Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/398

There were no schools to which their parents could send them. The schoolmasters and tutors who could be found were convicts or freedmen. The careful mother had to be present while her children were imbibing from so dubious a fountain. No less than six convicts were pardoned conditionally with the express object that they were "to be schoolmasters," but the schools in which they taught contained the children of the bond.

The total number of men conditionally pardoned by King was 326; of women, twenty-five. Absolute pardons were given to 167 men and to fifteen women. For active and exemplary services at the rebellion in 1804, eight absolute and thirteen conditional pardons were given. Though nine rebels were then executed, it is satisfactory to find that the number of capital convictions carried out in six years under King did not exceed twenty-one.^[1] Thirteen suffered as felons, four as forgers, two as murderers, and two for rape. Twenty-eight felons, three murderers, four forgers, and two ravishers received commutations of their sentences. Sixty-five prisoners received free pardons in order to enable them to serve in the New South Wales Corps, in the Loyal Associations, and in various king's ships. Twenty-six received conditional pardons in order that they might serve in colonial vessels and on the Australian coasts. The power of pardon was a potent engine in a Governor's hands; and the repression of the rebellion in 1804 had shown how vigorously he could wield the sword. No sound of treason disturbed him again until a few days before he transferred the government to Bligh.

On Bligh's arrival discussions as to the possibility of rearing the flag of rebellion successfully against the new ruler caused rumours that a rising was intended. Indignant at the idea, King at midnight left Sydney, and at daylight was on the road from Parramatta to Castle Hill. Having given directions at each place, he returned to Sydney in the evening.