Page "Penal transportation" Paragraph 6

North America was used for transportation from the early 17th century to the American Revolution of 1776.

In the 17th century, it was done at the expense of the convicts or the shipowners.

The first Transportation Act in 1718 allowed courts to sentence convicts to seven years ' transportation to America.

In 1720, extension authorized payments by the state to merchants contracted to take the convicts to America.

Under the Transportation Act, returning from transportation was a capital offence.