Page:A colonial autocracy, New South Wales under Governor Macquarie, 1810-1821.djvu/142

 of the voyage returned whenever they found their private business required it without suffering any severe hardship. On rare occasions passengers were still permitted to make the voyage on transport vessels, but they had to pay for their own provisions, which was then no small item of expense. In 1815 emigrants were openly discouraged, doubtless owing to Macquarie's representations, and emigration to the North American Colonies suggested in place of New South Wales. In 1816 the Government removed all restrictions on emigration, allowing any persons to go to New South Wales on private vessels without further question, but did not in all cases give them letters to the Governor supporting their requests for land. The consequence was that in 1816 many settlers arrived in New South Wales without letters to the Governor, who was in some doubt what to do with them. Several had no means of maintaining themselves, and one was a Methodist preacher, or, as Macquarie said, a sectary, and, the Governor thought, unsuitable to such a Colony.

He therefore proposed "that instructions should forthwith be given by His Majesty's Government to the Commissioners of the Customs (more particularly at all the out-ports) never to permit any person whatever, whether male or female, to embark or sail in any private trading-ships or vessels bound for this Colony, unless they produce properly authenticated passports from your Lordship's office, authorising them to come to this Colony and specifying in what capacity."

This step was not taken, for emigration, which had during the war been anxiously restrained, was now eagerly desired.

In 1818 Macquarie again urged that no poor settlers, but only monied men of respectability, should be sent out. The Colony did not need "decayed adventurers" who as soon as they took possession of their farms sought to sell them and engaged in objectionable pursuits, keeping public houses, hawking