Mr. Campl>ell had permission to import 4000 gallons of spirits for the domestic use of the officers and inhabitants. He imported 14,631 gallons, although the Martinis of Wellesle}^ had recently issued a very stringent proclamation against unauthorized shipments of spirits from India- Camp! >ell pleaded that as he was a loser by the cattle speculation he ouglit to he allowed to sell the spirits thus surreptitiously put on hoard. King enlarged liis permission to 8000 gallons, but sent more than 6500 gallons awaj, He reported tiie fact to the Marquis of Welleslej with earnest entreaty for kind interference in preventing such quantities of spirits beiug sent down here." He told the Secretary of State (May 1803) :
- Against great opposition and with much anxiety 1 bad put a stop to the
inundtttion of spirits. Every st:!ttler aid individual has ftjlt the i>enefit» and 1 flid liope that by confining the quantity inipoited to a aulficieQcy for the inhabitants' doniestie nae^ every comfort auil nonu of tJie incon- veniencea would be felt. However, the quantity brought by tliis ship from India will, I ftjel, Tie an indncement to other adventurers^ notwithstanding I have refused Mr. Campbell pei^miasion to laud a part of the spirita brought liy his ship, and informed him that not more tluiu iiWO gallon* will lie allowed to be landed here from any one ship/' He enclosed a copy of iiis letter to the Governor-General of India, and added : '* If spirits are once more suffered to be bronght here, the same beggary and ruin will inevitably ensue to those unfortunate people who are now almost rescued from the destrtietive effects of former importa- tions." It is necessary to i)ursue closely the proceedings of Governor King with regard to traffic in spirits for several reasons, some of which concern popular errors respecting | the deposition of Governor Bligli in 180B. King was sent I to effect a reform, and though he effected it, his labours have been unnoticed by some writers, aiul he has been i accused by others of having created or fostered the evils ^M he repressed. The principal scandal was so completely ^^ removed that all reference to misbehaviour of officers, civil or military, was withdrawn from the iuHtruciions issued to bis successor, Bligh.*' Merchants were as troublesome aa
- Dt Lang'a " Historical and ESt4Ltistical Account of New South Wales"
niade no mention of any attempt fjy King to restrain improper tratiic in Bpirila, It even declared that tb^ gimding monopoly established la 4 4 I
