Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/296

Two "deluded people" were by the same proclamation—they having been "detected in seditious conversation tending to the destruction of government order and humanity" ordered to receive 500 lashes each, in equal proportions, at Sydney, Parramatta, and Toongabbe, and to be confined in the gaol gang during the remainder of their term of transportation.

In May 1802 there were further attempts. A court reported—

"that as no overt act has been committed Ed. Dougherty cannot suffer death, but we consider it necessary that the most exemplary punishment should be inflicted on him. Therefore, agreeable to your proclamation bearing date 2nd April 1802, it is expressed that whosoever in this colony shall not discover any unlawful combination or illegal act done or to be done shall receive 1000 lashes. We consider the crime of Edward Dougherty coming within the said order, do therefore sentence him to receive 1000 lashes, and, in order to deter others from similar offences, that he le further transported for five years and kept in heavy irons in the jail gang."

Three days after this sentence Margarot wrote—"on mit tous les Irlandais aux fers—douloureux."

One witness deposed that the Irish conspirators had arranged to place their English allies "in front, and in such a situation they would be compelled to fight or be put to death by those behind them." King told Foveaux at Norfolk Island that he was sorry to send him some of the Irish who had been plotting. He would not have sent them but that "we are in daily expectation of 300 of the same description."

Meantime he gave conditional pardons to many of the Irish to encourage them in thrift and prudence. He told the Secretary of State (May 1802) that as he heard "more Irish convicts are coming here it may be necessary to re-embody the Association, if they are troublesome, which unfortunately is attended with the expense of their provisions." He had sent some of the Irish to Norfolk Island.

"I hope the others will find it their interest to be quiet; otherwise it will be absolutely necessary for me to proceed in a very summary manner to prevent worse consequences. Although it is not my duty to press on your Grace the description of people to be sent here, yet I would humbly propose that as few as possible of those convicted of seditious and republican practices should be sent. Otherwise, in a very short time, this colony will be composed of few other characters, which must necessarily draw on anarchy and confusion, as nothing but the hand of authority keeps those we now have within the bounds of order."