abandonment of Phillip's promises had given to public confidence, and the injury it had caused to the general prosperity. His temporary successor, Captain Paterson, assumed
the Government on the 17th Dec. 1794, but, in daily expectation of the arrival of a new Governor, left matters as
disorganised as he found them. Governor Hunter landed
from H.M.S. Reliance in Sep. 1795, and promptly took upon
himself the responsibility of paying the corn bills without
waiting for orders from England.
But meantime misery had devastated the homesteads of the island, and an evil example of breach of faith had been set by His Majesty's representative. As soon as despatches were received from England it was found that there also Grose's conduct was condemned. Its effects upon the little community at Norfolk Island were not annulled by its tardy condemnation. Agriculture was never resumed with success. The policy of Phillip and the exertions of his faithful supporter were effectually stifled.
When King re-assumed the government of Norfolk Island in Nov. 1791, Governor Phillip gave him precise instructions as to the grants of land he might award to the sailors and marines of H.M.S. Sirius. The gallant Riou had earnestly commended the orderly behaviour of many of the convicts on board the Guardian, before and after she struck upon an iceberg. Phillip received instructions to pardon those who behaved well subsequently, on condition that they were not to return to England. They were to be encouraged to settle. Phillip asked King to give ten acres to each of them who might wish to settle, and such implements and live stock as the public stores permitted. "His Majesty's gracious intentions" were to be "publicly read" in the island.
Some settlers wished to marry convict women; and King wrote: "The clergyman being here, and being conscious of the good consequences that must necessarily result from that connection when compared with the indiscriminate manner in which they formerly lived, induced me to hazard my consent on condition of the women being taken off the stores at the end of twelve months." Phillip saw no objection where "the conduct of the woman was good."
No person could live either at Sydney or Norfolk Island without the Governor's permission. Phillip wrote (1792):
