become an object of
ambition, and supply a stimulus to exertion and good conduct
which is at present wanting.

It rarely happens that any of those transported have any desire
to leave the country; they form connections in the place, and
find so many inducements to remain, that to be sent away is
considered by most a severe punishment.

While a convict remains unmarried and kept to daily labour very
little confidence can be placed in him, and his services are
rendered with so much tardiness and dissatisfaction that they
are of little or no value; but he no sooner marries and forms a
small settlement than he becomes a kind of colonist, and if
allowed to follow his inclinations he seldom feels inclined to
return to his native country.

I propose to divide them into three classes. The first class to
be allowed to give evidence in court, and permitted to settle
on land secured to them and their children; but no one to be
admitted to this class until he has been resident in Bencoolen
three years. The second class to be employed in ordinary
labour. The third class, or men of abandoned and profligate
character, to be kept to the harder kinds of labour, and
confined at night.

In cases of particular good conduct a prospect may be held out
of emancipating deserving convicts from further obligation of
services on condition of their supporting themselves and not
quitting the settlement.

Upon the abstract question of the advantage of this arrangement
I believe there will be little difference of opinion. The
advantage of holding out an adequate motive of exertion is
sufficiently obvious, and here it would have the double
tendency of diminishing the bad characters and of increasing
that of useful and industrious settlers, thereby facilitating
the general police of the country and diminishing the expenses
of the Company."

These intentions were acted upon afterwards, and the good effects of
the regulations were soon apparent; a large body of people who had been
living in the lowest state of degradation soon became useful labourers
and happy members of society. So grateful were they for the change, that
when they were sent round to Penang on the transfer of Bencoolen to the
Dutch in 1825, as we have stated, they entreated to be placed on the
same footing as they had been placed at Fort Marlborough