two of the robbers after violent resistance. More were
apprehended on the 19th. In August 1803 further conspiracies were detected, and it was ascertained that the
Chevalier was doomed to death by the Irish at their
intended outbreak.[1]
The Governor endeavoured to win confidence. Acting on permission from the Secretary of State, he proclaimed (19th April 1803) that he had conditionally emancipated the Rev. Mr. Dixon, in order that he might exercise clerical functions amongst his co-religionists.
Mr. Dixon took the oaths of allegiance, abjuration, and declaration "prescribed by law," and was to be responsible to the magistrates in discouraging "seditious conversations that can anywise injure His Majesty's Government, or affect the tranquillity of the colony." The Governor notified that, in case of deviation from his regulations, it remained with him to suspend the religious assemblies and punish offenders. Mr. Dixon received a salary, and on the 1st March 1804 the Governor reported that a salutary effect had been produced. The "Regulations to be Observed by the Rev. Mr. Dixon" and his congregations were published (with his signature subscribed before magistrates). "The priest was to be responsible for the peaceable return of his congregation to their homes;" "and to the end that strict decorum may be observed, a certain number of the police will be stationed at and about the places appointed, during the service."
In Nov. 1803 tidings of the renewal of war between England and France reached the colony, and King (Dec.) re-embodied the Loyal Associations, calling on "all free men" to give their names in, so that he might be able "to make a selection of the numbers required." Volunteers to attend the batteries were separately enrolled,[2] and with Colonel Paterson's consent, Adjutant Minchin of the New South Wales Corps (who had served in the artillery), was appointed to train the new volunteers.
Captain Woodriff arrived at the end of the year in H.M.S. Calcutta, after leaving Collins at Port Phillip, and
