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[Page 7]
On affirming the above, and saying he was employed by me, Capt Kemp whispered something to Foveaux; and then he (Foveaux) told her, that he would put her and the child upon the stores, and the man and her must come down to Sydney; or, he would let her man off the stores. She told him she would much rather have the man off the stores than to be put on herself, and he was ordered to be put off the next Saturday. Whether this is a true story or not I cannot say; if it is, what must we think of Lieut. Col Foveaux, when a woman convict, who was but a few months ago let off the stores herself should be then listened to? I am inclined to believe somebody else must have spoken to Lieut Col. Foveaux, whose word was of some weight with him.
I shall now stand Lieut. Col. Foveaux the list of argument in what he has done respecting me. He says in his Proclamation he shall administer the most impartial justice between persons of every description. Has he done me justice? No! he has treated with insult and contempt; and abused the trust he has taken upon him. But the foulness of the offence does not end here; the same may be applied to the prosecutor; and the intent of the law said to be shamefully defeated! Gov. King, though so much disposed to let convicts off the stores, never to my knowledge let any off without the employer's consent. In short, no man of sense would be guilty of such a breach. Nothwithstanding, I shall at present be silent, but should I be in the colony when the government is restored, I shall then apply for justice, not only for my own satisfaction, but for the good of the public. Though at present I consider what is done is illegal, yet at the same time I may say it is a burlesque upon justice; and I may in a great measure further extend it, by saying it is a burlesque upon Government also. And if it was not for the hopes of seeing the government restored, I should adopt the sentiment of Cassius on exciting the passions of Brutus
"I cannot tell what you and other men
Think of this life: but for my single self,
I had as lief not not be, as live to be
In awe of such a thing as I myself."
I am at a loss to know upon what account Lieut Col. Foveaux wishes so soon to return to England, unless it is a place-hunting, by supposing there is now a very favorable opportunity, and no time ought to be lost. When I was at Norfolk Island, it was rumoured there, that he (being in England) was trying to get a detachment to colonize New Zealand. If this was his intention he seems to have failed in his project. Though he is entirely unknown to me in person, yet from what I am able to judge of general character, and the orders he has issued, he is acting a very sly cunning part, which is very requisite for you to be apprized of. But in such a case as the present one, can any man steer a course between Right and Wrong, without running foul of either, even if the intention was good? If what has been done is allowed, it will be in vain for His Majesty to appoint a Governor, for whoever gains the soldiers' affection can easily usurp the situation. In a word, the soldiers will declare whoever is their idol to be Governor; and whatever Governor should displeased them, they will tumble head way from