When his term of punishment expired, in August 1789, he claimed his freedom, and was permitted by the governor, on promising to settle in the country, to take in December following, an uncleaned piece of ground, with an assurance that if he would cultivate it, it should not be taken from him.

Some assistance was given him, to fell the timber, and he accordingly began.

His present account to me was as follows.
I was bred a husbandman, near Launcester in Cornwall.

I cleared my land as well as I could, with the help afforded me.

The exact limit of what ground I am to have, I do not yet know; but a certain direction has been pointed out to me, in which I may proceed as fast as I can cultivate.