low cannot, of course, be again consulted
on the same subject. In consequence of this default of advice,
the governor must give his own opinion, which may or may not be
in conformity with the laws of the mother country, just as it may
happen, and according to the knowledge he may possess of the
principles and practice of jurisprudence, which is seldom very
deep in persons whose inclinations are so opposite to this kind
of study as the officers of the navy and army, from whom the
governors of the colony have hitherto been selected. This
counsellor could be selected from those who might be induced to
listen to such a proposal, as may place before them a certain
liberal competence, with the opportunity of rising to
independence in a sphere where the number of competitors would be
so low as to render final success less precarious. It is needless
to expatiate more amply upon the benefits which must accrue from
an appointment of this nature, which would impose but a trifling
additional burden on the crown, since it is extremely possible
that a barrister might be obtained for the salary of 150L.
per annum, which, together with the victualling of himself and
his family and servants from the public stores, and residence in
the colony rent-free, added to the other customary indulgences
given to persons from whose services utility is expected to be
derived, would not make his situation worth less than
500L. per annum, a temptation which must possess some
weight in the minds of those who meet with inadequate
encouragement in England.

The legislative code of the colony requires a careful
revision, since the numerous residents who have arrived in the
settlement, and their increasing respectability and opulence,
render such a measure necessary. That system which would suit the
original establishment, composed only of two classes, the
officers of government and the convicts, will scarcely be
expected to adapt itself to the wants and wishes of a community
advanced in civilization: In the former case, the principal
object was to punish delinquency; in the latter, to secure
property, and insure the safety of that wealth which now began to
shew itself in the multiplication of luxuries, and the
augmentation of individual splendour. The present system is so
liable to abuse, and has given just occasion for so many
complaints on the part of those traders who visit the colony in
great numbers, as well as of the more respectable classes of