Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/190

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162 GROSE DLSPENSEh WITH CIVIL LAW. could not govern, as Phillip had governed, in his own person. The settlements at Toongabbe, and near Parra- matta, engrossed much of Phillip's time ; but, we are told, '* with miiuite fatigne to his Excellency/* Grose "thought it absolutely necessary" (Jan, 1793) that there should be a resident at Parramatta to enforce personally the execution of his orders, and be at all times ready to hear the com- plaints of the settlers. This trunt was conferred upon John Macarthur. of the New South Wales Corjis, But it was not at the outlying station only that the gown yielded to the sword. Grose imagined that, as he was a soldier, his mode of government ought to he military. In Phillip's time the civil magistrates adjudicated, reporting to the Governor, Grose, besides issuing an order (when he was sworn in) io the effect that '*all orders given by the captain, who com- mands at Parramatta, respectmg the convicts stationed there are to be obeyed;'* followed it up in a few days with an order that "all inquiries by the civil magistrates are in future to be dispensed with, until the Lt,«Governor has given directions on the subject/' This deposition of law was fruitful of evil. Respect for law being abandoned, there is in human government no security. " Take but degree away, imtutie that string, And hiirk ! what rUscord follows. Then everything includea itself m power, Power into will, will into appetite. ** In communities of Englishmen especially, respect for and obedience to law, as they are the most trustworthy supports, can the least be dispensed with. An able officer has remarked that, as the English soldier is the most manful in respect for discipline while it is maintained, so is be the most migovernable of men when discipline is abandoned. The government of Grose rapidly degenerated in the direction which Sbakspeare marked out. A passion for drinking was not to be wondered at among the convict population, drawn as they were from the ranks of the riotous ; but it spread amongst the settlers. The Govem- Jiient offered five shillings per bushel for maize, but the grower preferred disposing of it for spirits. ** While spirits I