Such a circumstance as this, from a quarter so totally
unexpected, afforded an additional proof of the general
disposition which prevailed amongst almost every class of society
to push their individual interests, to the detriment of the
public service; and, instead of giving their full assistance to
promote the prosperity of the colony, to retard its progress, and
make its necessities the source of their profit.

The 11th cause of loss to the crown, and of the expenses of
the colony, arises from the dependent settlements within the
limits of that territory; and although the governments at the
River Derwent and Port Dalrymple are allowed to draw separate
Treasury bills for their internal expenses, yet, the great
quantity of wheat, maize, salt provisions, slop clothing, and
other stores, it is absolutely necessary to send from the
principal seat of government to those places, added to the
conveyance and other unavoidable charges, enhances the expenses
at Sydney to an amount that no person would believe but such as
have had an opportunity of being an eye-witness to the mode in
which such immense sums are disposed of, or upon strictly
investigating the voluminous official documents which are
transmitted from that colony. As the accounts of the expense of
the settlement at Newcastle are wholly included in those at Port
Jackson, I shall forbear to make any regular estimate thereupon;
but it must be evident, that where the subsistence of such
distant places chiefly depend upon a settlement but a short time
colonized, the expenses must be very considerable, and the
supplies must be given out and used with the greatest caution, to
prevent the necessity of applying to a market where their charges
are generally exorbitant, and in most cases optional.