Alison, It is oft forgotten that one of the results of the American Revolution was the population of Australia. Until Britain lost its North American colonies, they were the principal destination of convicts transported as their sentence. Their crimes ranged from petty theft to murder, although few of the last were so lucky. In David Dobson's book, "Directory of Scots Banished to The American Plantations 1650-1775" {Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, 1984) you will find an extensive list of these hapless souls. I noticed one whose crime was being a Covenanter (this was during the "Killing Times"). I do not know what treatment they received in the colonies, but for some the sentence might have afforded them opportunity denied them at home. Best wishes, Gil Nicol