Since I saw you this morning I have turned in my mind the subject of our conversation, and I have in consequence changed my intention of speaking to the soldiers myself.  I see that it would be a condescension on my part which their violent and unsoldierlike conduct does not entitle them to from me.  I stand in this colony as the Chief Magistrate, and the representative of our Sovereign; anything, therefore, that could lessen me in the eye of the public would be degrading the King’s authority, which shall never suffer in my person whilst I am capable of giving it its full power and consequence.  I never can or will listen to the complaints of any set of men who feel themselves above preferring them with moderation, and a decent submission to the laws and regulations of the colony; they must not—­they shall not—­dictate laws and rules for the government of this settlement; they were sent here by His Majesty to support the civil power in the execution of its functions, but they seem disposed to take all law into their own hands, and to direct it in whatever way best may suit their own views.

Their violence upon the late occasion shall be laid before the King, and the principal actors in it shall be pointedly marked, in order that justice the most perfect be done to everyone concerned in it.  I must declare to you, sir, that the conduct of this part of the New South Wales Corps has been, in my opinion the most violent and outrageous that was ever heard of by any British regiment whatever, and I shall consider every step they may go farther in aggravation as rebellion against His Majesty’s Government and authority, of which the most early notice shall be taken, and those concerned be in due time obliged to answer for it most probably with their lives.  This is all I think it necessary to trouble you with.  Their conduct will be pointedly marked thro’ all its stages, and I will be firm and resolved in such steps as it may be necessary for me to pursue, and of this you, as their commanding Officer, will be pleas’d to inform them.

I am, etc.,
JNO.  HUNTER.

THE IRISH POLITICAL PRISONERS

+Source.+—­Historical Records of Australia.  Vol.  II, p. 128

In 1795, while Great Britain was at war with France, a great rebellion broke out in Ireland.  During its suppression many of the Irish were transported to Port Jackson, and caused much trouble and disaffection among the convicts there.

GOVERNOR HUNTER TO THE DUKE OF PORTLAND

Sydney, New South Wales, 15 Feb. 1798.

My Lord Duke,

I have for some time been in doubt whether the representation I am about to make to your Grace should be private or public, but on considering that it might occasion the adoption of some measure interesting to the concerns of this colony, I have preferred the latter mode.