File 1: Rowland Hassall papers, 1797-1810

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in a Criminal Court tried for Perjury being indicted for swaring before the Magistrates on the night of the 26 Jany that McArthur had eloped from his custody - weather the court had prejudged his case I will not venture to say - but the Court transported him to the Cole River / a government settlement - where the greatest vagrants are sent to work - at the cole pits / for seven years - he has left a wife and four children in this colony who would be starved for want only for the humane support that Robt Campbell Esqr  alows them -  an old Aterney named George Cropley whom by who helped as a clerk in drawing up the indictment against McArthur - was brought before a Criminal Court and transported to the Cole River for seven years - # many other examples might be Brought forward but I forebore -

The Settlers feel the weight of the revolution greatly as they cannot obtain from the new government any cash for the grain they grow upon their respective Farms which has disheartened the landholders so much that at a moderate calculation there is 2000 acres of wheat sowed this year but then there was no

# And notwithstanding the sentence in the Proclamation which informed us "that no Free Man shall be disposessed of his house &c  but by the Law" Yet we find that Major Johnston about six weeks ago ordered the Rev Fulton out of his own house without apigned no reason for this act - Although Mr Fulton had his first permission just after the Revolution to purchase it he being driven out of his Chaplains house a for this accommodation of Mr Bayley

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in one shape or other notwithstanding  they are the only respectable  wholesale Merchants in the colony - and those who have suffered through the Revolution meet with a - humane friend in Robt Campbell Esqr who is always forward to help the desperate & rejected - There are contrary effects attend the revolution several of its Votaries have got large tracts of land given them by the Lieutn Govr - as well as great numbers of horses & cattle Issued from government Flocks, Dr Townson  told me the Revolution was a good thing because he had got His cows -  one day having the curiocity to attend,  when about 200 head of horned cattle was Issued - I stood by when 14 fine cows worth £700 was chosen out and delivered to Mr Robt Fitz which caused Lieutn Lawson to observe that it was a good thing for Fitz  that the business took place otherwise he would never have been worth 14 such fine cows as those notwithstanding he himself had a good share in similar distribution - the Barter of spirits is a gain reversed and those gentlemen who are indulged with great Proportions from Importations know well how to dispose of same from £3 to £4 per gallon.

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last.

The present siting Civil Court which is composed of Captn Kemp as Judge Advocate and Lieutns Brabyn & Moore as members - has over taken and will over take many of the Settlers and inhabitants unprepared for their creditors and will bring numbers into the walls of the jail and others to a Morsel of Bread - as they cannot obtain cash from government for their grain they have nothing to pay their creditors with and therefore executions are issued against their effects and the bonefide tribe of this colony who have a little ready money take advantage of these unfortunate cases and inrich themselves at the expense of the poor & indigent - by purchasing articals thus sold at one fourth of their value - and we have cause to fear that the revolution will be as great a Punishment as the Flood in March 1806 - the settlers in general seem to be in constant alarm wishing for an alteration in government to keep them from ruin and several of those who was pleased with the Revolution at first are truly sorry, at this date - from the fore going causes the Merchants will be discouraged and the Colony feel the want of Importations and where the evils will end it is impossible for my pen to ascribe - the House of Campbell & Co - is the  Butt of envy for the present government who are constantly anoying their concern.

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if time would alow I might enlarge upon these Particulars but as the ship Rose is just on the eve of sailing I am forced to come to a conclusion and leave these pages to the your perusal - and your superior wisdom will sufficiently direct to use these observations in that way that will ultimately prove of the greatest service to the - Colony at large - and with the greatest respect I remain -

Honored Sir

Your very Humble & Most obedient & Willing Servant 

Rowl Hassall