scribed as the only place where, even under a permit, spirits might be landed." Half the fine was to go to the Orphan Fund and half to the informer. Connivers on shore were to be prosecuted under the English Smuggling Acts. No vessel was to leave the harbour without the naval officer's certificate, countersigned by the Governor. There were other provisions to guard against the escape of convicts in vessels, and a table of fees was fixed. Colonel Paterson succeeded in keeping out of sight, in some degree, past delinquencies of officers of the New South Wales Corps; but two civil officers were compelled by pecuniary embarrassments to throw themselves on King's consideration.
Mr. Balmain, the principal surgeon, had 1400 gallons of spirits purchased (before King's arrival) at from ten to nineteen shillings a gallon. Mr. D'Arcy Wentworth had 3000 gallons under similar circumstances. They both had a supply of tea also. They wished to obey the law and offered their goods "for government and prayed for other relief." King replied that he could make no purchase while Governor Hunter was in the colony. The holders asked twenty shillings a gallon, which King declined to authorize. When King arrived the price was £2 a gallon, and the stock on hand exceeded 20,000 gallons. Finally he agreed, as there was no medium between their losing the whole of their property or subjecting themselves to very unpleasant consequences," that they might dispose of "such property alone as they purchased before" his arrival; handing to him accurate lists of the articles, selling only to persons sanctioned by him at the price (twenty shillings) already mentioned, furnishing monthly returns of sales and stock remaining on hand, and giving an "assurance in writing that they will not enter into any future speculations or purchases contrary to His Majesty's instructions." Both of them[1] "pledged themselves on the faith of gentlemen" to these conditions.
Hunter found his occupation gone, and ten days after the communication of the order to Paterson, handed the government to his successor.
- ↑ King to the Duke of Portland, 28th Sept. 1800.
