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33. Whilst these reasons existed for relieving Van Diemen's Land from any further influx of prisoners, very favourable accounts were received of the refor- matory effects of the new prison discipline upon convicts. The surgeons' journals on the voyage showed how tractable the men had become. Although convicts could no longer go to New South Wales under sentence, yet large numbers of men having conditional pardons, and styled "Exiles," were sent to Port Philip in the course of 1847 and 1848, and were eagerly engaged by colonial masters. The Governor of Bermuda and the Convict Chap- lain at Gibraltar both bore testimony in favour of the recently-arrived convicts at those stations.

34. Under such circumstances the natural expe- dient appeared to be, to endeavour to ascertain if several colonies might not be induced to accept a small share of convicts. The very same number of men, it might be reasoned, who in a single island might outrun the means of employment and exercise a bad moral influence, dispersed among several colo- nies might profitably recruit their industry without bearing a sufficient proportion to the whole popu- lation to lower the moral standard. Accordingly, the whole course of the measures adopted in the latter part of 1848 and in 1849 may be said to have aimed at the object of gaining a wider field

for the dispersion of convicts.

35. It should be explained here, however, that the practice of sending out convicts as Exiles was dropped. The most experienced officers unanimously represented that it was much better to send them with only tickets of leave. In the former condition they were to all intents and pur- poses free, except that they must not return to the country where they had been convicted. In the latter they equally were free to earn their own livelihood and choose their own masters, but the Government could assign to them districts for their residence, so that they should not loiter about the towns in undue numbers, and in case of misconduct they could be remunded to a state of coercion This afforded all the advantages supposed to belong to the old Assignment system, of dispersing the convicts, and also gave them motives of industry, but at the same time preserved a strong control

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over them, and added to the safety of the com- munity.

36. Proceeding on the information above referred to, Lord Grey addressed a circular on the 7th of August, 1848, to the Governors of several colonies, pointing out the favourable reports of convicts who had undergone due preliminary punishment and training, and making inquiries as to the practica- bility of introducing some into those colonies with advantage. This circular was sent to New South Wales, New Zealand, Western Australia, the Cape, and, with some modifications, to Ceylon and Mauritius.

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37. The cases of New South Wales and the Cape will be stated presently. At Ceylon it appeared that there was a want of demand for skilled labour, and the climate was deemed a sufficient objection. So it was by the Governor and Council of Mauri- tius, when coupled with the differences of language and race in that island, and also the facilities for obtaining ardent spirits. In New Zealand the in- terests of the native race, and the danger of collision with it, were held out as an obstacle (in which Lord Grey acquiesced) to the adoption of the plan. The people of Western Australia have expressed a desire to receive convicts, though rather to be employed on public works, than men considered entitled to an immediate ticket of leave.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

38. The case of New South Wales requires to be stated a little more fully. On the 30th of April, 1846, Mr. Secretary Gladstone had instructed the Governor to ascertain if the inhabitants would be inclined to receive convicts after they had under- gone a certain period of probation. On the 6th of November, 1846, the Governor transmitted some petitions against the measure, and the report of a Committee of the Legislative Council in its favour, On the 25th of September, 1847, however, the Governor reported that the Council differed from its Committee, and was opposed to the reception of con-

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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ITC.O.

885

2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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