ed them to let
their future conduct wipe away the present impropriety of their
behaviour: those who distinguished themselves by a regular,
honest, and industrious line of conduct, I promised to
countenance and encourage, whilst those of a contrary description
were sure to be made severe and dreadful examples of. I likewise
cautioned them against stealing and plundering the grounds and
gardens; assuring them that they would be severely punished on
detection.

Having finished my address to the convicts, I caused the
following orders to be read, in addition to those which were
before made public for the preservation of order.

"The commandant strictly forbids any officer, soldier, free
person, or convict, male or female, ever absenting themselves
from the camp or town for ten minutes together, without having
first obtained leave from the officer charged with the guard, who
will obtain the commandant's leave, if he should think fit to
grant it. The officer of the guard will take an account of the
names of those who are absent on leave, on a slate, which will be
kept in the guard-house for that purpose.

Every person returning from that leave, is to acquaint the
officer of the guard of their return.

Every convict who is observed to go over the hill to the farm,
without having obtained leave, or going to work there, will be
fired at by the centinel.

The convicts, and not more than three together, are to build
houses for themselves, at their leisure hours, in such places as
will be pointed out.

No person for the future will be suffered to live out of the
camp.

John Thompson and Samuel Pickett are dispossessed of their
garden ground, in consequence of their ill behaviour.

Though I had not the most distant reason to suspect any free
person whatever, of being in the least disaffected, yet I judged
it necessary to finish this affair by administering the oaths of
allegiance and fidelity to the officers, marines, and free people
individually, in the presence of the convicts. The theft of the
Indian corn being fully proved, on the 26th, I ordered William
Thompson to be punished with fifty lashes; and Thomas Jones,
another convict, was punished with thirty-six lashes, for abuse
and insolence to Messieurs Jamieson and Dunavan.

The whole of the convicts were now employed in cutting down
trees, and clearing the ground near the houses, in order to give
more room for building others.

As the rains were very violent,