To every non-commissioned officer,an allotment of one hundred and thirty acres of land,if single,and of one hundred and fifty acres,if married.To every private soldier,an allotment of eighty acres,if single,and of one hundred acres if married;and also an allotment of ten acres for every child,whether of a non-commissioned officer,or of a private soldier.
These allotments will be free of all fines,taxes,quit-rents,and other acknowledgments,for the space of ten years;but after the expiration of that period,will be subject to an annual quit-rent of one shilling for every fifty acres.
His Majesty has likewise been farther pleased to signify his royal will and pleasure,that a bounty of three pounds be offered to each non-commissioned officer and soldier,who may be disposed to continue in this country,and enlist in the corps appointed for the service of New South Wales;with a farther assurance,that in case of a proper demeanour on their part,they shall,after a farther service of five years,be entitled to double the former portion of land,provided they then choose to become settlers in the country,free of all taxes,fines,and quit-rents,for the space of fifteen years;
but after that time,to be subject to the beforementioned annual quit-rent of one shilling for every fifty acres.
And as a farther encouragement to those men who may be desirous to become settlers,and continue in the country,his Majesty has been likewise pleased to direct,that every man shall,on being discharged,receive out of the public store,a portion of clothing and provisions,sufficient for his support for one year;together with a suitable quantity of seeds,grain,etc.for the tillage of the land;and a portion of tools and implements of agriculture,proper for their use.And whenever any man,who may become a settler,can maintain,feed,and clothe,such number of convicts as may be judged necessary by the governor,for the time being,to assist him in clearing and cultivating the land,the service of such convicts shall be assigned to him.
We were joyfully surprised on the 20th of the month to see another sail enter the harbour.She proved to be the Justinian transport,commanded by Captain Maitland,and our rapture was doubled on finding that she was laden entirely with provisions for our use.Full allowance,and general congratulation,immediately took place.This ship had left Falmouth on the preceding 20th of January,and completed her passage exactly in five months.She had staid at Madeira one day,and four at Sao Tiago,from which last place she had steered directly for New South Wales,neglecting Rio de Janeiro on her right,and the Cape of Good Hope on her left;
and notwithstanding the immense tract of ocean she had passed,brought her crew without sickness into harbour.When the novelty and boldness of such an attempt shall be recollected,too much praise,on the spirit and activity of Mr.Maitland,cannot be bestowed.
[Accident only prevented her from making it in eighteen days less,for she was then in sight of the harbour's mouth,when an unpropitious gale of wind blew her off.Otherwise she would have reached us one day sooner than the 'Lady Juliana'.It is a curious circumstance,that these two ships had sailed together from the river Thames,one bound to Port Jackson,and the other bound to Jamaica.The Justinian carried her cargo to the last mentioned place,landed it;and loaded afresh with sugars,which she returned with,and delivered in London.She was then hired as a transport,reladen,and sailed for New South Wales.Let it be remembered,that no material accident had happened to either vessel.But what will not zeal and diligence accomplish!]
Good fortune continued to befriend us.Before the end of the month,three more transports,having on board two companies of the New South Wales corps,arrived to add to our society.These ships also brought out a large body of convicts,whose state and sufferings will be best estimated by the following return.
Names of No.of people No.of persons who died No.landed sick Ships embarked on the passage at Port Jackson
Neptune 530163269
Surprise 25242121
Scarborough 2566896
1038273486
N.B.Of those landed sick,one hundred and twenty-four died in the hospital at Sydney.
On our passage from England,which had lasted more than eight months and with nearly an equal number of persons,only twenty-four had died,and not thirty were landed sick.The difference can be accounted for,only by comparing the manner in which each fleet was fitted out and conducted.
