themselves in 500L. and two sureties in 50L. each, to take no person away without regular authority, nor to depart without leave, under an additional penalty of 50L.  The usual bond, not to lade from hence to India, China, etc. without certificate, to be also exacted.  Masters shipping seamen, to make application to the secretary in writing, stating whether such men have been prisoners, and if so, the ship they came in, and where tried; nor is any communication to be held with any vessel after the clearance has been obtained, under the penalty of forfeiture of boat so trespassing, and two months imprisonment.  The crews of all vessels to be put on ration, agreeable to existing circumstances.—­Vessels not to be built within the limits of the territory, exceeding 14 feet keel, without permission from the governor (unless in case of shipwreck), under the penalty of confiscation.—­Vessels under foreign colours not to be cleared for any sealing voyage, or to return hither, but to clear out for a port of discharge.  And if any master disregard the colonial regulations, all intercourse to cease; to depart the port immediately, and not permitted to return.

Vouchers for Grain, etc. furnished the King’s Stores—­to be finally settled quarterly, otherwise not cognizable; viz. 31st of March, 30th of June, 30th of September, and 31st of December.

Weights and Measures—­to be true, and stamped as such, under the penalty of ten pounds to Orphans, for every weight or measure which is defective.

The internal regulations, from which the preceding abridgment was taken, are the leading features of the General Orders issued by all those who have administered the government of the colony up to the secession of Governor King, and are frequently altered, or annulled, according to the variations in the local circumstances of the country:  since which period, however, a number of other orders and proclamations have been issued, by those who have subsequently held the command in the settlement; but the notice of which, as well as of all political matters, must unavoidably be deferred until some future period, from the peculiar circumstances under which I am at present placed.

* * * * * On the 12th of August, 1806, Governor King was succeeded in his command at the settlement by Governor Bligh, who arrived from England for that purpose; at which period the colony was in a state of growing prosperity, notwithstanding the progress of cultivation was considerably retarded by the frequent overflowings of the Hawkesbury, which never failed to produce such extensive injury to the settlers on its banks, as would have been sufficient to discourage men of much more industry and perseverance than many amongst them.