vessel sailed with her cargo to return to India without any murmur on the
occasion."[1]
Another form of the evil it was difficult to arrest. Unlawful stills had long been resorted to.[2] King told the Secretary of State (15th March 1806) that he had from time to time caused several to be destroyed, "and the workers and such proprietors as the facts could be proved on were sent from the colony, agreeable to a colonial regulation on that head." "Some of the most determined United Irishmen" thus fell into his hands. "Some above the labouring class" were concerned in the crime.
"It has occurred to me that the excise laws, as far as respects the fines and penalties for using private stills, might be adopted here with a good effect, but on consulting with the Judge-Advocate on that subject, he thinks the introduction of those laws ought to be sanctioned by His Majesty's government. However much I differ from him, considering this colony and the generality of its inhabitants, and that such regulations would not be repugnant to the laws of England, yet I have forborne that measure until an instruction and opinion may be received thereon. I therefore respectfully request your Lordship's consideration how far the excise laws may be adopted within this territory to remedy those evils which I think cannot be entirely checked without such nieasures being enforced."
Governor Hunter in 1799 issued a General Order forbidding unlawful distilling, and declaring that from free people offending, "every indulgence they may have hitherto received from Government shall be immediately withdrawn, and they shall be ordered to quit the colony by the earliest opportunity." As was his custom, Hunter shrank from giving effect to his order.
In 1805 King peremptorily directed the Provost-Marshal to seek for and destroy stills. Two free-men had been sent out of the colony for infringing the order. The magistrates, with concurrence of Atkins, grew circumspect. In
- ↑ It has been necessary to narrate the matter of this petition at some length, in order that the reader may observe how preposterous has been the statement that with such an adviser as Crossley, Bligh provoked resistance by antagonism to spirit-traffic.
- ↑ Governor Hunter wrote (1796): Many of the settlers and others have fallen upon a method of erecting stills, and distilling a most noxious and unwholesome spirit. . . . It will cost me some time and much trouble to get the better of this dangerous practice, and no doubt a little unpopularity amongst that description of people. I have, however, issued public orders. This I think will be effectual, several stills having already been seized and broken."
