[Footnote 90: This account is taken from the _Sydney Gazettes_, quoted by Wentworth; _Commissioner Bigge's Reports_, and _Bent's Life of Howe_.]
[Footnote 91: Bent, the government printer, published a pamphlet in 1818, entitled, "_Michael Howe: the last and worst of the Bushrangers_." This pamphlet was reviewed by the _Quarterly_; "it is," observes the reviewer, "the greatest literary curiosity that has come before us--the first child of the press of a state only fifteen years old. It would, of course, be re-printed here; but our copy, _penes nos_, is a genuine Caxton. This little book would assuredly be the _Reynarde Foxe_ of Australian bibliomaniacs."--1820.]
It was the policy of the local government to relieve the crown from that class of prisoners who were incapable of useful labor on the public works. The settlers from Norfolk Island, who had acquired their liberty, or fulfilled their military service, became the employers of prisoners: many of the masters, in their principles and habits, did not differ from their men--frequently, their accomplices and sharers of their spoil. Those engaged in the interior, in tending the flocks and herds, were often paid in proportion to the increase, and beside the property of their masters, they had charge of their own. This system, fraught with mischief, continued for many years, in spite of the interdicts of the government, and the fatal results exhibited in the courts of justice. Cattle and sheep stealing were carried to an astonishing extent: the owners, ignorant sometimes of the amount of their wealth, confided its safety to men incapable of resisting ordinary temptation. The more opulent estimated their annual loss at one-fifth of the increase; and in unfavorable situations, where many cotters were established, they found the preservation of their stock impossible, and relinquished the attempt in despair.[92] The brand was obliterated, often with great ingenuity: the I became H, C was turned into G, and P into B; the more daring, blotted out all brands, by a heated shovel. Stock yards were enclosed and hidden by the bush, where cattle were slaughtered, and sheep by scores were salted down. Ewes were driven into the interior until their lambs were weaned, when they were returned to their owners. In supplying the commissariat, it was not unusual to drive a flock of sheep for inspection, which were again returned to the fold, and others from a stolen stock passed under the certificate thus obtained; and the plunder of the royal herds, were slaughtered and sold to the crown.