of which they had deprived themselves.  They not only had every encouragement to make that effort, but were removed almost entirely from every temptation to guilt.  There was little in this infant community which one man could plunder from another, and any dishonest attempts in so small a society would almost infallibly be discovered.  To persons detected in such crimes, he could not promise any mercy; nor indeed to any whom, under their circumstances, should presume to offend against the peace and good order of the settlement.  What mercy could do for them they had already experienced; nor could any good be now expected from those whom neither past warnings, nor the peculiarities of their present situation could preserve from guilt.  Against offenders, therefore, the rigour of the law would certainly be put in force:  while they whose behaviour should in any degree promise reformation, might always depend upon encouragement fully proportioned to their deserts.  He particularly noticed the illegal intercourse between the sexes as an offence which encouraged a general profligacy of manners, and was in several ways injurious to society.  To prevent this, he strongly recommended marriage, and promised every kind of countenance and assistance to those who, by entering into that state, should manifest their willingness to conform to the laws of morality and religion.  Governor Phillip concluded his address, by declaring his earnest desire to promote the happiness of all who were under his government, and to render the settlement in New South Wales advantageous and honourabe to his country.

This speech, which was received with universal acclamations, terminated the ceremonial peculiar to the day.  Nor was it altogether without its proper effect:  For we are informed, that in the course of the ensuing week fourteen marriages took place among the convicts.  The assembly was now dispersed, and the Governor proceeded to review the troops on the ground cleared for a parade:  after which, he gave a dinner to the officers, and the first evening of his government was concluded propitiously, in good order and innocent festivity, amidst the repetition of wishes for its prosperity.

A rising government could not easily be committed to better hands.  Governor Phillip appears to have every requisite to ensure the success of the undertaking intrusted to him, as far as the qualities of one man can ensure it.  Intelligent, active, persevering with firmness to make his authority respected, and mildness to render it pleasing, he was determined, if possible, to bring even the native inhabitants of New South Wales into a voluntary subjection; or at least to establish with them a strict amity and alliance.  Induced also by motives of humanity, it was his determination from his first landing, to treat them with the utmost kindness:  and he was firmly resolved, that, whatever differences might arise, nothing less than the most absolute necessity should ever compel him to fire