THE COURTS. 531 crime and much fewer faults committed among the people under 1756-1810 Governor Collins than in any other settlement, which I think is a clear proof that mercy and humanity are the best policy. " Colonel Collins died at the Derwent, sincerely lamented by Finis. every one there, as well as by all to whom this amiable and excellent gentleman was known, even by reputation." LETTERS PATENT CONSTITUTING THE COURTS OF LAW. 2 April, 1787. George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting : — Whereas by virtue of an Act of Parliament passed in the twenty- fourth year of our reign Wee have judged fit, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, by two several orders bearing date ordere-in- respectively on the sixth day of December one thousand seven CouncU. hundred and eighty-six, to declare and appoint the place to which certain offenders should be tiunsported for the time or terms in their several sentences mentioned to be the eastern coast of New South Wales, or some or other of the islands adjacent : And whereas Wee find it necessary that a colony and civil govern- c<»iony and ment should be established in the place to which such convicts shall melltf °* ^^^" be transported, and that sufficient provision should be made for the recovery of debts and detennining of private causes between party and party in the place aforesaid : Wee, taking the same into our Royal consideration, and being desirous that justice should be administered to all our subjects, have of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion thought civil court fit to grantj ordain, direct, and appoint, and by these presents do for us, our heirs and successors, will, grant, ordain, direct, and appoint that thei-e shall be within the place aforesaid a Court, to be called the Court op Civil Jurisdiction : And that such Court shall consist of the Judge- Advocate for its consti- the time being, togeth^ with two fit and proper persons inhabiting ^^^^^* the said place, to be appointed from time to time by our Governor, or in case of the death or absence by our Lieutenant-Governor for the time being, or of any two of them (whereof the Judge- Advocate to be one), to which Court Wee do hereby give full power and and juris- authority to hold plea of and to hear and determine in a summary ^*^<'°- way all pleas concerning lands, houses, tenements, and heredita- ments, and all manner of interests therein, and all pleas of debt, account, or other contracts, trespasses, and all manner of other personal pleas whatsoever : Digitized by Google
