divided with them. A vessel was afterwards sent from V. D. Land, to bring these men away, but they had been previously taken off by an American Whaler.
16th. We went on board the Elizabeth, in company with Captain Forster, the chief police magistrate, to whom we had been introduced by the Governor, and witnessed the examination of part of the convicts, just arrived from England in this ship. A variety of questions were put to them relating to the crimes for which they had been sentenced to transportation, the number of times they had previously been apprehended, the causes of their apprehension, the punishments they had received, the state of their families, what their parents were, whether they could read or write, their occupation, &c. of all which a record is kept. The Government was already in possession of information on many of these subjects, but further particulars are often elicited after the arrival of the prisoners. The convicts are assigned as servants to the colonists, and the vacancies occasioned by any others having obtained tickets-of-leave are first supplied; the rest are then assigned to the service of such as apply for them, except in cases of second transportation, when they are mostly sent to a penal settlement.—In the present instance, a man was brought out a second time; but on account of his having behaved well on the voyage, and some other circumstances in his favour, he was ordered by the Governor into a chain-gang; where, if he continue to improve, he will after a certain time be assigned to private service.
Dr. Martin, the Surgeon-superintendent, who came out with the ship, went over it with us: it had been kept so clean and well ventilated, that it was perfectly free from unpleasant smell, notwithstanding the prisoners, 220 in number, had slept in it last night.—The boys were separated from the men, and a system of discipline and instruction was pursued amongst them, that was attended with very pleasing results. Some of the convicts were employed by the Doctor as assistants and monitors. Out of 120 of the prisoners, 76 could not read; and many of them seemed never to have had any care bestowed upon them
