bsequently discharged. From that period to the year 1800, 1259
new male convicts arrived, effective and non-effective, a number
which was insufficient to fill up the deficiencies occasioned by
those who had obtained their liberations in consequence of having
completed their terms of servitude, and the emancipations which
had taken place, the number of which together amounted to 1264,
without including the deaths, casualties, and escapes, which may
be taken at an equal number; nor were there more employed by the
crown than 710 when Governor King was succeeded in the command of
the colony (although a great many had arrived between those
periods), including the vast number allowed to officers,
settlers, and others, and but few of the remainder were either
mechanics or persons adapted to the improvement of the colony;
therefore from these causes it must be evident to every rational
mind, that the progress of the colony towards perfection and
prosperity has, in fact, been as rapid as could be expected,
considering the circumstances of the settlement; and an opinion
of a contrary nature must have been grounded upon an exaggerated
estimate of the means which existed, and an entire ignorance of
the due proportion which they have borne to the labour required
at their hands.

2dly, As to the expenditure of the stores which were forwarded
to the colony, in the interval which elapsed from the departure
of Governor Phillip, in December, 1792, to the arrival of
Governor Hunter, in September, 1795.--It has been subsequently
ascertained, that in this lapse of two years and three-quarters,
a sufficiency of stores had been received to supply the real
wants of the settlement for a period nearly thrice as long;
whereas the whole was expended, and the store-houses were found
empty at the arrival of the latter governor from England. In
consequence of the profusion which had thus been practised,
although it might at that time be deemed needful, his excellency
Governor Hunter was reduced to the necessity of purchasing new
stores at an expensive market, where every advantage was taken of
the necessity which had induced the demand, and the most
exorbitant prices were charged for each article. I have
understood from very good authority, that two pounds were paid
for a pair of men's shoes, and thirty shillings for women's;
tobacco was forty shillings per lb.; soap twelve shillings, and
sugar eight shillings; a beaver hat and a coarse jacket, fe