Two Voyages to New South Wales and Van Diemen's LandReid, Thomas
History
Two Voyages to New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land
Reid, Thomas
Exiles -- Australia -- New South Wales; Exiles -- Australia -- Tasmania
26th.—The inflammatory fever has been subdued in the cases mentioned,
and the other patients in the hospital are doing well. The women are
constantly engaged upon deck in the usual industrious employments.
27th.—This day passed as heretofore in the most orderly and decent
manner on the part of the prisoners, although my illness interrupted
that watchfulness which I wished invariably to observe. Their conduct,
indeed, has been so uniformly correct as to present a sameness of record
too tiresome, were it not for the pleasure afforded by witnessing their
regular advancement in those principles of religion and virtue which I
was anxious to see established in full influence amongst them.
This evening, after the beds had been sent below, a scene of rather a
novel nature presented itself, and served to convince me that perfection
had not as yet been attained by the convicts. The circumstance is
inserted, as presenting an alteration of feature in this journal, rather
than from its appearing seriously worthy of notice. Ann Williams being
in familiar conversation with the elder Farrell, had contrived to pick
her pocket, but was instantly detected; when all the bitter upbraiding
of Farrell’s merciless tongue was levelled at the delinquent. This was
resented in a way rather rude, as soon as they were all sent below to
bed; and the clamour brought Captain Brown and the Reverend Mr. Reddall
to the spot, when the assailant was secured, and tied up during the
night, and every thing became tranquil.
28th.—On opening the prison this morning at daylight, according to
custom, I released Williams without speaking much to her, reserving my
observations until my health might allow of the exertion. The women have
been all this day grave, silent, and evidently concerned for the
occurrences of last evening.
29th.—This day Samuel Brown, a convict’s child, died in the hospital;
and the funeral service having been read as usual by the Reverend Mr.
Reddall, the body was committed to the deep. At 11 A. M. the same
gentleman read a moral discourse to the women, at which, though
extremely ill, I endeavoured to be present, and, after it was ended,
addressed them briefly on the very disgraceful conduct of some of them
on Tuesday evening. My observations were tempered with mildness, and
were chiefly directed to the warm concern which I was informed they had
expressed for my illness, which I assured them had made a strong
impression on my mind. I exhorted them to persevere in good and virtuous
conduct; as, to see them moral, and happy from that cause, was my
greatest comfort; that the only reward I sought was that very sense of
gratitude which they had shown for my attentions, and that, so long as
health would permit, I should exert myself for their welfare. They all
appeared orderly, attentive, and respectful, and seemed generally to
censure the conduct of the late offenders.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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