eceive it in the piece, that
they might suit it to their respective wants, as well as consult
their own comforts: Those who might have less leisure than their
fellow-prisoners, could have their clothing made by the tailors
of the different settlements, while the others would be happy to
make their own. If this plan were to be carried into execution,
it might be necessary to find a person properly qualified to take
the superintendence of this mechanical department; and such an
one might readily be found in the mother country, whose
disposition, owing to adverse circumstances, might lead him to
accept this situation in the colony; thus a proper quantity of
work would be completed, and economy would be much promoted.

The indiscriminate distribution of the clothing sent over is
also another evil which requires a remedy, and this might easily
be provided, by supplying the prisoners only with such articles
as were necessary to them; since those who had received
superfluous garments have been in the habit of resorting with
them to gaming, or sell them, being unable to apply them to any
purpose of wear, as their scanty make will not allow of a change;
this, however, would not be the case if the clothing was given to
them unmade, since every man would find himself enabled to turn
it to some beneficial purpose. The clothing has materially fallen
off, in point of quality and suitableness for the climate, of
late years; but the evil complained of would, in my opinion,
cease to exist, if articles similar to those originally
distributed in the time of Governor Phillip (of which I have seen
several suits) were now to be issued annually. Many of the
females indeed are the slaves of vanity and pride, and being in
the custom of cohabiting with persons in affluent circumstances,
never appear in the dress originally given them by the crown;
from such as these the issue is now withheld, and they are struck
off the victualling list. The consequence of these regulations
would be the obtainment of more comfortable clothing to the
convicts, and a considerable diminution in the sick list, which
has been filled as much from this as from any other cause; and a
degree of content and carefulness would be instilled into the
minds of the prisoners, in lieu of the negligence, slovenliness,
and discontent, which have recently prevailed amongst them on
that account.

A very considerable saving in the expenses of the colony would
be effected by the