Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 1.djvu/376

 264. PHILLIPS 1788 peculiarities of their present situation, could preserve from guilt. 7 February. Against offenders, therefore, the ngour of the law would certainly be put in force, while they whose behaviour should in any degree promise reformation might always depend upon encouragement fully proportioned to their desert& He particularly noticed the illegal intercourse between the sexes as an offence which encouraged a general profligacy of manners, and Advice to was in several ways injurious to society. To prevent this, he ""*"^' stron^y recommended marriage, and promised every kind of coun- tenance and assistance to those who, by entering into that state, should manifest their willingness to conform to the laws of morality and religion. Governor Phillip concluded his address by declaring his earnest desire to promote the happiness of all who were under his government, and to render the settlement in New South Wales advantageous and honourable to his country.* The account written by Collins omits all reference to the remarks addressed to the marines, and also the advice given to the convicts on the subject of marriage : — The ceremony of reading these public instruments having been performed by the Judge- Advocate, the Governor, addressing him- self to the convicts, assured them, among other things, that "he should ever be ready to show approbation and encouragement to those who proved themselves worthy of them by good conduct and men? wiS^ attention to orders ; while, on the other hand, such as were deter- M-arning. mined to act in opposition to propriety, and observe a contraiy conduct, would inevitably meet with the punishment which they deserved." He remarked how much it was to their interest to forget the habits of vice and indolence in which too many of them had hitherto lived ; and exhorted them to be honest among them selves, obedient to their overseers, and attentive to the several works in which they were about to be employed, f • Phillip's Voyage, p. 65. t Sargeon White also reported the speech briefly : — " After this was done, the troops nnder arms fired three volleys ; when his Excellency thanked the soldiers for their steady and good condnct ; which Major Ross caused to be inserted in the general order-book. The Governor then ad- dressed the convicts in a short speech, extremely well adapted to the people he had to govern, and who were then before him. Among many circum- stances that would tend to their future happiness and comfort, he recom- mended marriage ; assuring them that an mdiscriminate and illefffd inter- course would be punished with the greatest severity and rigour. Honesty, obedience, and industry, he told them, would make their situation corn- Digitized by VjOOQIC