four who were arraigned for the offence, three were condemned to die,
and the fourth to receive a very severe corporal punishment. In hopes
that his lenity would not be abused, his Excellency was, however,
pleased to order one only for execution, which took place a little
before sun-set the same day. The name of the unhappy wretch was Thomas
Barret, an old and desperate offender, who died with that hardy spirit,
which too often is found in the worst and most abandoned class of men.
During the execution the battalion of marines was under arms, and the
whole of the convicts obliged to be present. The two associates of the
sufferer were ordered to be kept close prisoners, until an eligible
place to banish them to could be fixed on; as were also two more, who on
the following day were condemned to die for a similar offence.

Besides the Criminal court, there is an inferior one composed of the
Judge Advocate, and one or more justices of the peace, for the trial of
small misdemeanours. This court is likewise empowered to decide all law
suits, and its verdict is final, except where the sum in dispute amounts
to more than three hundred pounds, in which case an appeal to England
can be made from its decree. Should necessity warrant it, an Admiralty
court, of which Lieutenant Governor Ross is judge, can also be summoned,
for the trial of offences committed on the high seas.

From being unwilling to break the thread of my narrative, I omitted to
note in its proper place the sailing of the 'Supply', Lieut. Ball,
on the 15th of the month, for Norfolk Island, which the Governor had
instructions from the ministry to take possession of. Lieut. King of
the Sirius was sent as superintendent and commandant of this place,
and carried with him a surgeon, a midshipman, a sawyer, a weaver, two
marines, and sixteen convicts, of whom six were women. He was also
supplied with a certain number of live animals to stock the island,