Thus, after much discussion, the plan of a new penal settlement was finally preferred: denominated, in the official correspondence, "the improved Colony of New South Wales."[61] In dedicating his work to Thomas Townsend, Viscount Sydney, Collins ascribes the establishment of the colony to that nobleman. "To your patriotism" he writes, "the plan presented a prospect of political and commercial advantages." The facts recorded he alleges evinced with how much wisdom the measure was suggested and conducted; with what beneficial effects its progress had been attended, and what future benefits the parent country might with confidence anticipate. It was expected by Collins, that the colony would prove a valuable nursery for soldiers and seamen.
The territorial seal provided by the crown, stamped on the instruments of government the primary design: on the obverse, the royal arms and title; but on the reverse, convicts were represented landing, received by Industry, who, surrounded by her attributes--a bale of merchandise, a pick-axe and shovel--released them from their fetters, and pointed them to oxen ploughing. The legend was appropriate: "_Sic fortis Etruria crevit_."[62]
"He who lives among a civilised people, may estimate the labor by which society has been brought into such a state, by reading in the annals of Botany Bay, the account of a whole nation exerting itself to floor the government-house. Yet time shall come, when some Botany Bay Tacitus shall record the crimes of an emperor lineally descended from a London pickpocket."[63]
[Footnote 56: Introduction to _Phillip's Voyages_.]
[Footnote 57: _Bentham's Works_, part iii. p. 122.]
[Footnote 58: _Bentham's Works_, part iii. p. 7.]
[Footnote 59: _London, in the Eighteenth Century, by Charles Knight._]
[Footnote 60: A bill was brought into parliament by Mr. Bennet: it was, however, maintained that the total abolition of such rewards would be pernicious. The heir at law of a person killed in pursuit of a highwayman, was still entitled to £40 and a Tyburn ticket, which exempted the holder from serving on a jury, and other civil liabilities.]
[Footnote 61: _Par. Papers_: quoted by Bentham, p. 174.]
[Footnote 62: _Collins_, vol. i. p. 179.]