in order that a faithful portraiture may be obtained by
those who may read these pages.[1]
Though the Sydney Gazette teemed with General Orders from which the events of King's career could be gathered, even without access to the despatches, a historian[2] who had access to those Orders and quoted them when it suited his purpose, condemned King—as having wanted perseverance, and having "very soon left things to take their natural course;" as having "neglected to encourage farming;" sanctioned the "grinding monopoly established in favour of the officers of the New South Wales Corps;" allowed the military to retail spirits at £2 or £3 a gallon from every vessel that entered the harbour; and profusely granted to emancipated convicts licenses to sell rum. The same writer averred that neither marrying nor giving in marriage was thought of in the colony under his rule; that "the arm of the civil power was withered under the blasting influence of the miserable system that prevailed;" that industry was neither encouraged nor protected; that bands of "runaway convicts traversed the country in all directions," committing "fearful atrocities;" that "it is at least certain that King recommended the entire abandonment of Norfolk Island;" and that his "administration was on the whole unfortunate for the colony." That all these averments were erroneous the reader of the foregoing pages must know. None but those who know something of Dr. Lang, otherwise than by his own statements, could surmise the grounds upon which, in a history of public affairs, any writer would desire, or would dare if he desired, to impute to a worthy servant of
- ↑ The author's sources of information have been ampler than those of previous writers, and the following letter written by Governor King to his son (afterwards Admiral P. P. King) gives eloquent testimony to the straightforward character of the writer. The boy was at school in England, and not fourteen years old when his father wrote to him from Sydney:—"Take care to observe the sailors' golden rules-hold fast; never neglect your prayers; and shun bad company; doing to others as you would be done unto. Keep your head cool, and your feet warm, and use plenty of exercise, and you may bid defiance to Old Nick and all his works. With most affectionate wishes for your health, I remain, my dear boy, your affectionate father, Philip Gidley King."
- ↑ Dr. J. D. Lang.
