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
According to custom, the women were assembled this day; and at my
request the Reverend Mr. Reddall read to them a select discourse, to
which I added some remarks on their future conduct in the situations to
which they were destined; endeavouring to impress on their minds as
strongly as possible, that their hope of happiness here and hereafter
could repose only upon virtuous conduct, which if they ever kept
sacredly in view, they would most assuredly enjoy in a degree far beyond
any thing they had ever yet known. It was moving to observe how strongly
their feelings testified a love for the influence of virtue; whilst
tears, the evidence of sincerity, because excited from internal
conviction, abundantly made known what was passing in their minds.
A veneration for truth, a love of order, peace, and simplicity of heart,
appear to be the objects of their constant concern and feeling: from a
knowledge of such being truly their state of mind, the best future
behaviour may reasonably be anticipated from every one of them; and,
being allowed to express my own individual opinion, I cannot hesitate to
declare my conviction, that, if duly protected, and not exposed to more
than common temptation, they will realize the most favourable
expectations, and even for ever set an example of propriety to others in
their situation.
This tedious delay in our approach to Sydney protracts my keeping watch
as before; but although little cause now appears to exist for an
absolute necessity of persevering in this duty, some of the most daring
of the sailors having been removed, still an inextinguishable impulse
compels me to proceed in that course which alone can afford me the
certain assurance of its due success,—as, in case of any further
attempts being made upon the prison, I am fully persuaded that even my
individual resistance, such is the dastardly spirit of these licentious
knaves, would be sufficient to defeat them. They know I am on the watch
every night,—for they see me going regularly to my post;—they are also
well aware of my means of defence, and only in consequence are unwilling
to try any experiment of the kind.
12th.—In the afternoon of yesterday, the wind coming favourable, the
Morley ran down the coast freely, and in the evening entered the Heads
of Port Jackson in fine weather, and proceeded towards Sydney with a
light breeze;—all, under divine Providence, being in the best possible
state of health. At half past 5 P. M. the Naval Officer came on board,
and received the dispatches.
13th.—This morning the Morley anchored in the Cove before Sydney.
14th.—At the usual hour this day I read a sermon to the prisoners,
adding a brief advice for their guidance generally, and endeavoured as
much as possible to impress upon their minds a due regard of their
future duties. The sailors offer no annoyance further, at least in any
way which can be directly noticed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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