so much shocked public feeling, has been repressed; the departments are rendered more efficient; the accommodation for the convicts is improved, and a carefully digested plan has been introduced of employing by task-work those who remain upon the hands of Government. Formerly it was stipulated that the colony should pay for all Colonial works executed by the convicts ;-the result was, that the colony declined having the works, and the convicts had nothing useful to Lord Grey procured the abolition of this inconvenient rule, and the convicts are longer without beneficial means of employment, whilst chargeable to Government. On the other hand, with respect to such convicts as ought to earn their own subsistence, no better test can be afforded of improvement, both in the prisoners and in the state of the colony, than the diminution
do.
no
in the number waiting for engagements at the
+
Hiring Depôts." Subjoined is a statement of
their numbers at four dates for which the informa- tion is most complete :
G