A General Order (20th Dec. 1800) shows the manner in which spirits were admitted into the colony. A vessel had arrived from England.
"The Governor having contracted for 2000 gallons of spirits to be divided among the officers, civil and military, who are not provided with any, and the soldiers and settlers at this place and at Norfolk Island; such spirits will be divided in the following proportions; for which-money, Government, or paymaster's bills are to be given:—
payment for which is to be made in the following proportions, to the Commissary, previous to the Royal Admiral's departure. Non-commissioned officers and soldiers 4s. per gallon; settlers 5s. 6d. per gallon and officers 5s. per gallon. The Governor remits the assessment of one shilling per gallon to the regiment; and to the officers, for 40 gallons each per annum. All above that quantity to pay for the assessment."
Though King communicated his instructions with some delicacy to the officers in the first instance, he was outspoken afterwards in General Orders. On the 20th Dec. 1801, "John Green, a convict, being detected in exchanging spirits for wheat with the government threshers has forfeited the spirits and the wheat, which with his dwellinghouse are forfeited to the purposes of government, and the delinquent is sent to Norfolk Island." On the same day (as)
"it appears that an officer has given the spirits he was permitted by the Governor to purchase for his domestic purposes to a licensed retailer of spirituous liquors, to deliver to individuals by his orders, the Governor once more calls the attention of the officers, civil and military, to the delicate manner in which he communicated the Royal Instructions to them on that behalf; and he now directs that if any officer shall so far abuse the indulgence granted him, of being allowed to purchase spirits for his domestic purposes, by giving it on any pretext to any retailer whatever, or licensed person, to retail or give out by his orders, such spirits will not only be seized, but also the offender will be tried by a general court martial. Licensed persons receiving permits for spirits are to draw it themselves; and if they receive spirits from any other person to dispose of on their own account, all such spirits will be seized, and the receiver forfeit his license, recognizances, and all strong drinks found on his premises, which will become the property of the person suing to conviction. And if any person, civil or military, settlers, freemen, or prisoners, shall presume to purchase wheat with spirits, all such wheat, spirits, and the premises on which they are found will be forfeited to the Crown, and the offender dealt with according to his situation."
