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[Page 6]

him, but as he was then in the bull-shooting gang, Gov. Bligh was unwilling to let me have him, but at last consented that I might take him, but was to return him again from whence I had him on my return. As I meant to travel over a great part of the country afterwards, I replied, I stood in farther need of him. I then obtained permission to keep him as long as I had call for him. On the revolution taking place about 6 months afterwards, I gave up travelling to any distance, resolving to be at home always at night if possible; consequently, the man had little or nothing to do, and I could have easily dispensed with him. But to return him to the present rulers, and to be harrassed about, I considered would be too hard, after having been over so great an extent of country with me. To have tried to get him off the stores upon his own hands would have been asking such a favor as I had not yet applied for, even from legal authority, setting aside sanctioning the usurper's cause. I have said he had little to do, and found that in course of time, less he was inclined to do. At length he gets off the stores entirely unknown to me. * Though I was informed what had been done yet I resolved to be silent, to see if he would say any thing to one about it. On the ensuing Saturday I was again informed he was off the stores, I then sent to the storekeeper to know the truth of it, and was answered in the affirmative. The man has never come near me since, being ashamed I well know of what he has done. He well knew that he was taking advantage of me, by thinking I would not trouble myself about him with the present rulers. The manner in which he was let off, I was told was as follows: Lieut. Col. Foveaux being up at Parramatta, several women made application to him to be put upon the stores, + the woman with whom this man of mine cohabited being among the number, but being backward in speaking, Lieut. Col. Foveaux asked her what she wanted. She replied to get herself and child upon the stores. He then asked her if she had a man, whether he was a prisoner, how employed. On

* permission being granted on the Tuesday for his going off at the end of the week.

+ A deal of women had been let off the stores that were usefully employed at the Factory; and if in doing no more than justice to the memory of Mealmaker, who superintended it, in saying that when he died the factory died with him. The perfection to which he had brought spinning, weaving, &c was highly to his credit. He employed a great number of people that could not be employed otherwise, particularly women. But now there being no such employment to dread, every idle strumpet will want to get upon the stores. I do not say but what women who have several children and unable to provide for them should be assisted. But it was bad policy quitting any of them off the stores at first, for it was encouraging laziness among the greater part of them, and opening the way to misery and starvation. It is well worthy the notice of Government to pay attention to this subject, as it is so beneficial to the interest of the Colony. The death of Mealmaker may be truly deemed a public loss.

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