ARTHUK PHILLIP. 495 It would appear that the report brought back by the Nautilus 1785 from the coast of Africa had the effect of preventing the despatch of convicts already ordered for transportation thither. On the 11th March, 1785, an Order had been made by the King-in-Coundl, under the Act of the previous year relative to "the effectual trans- amcr portation of felons,'* directing that " the place to which the said Jf^ for several convicts shall be conveyed or transported shall be Africa." JSJUf®'*' Another Order was made on the 27th April in the same year, directing that certain convicts should be conveyed or transported to America; but on the 13th May following a third Order was made, which, after reciting that the previous order of transportation to America could not be conveniently executed with respect to the AMca . 11 I .J BubBtittited place to which the convicts were ordered to be transported, for America. appointed Africa as the place of their destination. In connection with these Orders, it deserves mention that when Burke uttered his protest in the House of Commons against any transportation to Africa he was interrupted by Pitt, who observed that he was "assuming facts without any better authority than report," and advised him to wait until he had seen an official return on the subject of the Government -proposals for the removal of felons. This discussion took place on the 18th April, 1785 ; but it appears from the Orders referred to that Africa had actually been pitt mis- appointed the place for transportation shortly before that date, and again shortly after it. On the 5th March, in the same year, the Attorney-General was requested to prepare a draft Order appointing Africa to be the place to which convicts should be transported ; and also to advise whether the place of transporta- tion directed by the sentence could be changed by order of the King-in-CoimciL ARTHUR PHILLIP. In a letter to Lord Sydney, dated 3 September, 1786, Lord Howe wrote as follows with reference to the appointment of Captain Phillip :— The benefit of the King's service being our common object, I am Howe to persnaded, my dear lord, it will never suffer for want of our ready ^J^^°®y -^ concurrence when a necessary facility can be rendered by us, on either part, to promote the advancement of it on any occasion. In the present instance, the settlement of the convicts as you have determined, being a matter so immediately connected with Digitized by Google
