And this is bondage is it?' There are some other amusing remarks in this original composition, but the above will suffice to show that convicts lead not always the unhappy life they are supposed to do, unless through their own bad conduct. The writer of the above letter bears such an excellent character that his master has sent to England for his wife and family, with the intention of trying to be of some use to them."--_Breton's New South Wales_, p. 281.] [Footnote 194: Potter M'Queen's evidence before the Commons, 1831.] [Footnote 195: _Courier_, 1831.] [Footnote 196: May 20th, 1833.] [Footnote 197: Stanley's despatch, August, 1833.] [Footnote 198: February 3rd, 1834.] [Footnote 199: _Par. Pap._: Forbes's evidence.] [Footnote 200: 2 & 3 9th Will. iv. cap. 42.] SECTION XVI. The treatment and disposal of mechanics, craftsmen, and the educated, or "specials," disturbed the equal operation of the laws. The artizan, when not adapted for public works, was placed in the loan gang, and lent from time to time, chiefly to the officers of government, or to such settlers as were deemed worthy official patronage. They were not authorised to claim wages, but their employers prompted their industry by its usual recompense. Their value as workmen often secured them an appearance which surpassed the common means of English artificers, or they expended their earnings during paroxysms of intemperance. The power to grant the assistance of skilled workmen, and the custom of the officers to borrow them for their own service, excited unceasing murmurs. Master tradesmen complained, that their callings were followed by captains and lieutenants, whose journeymen were the prisoners of the crown, and who, beside the emoluments of office, engrossed the profits of smiths and carpenters--of tailors and shoemakers. Those settlers, excluded from participation in the _loan_ labor, denounced the venal partiality of its distribution. Long lists were published of workmen allotted to the relatives and confidants of the Governor, to display his unwearied nepotism. The educated prisoners occasioned still greater complaint. At an early period, many of the higher functionaries were utterly ignorant of accounts, and were glad to employ the abilities which transportation placed at their disposal. Curious anecdotes are told of the profits derived by this class of scribes, by the distribution of royal clemency: thus the indents were altered by a clerk, who charged L10 for reducing considerably the duration of a sentence.[201] At a later date, a prisoner offered by letter L15 for his conditional pardon. The bearer gave information of its contents to another convict in office, who offered to obtain the "royal mercy" for L10, and he did so.[202] The reliance frequently placed in the fidelity of their penmanship, sometimes modified the details of punishment.