introduced suffering under the penalty for crime, even when let loose among the people and permitted to work for themselves, were, until the expiration of their sentence, subject to the surveillance of the magistracy and police, and thus isolated from the general mass of the people.
These circumstances, and their having of necessity become intimately known to each other while in the condition bf prisoners, could not fail to form a bond of union between them, which would be maintained, in some degree, even after they had become free men. The inhabitants of the Colony were henceforth divided into two classes, bond and free.
Some soon received tickets-of-leave, and found employment according to their conduct and capacities, afterwards obtaining conditional pardons and becoming free in all respects, except that they might not leave the Colony. Their term of penal obligation being ended, they, as expirees, were in all respects in the same condition as the other inhabitants, with the exception of these disabilities—they might not sit as members of the Legislative Council, or practise in the law courts. The first convicts sent out were all men selected for good conduct while in confinement; but afterwards no selection was made, the authorities in England not finding it practicable; and many were therefore men well skilled and practised in crimes requiring dexterity and intelligence, who introduced their criminal arts into the Colony. Some succeeded in escaping, and for a time became bush-rangers and leaders of the natives in plunder and violence until again captured. The great majority, however, became useful members of society; some being skilled artisans and mechanics, exercised their abilities for the benefit of the community; some
