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
20th.—The constant system of keeping watch at night in the prison, has
completely disconcerted the designs of the sailors, who, having
committed themselves in a wilful breach of propriety which they cannot
now turn to the base purposes they had proposed, are evidently filled
with disappointment and vexation, and they appear the more annoyed as
there is no possible way for venting their dastardly malice. Besides,
they are ashamed of their late behaviour in worrying the women during
the night, from the contempt cast upon such unmanly tricks. At all
events, they seem to have given up that part of their plan, as no
disturbance now takes place during the night: yet I have sufficient
cause to believe they will renew their attempts on the prison, should
any opportunity offer.
This day a discourse on the mischiefs of idleness was delivered in the
prison, and the remarks with which it was followed appeared to act
forcibly upon their minds, if a judgement may be formed from the tears
of contrition which some of the late delinquents copiously shed, when I
desired them to ask themselves—whether it was not in a moment of
idleness they had unfortunately given way to that temptation which led
them into their late transgression against religion, virtue, and order.
To the others I addressed some advice on the value of time, and the
necessity of not letting a moment pass without doing something useful;
and to avoid every thing which could tend to disunite them, or sour
their minds against one another, as by cultivating good-will and
friendly feeling among themselves, now, they would be the better fitted
for those employments which they will have to resort to during the term
of their sentence. The transition to the idea of their unfortunate
circumstances drew reflection to their situation, and gave a favourable
moment to impress upon them a thorough sense of those duties by which
they must be regulated in that country in which they were now nearly on
the point of being landed. The behaviour of the sequestered females is
satisfactorily humble and correct.
21st.—The tranquillity of the prison continues undisturbed by the
sailors at night, although circumstances occurring during the day betray
their intention of further mischief, should an opportunity be open to
encourage the attempt. The conduct of the penitent offenders continues
to exhibit unequivocal marks of sincere return to virtuous reflection;
and in proportion as the voyage draws near to its termination, the
interest excited by their compunction increases.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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