One point of consideration,(says the writer of the “Hints,”) in the proposed measure (although in reality of no essential importance to pecuniary success) is of considerable magnitude, as regards moral feeling and the pride of many—­that is, there being no admission of convicts into the proposed colony!  Without any illiberal sentiment, this is a disadvantage under which Port Jackson and Van Nieman’s Land certainly suffer.  Nevertheless these thriving colonies, in the course of thirty or forty years, have made surprising progress in agriculture, population, commerce and wealth.  The situation of Port Jackson was the most distant from the mother country; its position was not peculiarly adapted to production or traffic with any part of the globe; therefore, the improvement can only be attributed to a favorable soil, free from the taxation of old European governments, a low fee cost, or a nominal pepper corn rent, which circumstances have not only been capable of maintaining those who adventured, but of yielding a profit for capital sufficient to induce others to pursue the same course.

In the infancy of a colony, the certain maintenance of the settlers should be well established; and it is also right to know with what facility and at what cost, an adequate supply of necessaries, comforts, and even luxuries may be obtained.  Adjacent, and favorably situated to Cockburn Sound, are the Mauritius, Cape of Good Hope, Timer, Java, Sumatra, and the East Indian Presidencies.

Rice, from Java, can be obtained in five weeks, at or under 1_d_. per pound.

The bantam fowls and China pigs at equally moderate prices.

Sugar,[6] from the Mauritius, Java, or Calcutta, at 3_d_. per pound.

[6] Cunningham, in his account of New South Wales, recommends the
cultivation of sugar, but he acknowledges the latitude of 28 deg.
scarcely sufficiently warm for the purpose, and enters into an
argument of economy, whether convicts or slaves would be the
cheapest mode of supplying labour; but this system would
alter the whole character of this proposed settlement in the
neighbourhood of Cockburn Sound, the great feature of which is
healthiness of the climate, and a fertility of the soil,
capable of producing useful exportable commodities, more than
sufficient to pay for tropical productions of luxury, raised
at an increased expense of life and slavery; and a very little
insight into foreign trade will show with what ease this may
be accomplished.

Coffee, from Java, 4_d_. per pound.

Spices, the production of the Moluccas, Celebees, &c. &c. at the lowest possible rate:—­viz. pepper, nutmegs, cloves, &c.

Algoa Bay, the Cape of Good Hope, furnishes cattle and sheep.  The coast of Cockburn Sound and Swan and Canning Rivers, promises plenty of fish for the table—­also, oil for use.  Tea will not cost more than 2_s_. 6_d_. per pound through Java; from whence stock of cattle, poultry and pigs can be added of the best quality.