From this last two guards, consisting of two subalterns, as
many serjeants, four corporals, two drummers, and forty-two private men,
under the orders of a Captain of the day, to whom all reports were
made, daily mounted for the public security, with such directions to
use force, in case of necessity, as left no room for those who were the
object of the order, but to remain peaceable, or perish by the bayonet.
As the straggling of the convicts was not only a desertion from the
public labour, but might be attended with ill consequences to the
settlement, in case of their meeting the natives, every care was taken
to prevent it. The Provost Martial with his men was ordered to patrole
the country around, and the convicts informed, that the severest
punishment would be inflicted on transgressors. In spite, however, of
all our precautions, they soon found the road to Botany Bay, in visits
to the French, who would gladly have dispensed with their company.
But as severity alone was known to be inadequate at once to chastize and
reform, no opportunity was omitted to assure the convicts, that by
their good behaviour and submissive deportment, every claim to present
distinction and future favour was to be earned.
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