An ACCOUNT VOYAGE NEW SOUTH WALES. which is prefixed a Detail of HIS LIFE, TRIALS, SPEECHES, &c. &c. Enriched with beautiful Colourit Prints LONDON. Printed for M. Jones.. V.5, Newgate Street and Sherwood, Neely, & Jones, Paternoster Row, 1810. PREFACE TO THE READER. THOUGH the death of George Barrington occurring within a few months after the publication of the first Edition of this Work, and his Account of a Voyage to New South Wales, with a detail of his Life, Trial, Speeches, &c. most probably prevented a continuation of that History down to a much later period, the publishers of the present work having been assisted by a person resident in the colony to whom Barrington bequeathed his papers; from these and other documents they have been able to add to the present edition a series of the most interesting particulars relative to every event of importance; as well as the improvements and discoveries which have been made in that distant quarter of the globe. The rise of Barrington, after his arrival in the colony in September 1791, was not altogether so rapid as he has represented it. He was not all at once promoted to the situation which he held at Paramatta; he was first placed at Toongabbe as a subordinate, and then as a principal watchman, in which trusts being found diligent, sober, and impartial, the governor resolved to draw him from the line of convicts; and, with the instrument of his emancipation, he received a grant of thirty acres of land near Paramatta. He was afterwards made a peace officer, and thus not only received a reward for his past conduct, but an incitement to continue it; and though not so absolutely free as to return to England at his own pleasure, he nevertheless enjoyed all the immiunities of a freeman, a settler, and a civil officer, and had the additional satisfaction of knowing that his integrity was never suspected. But, in order to throw some light upon Mr. Barrington's first employ, it should be observed that the settlement was divided into four districts, over each of which was placed a watch consisting of three persons, one principal and two subordinate watchmen. These, being selected from among those convicts whose conduct and character had been unexceptionable since their landing, were vested with authority to patrole at all hours in the night, to visit such places as might be deemed requisite for the discovery of any felony, trespass, or misdemeanor, and to secure for examination all persons that might appear to be concerned therein; for which purpose they were directed to enter any |