House Committee in September 1800, set up to supervise orphanages in Sydney and Parramatta. He was Captain of the Sydney Loyal Association, a volunteer company formed to counteract the threat of convict insurgence. He also established and completed a citizens' subscription to build a new Sydney gaol, making a personal contribution of £214.13.0 to the fund. But there was another, more mercenary side to Balmain, leading Governor King's wife to refer to his "duplicity". He was one of a number of prominent citizens, including his former adversary John Macarthur, who formed a consortium to privately charter a ship for trade with India. In January 1800 the vessel arrived from Calcutta laden with sugar, tea, cloth and rum. Governor Hunter permitted the vessel to land, although the British government had issued clear instructions to stop the trading the military. Shortly after Governor King took office in September 1800, he appointed Balmain to the post of Naval Officer to the colony, which included the office of Registrar of Export and Imports which could be used to advantage in covert trading activities. Balmain may have been holding this position unofficially under Hunter, hence Macarthur's interest in including him in the consortium. When Governor King ordered all trading in spirits to cease, Balmain was left with 1400 gallons of rum which he was unable to sell. King allowed him to sell it privately, at substantial profit, as it had been purchased before King's arrival. This gave Balmain some financial security, but ended the consortium's lucrative venture. Over the years Balmain received a number of grants of land which, together with other land purchased and leased, provided him with over 1500 acres (6 km2). On 26 April 1800, he received a land grant of 550 acres on the west side of Cockle Bay. This 550 acre (2 km2) grant, known as Gilchrist Place, was located on the peninsula which is now the suburbs of Balmain and Rozelle. Balmain also received a small private income from 1799 to 1801 as Sydney agent for a London-based company in connection with a trading ship, receiving a small percentage of the firm's profits. On the personal level, Balmain and Dawson continued to cohabit. Daughter Ann's death in September 1797 was a tragedy, but was offset by the births of Jane in March 1797 and John William in August 1800. Jane was sent back to England in October 1800, in