e who do not know the
details of the administration of the colony--fewer robberies are
committed than in a European town of equal population. As to murder, I
have never heard tell of a crime of the kind being committed there, nor,
indeed, did I hear of one occurring since the foundation of the colony.
Nevertheless, the first consideration entails the maintenance of a very
considerable force; and with equal foresight and steadiness the
Government has taken precautions against the efforts of these bandits. A
second class of society, more formidable still (also much more
respectable, but having most to complain about, and the most interesting
class for us), is composed of legions of the unfortunate Irish, whom the
desire of freeing their country from the British yoke caused to arm in
concert with us against the English Government. Overwhelmed by force,
they were treated with pitiless rigour. Nearly all those who took up arms
in our favour were mercilessly transported, and mixed with thieves and
assassins. The first families of Ireland count their friends and
relations upon these coasts of New Holland. Persecuted by that most
implacable of all kinds of hatred, the hatred born of national animosity
and differing convictions, they are cruelly treated, and all the more so
because they are feared. Abandoned to themselves, it is felt, they can do
nothing, and the Government gains several interesting advantages from
their residence in this country. First, a population as numerous as it is
valiant is fixed upon these shores. Secondly, nearly all being condemned
to a servitude more or less long, they provide many strong arms for the
laborious work of clearing. Thirdly, the mixing of so many brave men with
criminals seems to obliterate the character of the settlement and to
provide, by the retention of a crowd of honest men, some sort of a
defence against the opprobrium cast upon it. Fourthly, the Government has
relieved itself in Europe of a number of enraged and daring enemies. At
the same time, one must admit, this policy has its defects. The Irish,
ruled by a sceptre of iron, are quiet to-day. But if ever the Government
of our country, alarmed by the rapidly increasing strength of this
colony, should formulate the project of taking or destroying it, at the
mere mention of the French name every Irish arm would be raised. We had a
very striking example when we first arrived at Port Jackson. Upon the
appearance of the French flag in