JB/149/119/002

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It is perhaps extremely difficult to Calculate the Value of Labour, performed under such Circumstances,
with any tolerable Accuracy in any other manner than by actual Measurement of the work in
such Cases as are fit Subjects for measurement.

The Difference in the Quantum of Work that can be produced in a given number of Hours by a
Man who is working by Task Work, compared with what is usually produced by one who Works
by the Day is in ordinary Cases very observable, and when the Rate of Work produced by a
Voluntary Labourer is compared by that which is done by one whose Labour is in great
Measure the Effect of Compulsion, a Considerable Allowance must necessarily be made.

The Value of Labour as here computed by the Day, is certainly not estimated at a very high
rate even making Allowance for the Disadvantageous Circumstances under which it is
performed, it is however to be remarked that the rates of Valuation now given are considerably
higher than those which were adopted apparently for the same Species of Work, performed at the
same Place in 1792.

Thus the Value of the Labour of the Artificers at Cumberland Fort and Nevil Lines at
Portsmouth and Langston Harbours, is now computed at 15d per Day and the Labourers
at 9d which in 1792 was computed together at only 9d per Day by the Contractors themselves.
The Value of the Labour of the Artificers at the Warren at Woolwich is now computed at 17d per
Day and that of the Labourers at 12d whereas in 1792 their Labour taken together was only
valued at 9d. The Value of the Labour of the Artificers in the Dock Yard at Woolwich is now
valued at 17d and that of the Labourers at 14d whereas their Value taken together in 1792
was only computed at 12d per day. These Alterations in the rate of Valuation would upon the
whole Number of Artificers and reserved Labourers employed in 1797 have made a Difference of
£ s D
3,102..18..1
Which deducted from the Sum before given as the value of the Labour of
the Labour performed in 1797 — — — — — — 15,802 .. 0 ..0
Would leave the Value of that Labour in round Numbers at — — — 12,702 .. — —
If this latter Sum be deducted from the Expense of Maintenance and
Employment before stated namely — — — — — — 33,578 .. 14 .. 10 3/4
The neat Expense to the Public for the Maintenance of 1,402 for one whole
Year will have been — — — — — — £20,878 .. 14 .. 10 3/4

Or at the rate of £14 .. 17s .. 9 3/4D per Head per Annum.

If the Value of the Labour be estimated as given in at £15,802 .. 17s .. 10d and that Sum be
deducted from the Expence of Maintenance it will leave £17,775 .. 17s .. 0 3/4D as the total Expence
to the Publick or at the Rate of £12 .. 13s .. 7 1/2D per Head per Annum.

Your Committee have before observed, that the Average number of Convicts on Board the
Hulks, in 1797 was — — — — — — 1,402
The Average number employed was — — — — — — 1,032
The Labour therefore of — — — — — — 370 is for
the most Part lost to the Community.

In Confirmation of this Fact is stated in the Returns from the Portsmouth,
" That the Convicts cannot be employed but in clear fine Weather, for in Dark foggy
" Weather which happens very often but particularly in Cumberland Fort, there would be
" great danger of their effecting their Escape."

" That a great number of Convicts on Board the above Hulks were rejected as unfit to proceed
" to Botany Bay; and that many received from the Gaols are so emaciated from
" long Confinement and Debility from former Debaucheries that they are unable to Work
" to these add the number necessarily employed in Keeping the Ships and Wards clean, and
" they will Amount to nearly one third of the whole number confined."

This Account is corroborated by a return since made by the Board of Ordnance in
which it is said, "That on Account of Rain, Fog, High Winds and other occurrences
the Convicts are sometimes prevented from leaving their Hulk till late in the morning;
for the same reason they are early on Board; thus in Winter in continued
ill

Identifier: | JB/149/119/002 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 149.
Date_1		Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	149	Main Headings	panopticon versus new south wales
Folio number	119	Info in main headings field
Image	002	Titles	convicts under sentence of transportation
Category	copy/fair copy sheet	Number of Pages	4
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering
Penner		Watermarks	tw 1794
Marginals		Paper Producer	francis hall
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year	1794
Notes public		ID Number	49973
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