Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 1.djvu/592

 468 CONTBaiPORARY The East India Company. p. 475) appeared in the shape of a critical notice of a pamphlet, in which the project was roughly handled by an anonymous Dairympie'8 writer, said to be Alexander Dalrymple : — views. A Serious Admonition to the Public on the intended Thitf-Cottmy at Botany Bay, 8vo., la. 6d,-^ewd, 1786. The author objects to the plan of sending convicts to New Holland on several accounts. He thinks it unadvisable for ns to establish new colonies, especially at so great a distance from home, while the country is still smarting for .a war with her own colonies, whom she found herself unable to keep in dependence. His next argument is founded on the idea that the scheme would be an infringement on the charter of the East India Company granting to them an exclusive trade and navigation from the Cape of Good Hope to the Streights of Magellan, within which boundaries New Holland is situated. The great expence necessary to keep the convicts in subjection, after their landing, as well as that of trans- porting them thither, forms another of this gentleman's objections to the intended plan : he likewise shews the great inconveniences that must arise if the colonists are left entirely to themselves. The arguments of our author are by no means those of an inexperienced man, either in politics or in trade ; yet his style, we are sorry to observe, is neither so polite as a public admonition and striotores on the conduct of Government require, nor is it altogether free from rancour. After having thus stated, and in a good measure demonstrated, the truth of his objections, our author proposes a scheme of sending convicts to another place, which he apprehends will be attended with less expence to the public, and free from the objections to which the former is liable. He would transport them to the Island of Tnstan Da Cunha, where, on account of its situation, Govemors and guards would be unnecessary ; and he would have them left there to themselves, without arms, and with such small boats onljr as could not quit the coast. This island is situated in latitude 37* 7' south and longitude 16* 10' west of London. It is considerably larger than St. Helena, well watered, and abundantly stocked witii seals and birds. The coast abounds in a variety of fish, and the inland parts produce plenty of vegetables and wood. Near to this island are two others (one bearing S.W. by W*, distance six or seven leagues ; the other S.S. W. half W., distuioe six or seven leagues) which, though not so large, are nevertheless similar in their external appearance and productions. From the situation of these islands, there is no possibility of the banished convicts ever escaping, while they are destitute of Wboats capable of sailing to the distance of two hundred miles or upwards, in a rough and dangerous sea; this last circamstaaiee seems a strong argument in support of our author's scheme. Tristan DaCanha. No chance of eaoape. Digitized by Google