aces which I should prefer to this (Bombay). You will
smile at the mention of Botany Bay; but I am most serious, and I assure
you that next to a parliamentary situation, to which either nature or
early ambition has constantly directed my views, I should prefer,
without much regarding pecuniary advantages, that of being the lawgiver
of Botany Bay.... England, in rearing such a community, is preparing not
only conquerors of India, but enemies to herself and to all mankind.
While on the one side the experiment of a reforming penal colony is,
perhaps, the grandest ever tried in morals, it is one which is perfectly
safe; for the settlement never can be worse than it is now, when no
attempt towards reformation is dreamed of, and when it is governed on
principles of political economy more barbarous than those which
prevailed under Queen Bess. Every day the difficulties of the experiment
grow with the increase of the (criminal) population.... I have heard,
read, and thought so much about this extraordinary colony, that I am
very confident in my general opinions; and I confess, between ourselves,
that I am a piece of an enthusiast in my reforming projects," &c.]

[Footnote 98: 43 Geo. iii.]

[Footnote 99: "Not a governor, not a magistrate, that has acted thus,
but has exposed himself to prosecutions upon prosecutions, to actions
upon actions, from which not even the crown can save him."--_Bentham's
Plea for the Constitution_, 1804.]

[Footnote 100: _Wentworth_, p. 389. 1820.]

[Footnote 101: _Collins_, vol. ii. p. 214.]

[Footnote 102: _Collins_, vol. i. p. 268.]

[Footnote 103: _Bigge's Jud. Report_, p. 76.]

[Footnote 104: Collins.]

[Footnote 105: _Bigge's Jud. Report._]

[Footnote 106: Ibid.]

[Footnote 107: Ibid.]

SECTION V.

William Sorell, Esq., third Lieutenant-governor, landed 8th April, 1817.
To restore safety to the colony was the first duty of the governor: on
his assumption of office he called the inhabitants together, and enabled
by their subscriptions he offered large rewards, and thus inspirited
both the soldiers and the constables. In less than three months the
greater portion of the bushrangers were destroyed or captured. During
Sorell's administration the colony suffered no serious disturbance from
outlaws. This display of rigour was followed by judicious precautions:
he ascertained more frequently the distribution and employment of the
prisoners of the crown, and removed many temptatio