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[Page 20]
Gov. King has permitted many to go of the stores, and to be upon their own hands the same as if free. The meaning of this may be good, but yet it is the origin of some evils, for it then gives hopes to all for to gain such permission, and particularly those that are allowed to settlers &c. It also gives more room for thieving, getting out of the country &c, as everyone that is a prisoner, and upon the stores, cannot go from place to place without a pass; nor neither do I know that the former can, but then the restraint is by no way so strict.
When the prisoners work by the day they generally go to work early, and allowed from 8 to 9 for breakfast, then they and leave of for good at 3 in the afternoon. But many that are tasked leave of much sooner. On Saturday they receive their ration, but do not work. Probably allowing them so much spare time was intended that they would make good use of it: and indeed.some that are tradesmen get a deal of money. Very few of them pay little attention to gardening, unless they are in a permanent situation. I have known several instances where a man has laboured hard in making a garden, and as soon as he has got it in good condition, he was immediately removed. It is evident that prisoners will never strive much at gardening. Neither will they learn acconomy though ever so starved!
It does not appear to me, that they are transported here mere[ly]