There were no schools to which their parents could semi them. The schoolmasters and tutors who could be found were convicts or freedmen. The careful mother had to be present wliile her children were imbibing from so dubious a fountain. No less than six convicts were pardonetl conditionally with the express object that thej were 'Ho he schoolm asters," but the schools in which they taught — contained the children of the bond, ■ The total number of men cnnditioually pardoned by Kin^ was 326; of women, twenty-five. Absolute pardons werti given to 167 men and to fifteen women. For active and exemplary services at the rebellion in 1804, eight absolutt^ and thirteen conditional pardons were given. Though nine rebels were then executed, it is satisfactory to find that iht. number of capital convictions carried out in six years under King did not exceed twenty-one.^* Thirteen suflFered m felons, four as forgers, two as murderers, and two for rape* Twenty-eight felons, three murderers, fom- forgers, and two ravisliers received commutations of their sentences* Sixty- five prisoners received free pardons in order to enable Ibem 1 to serve in the New South Wales Corps, in the Loyal j Associations, and in various king's ships. Twenty-sixj received conditional pardons in order that they might 8erva| in colonial vessels and on the Australian coasts. The^ power of pardon was a potent engine in a Governor'n hands; and the repression of the rebellion in 1804 bail shown how vigorously he could wield the sword. No sound of treason disturbed him again until a few days before be^ transferred the government to Bligh. On Bligh's arrival discussions as to the possibility olj rearing the flag of rebellion successfully against the ne?1 ruler caused rumours that a rising %vas hitended. Indignant at the idea, lung at midnight left Sydney, and at daylight was on the road from Parramatta to Castle Hill. Havini^ given directions at each place, he returned to Sydney in the evenincf. ' m
- ' In a private letter to King <Aug. 18W) Sir Joseph Bftiiks wrote :—
- There is only one part of your govcinmeot which 1 do not thiiik right-
that is, your frefineiit reprieves." — d
