whitespace; small checks; poetry; italics; dashes; gut;

A NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION TO BOTANY BAY

by Watkin Tench

INTRODUCTION

In offering this little tract to the public, it is equally the writer'swish to conduce to their amusement and information. 

The expedition on which he is engaged has excited much curiosity, andgiven birth to many speculations, respecting the consequences to arisefrom it. While men continue to think freely, they will judge variously. Some have been sanguine enough to foresee the most beneficial effects tothe Parent State, from the Colony we are endeavouring to establish;and some have not been wanting to pronounce the scheme big with folly, impolicy, and ruin. Which of these predictions will be completed, Ileave to the decision of the public. I cannot, however, dismiss thesubject without expressing a hope, that the candid and liberal of eachopinion, induced by the humane and benevolent intention in which itoriginated, will unite in waiting the result of a fair trial to anexperiment, no less new in its design, than difficult in its execution. 

As this publication enters the world with the name of the author, candour will, he trusts, induce its readers to believe, that noconsideration could weigh with him in an endeavour to mislead them. Facts are related simply as they happened, and when opinions arehazarded, they are such as, he hopes, patient inquiry, and deliberatedecision, will be found to have authorised. For the most part he hasspoken from actual observation; and in those places where the relationsof others have been unavoidably adopted. He has been careful to searchfor the truth, and repress that spirit of exaggeration which is almostever the effect of novelty on ignorance. 

The nautical part of the work is comprized in as few pages as possible. By the professional part of my readers this will be deemed judicious;and the rest will not, I believe, be dissatisfied at its brevity. I begleave, however, to say of the astronomical calculations, that theymay be depended on with the greatest degree of security, as they werecommunicated by an officer, who was furnished with instruments, andcommissioned by the Board of Longitude, to make observations during thevoyage, and in the southern hemisphere. 

An unpractised writer is generally anxious to bespeak public attention, and to solicit public indulgence. Except on professional subjects, military men are, perhaps, too fearful of critical censure. For thepresent narrative no other apology is attempted, than the intentions ofits author, who has endeavoured not only to satisfy present curiosity, but to point out to future adventurers, the favourable, as well asadverse circumstances which will attend their settling here. The candid, it is hoped, will overlook the inaccuracies of this imperfect sketch, drawn amidst the complicated duties of the service in which the Authoris engaged, and make due allowance for the want of opportunity ofgaining more extensive information. 

Watkin Tench, Capt. Of the Marines. 

Sydney Cove, Port Jackson, New South Wales, 10 July, 1788. 

CHAPTER I

From the Embarkation of the Convicts, to the Departure of the Ships fromEngland. 

The marines and convicts having been previously embarked in the River, at Portsmouth, and Plymouth, the whole fleet destined for the expeditionrendezvoused at the Mother Bank, on the 16th of March 1787, and remainedthere until the 13th of May following. In this period, excepting aslight appearance of contagion in one of the transports, the ships wereuniversally healthy, and the prisoners in high spirits. Few complaintsor lamentations were to be heard among them, and an ardent wish for thehour of departure seemed generally to prevail. 

As the reputation, equally with the safety of the officers andsoldiers appointed to guard the convicts, consisted in maintaining duesubordination, an opportunity was taken, immediately on their beingembarked, to convince them, in the most pointed terms, that any attempton their side, either to contest the command, or to force their escape, should be punished with instant death; orders to this effect were givento the centinels in their presence; happily, however, for all parties, there occurred not any instance in which there was occasion to haverecourse to so desperate a measure; the behavior of the convicts beingin general humble, submissive, and regular: indeed I should feel myselfwanting in justice to those unfortunate men, were I not to bear thispublic testimony of the sobriety and decency of their conduct. 

Unpleasant as a state of inactivity and delay for many weeks appearedto us, it was not without its advantages; for by means of it we wereenabled to establish necessary regulations among the convicts, and toadopt such a system of defence, as left us little to Apprehend for ourown security, in case a spirit of madness and desperation had hurriedthem on to attempt our destruction. 

Among many other troublesome parts of duty which the service we wereengaged on required, the inspection of all letters brought to, or sentfrom the ships, was not one of the least tiresome and disagreeable. Thenumber and contents of those in the vessel I was embarked in, frequentlysurprised me very much; they varied according to the dispositions ofthe writers: but their constant language was, an apprehension of theimpracticability of returning home, the dread of a sickly passage, and the fearful prospect of a distant and barbarous country. But thisapparent despondency proceeded in few instances from sentiment. With toomany it was, doubtless, an artifice to awaken compassion, and call forthrelief; the correspondence invariably ending in a petition for moneyand tobacco. Perhaps a want of the latter, which is considered a greatluxury by its admirers among the lower classes of life, might be themore severely felt, from their being debarred in all cases whatever, sickness excepted, the use of spirituous liquors. 

It may be thought proper for me to mention, that during our stay at theMother Bank, the soldiers and convicts were indiscriminately servedwith fresh beef. The former, in addition, had the usual quantity of beerallowed in the navy, and were at what is called full allowance of allspecies of provisions; the latter, at two thirds only. 

CHAPTER II. 

From the Departure, to the Arrival of the Fleet at Teneriffe. 

Governor Phillip having at length reached Portsmouth, and all thingsdeemed necessary for the expedition being put on board, at daylighton the morning of the 13th, the signal to weigh anchor was made in theCommanding Officer's ship the Sirius. Before six o'clock the wholefleet were under sail; and, the weather being fine and wind easterly, proceeded through the Needles with a fresh leading breeze. In additionto our little armament, the Hyena frigate was ordered to accompany usa certain distance to the westward, by which means our number wasincreased to twelve sail: His Majesty's ships 'Sirius', 'Hyena', and'Supply', three Victuallers with two years stores and provisions onboard for the Settlement, and six Transports, with troops and convicts. In the transports were embarked four captains, twelve subalterns, twenty-four serjeants and corporals, eight drummers, and one hundred andsixty private marines, making the whole of the military force, includingthe Major Commandant and Staff on board the Sirius, to consist of twohundred and twelve persons, of whom two hundred and ten were volunteers. The number of convicts was five hundred and sixty-five men, one hundredand ninety-two women, and eighteen children; the major part of theprisoners were mechanics and husbandmen, selected on purpose by order ofGovernment. 

By ten o'clock we had got clear of the Isle of Wight, at which time, having very little pleasure in conversing with my own thoughts, Istrolled down among the convicts, to observe their sentiments at thisjuncture. A very few excepted, their countenances indicated a highdegree of satisfaction, though in some, the pang of being severed, perhaps for ever, from their native land, could not be whollysuppressed; in general, marks of distress were more perceptible amongthe men than the women; for I recollect to have seen but one of thoseaffected on the occasion, "Some natural tears she dropp'd, but wip'dthem soon. " After this the accent of sorrow was no longer heard; moregenial skies and change of scene banished repining and discontent, andintroduced in their stead cheerfulness and acquiescence in a lot, nownot to be altered. 

To add to the good disposition which was beginning to manifestitself, on the morning of the 20th, in consequence of some favorablerepresentations made by the officers commanding detachments, they werehailed and told from the Sirius, that in those cases where they judgedit proper, they were at liberty to release the convicts from the fettersin which they had been hitherto confined. In complying with thesedirections, I had great pleasure in being able to extend this humaneorder to the whole of those under my charge, without a single exception. It is hardly necessary for me to say, that the precaution of ironing theconvicts at any time reached to the men only. 

In the evening of the same day, the Hyena left us for England, whichafforded an early opportunity of writing to our friends, and easingtheir apprehensions by a communication of the favourable accounts it wasin our power to send them. 

From this time to the day of our making the land, little occurred worthyof remark. I cannot, however, help noticing the propriety of employingthe marines on a service which requires activity and exertion at sea, inpreference to other troops. Had a regiment recruited since the warbeen sent out, sea-sickness would have incapacitated half the men fromperforming the duties immediately and indispensably necessary; whereasthe marines, from being accustomed to serve on board ship, accommodatedthemselves with ease to every exigency, and surmounted every difficulty. 

At daybreak, on the morning of the 30th of May we saw the rocks namedthe Deserters, which lie off the south-east end of Madeira; and foundthe south-east extremity of the most southerly of them, to be in thelatitude of 32 deg 28 min north, longitude 16 deg 17 1/2 min west ofGreenwich. The following day we saw the Salvages, a cluster of rockswhich are placed between the Madeiras and Canary Islands, and determinedthe latitude of the middle of the Great Salvage to be 30 deg 12 minnorth, and the longitude of its eastern side to be 15 deg 39 min west. It is no less extraordinary than unpardonable, that in some very moderncharts of the Atlantic, published in London, the Salvages are totallyomitted. 

We made the island of Teneriffe on the 3d of June, and in the eveninganchored in the road of Santa Cruz, after an excellent passage of threeweeks from the day we left England. 

CHAPTER III. 

From the Fleet's Arrival at Teneriffe, to its Departure for Rio deJaneiro, in the Brazils. 

There is little to please a traveller at Teneriffe. He has heard wondersof its celebrated Peak, but he may remain for weeks together at the townof Santa Cruz without having a glimpse of it, and when its cloud-toppedhead emerges, the chance is, that he feels disappointed, for, from thepoint of view in which he sees it, the neighbouring mountains lessen itseffect very considerably. Excepting the Peak, the eye receives littlepleasure from the general face of the country, which is sterile anduninviting to the last degree. The town, however, from its cheerfulwhite appearance, contrasted with the dreary brownness of the background, makes not an unpleasing coup d'oeil. It is neither irregular inits plan, nor despicable in its style of building; and the churches andreligious houses are numerous, sumptuous, and highly ornamented. 

The morning of our arrival, as many officers as could be spared from thedifferent ships were introduced to the Marquis de Brancifort, Governorof the Canary Islands, whose reception was highly flattering and polite. His Excellency is a Sicilian by birth, and is most deservedly popular inhis government. He prefers residing at Teneriffe, for the conveniencyof frequent communication with Europe, to the Grand Canary, which isproperly the seat of power; and though not long fixed here, has alreadyfound means to establish a manufactory in cotton, silk, and thread, under excellent regulations, which employs more than sixty persons, andis of infinite service to the common people. During our short stay wehad every day some fresh proof of his Excellency's esteem and attention, and had the honour of dining with him, in a style of equal elegance andsplendor. At this entertainment the profusion of ices which appeared inthe desert was surprising, considering that we were enjoying them undera sun nearly vertical. But it seems the caverns of the Peak, very farbelow its summit, afford, at all seasons, ice in abundance. 

The restless importunity of the beggars, and the immodesty of the lowestclass of women, are highly disgusting. From the number of his countrymento be found, an Englishman is at no loss for society. In the mercantilehouses established here, it is from gentlemen of this description thatany information is derived, for the taciturnity of the Spaniards is notto be overcome in a short acquaintance, especially by Englishmen, whosereserve falls little short of their own. The inland country is describedas fertile, and highly romantic; and the environs of the small town ofLaguza mentioned as particularly pleasant. Some of our officers who madean excursion to it confirmed the account amply. 

It should seem that the power of the Church, which has been so longon the decline in Europe, is at length beginning to be shaken in thecolonies of the Catholic powers: some recent instances which have takenplace at Teneriffe, evince it very fully. Were not a stranger, however, to be apprized of this, he would hardly draw the conclusion from his ownobservations. The Bishop of these islands, which conjunctively form aSee, resides on the Grand Canary. He is represented as a man in years, and of a character as amiable as exalted, extremely beloved both byforeigners and those of his own church. The bishopric is valued at tenthousand pounds per annum; the government at somewhat less than two. 

In spite of every precaution, while we lay at anchor in the road, aconvict had the address, one night, to secrete himself on the deck, whenthe rest were turned below; and after remaining quiet for some hours, let himself down over the bow of the ship, and floated to a boat thatlay astern, into which he got, and cutting her adrift, suffered himselfto be carried away by the current, until at a sufficient distance tobe out of hearing, when he rowed off. This elopement was not discoveredtill some hours after, when a search being made, and boats sent to thedifferent parts of the island, he was discovered in a small cove, towhich he had fled for refuge. On being questioned, it appeared he hadendeavoured to get himself received on board a Dutch East Indiaman inthe road; but being rejected there, he resolved on crossing over tothe Grand Canary, which is at the distance of ten leagues, and whendetected, was recruiting his strength in order to make the attempt. Atthe same time that the boats of the fleet were sent on this pursuit, information was given to the Spanish Governor of what had happened, who immediately detached parties every way in order to apprehend thedelinquent. 

Having remained a week at Teneriffe, and in that time completed ourstock of water, and taken on board wine, &c. Early on the morning ofthe 10th of June we weighed anchor, and stood out to sea with a lighteasterly breeze. The shortness of our stay, and the consequent hurry, prevented our increasing much any previous knowledge we might have hadof the place. For the information of those who may follow us on thisservice, it may not, however, be amiss to state the little that will befound of use to them. 

The markets afford fresh meat, though it is neither plentiful nor good. Fish is scarce; but poultry may be procured in almost any quantity, atas cheap a rate as in the English sea-ports. Vegetables do not abound, except pumpkins and onions, of which I advise all ships to lay in alarge stock. Milch goats are bought for a trifle, and easily procured. Grapes cannot be scarce in their season; but when we were here, exceptfigs and excellent mulberries, no fruit was to be procured. Dry wines, as the merchants term them, are sold from ten to fifteen pounds a pipe;for the latter price, the very best, called the London Particular, maybe bought: sweet wines are considerably dearer. Brandy is also a cheaparticle. I would not advise the voyager to depend on this place foreither his hogs or sheep. And he will do well to supply himself withdollars before he quits England, to expend in the different ports he mayhappen to touch at. Should he, however, have neglected this precaution, let him remember when he discounts bills, or exchanges English moneyhere, not to receive his returns in quarter dollars, which will betendered to him, but altogether in whole ones, as he will find thelatter turn to better account than the former, both at Rio de Janeiroand the Cape of Good Hope. 

The latitude of the town of Santa Cruz is 28 deg 27 1/2 min north, thelongitude 16 deg 17 1/2 min west of Greenwich. 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Passage from Teneriffe to Rio de Janeiro, in the Brazils. 

In sailing from Teneriffe to the south-east, the various and picturesqueappearances of the Peak are beautiful to the highest degree. Thestupendous height, which before was lost on the traveller, now strikeshim with awe and admiration, the whole island appearing one vastmountain with a pyramidal top. As we proceeded with light winds, at aneasy rate, we saw it distinctly for three days after our departure, and should have continued to see it longer, had not the haziness of theatmosphere interrupted our view. The good people of Santa Cruz tell somestories of the wonderful extent of space to be seen from the summitof it, that would not disgrace the memoirs of the ever-memorable BaronMunchausen. 

On the 18th of June we saw the most northerly of the Cape de VerdIslands, at which time the Commodore gave the fleet to understand, bysignal, that his intention was to touch at some of them. The followingday we made St. Jago, and stood in to gain an anchorage in Port PrayaBay. But the baffling winds and lee current rendering it a matter ofdoubt whether or not the ships would be able to fetch, the signal foranchoring was hauled down, and the fleet bore up before the wind. Inpassing along them we were enabled to ascertain the south end of theIsle of Sal to be in 16 deg 40 min north latitude, and 23 deg 5 min westlongitude. The south end of Bonavista to be in 15 deg 57 min north, 23deg 8 min west. The south end of the Isle of May in 15 deg 11 min north, 23 deg 26 min west; and the longitude of the fort, in the town of PortPraya, to be 23 deg 36 1/2 min west of Greenwich. 

By this time the weather, from the sun being so far advanced in thenorthern tropic, was become intolerably hot, which, joined to the heavyrains that soon after came on, made us very apprehensive for the healthof the fleet. Contrary, however, to expectation, the number of sick inthe ship I was embarked on was surprisingly small, and the rest of thefleet were nearly as healthy. Frequent explosions of gunpowder, lightingfires between decks, and a liberal use of that admirable antiseptic, oil of tar, were the preventives we made use of against impure air; andabove all things we were careful to keep the men's bedding and wearingapparel dry. As we advanced towards the Line, the weather grew graduallybetter and more pleasant. On the 14th of July we passed the Equator, atwhich time the atmosphere was as serene, and the temperature of the airnot hotter than in a bright summer day in England. From this period, until our arrival on the American coast, the heats, the calms, andthe rains by which we had been so much incommoded, were succeeded by aseries of weather as delightful as it was unlooked for. At three o'clockin the afternoon of the 2nd of August, the 'Supply', which had beenpreviously sent a-head on purpose, made the signal for seeing the land, which was visible to the whole fleet before sunset, and proved to beCape Frio, in latitude 23 deg 5 min south, longitude 41 deg 40 1/4 minwest. 

Owing to light airs we did not get a-breast of the city of St. Sebastian, in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro, until the 7th of the month, when we anchored about three quarters of a mile from the shore. 

CHAPTER V. 

From the Arrival of the Fleet at Rio de Janeiro, till its Departure forthe Cape of Good Hope; with some Remarks on the Brazils. 

Brazil is a country very imperfectly known in Europe. The Portugueze, from political motives, have been sparing in their accounts of it. Whence our descriptions of it, in the geographical publications inEngland, are drawn, I know not: that they are miserably erroneous anddefective, is certain. 

The city of St. Sebastian stands on the west side of the harbour, in alow unhealthy situation, surrounded on all sides by hills, whichstop the free circulation of air, and subject its inhabitants tointermittents and putrid diseases. It is of considerable extent: Mr. Cook makes it as large as Liverpool; but Liverpool, in 1767, when Mr. Cook wrote, was not two-thirds of its present size. Perhaps itequals Chester, or Exeter, in the share of ground it occupies, and isinfinitely more populous than either of them. The streets intersect eachother at right angles, are tolerably well built, and excellently paved, abounding with shops of every kind, in which the wants of a stranger, if money is not one of them, can hardly remain unsatisfied. About thecentre of the city, and at a little distance from the beach, the Palaceof the Viceroy stands, a long, low building, no wise remarkable inits exterior appearance; though within are some spacious and handsomeapartments. The churches and convents are numerous, and richlydecorated; hardly a night passes without some of the latter beingilluminated in honour of their patron saints, which has a very brillianteffect when viewed from the water, and was at first mistaken by us forpublic rejoicings. At the corner of almost every street stands a littleimage of the Virgin, stuck round with lights in an evening, before whichpassengers frequently stop to pray and sing very loudly. Indeed, theheight to which religious zeal is carried in this place, cannot failof creating astonishment in a stranger. The greatest part of theinhabitants seem to have no other occupation, than that of paying visitsand going to church, at which times you see them sally forth richlydressed, en chapeau bras, with the appendages of a bag for the hair, and a small sword: even boys of six years old are seen parading about, furnished with these indispensable requisites. Except when at theirdevotions, it is not easy to get a sight of the women, and whenobtained, the comparisons drawn by a traveller, lately arrived fromEngland, are little flattering to Portugueze beauty. In justice, however, to the ladies of St. Sebastian, I must observe, that the customof throwing nosegays at strangers, for the purpose of bringing on anassignation, which Doctor Solander, and another gentleman of Mr. Cook'sship, met with when here, was never seen by any of us in a singleinstance. We were so deplorably unfortunate as to walk every eveningbefore their windows and balconies, without being honoured with a singlebouquet, though nymphs and flowers were in equal and great abundance. 

Among other public buildings, I had almost forgot to mention anobservatory, which stands near the middle of the town, and is tolerablywell furnished with astronomical instruments. During our stay here, someSpanish and Portuguese mathematicians were endeavouring to determinethe boundaries of the territories belonging to their respective crowns. Unhappily, however, for the cause of science, these gentleman have nothitherto been able to coincide in their accounts, so that very littleinformation on this head, to be depended upon, could be gained. How farpolitical motives may have caused this disagreement, I do not presume todecide; though it deserves notice, that the Portuguese accuse the Abbeede la Caille, who observed here by order of the King of France, ofhaving laid down the longitude of this place forty-five miles too muchto the eastward. 

Until the year 1770, all the flour in the settlement was broughtfrom Europe; but since that time the inhabitants have made so rapid aprogress in raising grain, as to be able to supply themselves with itabundantly. The principal corn country lies around Rio Grande, in thelatitude of 32 deg south, where wheat flourishes so luxuriantly, as toyield from seventy to eighty bushels for one. Coffee also, which theyformerly received from Portugal, now grows in such plenty as to enablethem to export considerable quantities of it. But the staple commodityof the country is sugar. That they have not, however, learnt the artof making palatable rum, the English troops in New South Wales can beartestimony; a large quantity, very ill flavoured, having been bought andshipped here for the use of the garrison of Port Jackson. 

It was in 1771 that St. Salvador, which had for more than a century beenthe capital of Brazil, ceased to be so; and that the seat of Governmentwas removed to St. Sebastian. The change took place on account ofthe colonial war, at that time carried on by the Courts of Lisbon andMadrid. And, indeed, were the object of security alone to determinethe seat of Government, I know but few places better situated in thatrespect than the one I am describing; the natural strength of thecountry, joined to the difficulties which would attend an attack on thefortifications, being such as to render it very formidable. 

It may be presumed that the Portuguese Government is well apprized ofthis circumstance and of the little risque they run in being deprivedof so important a possession, else it will not be easy to penetrate thereasons which induce them to treat the troops who compose the garrisonwith such cruel negligence. Their regiments were ordered out with apromise of being relieved, and sent back to Europe at the end ofthree years, in conformity to which they settled all their domesticarrangements. But the faith of Government has been broken, and at theexpiration of twenty years, all that is left to the remnant of theseunfortunate men, is to suffer in submissive silence. I was one eveningwalking with a Portuguese officer, when this subject was started, andon my telling him, that such a breach of public honour to English troopswould become a subject of parliamentary enquiry, he seized my handwith great eagerness, "Ah, Sir!" exclaimed he, "yours is a freecountry--we"!----His emotions spoke what his tongue refused. 

As I am mentioning the army, I cannot help observing, that I saw nothinghere to confirm the remark of Mr. Cook, that the inhabitants of theplace, whenever they meet an officer of the garrison, bow to him withthe greatest obsequiousness; and by omitting such a ceremony, wouldsubject themselves to be knocked down, though the other seldom deigns toreturn the compliment. The interchange of civilities is general betweenthem, and seems by no means extorted. The people who could submit tosuch insolent superiority, would, indeed, deserve to be treated asslaves. 

The police of the city is very good. Soldiers patrole the streetsfrequently, and riots are seldom heard of. The dreadful custom ofstabbing, from motives of private resentment, is nearly at an end, since the church has ceased to afford an asylum to murderers. In otherrespects, the progress of improvement appears slow, and fettered byobstacles almost insurmountable, whose baneful influence will continue, until a more enlightened system of policy shall be adopted. From morningto night the ears of a stranger are greeted by the tinkling of theconvent bells, and his eyes saluted by processions of devotees, whoseadoration and levity seem to keep equal pace, and succeed each other inturns. "Do you want to make your son sick of soldiering? Shew him theTrainbands of London on a field-day. " Let him who would wish to give hisson a distaste to Popery, point out to him the sloth, the ignorance, andthe bigotry of this place. 

Being nearly ready to depart by the 1st of September, as many officersas possible went on that day to the palace to take leave of hisExcellency, the Viceroy of the Brazils, to whom we had been previouslyintroduced; who on this, and every other occasion, was pleased to honourus with the most distinguished marks of regard and attention. Some part, indeed, of the numerous indulgencies we experienced during our stayhere, must doubtless be attributed to the high respect in which thePortuguese held Governor Phillip, who was for many years a captain intheir navy, and commanded a ship of war on this station: in consequenceof which, many privileges were extended to us, very unusual to begranted to strangers. We were allowed the liberty of making shortexcursions into the country, and on these occasions, as well as whenwalking in the city, the mortifying custom of having an officer of thegarrison attending us was dispensed with on our leaving our namesand ranks, at the time of landing, with the adjutant of orders at thepalace. It happened, however, sometimes, that the presence of amilitary man was necessary to prevent imposition in the shopkeepers, whofrequently made a practice of asking more for their goods than the worthof them. In which case an officer, when applied to, always told us theusual price of the commodity with the greatest readiness, and adjustedthe terms of the purchase. 

On the morning of the fourth of September we left Rio de Janeiro, amply furnished with the good things which its happy soil and clime soabundantly produce. The future voyager may with security depend onthis place for laying in many parts of his stock. Among these may beenumerated sugar, coffee, rum, port wine, rice, tapioca, and tobacco, besides very beautiful wood for the purposes of household furniture. Poultry is not remarkably cheap, but may be procured in any quantity;as may hops at a low rate. The markets are well supplied with butcher'smeat, and vegetables of every sort are to be procured at a price next tonothing; the yams are particularly excellent. Oranges abound so much, as to be sold for sixpence a hundred; and limes are to be had on termsequally moderate. Bananas, cocoa nuts, and guavas, are common; but thefew pineapples brought to market are not remarkable either forflavour, or cheapness. Besides the inducements to lay out money alreadymentioned, the naturalist may add to his collection by an almost endlessvariety of beautiful birds and curious insects, which are to be boughtat a reasonable price, well preserved, and neatly assorted. 

I shall close my account of this place by informing strangers, who maycome here, that the Portuguese reckon their money in rees, an imaginarycoin, twenty of which make a small copper piece called a 'vintin', andsixteen of these last a 'petack'. Every piece is marked with the numberof rees it is worth, so that a mistake can hardly happen. English silvercoin has lost its reputation here, and dollars will be found preferableto any other money. 

CHAPTER VI. 

The Passage from the Brazils to the Cape of Good Hope; with an Accountof the Transactions of the Fleet there. 

Our passage from Rio de Janeiro to the Cape of Good Hope was equallyprosperous with that which had preceded it. We steered away to thesouth-east, and lost sight of the American coast the day after ourdeparture. From this time until the 13th of October, when we made theCape, nothing remarkable occurred, except the loss of a convict in theship I was on board, who unfortunately fell into the sea, and perishedin spite of our efforts to save him, by cutting adrift a life buoy andhoisting out a boat. During the passage, a slight dysentery prevailedin some of the ships, but was in no instance mortal. We were at firstinclined to impute it to the water we took on board at the Brazils, butas the effect was very partial, some other cause was more probably theoccasion of it. 

At seven o'clock in the evening of the 13th of October, we cast anchorin Table Bay, and found many ships of different nations in the harbour. 

Little can be added to the many accounts already published of the Capeof Good Hope, though, if an opinion on the subject might be risqued, thedescriptions they contain are too flattering. When contrasted with Riode Janeiro, it certainly suffers in the comparison. Indeed we arrived ata time equally unfavourable for judging of the produce of the soil andthe temper of its cultivators, who had suffered considerably from adearth that had happened the preceding season, and created a generalscarcity. Nor was the chagrin of these deprivations lessened by the newsdaily arriving of the convulsions that shook the republic, which couldnot fail to make an impression even on Batavian phlegm. 

As a considerable quantity of flour, and the principal part of the livestock, which was to store our intended settlement, were meant to beprocured here, Governor Phillip lost no time in waiting on Mynheer VanGraaffe, the Dutch Governor, to request permission (according to thecustom of the place) to purchase all that we stood in need of. How farthe demand extended, I know not, nor Mynheer Van Graaffe's reasons forcomplying with it in part only. To this gentleman's political sentimentsI confess myself a stranger; though I should do his politeness andliberality at his own table an injustice, were I not to take this publicopportunity of acknowledging them; nor can I resist the opportunitywhich presents itself, to inform my readers, in honor of M. VanGraaffe's humanity, that he has made repeated efforts to recover theunfortunate remains of the crew of the Grosvenor Indiaman, which waswrecked about five years ago on the coast of Caffraria. This informationwas given me by Colonel Gordon, commandant of the Dutch troops at theCape, whose knowledge of the interior parts of this country surpassesthat of any other man. And I am sorry to say that the Colonel added, these unhappy people were irrecoverably lost to the world and theirfriends, by being detained among the Caffres, the most savage set ofbrutes on earth. 

His Excellency resides at the Government house, in the East IndiaCompany's garden. This last is of considerable extent, and is plantedchiefly with vegetables for the Dutch Indiamen which may happen to touchat the port. Some of the walks are extremely pleasant from the shadethey afford, and the whole garden is very neatly kept. The regular linesintersecting each other at right angles, in which it is laid out, will, nevertheless, afford but little gratification to an Englishman, whohas been used to contemplate the natural style which distinguishes thepleasure grounds of his own country. At the head of the centre walksstands a menagerie, on which, as well as the garden, many pompouseulogiums have been passed, though in my own judgment, considering thelocal advantages possessed by the Company, it is poorly furnishedboth with animals and birds; a tyger, a zebra, some fine ostriches, acassowary, and the lovely crown-fowl, are among the most remarkable. 

The table land, which stands at the back of the town, is a black drearylooking mountain, apparently flat at top, and of more than elevenhundred yards in height. The gusts of wind which blow from it areviolent to an excess, and have a very unpleasant effect, by raisingthe dust in such clouds, as to render stirring out of doors next toimpossible. Nor can any precaution prevent the inhabitants from beingannoyed by it, as much within doors as without. 

At length the wished-for day, on which the next effort for reaching theplace of our destination was to be made, appeared. The morning was calm, but the land wind getting up about noon, on the 12th of November weweighed anchor, and soon left far behind every scene of civilization andhumanized manners, to explore a remote and barbarous land; and plant init those happy arts, which alone constitute the pre-eminence and dignityof other countries. 

The live animals we took on board on the public account from the Cape, for stocking our projected colony, were, two bulls, three cows, threehorses, forty-four sheep, and thirty-two hogs, besides goats, and a verylarge quantity of poultry of every kind. A considerable addition to thiswas made by the private stocks of the officers, who were, however, undera necessity of circumscribing their original intentions on this headvery much, from the excessive dearness of many of the articles. It willreadily be believed, that few of the military found it convenient topurchase sheep, when hay to feed them costs sixteen shillings a hundredweight. 

The boarding-houses on shore, to which strangers have recourse, are morereasonable than might be expected. For a dollar and a half per daywe were well lodged, and partook of a table tolerably supplied in theFrench style. Should a traveller's stock of tea run short, it is athousand chances to one that he will be able to replenish it here at acheaper rate than in England. He may procure plenty of arrack and whitewine; also raisins, and dried fruits of other sorts. If he dislikes tolive at a boarding-house, he will find the markets well stored, and theprice of butcher's meat and vegetables far from excessive. 

Just before the signal for weighing was made, a ship, under Americancolours, entered the road, bound from Boston, from whence she had sailedone hundred and forty days, on a trading voyage to the East Indies. Inher route, she had been lucky enough to pick up several of the inferiorofficers and crew of the Harcourt East-Indiaman, which ship had beenwrecked on one of the Cape de Verd Islands. The master, who appearedto be a man of some information, on being told the destination of ourfleet, gave it as his opinion, that if a reception could be secured, emigrations would take place to New South Wales, not only from the oldcontinent, but the new one, where the spirit of adventure and thirst fornovelty were excessive. 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Passage from the Cape of Good Hope to Botany Bay. 

We had hardly cleared the land when a south-east wind set in, and, except at short intervals, continued to blow until the 19th of themonth; when we were in the latitude of 37 deg 40 min south, and by thetime-keeper, in longitude 11 deg 30 min east, so that our distance fromBotany Bay had increased nearly an hundred leagues since leaving theCape. As no appearance of a change in our favour seemed likely to takeplace, Governor Phillip at this time signified his intention of shiftinghis pennant from the Sirius to the 'Supply', and proceeding on hisvoyage without waiting for the rest of the fleet, which was formed intwo divisions. The first consisting of three transports, known to be thebest sailors, was put under the command of a Lieutenant of the navy;and the remaining three, with the victuallers, left in charge of CaptainHunter, of his Majesty's ship Sirius. In the last division was thevessel, in which the author of this narrative served. Various causesprevented the separation from taking place until the 25th, when severalsawyers, carpenters, blacksmiths, and other mechanics, were shiftedfrom different ships into the 'Supply', in order to facilitate hisExcellency's intention of forwarding the necessary buildings to beerected at Botany Bay, by the time the rest of the fleet might beexpected to arrive. Lieutenant Governor Ross, and the Staff of themarine battalion, also removed from the Sirius into the Scarboroughtransport, one of the ships of the first division, in order to affordevery assistance which the public service might receive, by their beingearly on the spot on which our future operations were to be conducted. 

From this time a succession of fair winds and pleasant weathercorresponded to our eager desires, and on the 7th of January, 1788, thelong wished for shore of Van Diemen gratified our sight. We made theland at two o'clock in the afternoon, the very hour we expected to seeit from the lunar observations of Captain Hunter, whose accuracy, asan astronomer, and conduct as an officer, had inspired us with equalgratitude and admiration. 

After so long a confinement, on a service so peculiarly disgusting andtroublesome, it cannot be matter of surprise that we were overjoyed atthe near prospect of a change of scene. By sunset we had passed betweenthe rocks, which Captain Furneaux named the Mewstone and Swilly. The former bears a very close resemblance to the little island nearPlymouth, whence it took its name: its latitude is 43 deg 48 min south, longitude 146 deg 25 min east of Greenwich. 

In running along shore, we cast many an anxious eye towards the land, on which so much of our future destiny depended. Our distance, joined tothe haziness of the atmosphere, prevented us, however, from being ableto discover much. With our best glasses we could see nothing but hillsof a moderate height, cloathed with trees, to which some little patchesof white sandstone gave the appearance of being covered with snow. Manyfires were observed on the hills in the evening. 

As no person in the ship I was on board had been on this coast before, we consulted a little chart, published by Steele, of the Minories, London, and found it, in general, very correct; it would be more so, were not the Mewstone laid down at too great a distance from the land, and one object made of the Eddystone and Swilly, when, in fact, theyare distinct. Between the two last is an entire bed of impassable rocks, many of them above water. The latitude of the Eddystone is 43 deg 531/2 min, longitude 147 deg 9 min; that of Swilly 43 deg 54 min south, longitude 147 deg 3 min east of Greenwich. 

In the night the westerly wind, which had so long befriended us, diedaway, and was succeeded by one from the north-east. When day appearedwe had lost sight of the land, and did not regain it until the 19th, atonly the distance of 17 leagues from our desired port. The wind was nowfair, the sky serene, though a little hazy, and the temperature ofthe air delightfully pleasant: joy sparkled in every countenance, andcongratulations issued from every mouth. Ithaca itself was scarcelymore longed for by Ulysses, than Botany Bay by the adventurers who hadtraversed so many thousand miles to take possession of it. 

"Heavily in clouds came on the day" which ushered in our arrival. To usit was "a great, an important day, " though I hope the foundation, notthe fall, of an empire will be dated from it. 

On the morning of the 20th, by ten o'clock, the whole of the fleet hadcast anchor in Botany Bay, where, to our mutual satisfaction, we foundthe Governor, and the first division of transports. On inquiry, weheard, that the 'Supply' had arrived on the 18th, and the transportsonly the preceding day. 

Thus, after a passage of exactly thirty-six weeks from Portsmouth, we happily effected our arduous undertaking, with such a trainof unexampled blessings as hardly ever attended a fleet in a likepredicament. Of two hundred and twelve marines we lost only one; and ofseven hundred and seventy-five convicts, put on board in England, buttwenty-four perished in our route. To what cause are we to attributethis unhoped for success? I wish I could answer to the liberal manner inwhich Government supplied the expedition. But when the reader is told, that some of the necessary articles allowed to ships on a common passageto West Indies, were withheld from us; that portable soup, wheat, andpickled vegetables were not allowed; and that an inadequate quantity ofessence of malt was the only antiscorbutic supplied, his surprise willredouble at the result of the voyage. For it must be remembered, thatthe people thus sent out were not a ship's company starting with everyadvantage of health and good living, which a state of freedom produces;but the major part a miserable set of convicts, emaciated fromconfinement, and in want of cloaths, and almost every convenience torender so long a passage tolerable. I beg leave, however, to say, thatthe provisions served on board were good, and of a much superior qualityto those usually supplied by contract: they were furnished by Mr. Richards, junior, of Walworth, Surrey. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

From the Fleet's Arrival at Botany Bay to the Evacuation of it; andtaking Possession of Port Jackson. Interviews with the Natives; and anAccount of the Country about Botany Bay. 

We had scarcely bid each other welcome on our arrival, whenan expedition up the Bay was undertaken by the Governor andLieutenant-Governor, in order to explore the nature of the country, andfix on a spot to begin our operations upon. None, however, which couldbe deemed very eligible, being discovered, his Excellency proceeded ina boat to examine the opening, to which Mr. Cook had given the name ofPort Jackson, on an idea that a shelter for shipping within it mightbe found. The boat returned on the evening of the 23rd, with such anaccount of the harbour and advantages attending the place, that itwas determined the evacuation of Botany Bay should commence the nextmorning. 

In consequence of this decision, the few seamen and marines who hadbeen landed from the squadron, were instantly reimbarked, and everypreparation made to bid adieu to a port which had so long been thesubject of our conversation; which but three days before we had enteredwith so many sentiments of satisfaction; and in which, as we hadbelieved, so many of our future hours were to be passed. The thoughts ofremoval banished sleep, so that I rose at the first dawn of the morning. But judge of my surprize on hearing from a serjeant, who ran down almostbreathless to the cabin where I was dressing, that a ship was seen offthe harbour's mouth. At first I only laughed, but knowing the manwho spoke to me to be of great veracity, and hearing him repeat hisinformation, I flew upon deck, on which I had barely set my foot, whenthe cry of "another sail" struck on my astonished ear. 

Confounded by a thousand ideas which arose in my mind in an instant, Isprang upon the barricado and plainly descried two ships of considerablesize, standing in for the mouth of the Bay. By this time the alarm hadbecome general, and every one appeared lost in conjecture. Now they wereDutchmen sent to dispossess us, and the moment after storeships fromEngland, with supplies for the settlement. The improbabilities whichattended both these conclusions, were sunk in the agitation of themoment. It was by Governor Phillip, that this mystery was at lengthunravelled, and the cause of the alarm pronounced to be two Frenchships, which, it was now recollected, were on a voyage of discoveryin the southern hemisphere. Thus were our doubts cleared up, and ourapprehensions banished; it was, however, judged expedient to postponeour removal to Port Jackson, until a complete confirmation of ourconjectures could be procured. 

Had the sea breeze set in, the strange ships would have been at anchorin the Bay by eight o'clock in the morning, but the wind blowing out, they were driven by a strong lee current to the southward of the port. On the following day they re-appeared in their former situation, and aboat was sent to them, with a lieutenant of the navy in her, to offerassistance, and point out the necessary marks for entering the harbour. In the course of the day the officer returned, and brought intelligencethat the ships were the Boussole and Astrolabe, sent out by order ofthe King of France, and under the command of Monsieur De Perrouse. Theastonishment of the French at seeing us, had not equalled that we hadexperienced, for it appeared, that in the course of their voyage theyhad touched at Kamschatka, and by that means learnt that our expeditionwas in contemplation. They dropped anchor the next morning, just aswe had got under weigh to work out of the Bay, so that for the presentnothing more than salutations could pass between us. 

Before I quit Botany Bay, I shall relate the observations we wereenabled to make during our short stay there; as well as those which oursubsequent visits to it from Port Jackson enabled us to complete. 

The Bay is very open, and greatly exposed to the fury of the S. E. Winds, which, when they blow, cause a heavy and dangerous swell. It is ofprodigious extent, the principal arm, which takes a S. W. Direction, being not less, including its windings, than twenty four miles from thecapes which form the entrance, according to the report of the Frenchofficers, who took uncommon pains to survey it. At the distance of aleague from the harbour's mouth is a bar, on which at low water, notmore than fifteen feet are to be found. Within this bar, for many milesup the S. W. Arm, is a haven, equal in every respect to any hithertoknown, and in which any number of ships might anchor, secured from allwinds. The country around far exceeds in richness of soil that aboutCape Banks and Point Solander, though unfortunately they resemble eachother in one respect, a scarcity of fresh water. 

We found the natives tolerably numerous as we advanced up the river, andeven at the harbour's mouth we had reason to conclude the country morepopulous than Mr. Cook thought it. For on the Supply's arrival in theBay on the 18th of the month, they were assembled on the beach of thesouth shore, to the number of not less than forty persons, shoutingand making many uncouth signs and gestures. This appearance whettedcuriosity to its utmost, but as prudence forbade a few people to venturewantonly among so great a number, and a party of only six men wasobserved on the north shore, the Governor immediately proceeded to landon that side, in order to take possession of his new territory, andbring about an intercourse between its old and new masters. The boat inwhich his Excellency was, rowed up the harbour, close to the land, forsome distance; the Indians keeping pace with her on the beach. At lastan officer in the boat made signs of a want of water, which it wasjudged would indicate his wish of landing. The natives directlycomprehended what he wanted, and pointed to a spot where water couldbe procured; on which the boat was immediately pushed in, and a landingtook place. As on the event of this meeting might depend so much ofour future tranquillity, every delicacy on our side was requisite. The Indians, though timorous, shewed no signs of resentment at theGovernor's going on shore; an interview commenced, in which the conductof both parties pleased each other so much, that the strangers returnedto their ships with a much better opinion of the natives than they hadlanded with; and the latter seemed highly entertained with their newacquaintance, from whom they condescended to accept of a looking glass, some beads, and other toys. 

Owing to the lateness of our arrival, it was not my good fortune to goon shore until three days after this had happened, when I went with aparty to the south side of the harbour, and had scarcely landed fiveminutes, when we were met by a dozen Indians, naked as at the moment oftheir birth, walking along the beach. Eager to come to a conference, andyet afraid of giving offence, we advanced with caution towards them, nor would they, at first approach nearer to us than the distance ofsome paces. Both parties were armed; yet an attack seemed as unlikely ontheir part, as we knew it to be on our own. 

I had at this time a little boy, of not more than seven years of age, inmy hand. The child seemed to attract their attention very much, for theyfrequently pointed to him and spoke to each other; and as he was notfrightened, I advanced with him towards them, at the same time baringhis bosom and, shewing the whiteness of the skin. On the cloaths beingremoved, they gave a loud exclamation, and one of the party, an old man, with a long beard, hideously ugly, came close to us. I bade my littlecharge not to be afraid, and introduced him to the acquaintance of thisuncouth personage. The Indian, with great gentleness, laid his hand onthe child's hat, and afterwards felt his cloaths, muttering to himselfall the while. I found it necessary, however, by this time to send awaythe child, as such a close connection rather alarmed him; and in this, as the conclusion verified, I gave no offence to the old gentleman. Indeed it was but putting ourselves on a par with them, as I hadobserved from the first, that some youths of their own, thoughconsiderably older than the one with us, were, kept back by the grownpeople. 

Several more now came up, to whom, we made various presents, but ourtoys seemed not to be regarded as very valuable; nor would they for along time make any returns to them, though before we parted, a largeclub, with a head almost sufficient to fell an ox, was obtained inexchange for a looking-glass. These people seemed at a loss to know(probably from our want of beards) of what sex we were, which havingunderstood, they burst into the most immoderate fits of laughter, talking to each other at the same time with such rapidity andvociferation as I had never before heard. After nearly an hour'sconversation by signs and gestures, they repeated several times the wordwhurra, which signifies, begone, and walked away from us to the head ofthe Bay. 

The natives being departed, we set out to observe the country, which, on inspection, rather disappointed our hopes, being invariably sandy andunpromising for the purposes of cultivation, though the trees and grassflourish in great luxuriancy. Close to us was the spring at which Mr. Cook watered, but we did not think the water very excellent, nor didit run freely. In the evening we returned on board, not greatly pleasedwith the latter part of our discoveries, as it indicated an increase ofthose difficulties, which before seemed sufficiently numerous. 

Between this and our departure we had several more interviews with thenatives, which ended in so friendly a manner, that we began to entertainstrong hopes of bringing about a connection with them. Our first objectwas to win their affections, and our next to convince them of thesuperiority we possessed: for without the latter, the former we knewwould be of little importance. 

An officer one day prevailed on one of them to place a target, made ofbark, against a tree, which he fired at with a pistol, at the distanceof some paces. The Indians, though terrified at the report, did not runaway, but their astonishment exceeded their alarm, on looking at theshield which the ball had perforated. As this produced a little shyness, the officer, to dissipate their fears and remove their jealousy, whistled the air of Malbrooke, which they appeared highly charmedwith, and imitated him with equal pleasure and readiness. I cannot helpremarking here, what I was afterwards told by Monsieur De Perrouse, thatthe natives of California, and throughout all the islands of the PacificOcean, and in short wherever he had been, seemed equally touched anddelighted with this little plaintive air. 

CHAPTER IX. 

The taking Possession of Port Jackson, with the Disembarkation of theMarines and Convicts. 

Our passage to Port Jackson took up but few hours, and those were spentfar from unpleasantly. The evening was bright, and the prospect beforeus such as might justify sanguine expectation. Having passed between thecapes which form its entrance, we found ourselves in a port superior, inextent and excellency, to all we had seen before. We continued to runup the harbour about four miles, in a westerly direction, enjoying theluxuriant prospect of its shores, covered with trees to the water'sedge, among which many of the Indians were frequently seen, till wearrived at a small snug cove on the southern side, on whose banks theplan of our operations was destined to commence. 

The landing of a part of the marines and convicts took place the nextday, and on the following, the remainder was disembarked. Businessnow sat on every brow, and the scene, to an indifferent spectator, at leisure to contemplate it, would have been highly picturesque andamusing. In one place, a party cutting down the woods; a second, settingup a blacksmith's forge; a third, dragging along a load of stones orprovisions; here an officer pitching his marquee, with a detachment oftroops parading on one side of him, and a cook's fire blazing up onthe other. Through the unwearied diligence of those at the head of thedifferent departments, regularity was, however, soon introduced, and, asfar as the unsettled state of matters would allow, confusion gave placeto system. 

Into the head of the cove, on which our establishment is fixed, runs asmall stream of fresh water, which serves to divide the adjacent countryto a little distance, in the direction of north and south. On theeastern side of this rivulet the Governor fixed his place of residence, with a large body of convicts encamped near him; and on the westernside was disposed the remaining part of these people, near the marineencampment. From this last two guards, consisting of two subalterns, asmany serjeants, four corporals, two drummers, and forty-two private men, under the orders of a Captain of the day, to whom all reports weremade, daily mounted for the public security, with such directions touse force, in case of necessity, as left no room for those who were theobject of the order, but to remain peaceable, or perish by the bayonet. 

As the straggling of the convicts was not only a desertion from thepublic labour, but might be attended with ill consequences to thesettlement, in case of their meeting the natives, every care was takento prevent it. The Provost Martial with his men was ordered to patrolethe country around, and the convicts informed, that the severestpunishment would be inflicted on transgressors. In spite, however, ofall our precautions, they soon found the road to Botany Bay, in visitsto the French, who would gladly have dispensed with their company. 

But as severity alone was known to be inadequate at once to chastize andreform, no opportunity was omitted to assure the convicts, that bytheir good behaviour and submissive deportment, every claim to presentdistinction and future favour was to be earned. That this caution wasnot attended with all the good effects which were hoped from it, I haveonly to lament; that it operated in some cases is indisputable; nor willa candid and humane mind fail to consider and allow for the situationthese unfortunate beings so peculiarly stood in. While they were onboard ship, the two sexes had been kept most rigorously apart; but, when landed, their separation became impracticable, and would have been, perhaps, wrong. Licentiousness was the unavoidable consequence, andtheir old habits of depravity were beginning to recur. What was to beattempted? To prevent their intercourse was impossible; and to palliateits evils only remained. Marriage was recommended, and such advantagesheld out to those who aimed at reformation, as have greatly contributedto the tranquillity of the settlement. 

On the Sunday after our landing divine service was performed under agreat tree, by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, Chaplain of the Settlement, in thepresence of the troops and convicts, whose behaviour on the occasionwas equally regular and attentive. In the course of our passage thishad been repeated every Sunday, while the ships were in port; and inaddition to it, Mr. Johnson had furnished them with books, at oncetending to promote instruction and piety. 

The Indians for a little while after our arrival paid us frequentvisits, but in a few days they were observed to be more shy of ourcompany. From what cause their distaste: arose we never could trace, as we had made it our study, on these occasions, to treat them withkindness, and load them with presents. No quarrel had happened, and wehad flattered ourselves, from Governor Phillip's first reception amongthem, that such a connection might be established as would tend to theinterest of both parties. It seems, that on that occasion, they not onlyreceived our people with great cordiality, but so far acknowledged theirauthority as to submit, that a boundary, during their first interview, might be drawn on the sand, which they attempted not to infringe, andappeared to be satisfied with. 

CHAPTER X. 

The reading of the Commissions, and taking Possession of the Settlement, in form. With an Account of the Courts of Law, and Mode of administeringPublic Justice in this Country. 

Owing to the multiplicity of pressing business necessary to be performedimmediately after landing, it was found impossible to read the publiccommissions and take possession of the colony in form, until the 7th ofFebruary. On that day all the officers of guard took post in the marinebattalion, which was drawn up, and marched off the parade with musicplaying, and colours flying, to an adjoining ground, which had beencleared for the occasion, whereon the convicts were assembled to hearHis Majesty's commission read, appointing his Excellency Arthur Phillip, Esq. Governor and Captain General in and over the territory of New SouthWales, and its dependencies; together with the Act of Parliament forestablishing trials by law within the same; and the patents under theGreat Seal of Great Britain, for holding the civil and criminal courtsof judicature, by which all cases of life and death, as well as mattersof property, were to be decided. When the Judge Advocate had finishedreading, his Excellency addressed himself to the convicts in a pointedand judicious speech, informing them of his future intentions, whichwere, invariably to cherish and render happy those who shewed adisposition to amendment; and to let the rigour of the law take itscourse against such as might dare to transgress the bounds prescribed. At the close three vollies were fired in honour of the occasion, and thebattalion marched back to their parade, where they were reviewed by theGovernor, who was received with all the honours due to his rank. HisExcellency was afterwards pleased to thank them, in public orders, for their behaviour from the time of their embarkation; and to ask theofficers to partake of a cold collation at which it is scarcenecessary to observe, that many loyal and public toasts were drank incommemoration of the day. 

In the Governor's commission, the extent of this authority is definedto reach from the latitude of 43 deg 49 min south, to the latitude of10 deg 37 min south, being the northern and southern extremities ofthe continent of New Holland. It commences again at 135th degree oflongitude east of Greenwich, and, proceeding in an easterly direction, includes all islands within the limits of the above specified latitudesin the Pacific Ocean. By this partition it may be fairly presumed, thatevery source of future litigation between the Dutch and us will befor ever cut off, as the discoveries of English navigators alone arecomprized in this territory. 

Nor have Government been more backward in arming Mr. Phillip withplenitude of power, than extent of dominion. No mention is made of aCouncil to be appointed, so that he is left to act entirely from his ownjudgment. And as no stated time of assembling the Courts of justice ispointed out, similar to the assizes and gaol deliveries of England, the duration of imprisonment is altogether in his hands. The power ofsummoning General Courts Martial to meet he is also invested with, butthe insertion in the marine mutiny act, of a smaller number of officersthan thirteen being able to compose such a tribunal, has been neglected:so that a Military court, should detachments be made from headquarters, or sickness prevail, may not always be found practicable to be obtained, unless the number of officers, at present in the Settlement, shall beincreased. 

Should the Governor see cause, he is enabled to grant pardons tooffenders convicted, "in all cases whatever, treason and wilful murderexcepted, " and even in these, has authority to stay the execution ofthe law, until the King's pleasure shall be signified. In case of theGovernor's death, the Lieutenant Governor takes his place; and on hisdemise, the senior officer on the spot is authorised to assume the reinsof power. 

Notwithstanding the promises made on one side, and the forbearanceshewn on the other, joined to the impending rod of justice, it waswith infinite regret that every one saw, in four clays afterwards, thenecessity of assembling a Criminal Court, which was accordingly convenedby warrant from the Governor, and consisted of the judge Advocate, whopresided, three naval, and three marine officers. 

As the constitution of this court is altogether new in the Britishannals, I hope my reader will not think me prolix in the descriptionI am about to give of it. The number of members, including the judgeAdvocate, is limited, by Act of Parliament, to seven, who are expresslyordered to be officers, either of His Majesty's sea or land forces. Thecourt being met, completely arrayed and armed as at a military tribunal, the Judge Advocate proceeds to administer the usual oaths taken byjurymen in England to each member; one of whom afterwards swears himin a like manner. This ceremony being adjusted, the crime laid to theprisoner's charge is read to him, and the question of Guilty, or Notguilty, put. No law officer on the side of the crown being appointed, (for I presume the head of the court ought hardly to consider himselfin that light, notwithstanding the title he bears) to prosecute thecriminal is left entirely to the party, at whose suit he is tried. Allthe witnesses are examined on oath, and the decision is directed tobe given according to the laws of England, "or as nearly as may be, allowing for the circumstances and situation of the settlement, " by amajority of votes, beginning with the youngest member, and ending withthe president of the court. In cases, however, of a capital nature, no verdict can be given, unless five, at least, of the seven memberspresent concur therein. The evidence on both sides being finished, and the prisoner's defence heard, the court is cleared, and, on thejudgement being settled, is thrown open again, and sentence pronounced. During the time the court sits, the place in which it is assembled isdirected to be surrounded by a guard under arms, and admission to everyone who may choose to enter it, granted. Of late, however, our colonistsare supposed to be in such a train of subordination, as to make thepresence of so large a military force unnecessary; and two centinels, inaddition to the Provost Martial, are considered as sufficient. 

It would be as needless, as impertinent, to anticipate the reflectionswhich will arise in reading the above account, wherein a regard toaccuracy only has been consulted. By comparing it with the mode ofadministering justice in the English courts of law, it will be found todiffer in many points very essentially. And if we turn our eyes tothe usage of military tribunals, it no less departs from the customsobserved in them. Let not the novelty of it, however, prejudice any oneso far as to dispute its efficacy, and the necessity of the case whichgave it birth. 

The court, whose meeting is already spoken of, proceeded to the trial ofthree convicts, one of whom was convicted of having struck a marine witha cooper's adze, and otherwise behaving in a very riotous and scandalousmanner, for which he was sentenced to receive one hundred and fiftylashes, being a smaller punishment than a soldier in a like case wouldhave suffered from the judgement of a court martial. A second, forhaving committed a petty theft, was sent to a small barren island, and kept there on bread and water only, for a week. And the third wassentenced to receive fifty lashes, but was recommended by the court tothe Governor, and forgiven. 

Hitherto, however, (February) nothing of a very atrocious nature hadappeared. But the day was at hand, on which the violation of publicsecurity could no longer be restrained, by the infliction of temporarypunishment. A set of desperate and hardened villains leagued themselvesfor the purposes of depredation, and, as it generally happens, had artenough to persuade some others, less deeply versed in iniquity, to bethe instruments for carrying it on. Fortunately the progress of thesemiscreants was not of long duration. They were detected in stealing alarge quantity of provisions at the time of issuing them. And on beingapprehended, one of the tools of the superiors impeached the rest, anddisclosed the scheme. The trial came on the 28th of the month, and offour who were arraigned for the offence, three were condemned to die, and the fourth to receive a very severe corporal punishment. In hopesthat his lenity would not be abused, his Excellency was, however, pleased to order one only for execution, which took place a littlebefore sun-set the same day. The name of the unhappy wretch was ThomasBarret, an old and desperate offender, who died with that hardy spirit, which too often is found in the worst and most abandoned class of men. During the execution the battalion of marines was under arms, and thewhole of the convicts obliged to be present. The two associates of thesufferer were ordered to be kept close prisoners, until an eligibleplace to banish them to could be fixed on; as were also two more, who onthe following day were condemned to die for a similar offence. 

Besides the Criminal court, there is an inferior one composed of theJudge Advocate, and one or more justices of the peace, for the trial ofsmall misdemeanours. This court is likewise empowered to decide all lawsuits, and its verdict is final, except where the sum in dispute amountsto more than three hundred pounds, in which case an appeal to Englandcan be made from its decree. Should necessity warrant it, an Admiraltycourt, of which Lieutenant Governor Ross is judge, can also be summoned, for the trial of offences committed on the high seas. 

From being unwilling to break the thread of my narrative, I omitted tonote in its proper place the sailing of the 'Supply', Lieut. Ball, on the 15th of the month, for Norfolk Island, which the Governor hadinstructions from the ministry to take possession of. Lieut. King ofthe Sirius was sent as superintendent and commandant of this place, and carried with him a surgeon, a midshipman, a sawyer, a weaver, twomarines, and sixteen convicts, of whom six were women. He was alsosupplied with a certain number of live animals to stock the island, besides garden seeds, grain, and other requisites. 

CHAPTER XI

A Description of the Natives of New South Wales, and our Transactionswith them. 

I doubt not my readers will be as glad as I feel myself, to conclude thedull detail of the last chapter. If they please, they may turn from thesubtle intricacies of the law, to contemplate the simple, undisguisedworkings of nature, in her most artless colouring. 

I have already said, we had been but very few days at Port Jackson, whenan alteration in the behaviour of the natives was perceptible; and Iwish I could add, that a longer residence in their neighbourhood hadintroduced a greater degree of cordiality and intermixture betweenthe old, and new, lords of the soil, than at the day on which thispublication is dated subsists. 

From their easy reception of us in the beginning, many were induced tocall in question the accounts which Mr. Cook had given of this people. That celebrated navigator, we were willing believe, had somehow byhis conduct offended them, which prevented the intercourse that wouldotherwise have taken place. The result, however, of our repeatedendeavours to induce them to come among us has been such as to confirmme in an opinion, that they either fear or despise us too much, to beanxious for a closer connection. And I beg leave at once, to apprize thereader, that all I can here, or in any future part of this work, relatewith fidelity of the natives of New South Wales, must be made up ofdetached observations, taken at different times, and not from a regularseries of knowledge of the customs and manners of a people, with whomopportunities of communication are so scarce, as to have been seldomobtained. 

In their persons, they are far from being a stout race of men, thoughnimble, sprightly, and vigorous. The deficiency of one of the fore teethof the upper jaw, mentioned by Dampier, we have seen in almost the wholeof the men; but their organs of sight so far from being defective, asthat author mentions those of the inhabitants of the western side of thecontinent to be, are remarkably quick and piercing. Their colour, Mr. Cook is inclined to think rather a deep chocolate, than an absoluteblack, though he confesses, they have the appearance of the latter, which he attributes to the greasy filth their skins are loaded with. Of their want of cleanliness we have had sufficient proofs, but I am ofopinion, all the washing in the world would not render them two degreesless black than an African negro. At some of our first interviews, wehad several droll instances of their mistaking the Africans we broughtwith us for their own countrymen. 

Notwithstanding the disregard they have invariably shewn for all thefinery we could deck them with, they are fond of adorning themselveswith scars, which increase their natural hideousness. It is hardlypossible to see any thing in human shape more ugly, than one of thesesavages thus scarified, and farther ornamented with a fish bone struckthrough the gristle of the nose. The custom of daubing themselveswith white earth is also frequent among both sexes: but, unlike theinhabitants of the Islands in the Pacific Ocean, they reject thebeautiful feathers which the birds of their country afford. 

Exclusive of their weapons of offence, and a few stone hatchets veryrudely fashioned, their ingenuity is confined to manufacturing smallnets, in which they put the fish they catch, and to fish-hooks made ofbone, neither of which are unskilfully executed. On many of the rocksare also to be found delineations of the figures of men and birds, verypoorly cut. 

Of the use or benefit of cloathing, these people appear to have nocomprehension, though their sufferings from the climate they live in, strongly point out the necessity of a covering from the rigour of theseasons. Both sexes, and those of all ages, are invariably found naked. But it must not be inferred from this, that custom so inures them tothe changes of the elements, as to make them bear with indifference theextremes of heat and cold; for we have had visible and repeated proofs, that the latter affects them severely, when they are seen shivering, and huddling themselves up in heaps in their huts, or the caverns of therocks, until a fire can be kindled. 

Than these huts nothing more rude in construction, or deficient inconveniency, can be imagined. They consist only of pieces of bark laidtogether in the form of an oven, open at one end, and very low, thoughlong enough for a man to lie at full length. There is reason, however, to believe, that they depend less on them for shelter, than on thecaverns with which the rocks abound. 

To cultivation of the ground they are utter strangers, and wholly dependfor food on the few fruits they gather; the roots they dig up in theswamps; and the fish they pick up along shore, or contrive to strikefrom their canoes with spears. Fishing, indeed, seems to engross nearlythe whole of their time, probably from its forming the chief part of asubsistence, which, observation has convinced us, nothing short of themost painful labour, and unwearied assiduity, can procure. When fishare scarce, which frequently happens, they often watch the moment ofour hauling the seine, and have more than once been known to plunder itscontents, in spite of the opposition of those on the spot to guard it:and this even after having received a part of what had been caught. Theonly resource at these times is to shew a musquet, and if the bare sightis not sufficient, to fire it over their heads, which has seldom failedof dispersing them hitherto, but how long the terror which it excitesmay continue is doubtful. 

The canoes in which they fish are as despicable as their huts, beingnothing more than a large piece of bark tied up at both ends with vines. Their dexterous management of them, added to the swiftness with whichthey paddle, and the boldness that leads them several miles in theopen sea, are, nevertheless, highly deserving of admiration. A canoeis seldom seen without a fire in it, to dress the fish by, as soon ascaught: fire they procure by attrition. 

From their manner of disposing of those who die, which will be mentionedhereafter, as well as from every other observation, there seems noreason to suppose these people cannibals; nor do they ever eat animalsubstances in a raw state, unless pressed by extreme hunger, butindiscriminately broil them, and their vegetables, on a fire, whichrenders these last an innocent food, though in their raw state many ofthem are of a poisonous quality: as a poor convict who unguardedlyeat of them experienced, by falling a sacrifice in twenty-four hoursafterwards. If bread be given to the Indians, they chew and spit itout again, seldom choosing to swallow it. Salt beef and pork they likerather better, but spirits they never could be brought to taste a secondtime. 

The only domestic animal they have is the dog, which in their languageis called Dingo, and a good deal resembles the fox dog of England. Theseanimals are equally shy of us, and attached to the natives. One of themis now in the possession of the Governor, and tolerably well reconciledto his new master. As the Indians see the dislike of the dogs to us, they are sometimes mischievous enough to set them on single personswhom they chance to meet in the woods. A surly fellow was one day outshooting, when the natives attempted to divert themselves in this mannerat his expense. The man bore the teazing and gnawing of the dog at hisheels for some time, but apprehending at length, that his patience mightembolden them to use still farther liberties, he turned round and shotpoor Dingo dead on the spot: the owners of him set off with the utmostexpedition. 

There is no part of the behaviour of these people, that has puzzled usmore, than that which relates to their women. Comparatively speaking wehave seen but few of them, and those have been sometimes kept back withevery symptom of jealous sensibility; and sometimes offered with everyappearance of courteous familiarity. Cautious, however, of alarming thefeelings of the men on so tender a point, we have constantly made a ruleof treating the females with that distance and reserve, which we judgedmost likely to remove any impression they might have received of ourintending aught, which could give offence on so delicate a subject. Andso successful have our endeavours been, that a quarrel on this headhas in no instance, that I know of, happened. The tone of voice of thewomen, which is pleasingly soft and feminine, forms a striking contrastto the rough guttural pronunciation of the men. Of the other charmsof the ladies I shall be silent, though justice obliges me to mention, that, in the opinion of some amongst us, they shew a degree of timidityand bashfulness, which are, perhaps, inseparable from the femalecharacter in its rudest state. It is not a little singular, that thecustom of cutting off the two lower joints of the little finger of theleft hand, observed in the Society Islands, is found here among thewomen, who have for the most part undergone this amputation. Hithertowe have not been able to trace out the cause of this usage. At first wesupposed it to be peculiar to the married women, or those who had bornechildren; but this conclusion must have been erroneous, as we have noright to believe that celibacy prevails in any instance, and some of theoldest of the women are without this distinction; and girls of a verytender age are marked by it. 

On first setting foot in the country, we were inclined to hold thespears of the natives very cheap. Fatal experience has, however, convinced us, that the wound inflicted by this weapon is not a trivialone; and that the skill of the Indians in throwing it, is far fromdespicable. Besides more than a dozen convicts who have unaccountablydisappeared, we know that two, who were employed as rush cutters upthe harbour, were (from what cause we are yet ignorant) most dreadfullymangled and butchered by the natives. A spear had passed entirelythrough the thickest part of the body of one of them, though a veryrobust man, and the skull of the other was beaten in. Their tools weretaken away, but some provisions which they had with them at the time ofthe murder, and their cloaths, were left untouched. In addition to thismisfortune, two more convicts, who were peaceably engaged in picking ofgreens, on a spot very remote from that where their comrades suffered, were unawares attacked by a party of Indians, and before they couldeffect their escape, one of them was pierced by a spear in the hip, after which they knocked him down, and plundered his cloaths. The poorwretch, though dreadfully wounded, made shift to crawl off, but hiscompanion was carried away by these barbarians, and his fate doubtful, until a soldier, a few days afterwards, picked up his jacket and hatin a native's hut, the latter pierced through by a spear. We have foundthat these spears are not made invariably alike, some of them beingbarbed like a fish gig, and others simply pointed. In repairing themthey are no less dexterous than in throwing them. A broken onebeing given by a gentleman to an Indian, he instantly snatched up anoyster-shell, and converted it with his teeth into a tool with whichhe presently fashioned the spear, and rendered it fit for use: inperforming this operation, the sole of his foot served him as awork-board. Nor are their weapons of offence confined to the spear only, for they have besides long wooden swords, shaped like a sabre, capableof inflicting a mortal wound, and clubs of an immense size. Smalltargets, made of the bark of trees, are likewise now and then to be seenamong them. 

From circumstances which have been observed, we have sometimes beeninclined to believe these people at war with each other. They have morethan once been seen assembled, as if bent on an expedition. An officerone day met fourteen of them marching along in a regular Indian filethrough the woods, each man armed with a spear in his right hand, anda large stone in his left: at their head appeared a chief, who wasdistinguished by being painted. Though in the proportion of five to oneof our people they passed peaceably on. 

That their skill in throwing the spear sometimes enables them to killthe kangaroo we have no right to doubt, as a long splinter of thisweapon was taken out of the thigh of one of these animals, over whichthe flesh had completely closed; but we have never discovered that theyhave any method of ensnaring them, or that they know any other beastsbut the kangaroo and dog. Whatever animal is shewn them, a dog excepted, they call kangaroo: a strong presumption that the wild animals of thecountry are very few. 

Soon after our arrival at Port Jackson, I was walking out near a placewhere I observed a party of Indians, busily employed in looking at somesheep in an inclosure, and repeatedly crying out, 'kangaroo, kangaroo!'As this seemed to afford them pleasure, I was willing to increase it bypointing out the horses and cows, which were at no great distance. Butunluckily, at the moment, some female convicts, employed near the place, made their appearance, and all my endeavours to divert their attentionfrom the ladies became fruitless. They attempted not, however, to offerthem the least degree of violence or injury, but stood at the distanceof several paces, expressing very significantly the manner they wereattracted. 

It would be trespassing on the reader's indulgence were I to imposeon him an account of any civil regulations, or ordinances, which maypossibly exist among this people. I declare to him, that I know not ofany, and that excepting a little tributary respect which the youngerpart appear to pay those more advanced in years, I never could observeany degrees of subordination among them. To their religious rites andopinions I am equally a stranger. Had an opportunity offered of seeingthe ceremonies observed at disposing of the dead, perhaps, some insightmight have been gained; but all that we at present know with certaintyis, that they burn the corpse, and afterwards heap up the earth aroundit, somewhat in the manner of the small tumuli, found in many countiesof England. 

I have already hinted, that the country is more populous than it wasgenerally believed to be in Europe at the time of our sailing. Butthis remark is not meant to be extended to the interior parts of thecontinent, which there is every reason to conclude from our researches, as well as from the manner of living practised by the natives, to beuninhabited. It appears as if some of the Indian families confine theirsociety and connections within their own pale: but that this cannotalways be the case we know; for on the north-west arm of Botany Baystands a village, which contains more than a dozen houses, andperhaps five times that number of people; being the most considerableestablishment that we are acquainted with in the country. As a strikingproof, besides, of the numerousness of the natives, I beg leave tostate, that Governor Phillip, when on an excursion between the head ofthis harbour and that of Botany Bay, once fell in with a party whichconsisted of more than three hundred persons, two hundred and twelve ofwhom were men: this happened only on the day following the murder of thetwo convict rush cutters, before noticed, and his Excellency was atthe very time in search of the murderers, on whom, could they have beenfound, he intended to inflict a memorable and exemplary punishment. Themeeting was unexpected to both parties, and considering the criticalsituation of affairs, perhaps not very pleasing to our side, whichconsisted but of twelve persons, until the peaceable disposition ofthe Indians was manifest. After the strictest search the Governor wasobliged to return without having gained any information. The laudableperseverance of his Excellency to throw every light on this unhappy andmysterious business did not, however stop here, for he instituted themost rigorous inquiry to find out, if possible, whether the convictshad at any time ill treated or killed any of the natives; and farther, issued a proclamation, offering the most tempting of all rewards, astate of freedom, to him who should point out the murderer, in case suchan one existed. 

I have thus impartially stated the situation of matters, as they stand, while I write, between the natives and us; that greater progress inattaching them to us has not been made, I have only to regret; but thatall ranks of men have tried to effect it, by every reasonable effortfrom which success might have been expected, I can testify; nor canI omit saying, that in the higher stations this has been eminentlyconspicuous. The public orders of Governor Phillip have invariablytended to promote such a behaviour on our side, as was most likelyto produce this much wished-for event. To what cause then are we toattribute the distance which the accomplishment of it appears at? Ianswer, to the fickle, jealous, wavering disposition of the people wehave to deal with, who, like all other savages, are either too indolent, too indifferent, or too fearful to form an attachment on easy terms, with those who differ in habits and manners so widely from themselves. Before I close the subject, I cannot, however, omit to relate thefollowing ludicrous adventure, which possibly may be of greater use ineffecting what we have so much at heart, than all our endeavours. 

Some young gentlemen belonging to the Sirius one day met a native, anold man, in the woods; he had a beard of considerable length, which hisnew acquaintance gave him to understand, by signals, they would rid himof, if he pleased; stroaking their chins, and shewing him the smoothnessof them at the same time; at length the old Indian consented, and one ofthe youngsters taking a penknife from his pocket, and making use of thebest substitute for lather he could find, performed the operation withgreat success, and, as it proved, much to the liking of the old man, whoin a few days after reposed a confidence in us, of which we had hithertoknown no example, by paddling along-side the Sirius in his canoe, andpointing to his beard. Various arts were ineffectually tried to inducehim to enter the ship; but as he continued to decline the invitation, a barber was sent down into the boat along-side the canoe, from whence, leaning over the gunnel, he complied with the wish of the old beau, tohis infinite satisfaction. In addition to the consequences which oursanguine hopes led us to expect from this dawning of cordiality, itaffords proof, that the beard is considered by this people more as anincumbrance than a mark of dignity. 

CHAPTER XII. 

The Departure of the French from Botany Bay; and the Return of the'Supply' from Norfolk Island; with a Discovery made by Lieutenant Ballon his Passage to it. 

About the middle of the month our good friends the French departed fromBotany Bay, in prosecution of their voyage. During their stay in thatport, the officers of the two nations had frequent opportunities oftestifying their mutual regard by visits, and every interchange offriendship and esteem. These ships sailed from France, by order ofthe King, on the 1st of August, 1785, under the command of MonsieurDe Perrouse, an officer whose eminent qualifications, we had reasonto think, entitle him to fill the highest stations. In England, particularly, he ought long to be remembered with admiration andgratitude, for the humanity which marked his conduct, when ordered todestroy our settlement at Hudson's Bay, in the last war. His secondin command was the Chevalier Clonard, an officer also of distinguishedmerit. 

In the course of the voyage these ships had been so unfortunate asto lose a boat, with many men and officers in her, off the west ofCalifornia; and afterwards met with an accident still more to beregretted, at an island in the Pacific Ocean, discovered by MonsieurBougainville, in the latitude of 14 deg 19 min south, longitude 173 deg3 min 20 sec east of Paris. Here they had the misfortune to have no lessthan thirteen of their crews, among whom was the officer at that timesecond in command, cut off by the natives, and many more desperatelywounded. To what cause this cruel event was to be attributed, they knewnot, as they were about to quit the island after having lived with theIndians in the greatest harmony for several weeks; and exchanged, duringthe time, their European commodities for the produce of the place, whichthey describe as filled with a race of people remarkable for beauty andcomeliness; and abounding in refreshments of all kinds. 

It was no less gratifying to an English ear, than honourable to MonsieurDe Perrouse, to witness the feeling manner in which he always mentionedthe name and talents of Captain Cook. That illustrious circumnavigatorhad, he said, left nothing to those who might follow in his track todescribe, or fill up. As I found, in the course of conversation, thatthe French ships had touched at the Sandwich Islands, I asked M. DePerrouse what reception he had met with there. His answer deserves to beknown: "During the whole of our voyage in the South Seas, the people ofthe Sandwich Islands were the only Indians who never gave us cause ofcomplaint. They furnished us liberally with provisions, and administeredcheerfully to all our wants. " It may not be improper to remark, thatOwhyee was not one of the islands visited by this gentleman. 

In the short stay made by these ships at Botany Bay, an Abbe, one ofthe naturalists on board, died, and was buried on the north shore. TheFrench had hardly departed, when the natives pulled down a small board, which had been placed over the spot where the corpse was interred, anddefaced everything around. On being informed of it, the Governor senta party over with orders to affix a plate of copper on a tree near theplace, with the following inscription on it, which is a copy of what waswritten on the board:

 Hic jacet L. RECEVEUR, E. F. F. Minnibus Galliae, Sacerdos, Physicus, in circumnavigatione mundi, Duce De La Perrouse. Obiit die 17 Februarii, anno 1788. 

This mark of respectful attention was more particularly due, from M. DePerrouse having, when at Kamschatka, paid a similar tribute of gratitudeto the memory of Captain Clarke, whose tomb was found in nearly asruinous a state as that of the Abbe. 

Like ourselves, the French found it necessary, more than once, tochastise a spirit of rapine and intrusion which prevailed among theIndians around the Bay. The menace of pointing a musquet to them wasfrequently used; and in one or two instances it was fired off, thoughwithout being attended with fatal consequences. Indeed the Frenchcommandant, both from a regard to the orders of his Court as well as toour quiet and security, shewed a moderation and forbearance on this headhighly becoming. 

On the 20th of March, the 'Supply' arrived from Norfolk Island, afterhaving safely landed Lieutenant King and his little garrison. Thepine-trees growing there are described to be of a growth and heightsuperior, perhaps, to any in the world. But the difficulty of bringingthem away will not be easily surmounted, from the badness and danger ofthe landing place. After the most exact search not a single plant of theNew Zealand flax could be found, though we had been taught to believe itabounded there. 

Lieutenant Ball, in returning to Port Jackson, touched at a smallisland in latitude 31 deg 36 min south, longitude 159 deg 4 min east ofGreenwich, which he had been fortunate enough to discover on his passageto Norfolk, and to which he gave the name of Lord Howe's Island. Itis entirely without inhabitants, or any traces of any having ever beenthere. But it happily abounds in what will be infinitely more importantto the settlers on New South Wales: green turtle of the finest kindfrequent it in the summer season. Of this Mr. Ball gave us some veryhandsome and acceptable specimens on his return. Besides turtle, theisland is well stocked with birds, many of them so tame as to be knockeddown by the seamen with sticks. At the distance of four leagues fromLord Howe Island, and in latitude 31 deg 30 min south, longitude 159 deg8 min east, stands a remarkable rock, of considerable height, to whichMr. Ball gave the name of Ball's Pyramid, from the shape it bears. 

While the 'Supply' was absent, Governor Phillip made an excursion toBroken Bay, a few leagues to the northward of Port Jackson, in order toexplore it. As a harbour it almost equals the latter, but the adjacentcountry was found so rocky and bare, as to preclude all possibility ofturning it to account. Some rivulets of fresh water fall into the headof the Bay, forming a very picturesque scene. The Indians who liveon its banks are numerous, and behaved attentively in a variety ofinstances while our people remained among them. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Transactions at Port Jackson in the Months of April and May. 

As winter was fast approaching, it became necessary to secure ourselvesin quarters, which might shield us from the cold we were taught toexpect in this hemisphere, though in so low a latitude. The erectionof barracks for the soldiers was projected, and the private men ofeach company undertook to build for themselves two wooden houses, ofsixty-eight feet in length, and twenty-three in breadth. To forward thedesign, several saw-pits were immediately set to work, and four shipcarpenters attached to the battalion, for the purpose of directing andcompleting this necessary undertaking. In prosecuting it, however, so many difficulties occurred, that we were fain to circumscribe ouroriginal intention; and, instead of eight houses, content ourselves withfour. And even these, from the badness of the timber, the scarcity ofartificers, and other impediments, are, at the day on which I write, solittle advanced, that it will be well, if at the close of the year 1788, we shall be established in them. In the meanwhile the married people, by proceeding on a more contracted scale, were soon under comfortableshelter. Nor were the convicts forgotten; and as leisure was frequentlyafforded them for the purpose, little edifices quickly multiplied on theground allotted them to build upon. 

But as these habitations were intended by Governor Phillip to answeronly the exigency of the moment, the plan of the town was drawn, and theground on which it is hereafter to stand surveyed, and marked out. To proceed on a narrow, confined scale, in a country of the extensivelimits we possess, would be unpardonable: extent of empire demandsgrandeur of design. That this has been our view will be readilybelieved, when I tell the reader, that the principal street in ourprojected city will be, when completed, agreeable to the plan laiddown, two hundred feet in breadth, and all the rest of a correspondingproportion. How far this will be accompanied with adequate dispatch, isanother question, as the incredulous among us are sometimes hardy enoughto declare, that ten times our strength would not be able to finish itin as many years. 

Invariably intent on exploring a country, from which curiosity promisesso many gratifications, his Excellency about this time undertook anexpedition into the interior parts of the continent. His party consistedof eleven persons, who, after being conveyed by water to the head ofthe harbour, proceeded in a westerly direction, to reach a chain ofmountains, which in clear weather are discernible, though at an immensedistance, from some heights near our encampment. With unwearied industrythey continued to penetrate the country for four days; but at the end ofthat time, finding the base of the mountain to be yet at the distanceof more than twenty miles, and provisions growing scarce, it was judgedprudent to return, without having accomplished the end for which theexpedition had been undertaken. To reward their toils, our adventurershad, however, the pleasure of discovering and traversing an extensivetract of ground, which they had reason to believe, from the observationsthey were enabled to make, capable of producing every thing, whicha happy soil and genial climate can bring forth. In addition to thisflattering appearance, the face of the country is such, as topromise success whenever it shall be cultivated, the trees being ata considerable distance from each other, and the intermediate spacefilled, not with underwood, but a thick rich grass, growing in theutmost luxuriancy. I must not, however, conceal, that in this longmarch, our gentlemen found not a single rivulet, but were under anecessity of supplying themselves with water from standing pools, whichthey met with in the vallies, supposed to be formed by the rains thatfall at particular seasons of the year. Nor had they the good fortune tosee any quadrupeds worth notice, except a few kangaroos. To their greatsurprize, they observed indisputable tracks of the natives having beenlately there, though in their whole route none of them were to be seen;nor any means to be traced, by which they could procure subsistence sofar from the sea shore. 

On the 6th of May the 'Supply' sailed for Lord Howe Island, to take onboard turtle for the settlement; but after waiting there several dayswas obliged to return without having seen one, owing we apprehended tothe advanced season of the year. Three of the transports also, whichwere engaged by the East India Company to proceed to China, to take onboard a lading of tea, sailed about this time for Canton. 

The unsuccessful return of the 'Supply' cast a general damp on ourspirits, for by this time fresh provisions were become scarcer than ina blockaded town. The little live stock, which with so heavy an expense, and through so many difficulties, we had brought on shore, prudenceforbade us to use; and fish, which on our arrival, and for a short timeafter had been tolerable plenty, were become so scarce, as to be rarelyseen at the tables of the first among us. Had it not been for a straykangaroo, which fortune now and then threw in our way, we should havebeen utter strangers to the taste of fresh food. 

Thus situated, the scurvy began its usual ravages, and extended itsbaneful influence, more or less, through all descriptions of persons. Unfortunately the esculent vegetable productions of the country areneither plentiful, nor tend very effectually to remove this disease. And, the ground we had turned up and planted with garden seeds, eitherfrom the nature of the soil, or, which is more probable, the latenessof the season, yielded but a scanty and insufficient supply of what westood so greatly in need of. 

During the period I am describing, few enormous offences wereperpetrated by the convicts. A petty theft was now and then heardof, and a spirit of refractory sullenness broke out at times in someindividuals: one execution only, however, took place. The sufferer, whowas a very young man, was convicted of a burglary, and met his fate witha hardiness and insensibility, which the grossest ignorance, and mostdeplorable want of feeling, alone could supply. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

From the Beginning of June, to the Departure of the Ships for Europe. 

Hours of festivity, which under happier skies pass away unregarded, and are soon consigned to oblivion, acquire in this forlorn and distantcircle a superior degree of acceptable importance. 

On the anniversary of the King's birthday all the officers not on duty, both of the garrison and his Majesty's ships, dined with the Governor. On so joyful an occasion, the first too ever celebrated in our newsettlement, it were needless to say, that loyal conviviality dictatedevery sentiment, and inspired every guest. Among other public toastsdrank, was, Prosperity to Sydney Cove, in Cumberland county, now namedso by authority. At day-light in the morning the ships of war had firedtwenty-one guns each, which was repeated at noon, and answered by threevollies from the battalion of marines. 

Nor were the officers alone partakers of the general relaxation. Thefour unhappy wretches labouring under sentence of banishment were freedfrom their fetters, to rejoin their former society; and three days givenas holidays to every convict in the colony. Hospitality too, which everacquires a double relish by being extended, was not forgotten on the 4thof June, when each prisoner, male and female, received an allowance ofgrog; and every non-commissioned officer and private soldier had thehonor of drinking prosperity to his royal master, in a pint of porter, served out at the flag staff, in addition to the customary allowanceof spirits. Bonfires concluded the evening, and I am happy to say, thatexcepting a single instance which shall be taken notice of hereafter, nobad consequence, or unpleasant remembrance, flowed from an indulgence soamply bestowed. 

About this time (June) an accident happened, which I record with muchregret. The whole of our black cattle, consisting of five cows and abull, either from not being properly secured, or from the negligenceof those appointed to take care of them, strayed into the woods, and inspite of all the search we have been able to make, are not yet found. As a convict of the name of Corbet, who was accused of a theft, elopednearly at the same time, it was at first believed, that he had taken thedesperate measure of driving off the cattle, in order to subsist on themas long as possible; or perhaps to deliver them to the natives. In thisuncertainty, parties to search were sent out in different directions;and the fugitive declared an outlaw, in case of not returning by a fixedday. After much anxiety and fatigue, those who had undertaken the taskreturned without finding the cattle. But on the 21st of the month, Corbet made his appearance near a farm belonging to the Governor, andentreated a convict, who happened to be on the spot, to give him somefood, as he was perishing for hunger. The man applied to, under pretenceof fetching what he asked for, went away and immediately gave thenecessary information, in consequence of which a party under arms wassent out and apprehended him. When the poor wretch was brought in, hewas greatly emaciated and almost famished. But on proper restorativesbeing administered, he was so far recovered by the 24th, as to be ableto stand his trial, when he pleaded Guilty to the robbery with which hestood charged, and received sentence of death. In the course of repeatedexaminations it plainly appeared, he was an utter stranger to the placewhere the cattle might be, and was in no shape concerned in havingdriven them off. 

Samuel Peyton, convict, for having on the evening of the King'sbirth-day broke open an officer's marquee, with an intent to commitrobbery, of which he was fully convicted, had sentence of death passedon him at the same time as Corbet; and on the following day they wereboth executed, confessing the justness of their fate, and imploring theforgiveness of those whom they had injured. Peyton, at the time of hissuffering, was but twenty years of age, the greatest part of whichhad been invariably passed in the commission of crimes, that at lengthterminated in his ignominious end. The following letter, written by afellow convict to the sufferer's unhappy mother, I shall make no apologyfor presenting to the reader; it affords a melancholy proof, thatnot the ignorant and untaught only have provoked the justice of theircountry to banish them to this remote region. 

Sydney Cove, Port Jackson, New South Wales, 24th June, 1788. 

"My dear and honoured mother!

"With a heart oppressed by the keenest sense of anguish, and too muchagitated by the idea of my very melancholy condition, to express my ownsentiments, I have prevailed on the goodness of a commiserating friend, to do me the last sad office of acquainting you with the dreadful fatethat awaits me. 

"My dear mother! with what agony of soul do I dedicate the fewlast moments of my life, to bid you an eternal adieu! my doom beingirrevocably fixed, and ere this hour to-morrow I shall have quitted thisvale of wretchedness, to enter into an unknown and endless eternity. Iwill not distress your tender maternal feelings by any long comment onthe cause of my present misfortune. Let it therefore suffice to say, that impelled by that strong propensity to evil, which neither thevirtuous precepts nor example of the best of parents could eradicate, Ihave at length fallen an unhappy, though just, victim to my own follies. 

"Too late I regret my inattention to your admonitions, and feel myselfsensibly affected by the remembrance of the many anxious moments youhave passed on my account. For these, and all my other transgressions, however great, I supplicate the Divine forgiveness; and encouraged bythe promises of that Saviour who died for us all, I trust to receivethat mercy in the world to come, which my offences have deprived me ofall hope, or expectation of, in this. The affliction which this willcost you, I hope the Almighty will enable you to bear. Banish from yourmemory all my former indiscretions, and let the cheering hope of a happymeeting hereafter, console you for my loss. Sincerely penitent for mysins; sensible of the justice of my conviction and sentence, and firmlyrelying on the merits of a Blessed Redeemer, I am at perfect peace withall mankind, and trust I shall yet experience that peace, which thisworld cannot give. Commend my soul to the Divine mercy. I bid you aneternal farewell. 

"Your unhappy dying Son, "SAMUEL PEYTON. "

After this nothing occurred with which I think it necessary to troublethe reader. The contents of the following chapters could not, Iconceive, be so properly interwoven in the body of the work; I have, therefore, assigned them a place by themselves, with a view that theconclusions adopted in them may be more strongly enforced on the mindsof those, to whom they are more particularly addressed. 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Face of the Country; its Productions, Climate, &c. 

To the geographical knowledge of this country, supplied by Captain Cook, and Captain Furneaux, we are able to add nothing. The latter exploredthe coast from Van Diemen's land to the latitude of 39 deg south;and Cook from Point Hicks, which lies in 37 deg 58 min, to EndeavourStreights. The intermediate space between the end of Furneaux'sdiscovery and Point Hicks, is, therefore, the only part of thesouth-east coast unknown, and it so happened on our passage thither, owing to the weather, which forbade any part of the ships engaging withthe shore, that we are unable to pronounce whether, or not, a streightintersects the continent hereabouts: though I beg leave to say, that Ihave been informed by a naval friend, that when the fleet was off thispart of the coast, a strong set-off shore was plainly felt. 

At the distance of 60 miles inland, a prodigious chain of loftymountains runs nearly in a north and south direction, further than theeye can trace them. Should nothing intervene to prevent it, the Governorintends, shortly, to explore their summits: and, I think there can belittle doubt, that his curiosity will not go unrewarded. If large riversdo exist in the country, which some of us are almost sceptical enoughto doubt, their sources must arise amidst these hills; and the directionthey run in, for a considerable distance, must be either due north, ordue south. For it is strikingly singular that three such noble harboursas Botany Bay, Port Jackson, and Broken Bay, alike end in shallows andswamps, filled with mangroves. 

The general face of the country is certainly pleasing, being diversifiedwith gentle ascents, and little winding vallies, covered for the mostpart with large spreading trees, which afford a succession of leavesin all seasons. In those places where trees are scarce, a variety offlowering shrubs abound, most of them entirely new to an European, and surpassing in beauty, fragrance, and number, all I ever saw in anuncultivated state: among these, a tall shrub, bearing an elegant whiteflower, which smells like English May, is particularly delightful, andperfumes the air around to a great distance. The species of trees arefew, and, I am concerned to add, the wood universally of so bad a grain, as almost to preclude a possibility of using it: the increase of labouroccasioned by this in our buildings has been such, as nearly to exceedbelief. These trees yield a profusion of thick red gum (not unlike the'sanguis draconis') which is found serviceable in medicine, particularlyin dysenteric complaints, where it has sometimes succeeded, when allother preparations have failed. To blunt its acrid qualities, it isusual to combine it with opiates. 

The nature of the soil is various. That immediately round Sydney Cove issandy, with here and there a stratum of clay. From the sand we have yetbeen able to draw very little; but there seems no reason to doubt, thatmany large tracts of land around us will bring to perfection whatevershall be sown in them. To give this matter a fair trial, some practicalfarmers capable of such an undertaking should be sent out; for the spotswe have chosen for experiments in agriculture, in which we can scarcebe supposed adepts, have hitherto but ill repaid our toil, which may beimputable to our having chosen such as are unfavourable for our purpose. 

Except from the size of the trees, the difficulties of clearing the landare not numerous, underwood being rarely found, though the countryis not absolutely without it. Of the natural meadows which Mr. Cookmentions near Botany Bay, we can give no account; none such exist aboutPort Jackson. Grass, however, grows in every place but the swamps withthe greatest vigour and luxuriancy, though it is not of the finestquality, and is found to agree better with horses and cows than sheep. Afew wild fruits are sometimes procured, among which is the small purpleapple mentioned by Cook, and a fruit which has the appearance of agrape, though in taste more like a green gooseberry, being excessivelysour: probably were it meliorated by cultivation, it would become morepalatable. 

Fresh water, as I have said before, is found but in inconsiderablequantities. For the common purposes of life there is generally enough;but we know of no stream in the country capable of turning a mill: andthe remark made by Mr. Anderson, of the dryness of the country roundAdventure Bay, extends without exception to every part of it which wehave penetrated. 

Previous to leaving England I remember to have frequently heard itasserted, that the discovery of mines was one of the secondary objectsof the expedition. Perhaps there are mines; but as no person competentto form a decision is to be found among us, I wish no one to adopt anidea, that I mean to impress him with such a belief, when I state, thatindividuals, whose judgements are not despicable, are willing to thinkfavourably of this conjecture, from specimens of ore seen in many of thestones picked up here. I cannot quit this subject without regretting, that some one capable of throwing a better light on it, is not in thecolony. Nor can I help being equally concerned, that an experiencedbotanist was not sent out, for the purpose of collecting and describingthe rare and beautiful plants with which the country abounds. Indeed, we flattered ourselves, when at the Cape of Good Hope, that Mason, theKing's botanical gardener, who was employed there in collecting for theroyal nursery at Kew, would have joined us, but it seems his orders andengagements prevented him from quitting that beaten track, to enter onthis scene of novelty and variety. 

To the naturalist this country holds out many invitations. Birds, thoughnot remarkably numerous, are in great variety, and of the most exquisitebeauty of plumage, among which are the cockatoo, lory, and parroquet;but the bird which principally claims attention is, a species ofostrich, approaching nearer to the emu of South America than any otherwe know of. One of them was shot, at a considerable distance, with asingle ball, by a convict employed for that purpose by the Governor; itsweight, when complete, was seventy pounds, and its length from the endof the toe to the tip of the beak, seven feet two inches, though therewas reason to believe it had not attained its full growth. On dissectionmany anatomical singularities were observed: the gall-bladder wasremarkably large, the liver not bigger than that of a barn-door fowl, and after the strictest search no gizzard could be found; the legs, which were of a vast length, were covered with thick, strong scales, plainly indicating the animal to be formed for living amidst deserts;and the foot differed from an ostrich's by forming a triangle, insteadof being cloven. 

Goldsmith, whose account of the emu is the only one I can refer to, says, "that it is covered from the back and rump with long feathers, which fall backward, and cover the anus; these feathers are grey onthe back, and white on the belly. " The wings are so small as hardly todeserve the name, and are unfurnished with those beautiful ornamentswhich adorn the wings of the ostrich: all the feathers are extremelycoarse, but the construction of them deserves notice--they grow in pairsfrom a single shaft, a singularity which the author I have quoted hasomitted to remark. It may be presumed, that these birds are not veryscarce, as several have been seen, some of them immensely large, butthey are so wild, as to make shooting them a matter of great difficulty. Though incapable of flying, they run with such swiftness, that ourfleetest greyhounds are left far behind in every attempt to catch them. The flesh was eaten, and tasted like beef. 

Besides the emu, many birds of prodigious size have been seen, whichpromise to increase the number of those described by naturalists, whenever we shall be fortunate enough to obtain them; but among thesethe bat of the Endeavour River is not to be found. In the woods arevarious little songsters, whose notes are equally sweet and plaintive. 

Of quadrupeds, except the kangaroo, I have little to say. The few metwith are almost invariably of the opossum tribe, but even these do notabound. To beasts of prey we are utter strangers, nor have we yet anycause to believe that they exist in the country. And happy it is for usthat they do not, as their presence would deprive us of the only freshmeals the settlement affords, the flesh of the kangaroo. This singularanimal is already known in Europe by the drawing and description of Mr. Cook. To the drawing nothing can be objected but the position of theclaws of the hinder leg, which are mixed together like those of adog, whereas no such indistinctness is to be found in the animal I amdescribing. It was the Chevalier De Perrouse who pointed out this to me, while we were comparing a kangaroo with the plate, which, as he justlyobserved, is correct enough to give the world in general a good idea ofthe animal, but not sufficiently accurate for the man of science. 

Of the natural history of the kangaroo we are still very ignorant. We may, however, venture to pronounce this animal, a new species ofopossum, the female being furnished with a bag, in which the young iscontained; and in which the teats are found. These last are only two innumber, a strong presumptive proof, had we no other evidence, thatthe kangaroo brings forth rarely more than one at a birth. But thisis settled beyond a doubt, from more than a dozen females havingbeen killed, which had invariably but one formed in the pouch. Notwithstanding this, the animal may be looked on as prolific, from theearly age it begins to breed at, kangaroos with young having been takenof not more than thirty pounds weight; and there is room to believe thatwhen at their utmost growth, they weigh not less than one hundred andfifty pounds. A male of one hundred and thirty pounds weight has beenkilled, whose dimensions were as follows:

 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Feet. Inches. Extreme length 7 3 Ditt of the tail 3 4 1/2 Ditto of the hinder legs 3 2 Ditto of the fore paws 1 7 1/2 Circumference of the tail of the root 1 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------

After this perhaps I shall hardly be credited, when I affirm that thekangaroo on being brought forth is not larger than an English mouse. It is, however, in my power to speak positively on this head, as I haveseen more than one instance of it. 

In running, this animal confines himself entirely to his hinder, legs, which are possessed with an extraordinary muscular power. Their speedis very great, though not in general quite equal to that of a greyhound;but when the greyhounds are so fortunate as to seize them, they areincapable of retaining their hold, from the amazing struggles of theanimal. The bound of the kangaroo, when not hard pressed, has beenmeasured, and found to exceed twenty feet. 

At what time of the year they copulate, and in what manner, we knownot: the testicles of the male are placed contrary to the usual order ofnature. 

When young the kangaroo eats tender and well flavoured, tasting likeveal, but the old ones are more tough and stringy than bullbeef. Theyare not carnivorous, and subsist altogether on particular flowers andgrass. Their bleat is mournful, and very different from that of anyother animal: it is, however, seldom heard but in the young ones. 

Fish, which our sanguine hopes led us to expect in great quantities, donot abound. In summer they are tolerably plentiful, but for some monthspast very few have been taken. Botany Bay in this respect exceeds PortJackson. The French once caught near two thousand fish in one day, ofa species of grouper, to which, from the form of a bone in the headresembling a helmet, we have given the name of light horseman. To thismay be added bass, mullets, skait, soles, leather-jackets, and manyother species, all so good in their kind, as to double our regret attheir not being more numerous. Sharks of an enormous size are foundhere. One of these was caught by the people on board the Sirius, whichmeasured at the shoulders six feet and a half in circumference. Hisliver yielded twenty-four gallons of oil; and in his stomach was foundthe head of a shark, which had been thrown overboard from the same ship. The Indians, probably from having felt the effects of their voraciousfury, testify the utmost horror on seeing these terrible fish. 

Venomous animals and reptiles are rarely seen. Large snakes beautifullyvariegated have been killed, but of the effect of their bites we arehappily ignorant. Insects, though numerous, are by no means, even insummer, so troublesome as I have found them in America, the West Indies, and other countries. 

The climate is undoubtedly very desirable to live in. In summer theheats are usually moderated by the sea breeze, which sets in early;and in winter the degree of cold is so slight as to occasion noinconvenience; once or twice we have had hoar frosts and hail, butno appearance of snow. The thermometer has never risen beyond 84, norfallen lower than 35, in general it stood in the beginning of Februaryat between 78 and 74 at noon. Nor is the temperature of the air lesshealthy than pleasant. Those dreadful putrid fevers by which newcountries are so often ravaged, are unknown to us: and excepting aslight diarrhoea, which prevailed soon after we had landed, and wasfatal in very few instances, we are strangers to epidemic diseases. 

On the whole, (thunder storms in the hot months excepted) I know not anyclimate equal to this I write in. Ere we had been a fortnight on shorewe experienced some storms of thunder accompanied with rain, thanwhich nothing can be conceived more violent and tremendous, and theirrepetition for several days, joined to the damage they did, by killingseveral of our sheep, led us to draw presages of an unpleasantnature. Happily, however, for many months we have escaped any similarvisitations. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

The Progress made in the Settlement; and the Situation of Affairs at theTime of the Ship, which conveys this Account, sailing for England. 

For the purpose of expediting the public work, the male convicts havebeen divided into gangs, over each of which a person, selected fromamong themselves, is placed. It is to be regretted that Government didnot take this matter into consideration before we left England, andappoint proper persons with reasonable salaries to execute the office ofoverseers; as the consequence of our present imperfect plan is such, asto defeat in a great measure the purposes for which the prisoners weresent out. The female convicts have hitherto lived in a state of totalidleness; except a few who are kept at work in making pegs for tiles, and picking up shells for burning into lime. For the last time I repeat, that the behaviour of all classes of these people since our arrival inthe settlement has been better than could, I think, have been expectedfrom them. 

Temporary wooden storehouses covered with thatch or shingles, in whichthe cargoes of all the ships have been lodged, are completed; andan hospital is erected. Barracks for the military are considerablyadvanced; and little huts to serve, until something more permanent canbe finished, have been raised on all sides. Notwithstanding this theencampments of the marines and convicts are still kept up; and tosecure their owners from the coldness of the nights, are covered in withbushes, and thatched over. 

The plan of a town I have already said is marked out. And as freestoneof an excellent quality abounds, one requisite towards the completionof it is attained. Only two houses of stone are yet begun, which areintended for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. One of the greatestimpediments we meet with is a want of limestone, of which no signsappear. Clay for making bricks is in plenty, and a considerable quantityof them burned and ready for use. 

In enumerating the public buildings I find I have been so remiss asto omit an observatory, which is erected at a small distance fromthe encampments. It is nearly completed, and when fitted up with thetelescopes and other astronomical instruments sent out by the Board ofLongitude, will afford a desirable retreat from the listlessness of acamp evening at Port Jackson. One of the principal reasons which inducedthe Board to grant this apparatus was, for the purpose of enablingLieutenant Dawes, of the marines, (to whose care it is intrusted) tomake observations on a comet which is shortly expected to appear in thesouthern hemisphere. The latitude of the observatory, from the result ofmore than three hundred observations, is fixed at 33 deg 52 min 30 secsouth, and the longitude at 151 deg 16 min 30 sec east of Greenwich. Thelatitude of the south head which forms the entrance of the harbour, 33deg 51 min, and that of the north head opposite to it at 33 deg 49 min45 sec south. 

Since landing here our military force has suffered a diminution of onlythree persons, a serjeant and two privates. Of the convicts fifty-fourhave perished, including the executions. Amidst the causes of thismortality, excessive toil and a scarcity of food are not to be numbered, as the reader will easily conceive, when informed, that they havethe same allowance of provisions as every officer and soldier in thegarrison; and are indulged by being exempted from labour every Saturdayafternoon and Sunday. On the latter of those days they are expectedto attend divine service, which is performed either within one of thestorehouses, or under a great tree in the open air, until a church canbe built. 

Amidst our public labours, that no fortified post, or place of security, is yet begun, may be a matter of surprise. Were an emergency in thenight to happen, it is not easy to say what might not take place beforetroops, scattered about in an extensive encampment, could be formed, soas to act. An event that happened a few evenings since may, perhaps, bethe means of forwarding this necessary work. In the dead of night thecentinels on the eastern side of the cove were alarmed by the voicesof the Indians, talking near their posts. The soldiers on this occasionacted with their usual firmness, and without creating a disturbance, acquainted the officer of the guard with the circumstance, whoimmediately took every precaution to prevent an attack, and at the sametime gave orders that no molestation, while they continued peaceable, should be offered them. From the darkness of the night, and the distancethey kept at, it was not easy to ascertain their number, but from thesound of the voices and other circumstances, it was calculated at nearthirty. To their intentions in honouring us with this visit (the onlyone we have had from them in the last five months) we are strangers, though most probably it was either with a view to pilfer, or toascertain in what security we slept, and the precautions we used in thenight. When the bells of the ships in the harbour struck the hour of thenight, and the centinels called out on their posts "All's well, " theyobserved a dead silence, and continued it for some minutes, thoughtalking with the greatest earnestness and vociferation but the momentbefore. After having remained a considerable time they departed withoutinterchanging a syllable with our people. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Some Thoughts on the Advantages which may arise to the Mother Countryfrom forming the Colony. 

The author of these sheets would subject himself to the charge ofpresumption, were he to aim at developing the intentions of Governmentin forming this settlement. But without giving offence, or incurringreproach, he hopes his opinion on the probability of advantage to bedrawn from hence by Great Britain, may be fairly made known. 

If only a receptacle for convicts be intended, this place standsunequalled from the situation, extent, and nature of the country. Whenviewed in a commercial light, I fear its insignificance will appear verystriking. The New Zealand hemp, of which so many sanguine expectationswere formed, is not a native of the soil; and Norfolk Island, where wemade sure to find this article, is also without it. So that the schemeof being able to assist the East Indies with naval stores, in case of awar, must fall to the ground, both from this deficiency, and the qualityof the timber growing here. Were it indeed possible to transport that ofNorfolk Island, its value would be found very great, but the difficulty, from the surf, I am well informed, is so insuperable as to forbidthe attempt. Lord Howe Island, discovered by Lieut. Ball, though aninestimable acquisition to our colony, produces little else than themountain cabbage tree. 

Should a sufficient military force be sent out to those employed incultivating the ground, I see no room to doubt, that in the course ofa few years, the country will be able to yield grain enough for thesupport of its new possessors. But to effect this, our present limitsmust be greatly extended, which will require detachments of troops notto be spared from the present establishment. And admitting the position, the parent country will still have to supply us for a much longer timewith every other necessary of life. For after what we have seen, theidea of being soon able to breed cattle sufficient for our consumption, must appear chimerical and absurd. From all which it is evident, thatshould Great Britain neglect to send out regular supplies, the mostfatal consequences will ensue. 

Speculators who may feel inclined to try their fortunes here, will dowell to weigh what I have said. If golden dreams of commerce and wealthflatter their imaginations, disappointment will follow: the remotenessof situation, productions of the country, and want of connection withother parts of the world, justify me in the assertion. But to men ofsmall property, unambitious of trade, and wishing for retirement, Ithink the continent of New South Wales not without inducements. Oneof this description, with letters of recommendation, and a sufficientcapital (after having provided for his passage hither) to furnish himwith an assortment of tools for clearing land, agricultural and domesticpurposes; possessed also of a few household utensils, a cow, a few sheepand breeding sows, would, I am of opinion, with proper protection andencouragement, succeed in obtaining a comfortable livelihood, were hewell assured before he quitted his native country, that a provision forhim until he might be settled, should be secured; and that a grant ofland on his arrival would be allotted him. 

That this adventurer, if of a persevering character and competentknowledge, might in the course of ten years bring matters into such atrain as to render himself comfortable and independent, I think highlyprobable. The superfluities of his farm would enable him to purchaseEuropean commodities from the masters of ships, which will arrive onGovernment account, sufficient to supply his wants. But beyond this heought not to reckon, for admitting that he might meet with success inraising tobacco, rice, indigo, or vineyards (for which last I think thesoil and climate admirably adapted), the distance of a mart to vend themat, would make the expense of transportation so excessive, as to cut offall hopes of a reasonable profit; nor can there be consumers enough hereto take them off his hands, for so great a length of time to come, as Ishall not be at the trouble of computing. 

Should then any one, induced by this account, emigrate hither, let him, before he quits England, provide all his wearing apparel for himself, family, and servants; his furniture, tools of every kind, and implementsof husbandry (among which a plough need not be included, as we make useof the hoe), for he will touch at no place where they can be purchasedto advantage. If his sheep and hogs are English also, it will be better. For wines, spirits, tobacco, sugar, coffee, tea, rice, poultry, and manyother articles, he may venture to rely on at Teneriffe or Madeira, theBrazils and Cape of Good Hope. It will not be his interest to draw billson his voyage out, as the exchange of money will be found invariablyagainst him, and a large discount also deducted. Drafts on the place heis to touch at, or cash (dollars if possible) will best answer his end. 

To men of desperate fortune and the lowest classes of the people, unlessthey can procure a passage as indented servants, similar to the custompractised of emigrating to America, this part of the world offers notemptation: for it can hardly be supposed, that Government will be fondof maintaining them here until they can be settled, and without suchsupport they must starve. 

Of the Governor's instructions and intentions relative to the disposalof the convicts, when the term of their transportation shall be expired, I am ignorant. They will then be free men, and at liberty, I apprehend, either to settle in the country, or to return to Europe. The formerwill be attended with some public expense; and the latter, except inparticular cases, will be difficult to accomplish, from the numberlesscauses which prevent a frequent communication between England and thiscontinent. 

POSTSCRIPT

Sydney Cove, Port Jackson, New South Wales. 

October 1st, 1788. Little material has occurred in this colony since thedeparture of the ships for England, on the 14th July last. On the20th of that month His Majesty's ship Supply, Captain Ball, sailedfor Norfolk Island, and returned on the 26th August. Our accounts fromthence are more favourable than were expected. The soil proves admirablyadapted to produce all kinds of grain, and European vegetables. But thediscovery which constitutes its value is the New Zealand flax, plantsof which are found growing in every part of the island in the utmostluxuriancy and abundance. This will, beyond doubt, appear strange to thereader after what has been related in the former part of my work: andin future, let the credit of the testimony be as high as it may, Ishall never without diffidence and hesitation presume to contradictthe narrations of Mr. Cook. The truth is, that those sent to settle andexplore the island knew not the form in which the plant grows, and wereunfurnished with every particular which could lead to a knowledge ofit. Unaccountable as this may sound, it is, nevertheless, incontestablytrue. Captain Ball brought away with him several specimens forinspection, and, on trial, by some flax-dressers among us, the threadsproduced from them, though coarse, are pronounced to be stronger, morelikely to be durable, and fitter for every purpose of manufacturingcordage, than any they ever before dressed. 

Every research has been made by those on the island to find alanding-place, whence it might be practicable to ship off the timbergrowing there, but hitherto none has been discovered. A plan, however, for making one has been laid before the Governor, and is at presentunder consideration, though (in the opinion of many here) it is not suchan one as will be found to answer the end proposed. 

Lieut. King and his little garrison were well when the 'Supply' leftthem: but I am sorry to add, that, from casualties, their number isalready five less than it originally was. A ship from hence is ready tosail with an increase of force, besides many convicts for the purpose ofsawing up timber, and turning the flax-plant to advantage. 

So much for Norfolk. In Port Jackson all is quiet and stupid as could bewished. We generally hear the lie of the day as soon as the beatingof the Reveille announces the return of it; find it contradicted bybreakfast time; and pursue a second through all its varieties, untilnight, welcome as to a lover, gives us to sleep and dream ourselvestransported to happier climes. 

Let me not, however, neglect telling you the little news which presentsitself. All descriptions of men enjoy the highest state of health; andthe convicts continue to behave extremely well. A gang of one hundred ofthem, guarded by a captain, two subalterns and 20 marines, is about tobe sent up to the head of the harbour, at the distance of 3 leagues, ina westerly direction, from Sydney Cove, for the purpose of establishinga settlement there. The convicts are to be employed in putting the landaround into cultivation, as it appears to be of a more promising naturethan that near the encampment. Indeed this last hitherto succeeds butvery indifferently, though I do not yet despair, that when good seedscan be procured, our toil will be better rewarded. But as this is anevent at a distance, and in itself very precarious, Governor Phillip hasdetermined on procuring a supply of flour and other necessaries from theCape of Good Hope, as our stock on hand is found to be, on examination, not quite so ample as had been reckoned upon. To execute this purposehis Excellency has ordered the Sirius to prepare for the voyage; bywhich conveyance the opportunity of writing to you is afforded me. Itwas at first intended to dispatch the Sirius to some of the neighbouringislands (the Friendly or Society) in the Pacific Ocean, to procure stockthere, but the uselessness of the scheme, joined to the situationof matters here, has, happily for us, prevented its being put intoexecution.