( HISTORY ) 3VE W SOUTHS Xifi& jBOTAlX jbay. ^ ^ and all its ^— -^ ^ -^r JDJEPJEN ^AKCIES J J (^ and an Account of^) ( THE EFOLISH^OLONY, „ — f'rwnt if* — . WO r^r£)ATJ/0^r./7> tfie JPRESEWT TIME CrE ORGE BARRINGTON: : : :. .* :/ ' ••■• :•• •* • • ; • ., LONDON: tl/rrtt/r,/ /,>r Af. JONES. * Vfj. 4$&rn<*tbr 1+»<- — 1802 . '/ 3- ....... .: .:{ ; .: • • • - . . • CONTENTS, Page Dedication to his Majesty i Preface Thoughts on the importance of tracing the origin of History 3 Novelty of the undertaking - - ibid Why the Author was calculated to perform the undertak- ing - . - - - 4 Ilis consolation for the task « ibid Contrition for the past, and hope lor the future ibid INTRODUCTION. Promised advantages to the Mother Country * 5 Nature of the country and its contents • ibid Still superior advantages • - ibid Original projector ot the eclonv * - 6 Its effects - ibid Plan for executing the work * • ibid HISTORY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. CHAP. I. Comparison between New South Wales, and America 7 Situation of the Island - - ibid Partly discovered by the Dutch in \6l6 - 8 More discovered in l6l8 - - ibid Again visited in 1619 - - * ibid Visited by Dampier - - . «• ibid by Cook .... ibid Botany Bay, why so called - - ibid RJ171838 CONTENTS. Page Mature, customs, and manners ^f TifE natives. or THE NATIVE*. How made - 9 Method of procuring food .-- ibid ■ climbing trees - - ibid Description of their features - - 10 .'the females - - ibid Ungent universally used - ibid Children taught to use it - - 11 Ornaments ibr the hair - -. ibid Paint for the face and body - - ibid Sears deemed ornamental - - ibid Holes bored in the noses of the natives - ibid Mutilation sustained by females - - ibid How effected - ibid Privation suffered by the men - - 12 The operation performed by the Cam mer ray tribe ibid Form of the Yoo-lahng - ibid The ceremony began * » ibid Miserable situation of the sufferers - - ibid A mystic deception - ibid The operators imitate do^s - ibid The motive - ibid The presentation of a gra?s kangaroo - - ibid Its supposed power - . - - 14 The operators imitate the kangaroo - ibid imitate thunder - - ibid Its supposed effect* - . - ibid The operator- shew the use of the spear - ibid The mystic bone - ibid Method of extracting the tooth - - 15 healing the gum - - ibid The honour of fortitude - - ibid Reward for s uttering •.-"--- ibid A good quality in the natives - - ibid A comparison '*"."■•.* ^ Method of fishing - - - ibid Implements for fishing - - ibid Women iish for the men - - ibid CONTENTS. €anoes - 16* Men dive for fish - ibid Broil the fish caught - - ibid Method of catching birds '- - \J Spirit of retaliation with a dreadful exauipk - ibid Method of obtaining fire - ibid The men singe their beards *. 18 Ingenuity of the natives - ibid A curious comparison - - ' * ibid A native learns the effects of boiling water ibid Filthy habits of the natives - - ibid Justification and satisfaction for murder - 19 Colours of tin? natives - - ibid dwellincs. Nature and construction of the huts - - ibid Nests of insects at their entrance - ibid Accidents by fire frequent »► 20 Some natives live in the rocks - - ibid CHILDREN. Births - - - 20 How used while young - - ibid named - - - - 21 ornamented - ibid JUVENILE STORTS. Imitations of men - -. ibid Assist in fishing - - - - ibid Children feel an insult - - ibid resent insults - - ibid exact mimics - ' m ibid dispositions. Want of national character • # 22 The natives no strangers to falsehood - ibid Their duplicity 23 knowledge of astronomy - ibid 1 respect for old age - - ibid DRESS. Their few articles of dress described * . ibid PROPERTY. Genera) description of their property - 24 2 CONTENTS. LANGUAGE. Jftige Thoughts on the language - - £5 The power of imitation « - ibi4 WEAPONS. Particular description of each - - ibid rUNEItAL RITES. Thoughts on death 27 Young persons buried ... ibid Others burnt - - ibid Motherless children murdero.d and burnt - 28 Godfathers - 29 GOVERNMENT. Natives live in a state of nature - - ibid — in tribes or families - - ibid Governed principally by the Cam-mcr-rays - ibid RELIGION'. Total want of it - - - 30 Knowledge of good and evil - - ibid DISEASES. Pain in the belly cured - - 31 Small-pox - - - ~ - ibid Serious effect* of the small-pox - - ibid Itch .... 3i Venereal disease - ibid A cure from pain - - - ibid SUPERSTITION. Ignorance prone to superstition - 53 Priestcraft of the Cam-mer-rays - - ibid Illness in consequence of superstition - ibid A native bled by Mr. White - - ibid Superstitious cure for superstition - 34 Superstition prevents the natives broiling fish at night . ibid , whistling under a rock ibid Belief in spirits - - ibid The approach of an apparition - - ibid Fear the darkness of night ■ - - ibid Important office gained by the absence of fear ibid Astronomical fears - . - ibid CONTENTS. LOVE AND MARRU3S. Strangers to fine passions - 35 Romantic way to make choice of a wife ibid Brutal way of obtaining one - ibid The wife admitted to the husband's tribe ibid The brutal conduct retaliated - - ibid Subjection of the women - 36* Affection strengthened by brutality ibid 111 usage returned by the females - ibid Men not confined to one wife - - ibid Females not devoid of art - ibid An anecdote - ibid A little modesty ... ibid True love an interesting anecdote • - 37 The women concerned in most quarrels - 3$ Supposed cau^o - - - - ibid CHAP. II. The motive for establishing the colony * 40 Vessels contracted for to carry convicts, ccc. to Botany Bay * ibid Capt. Phillips goes on board the Sirius - ibid The Sirius drops down the river 41 , joined by some transports ~ ibid sails for Spithead - - ibid Orders arrive for embarkation - - ibid Capt. Phillips takes command of the fleet - ibid Signal for sailing - ibid Seamen demur, and some removed - - ibid Wages paid in advance ... ibid The fleet sailb for St. Helens - ibid Passes the Needles - - - ibid Karnes and tonnage of the vessels - * 42 of the principal officers - - ibid Five men missed 43 A mutiny discovered - - » ibid The Hyaena leaves the fleet for England • ibid The fleet anchors near Santa Cruz - ibid A convict escapes, but is re-taken - ibid The fleet sails - - * ibid CONTENTS. Page The fleet crosses the Equator - - 43 Two accidents *- - ibid The fleet anchors at Rio de Janerio - ibid The convicts and ship's crews refreshed - ibid The fleet sails . . - ibid A convict df owned - - ibid Illness - - - 'm ibid A combination to release some convicts ibid The fleet anchors in Table Bay - ibid Governor Phillip lands at the Cape of Good Hope ibid .. — , _ payS bis respects to the Governor of that settlement - - ibid Stalls prepared for cattle 45 Cattle embarked - ibid The fleet leaves the Cape of Good Hope - ibid Governor Phillip leaves the fleet to proceed to New South Wales - - - ibid The fleet nears land - - ibid Its general appearance •';'.-" ibidl The Golden Grove ship's a sea 46 A squall takes the Sinus - ibid Botany Bay seen * - - ibid The fleet carried away - - - ibid Tost distance regained - - ibid The Fleet anchors in Botany Bay - - ibid Remarks on the voyage * - ibid Governor Phillips arrival 47 State of the country on landing - ibid Port Jackson and Broken Bay examined - ibid Ground ordered to be cleared - - ibid Natives seen - ibid Appearance of the coast - - ibid A fine harbour discovered ... ibid Spot fixed on for the colony - - ibid Two French ships seen » 48 M. de la Pcrouse enters Botany Bay - - ibid The English leave Botany Bay - - ibid Governor Phillip arrives at Port Jackson ibid Governor's guard encamped - » ibM CONTENTS. Page Some convicts landed 48 The flag-staff erected - ibid The Sirius arrives from Botany Bay - ibid Convicts and troops landed - 49 Confusion in consequence - ibid House for the Governor erected - r ibid Women disembarked • • ibid Several die of the scurvey - - ibid Live stock landed - ibid Ground cleared for a garden - - ibid Wis Majesty's commission opened - 50 Extention of territory • ibid Letters Patent read - - ibid Governor addresses the convicts - ibid A muster of the convicts • - ibid Several missing - - - 51 Overseers wanted - - ibid Thefts discovered- ... ibid Criminal court assembled - - ibid Several tried and punished ... ibid Bad effects of mercy - - 52 A criminal hung - - - ibid Others banished - - ibid An executioner obtained - - » ibid PLANS OF THE COURTS. Criminal Court, and its power - - ibid Civil Court and its power - £3 Justices of the Peace - - ibid Other powers of the Governor - ibid Lieut. Governor - ibid Judge Advocate. - ibid Allowance of provisions - .54 Store-houses began ..■-'• ibid Idleness of convicts - - ibid Several escape from Botany Bay - - ibid The conduct of M. de la Perouse to them - ibid The Supply sails from Port Jackson with Lieut. King, for Norfolk Island - - 55 An observatory began - • ibid CONTENTS. Page Capt. Hunter surveys the harbour - 55 J... meets many natives - ibid The Governor wishes to be friendly with the natives ibid Two natives visit the settlement - - ibid The little attention paid to orders • 56 Some natives resist a crew's landing - - ibid run away with tools - ibid " fired at by some sailors • ibid « — '9 M. de la Perouse ibid Good understanding with the natives broken ibid Several couples married - - ibid The attention paid to divine service - ibid CHAP. ill. The colony suffers by much rain - - 57 The Governor takes an excursion - ibid The weather becomes bad - - ibid Dreadful sick list , - - - ibid Barracks began - - - ibid The French leave Botany Bay - - ibid ■ previously bury the Abbe L. Recereur ibid A wharf began - - - 58 Ordnance landed - ibid The transports begin to clear - - ibid Convicts employed to make bricks - ibid More ground cleared - - ibid Damage done by hogs - - ibid A street marked out - _ - ibid The Supply returns from Norfolk Island - ibid An account of her absence, &c. - - ibid Lieut. King lands at Norfolk Island *• ibid Laud cleared - ibid A Bay named - ibid Two Islands named .59 The soil at Norfolk Island described - ibid Lieut. Bass leaves Norfolk Island - - ibid Discovers an Island and names it ibid Two transports discharged - - ibid Convicts wounded by the natives » - ibid The Governor finds the natives shy - ibid CONTENTS. A native complains to the Governor - oO Building proceeds , *• - - 8»« The scurvy rages - ibid A convict hangs herself - ibid Thefts continue - - ibid Punishment promised to the sailors and convicts ibid Venereal disease amoxs, the convicts - ibid Punishment for concealing it - 6l A redoubt began - - ibid The native dogs destroy the live stock ibid Instant execution « >( a. iminal - - ibid Three transports sail China - - ibid The Supply sails for Lord Howe Island - ibid State of live stock - - ibid Brick huts began - - ibid A stone house began for the Governor - 62 Store house and road to the wharf cornpleated ibid A convict wounded by the natives - ibid • murdered by them - - ibid The Supply returns - - ibid Ball Pyrimid discovered - - ibid Two men tried and punished for an assault - ibid Two convicts killed by the natives - ibid Some natives shaved ~ - 63 The Governor goes in search of the murderers ibid His Majesty's birth-day kept - - ibid Boundaries of a county fixed - - ibid Called Cumberland county - - ibid Several criminals pardoned - - ibid A convict found by an officer in his tent ibid Two others taken - - ibid Effects of wanting economy - - 64, Cattle lost - - - ib^d The fish quit the coast - - ibid A native nearly starved « - . ibid A shock of an earthquake - - ibid Four ships sail for England - - ibid The Supply sails for Norfolk Island - ibid b COTTTENTSr Pag« ellar made for spirits - 65 Provisions landed .• - ibid Precaution to prevent fires - - ibid., Natives assist the English to fish seize some fish when caught - ibid wound a convict - - ibid Labour suspended - - 66> Damage done - - ibid Thefts frequent - ibid Prince of Wales's birth-day kept - ibid A party of natives land - - ibid — -steal a goat - - 10id Pursued by the Governor without effect • ibid The Supply returns from Norfolk Island ibid Accounts from that settlement - ibid A gold mine pretended to be discovered - $7 The imposter detected and punished - ibid A convict beat by the natives - 68 Bad promise of wheat - - ibid The Sirius ordered to the Cape of Good Hope for flour ibid The Golden Grove ordered to Norfolk Island ibid Two boats put together - - ibid The only cow left goes mad - - ibid The Golden- Grove sails for Norfolk Island ibid Sirius ■ the Cape of Good Hope ibid Allowance reduced - - ibid A timber bridge began - - 'ibid Native attack a convict, - - ibid The Governor pursues the natives - ibid ■ discovers some fine land - ibid Ground for building marked out - ibid The Golden Grove returns from Norfolk Island ibid Information received from Norfolk Island - 69 Dispatches sent to England - - ibid A redoubt compleated - - ibid A criminal executed - 70 Receivers of stolen goods punished - - ibid State of the convicts, - - ibid CONTENTS, ■ Eagerness of the convicts to return to England A remarkable instance A boat house began - - 1"1(* A powder magazine marked out - - 71 A native secured - - - - imc* Thoughts on the close of the year - imc* CHAP. IV. Idleness - 72 Thefts - - i#d The store robbed - - - ihid A criminal hunc* - - - ibid Natives commit a thefi - ihid Plan to preventbuying stolen goods - 73 The barracks taken possession of - ibid A murder committed by -the Natives - ihid . attempted to be revenged by the brick makers ibid Natives kill one and wound six of the colonists ibid An armed party sent against the natives - ibid The brick makers punished - - ibid Plan for robbing the store, detected - ibid Six men tried and hung - - ibid Norfolk Island escapes an insurrection • ibid A hurricane and its effects - - 7& Neutral Bay discovered - - ibid Dreadful effects of the small pox - - ibid Two native children cured by Mr. White - 75 The Sinus arrives from the Cape of Good Hope ' ibid Account of the voyage and cargo - ibid Black Ceasar escapes and is caught , - ibid Additional respect on the King's birth day , ibid A comedy performed - - 76 The Supply sails for Norfolk Island - - ibid The Governor returns from an excursion - ibid Richmond hill named - - ibid Convicts claim their freedom - U ibid An accident - - ibid Curious encrease of male live stock - ibid The Supply returns from Norfolk Island - ibid Dispatches from that settlement • ibid CONTENTS. Page Plan to prevent robberies • 77 The Si ri us surveyed - - ibid Transactions with the natives - ibid An emu killed * - ibid A vessel launched - - ibid Injury sustained by rats 78 Reduction of provisions - - ibid The Supply sails for Norfolk Island - ibid A female house-breaker taken - »*» ibid — attempts to postpone her death - ibid executed - ibid A great quantity of fish caught - • ibid Two natives taken - «• » ibid One escapes and the other attempts » ibid A brick house began for Capt. Collins - 79 The produce of the harvest - - ibid The Supply returns from Norfolk Island - ibid Turtle brought from Lord Howe Island -r ibid A curious cabbage ..... - ibid Convicts and stores sent to Norfolk Island - ibid The first settler from among the convicts - ibid A look-out established * ■ ibid Abundance of fish caught * 80 Boats ordered to fish for the public - ibid Ceasar escapes, is wounded by the natives, and returns ibid The Supply returns from Norfolk Island - ibid Information from that place •• - ibid Weather - - 81 The allowance of spirits reduced - - ibid Embarkation for Norfolk Island 4 - ibid Sirius and Supply sail for ditto - - ibid The Governors kindness - » ibid Ration again reduced . - *bid Work affected tl;ereby Live stock, an evil Fish issued from the store - - ibid Distressed state of the settlement Loss of the Sirius - - - |W Martial law proclaimed I CONTENTS. Page The Supply return* • •» 83 Dreadful situation of the eolony - * ibid Provisions again reduced - - ibid Private boats tu&en for public use « ibid Great quantity of fish caught * . ibid Fishing for the public fails * - ibid Private boats returned - - jbid Lieut. Bass sails to Batavia for provisions - 84* Tender anxiety - ibid Great consideration of the Governor - ibid . A woman reduced to beg by being robbed - ibid An old man dies for want * - ibid A kangaroo caught - - - 85 Hogs killed by the native dogs - - ibid The colony in want of salt . - ibid Method of obtaining it ibid Ground prepared for sowing - ^ ibid The Lady Juliana returns from England with convict! ibid Loss of the Guardian - - 86 Information brought by the Lady Juliana - ibid Several criminals pardoned - - ibid A thanksgiving - i - 87 The Justinian arrives with provisions - • ibid The full allowance of grain delivered - ibid A shop opened - ibid The Surprize transport arrive - - ibid The Neptune and Scarborough arrives - 88 Melancholy sick list - - ibid A mutiny detected * - - ibid A detachment of the New South Wales corps disembarked ibid 4 __ take possession of the barracks ibid Total of the sick ... ibid A portable hospital got up ibid A town marked out - - 8$ Provisions received by the transports - ibid A brick store house built - «• ibid A road formed - - - ibid The Surprize and Lady Juliana ordered for Norfolk Island ibid iai instructions respecting the distribution of land ibid CONTENTS* Page ale comes into the harbour - - £0 • drowns three people - 91 .^— is killed by the natives - - ibid The Surprize, Scarborough, and Neptune sail - ibid Bennillong sends a present to the Governor ibid _. __ visited by the Governor • ibid A whale feast - - - ■ ibid The Governor alarmed 1 wounded by a native - 92 reaches the settlement - ibid Beunillor: :s the attack made on the Governor ibid The Governor recovering, visits Ik, .uilong - 93 The men escape in a boat - - # it d The country on fire - - ibid A hut began for Bennillong - - ibid The Supply returns from Batavia - ibid Preparations for an escape discovered - ibid A boat lost and five men drowned 94? The natives friendly - - HW A store house built at Rose Hill *■ - ibid Several buildings compleat at Sydney - ibid A Dutch snowr arrives from Batavia - ibid Mortality during 1790 - - ibid Depredations - ibid The natives steal the colours The Supply sails for Norfolk Island - ib Canvas manufactured at ditto - - - i Survey of ditto - - ibid Effects of heat - - - - ibid The Dutch snow sails for England - ibid Eleven persons escape in a boat - - ibid The first convict settler declines assistance from the pub- lic store . - - 96 Ration reduced - A plan of escape discovered bid « to prevent escapes - - ibid A musquet; found by a native in the sea - ibid The Supply arrives - - - ibid Provisions low at Norfolk Island - ibid CONTENTS. Town at *bse Hill called Paramatta Natives jxchan"• fired at and one wounded t murdered by th- corn housed - - JG5 lets detected with corn - - ibid its built - - ibid ibid Ration lowered ' - - - 10& The Atlantic arrives with provisi : utta ibid Ration encreased - - ibid A market established at Parana ibid Depredations recommenced - - ibid The crime of hunger - - 107 The Britannia arrives from England with provisions ibid Ration encreased - ibid A female convict pardoned in consequence of marriage ibid The effects of mercy - - ibid The Britannia sails - » 10S The Atlantic arrives from Norfolk Island - ibid Information from that place * - ibid The corn there injured by a grub - - ibid Lime-storm discovered * - ibid The Britannia engaged to procure cattle from the Cape ibid The Royal Admiral arrives with stores, provision*, Convicts, and military * ibid The Britannia sails ... ibid Dispatches sent to' England * * ibid Licences granted for the sale of beer and spirits ibid The effects - - ibid Cloathing delivered to the convicts - ibki Articles made to sell - - 10 Governor Phillip determines to return to England ibid Philadelphia, a brigantine, arrives from Philadelphia with provisions - ibid The Governor buys the cargo - - ibid The vessel hired to go to Norfolk Island - ibid Capt. Collins's account of the Author - 100 Three warrants of emancipation pass the seat - ibid The Royal Admiral sails for Cantoa - - III Goods sold in tke country - • ibid CONTENTS Page Kitty, transport, arrives from England, with convicts d stores - - - ill nes - 112 Some dollars arrive Brick hospital • t Paramatta Governor Phillip leaves the colony - ibid Take with him , CHAP, V. State of the country r Phillip returned to England - - - 113 Land in cultivation - * S ibid Ground cieai - - - - ibid Effect of convicts working for themselves - ( ibid Governor Phillip's gifts - - ibid Their effects - ibid Means taken to. counteract the evil - ibid' The government devolves on Francis Grose, esq. 114 Alterations in the government • - ibid The supposed cause - - 'ibid The Hope arrives from Rhode Island - ibid Sells her cargo - - - ibid New regulations - - - ibid Hot weather - - - ibid The natives set fire to the country - - ibid Effects of the fire - - ibid Mortality of the year - - - ibid The Bellona arrives from England - - 115 A melancholy accident - - ibid Remarkable depravity - - ibid Ground marked out for the settlers - • 11 6* Liberty Plains, why so called - - ibid Officers allowed ground - - ibid - convicts - - ibid The Bellona sails - - - ibid . — previously smoked ■ - - ibid Four convicts found on board - - ibid Room wanted for the stores - - ibid Shah Hormuzear arrives - - ibid Two Spanish ships arrive - t - ibid CONTENTS. Page A highway robbery - - 317 Provisions «... ibid A reduction - - - 318 Cloathing - ibid Information for convicts - - - ibid Arrivals - - * 319 Weather and the consequences - - ibid The Albion arrives from England - 320 A missionary murdered - - 321 The cause - ibid Murderers executed - - 322 An order . - - ibid — | — — respecting women - - 323 Robberies - 324 An account taken of inhabitants, stock, and land in culti- vation . - - 325 The Hillsborough arrives - - 327 Regulations to forward the stone prison - ibid The Governor takes an excursion - - ibid The Norfolk arrives with Lieut. Flinders - 328 An account of his voyage - - ibid chap. x. A criminal court held - -. 367 Regulations to prevent impositions on Government ibid Defence of the country encreased - - 368 A work thrown up on Garden Island - ibid The Resource arrives - - - ibid — refreshes her crew - - ibid takes away several seamen • ibid The Buffalo sails for the Cape - - ibid The Governor visits the wild cattle - S69 — — sees a small herd of cattle - ibid A calf killed . - - 370 The Governor returns - - ibid The Eliza comes in from sea « - ibid An order respecting convicts, &c. endeavouring to escape ibid The order neglected - - 371 The Spanish prize bought , .- - ibid e CONTENTS. Page 4 criminal court held ... 394 A woman convicted of forgery - - ibid The Hunter sails - - 395 The Speedy arrives - - - ibid Provisions received - - ibid The full ration issued - - ibid Lieu*. Governor Ki^g arrives - - ibid The Buffalo arrives . - - ibid Effects of spirits - ibid Neglect of the settlers ... ibid Interference of the Governor - - ibid Seditious meeting among the Irish convicts - 3$6 A general search • - ibid Pikes said to have been made - - ibid A Catholic priest implicated - - 39T A proclamation issued - - ibid A letter from the Governor of India - - ibid A proposition to send convicts from India to New South Wales - - - 398 Regulation respecting vagrants - - 399 Irish pork received by the Commissary - - ibid A criminal court held - - - ibid Executions - 400 Information - - ibid The Hunter returns from Norfolk Island - ibid ■ re-chartered - ibid The Belle Sauvage arrives - - ibid Robberies - - ibid A Proclamation in consequence - • ibid Three taken, tried, and executed - - ibid The Hunter sails - - - ibid Convicts transported to Norfolk Island - -401 Steps taken towards finishing the gaol - - ibid Executions ... ibid A general muster - - ibid The Buffalo prepares to return to England - ibid Live stock sold - ibid The Martha returns - - - 402 | CONTENTS. Page The Martha driven in reef - ~ 402 Certificates granted - ibid An officer sent to the Hawkesbury - - ibid The Albion goes into Broken Bay - - ibid A daring attempt to land spirits - - 403 Neglect of religion - - • ibid An order in consequence - - - ibid Wilson killed by the natives - - ibid Sedition of the Irish rebels transported to New South Wales - - - 405 Two Volunteer Associations formed /. - - 4()6 Coal ... .407 The John Jay arrives - - ibid The Buffalo ready for sea - - ibid The Governor determines to return to England - ibid ■ reviews the volunteers - ibid * takes leave of them - - ibid — — — — ■ embarks - - 408 Live stock ... 409 Land in cultivation - - ibid The Buffalo sails - - 410 State of Norfolk Island - - ibid I Phillip Island - - ibid Black Swan sent to England .... ibid Account of ground granted and let - - 41 1 List of vessels which arrives at Port Jackson - 412 Account of Works - - - 412 The Register of convicts detected to have been altered 421 Expense of the goal - ibid Blankets made - - - ibid Linnen made - - - ibid Vessels with spirits sent back to Bengal - - ibid Copper coin received * - - 422 Table of Specie - - ibid Ships arrive on speculation - - ibid Account of their cargoes - - ibid Plan for murdering the officers at Norfolk Island detected 423 A good landing place discovered at Anson's Bay - • ibid CONTENTS. Jage chap. xr. NATURAL HISTORY. QUADRUPEDS. Ornithorhynclius Paradoxus - - - 42o The Tassoa Tafa or Tapha - - 426 Tafa - • 429 WhaTapoauRoo •* - ibid The Dog or Dingo - ibid Poto Roo - 430 ■ Hopoona Roo - ibid Kangaroo, - * ? 431 birds. The Bird of Paradise - - - 435 t White Fulica - ibid — Blue Bellied Parrot - ibid ' ■ i Black or Banksian Cockatoo - - 437 — — Fulliginous Peteril - - ibid White Vented Crow - - ibid White Hawk • - 438 Carthwary - ibid J*** Crested Goat-sucker - - 439 - Anomalous Hornbill - - ibid Turban Parrot - 440 Black Swan - - - ibid , Yellow eared Fly-catcher - - 441 Mountain Eagle - - ibid Wattled Bee-eater - - 442 Golden-winged Pigeon - - ibid Port- Jackson Thrush - i - 443 Emu - ibid New Holland Creeper - 444 Knob Fronted Bee-eater - - ibid Great Brown King's Fisher - - 445 — Pennation Parrot - - ibid — — Motacilla Warbler 446 CONTENTS. Page — — Green Parroquet * • - 446 — j— Red Shouldered Parroquet - - ibid Southern Motacilla - - 447 Sacred King's Fisher - - ibid Crested White Cockatoo ,. - - 44-8 snakes. The Blue Snake - - - 449 Black and White Snake • - - - ibid Yellow Snake - - - ibid ■ . Brown and Yellow Snake - - ibid LIZARDS. The Variegated Lizard - 450 — — Broad tailed Lizard - - ibid — — Scincord or Scini-formed Lizard - ibid Muricated Lizard - - 451 — Ribboned Lizard - * 452 The Blue Frog ... ibid ■■ White jointed Spider - - ibid FISH. The Compretted Sparus - - 454 • ■■ Cyprinaceous Latinus - - ibid — — Doubtful Lophius - - • ibid Batistes Granulata - - . 455 Long Spined Cheaelodon - - ibid Southern Collus - - ibid — — Fasciated Mullet - ibid botany. The Banksia Serrata - - - 456 . — Pyriformis « • 457 »■ ■■ Gibbosa - - - ibid The Peppermint Tree - ibid CONTENTS. Page The Tea Tree - - - 460 Sweet Tree - - - 46l — . — Red Gum Tree - ibid — — Yellow Resin Tree - - 463 chap. XU. Continuation of the History - 464 A vessel arrives from Cape Verde Islands - - ibid sails for Otaheite - ibid State of the wild cattle - - - 467 Live stock - 46S Population - - ibid Cultivation - 469 The Lady Nelson arrives - - ibid A fire - - - ibid The Harbinger bought by the Governor - 471 The Supply fitted up as a Hulk - - ibid Dreadful sufferings of several persons on Tate's Island 472 CONCLUSION. General view of the country • - 495 PARTICULAR DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER. Directions for placing the Prints. The View to face the Title as a Frontispiece. • to face Page A Male and Female Native - . - 9 Manhood - - - , - 13 Burning the Dead * - 26 Courtship - - 34 The Native Dog - 429 — Kangaroo - - - 431 « Bird of Paradise - - - ^ 435 Black Cockatoo - 437 Hornbill - - .439 Mountain Eagle • - 441 — Emu - 443 " Snakes - • 449 — Plate of Botany - - - 456 Before each Print, place the tissue paper given for that pur- pose in each Number. The Binder is requested to observe, that the Half Title, given in No. 14, is to be placed behind the View, and the Contents directly after the engraved Title ; and he is intreated to substitute pages 45, 46, 117, 118, 455, 456, given in the last Number for those in the body of the work which are to be cancelled. The Label here given is intended for those which are only boarded. ■"" " «o* «o M ^ »••■* fc H3 0 0 0 h 0 ft *• CO 0 A* | P O 0 >> • CO 0 CO t— H H plunder ibid CONTENTS. Page A shop opened - - *• 15 S Counterfeit money - - ibid Forged notes - - ibid Detection - - - ibid The shrubs, &c. on fire - - 159 The powder removed - - ibid The Reliance returns - * ibid A bad harvest - * - ibid Spirits still vended - - ibid Robberies ' - - - ibid The Supply sails - - ibid Bennillong and Colbe's wife - l60 . ■ wounded - - ibid Licences granted to sell spirits - - ibid The Supply returns - - ibid — — Susan arrives - ibid — Indispensable ditto - - l6l Four tried for forgery - - ibid* Five for stealing - ibid The Britannia arrives - ibid An attempt to recruit the Bengal army - ibid Several robberies - 162 A runaway secured - - 163 A hut pulled down - - - ibid Crops pledged - ibid An inquiry - - - - ibid The reward of exertions - - ibid A robbery - ibid Contrition - - - - ibid An excursion - - ibid A range of mountains - - ibid The Governor again visits the wild cattle - 164? Coal brought from Port Stephens - - ibid A court-house erected - - ibid A timber carriage - ibid A seaman shot - - ibid Another man shot - ibid Murderers taken - , • ibid CONTENTS. Pag* Regulations for the settlers, &c. * - 164 Run-a-vvays punished - - l65 Encrease of live stock * - ibid One hundred goats sold - - ibid Information » - * - ibid Consequent order - ibid A register of boats - - - ) ibid Convicts treated kindly by the natives - ibid A white woman seen among the natives - 166 The Francis returns - - ibid A convict executed at Norfolk Island - ibid Convicts time mis-spent - - ibid Proposed remedy - - ibid Criminal court assembled - - ibid A murderer hung . - 16*7 The Susan sails - ibid A civil court held - - - ibid The Grand Turk arrives - - • 16*8 — - Supply sails - - - ibid Live stock - - - ibid Land in cultivation * - 169 Provisions and grain ' - ibid Population - - - 170 Value of live stock - - ibid — — — provisions - * ibid ■ — groceries - - ibid wine and spirits - - ibid India goods - - - 171 • English goods - * ibid labour - - - ibid The Francis, Reliance, and Britannia, sail - ibid Capt. Collin's leaves the colony - - ibid Governor Hunter leaves Norfolk Island - 172 STATE OF NORFOLK ISLAND. Judicature - . - ibid Officers and inhabitants - - ibid Convicts - - - - 173 Cultivation - . ., - - *74s Land *. ■-,., ;>...'. :•': ibid CONTENTS, Page Ground cleared - - - - 375 The produce of the harvest » - ibid Live stock on the Island - - 176 received - - - ibid The effects of non-payment of the corn bills - ibid Salting pork - - . 177 Goats prolific ... . ibid A strong wharf made r ibid A store-house built - - 178 A water mill - • » ibid Two wind mills - ibid Settlers dwellings ... jbid Schools * , - jbid Orphans r r - - ibid The satisfaction of endeavouring to do well ibid Classes - - - - .. 181 Price of labour - - - 182 ■ ' ■ ' . provisions • - - 1S3 scarce articles . * ibid Depravity of the convicts ~ - - 184 A log prison began - - - r ibid Fraud respecting prisoners - - ibid Convicts work on Sunday - ibid One hundred convicts recovered r r ibid A hat found » - - ibid — man's body found - - ibid •-— woman murdered *• - ibid Houses numbered * jbid Watchmen appointed ... ibid Bennillong returns to his savage state - 185 Applies for assistance - * ibid The Governor protects him - v jbid Effects of comfort » ibid The Prince of Wales arrives - - ibid — — Francis arrives - - * jbid «*— Sylph ditto - - - ibid A criminal court held - ibid Three men executed - - - l$6 One hung in chains * • -. ibid CONTENTS. Page Its effect on the natives - 186 The Prince of Wales sails - * ibid The Sylph ditto - - - ibid Two convicts discovered - - ibid A native child brought to the settlement - ibid murdered by the natives - 187 A stack of wheat burnt - - ibid The effects of self interest - - ; ibid A convict attorney transported - ibid George's river explored - - ibid A windmill and granary finished - ibid Price for labour - - - ibid Passports to "be taken for travelling - - 189 Outrages committed by the natives - ibid A log-prison completed - * 1^0 Granaries full - - - ibid An excursion - - - ibid A discovery - ibid A criminal court* held - - ibid A high wind and its effects - - 1Q1 The natives again troublesome - - ibid particularly cruel - - 192 A proclamation to run-a-ways - - ibid A terror held out to the natives - - 1.93 The Supply arrives - - ibid Interesting narrative of the loss of the Sydney-cove ibid The Britannia arrives - - 1 94 Want of canvas - - - HJ5 The Ganges arrives - - - ibid The Governor visits Paramatta, &c. - ibid Portland Place marked out - - ibid Two run-a-ways recovered - - ibid The Reliance arrives «■ 196' Two boys attempt joining the natives - - ibid An assessment to build a gaol - - ibid The Francis arrives from the wreck of the Sydney-cove ibid sails for Norfolk Island - ibid 's crew mutiny - - 197 Coals discovered ... CONTENTS. A contest among the natives Bennillong accused of murder A piratical misfortune The Deptford arrives An excursion to the wild cattle A boat seized The Reliance leaky . — Supply condemned A caution respecting boats — criminal court held Three men stand in the pillory Another contest between the natives Natives turn pirates A bridge erected Wheat scarce Apian to seize a boat discovered The Governor addresses the convicts ' ' sends military to guard them Wilson surrenders himself *s account of A robbery The Deptford sails A serious combat among the natives Bennillong loses his wife A stack of wheat burnt Mischief done by dogs Three schools established A drinking match - A soldier murdered A settler fined for disobedience of orders A visit to the wreck of the Sydney-cove A tire at Sydney Curious account of a plan for escape formed Convicts Karrative of some pirates Fifty skeletons found The Francis returns CHAP. VII. Cole- be attacked The Governor again visits Paramatta by some Irish Page ibid ibid 198 ibid ibid ibid ibid 199 ibid ibid ibid 200 201 ibid ibid 202 ibid ibid 203 ibid 204 ibid 207 ibid 203 ibid ibid ibid ibid ibid 209 i ibid 212 213 ibid 215 216 CONTENTS. Pag* An Irish convict brought in - - 216 His story - - ibid A clock put up - - 5217 The Francis sails - * - ibid The military go in pursuit of some run-a-vvay convicts jbid Narrative of an attempt to discover a road to China 218 A general muster - - - 222 Redress of grievances - • ibid The maize ripe - - - ibid Depredations committed by the natives - ibid Murder ditto - - ibid Mr. Bass returns from an excursion - 223 Seven men found - - <• - ibid A native esteemed musquet proof - 224 A civil court held - +■•• - ibid State of the settlers affairs - - ibid The Francis returns - 225 An excursion to a salt hill - - ibid Wild cattle seen 226* More run-a-ways heard of - - - ibid Destruction of timber - - ibid ^Distress for naval stores T - ihid A criminal court held - - 227 Executions and confessions 4 - ibid Two mares stole and the thieves killed by the natives 228 More salt hills discovered - - ibid The Governor relieves the settlers - 229 Monopoly * ibid Consequent orders - ibid A prophetess . r 230 The detection - - - 231 More run-a-ways recovered - - 232 The Nautilus arrives - - ibid Information respecting the missionaries at Otaheite ibid The Barwel arrives . - 233 — Jane Shore lost - - ibid ' Instructions from England - - 234? The Reliance and Francis sail for Norfolk Island ibid An order from the Governor - - ibid CONTENTS. Page The natives troul lesome • 23ff Missionaries become settlers - - ibid The Hunter arrives - - - 237 Impositions - - - - 238 The Cornwell and other vessels arrive - 239 The battery improved - ... 240 — - Britannia arrives from England - - ibid — - Reliance and Francis arrive from Norfolk Island ibid A fraternal society at Norfolk Island - - ibid A civil court held - 242 Order respecting Sunday - - 243 Arrivals - - - - - ibid The Governor appoints Mr. Bass and Lieut, Flinders to make a voyage of discovery - ibid The powder removed on board the Supply - 244 The natives - ibid — Barwell sails for China - - 245 The Hunter saite - - - 247 A church burnt - • * ibid CHAP. VIII. Several vessels sail - 24$ Notice from the Governor - - 250 Afire - - . . ibid The Governor visits the Hawkesbury - x - 251 The Marquis Cornwallis arrives - - . ibid Two vessels arrive - ~ - 252 — - churches began - - ibid Criminal court held - jbid The natives - * . jbid Effects of bad company - - ibid Female convicts - - . 253 The effects of time - . 254. A new battery - - . ibid The Cornwallis sails - T jbij harvest compleated - ibid •—- Irish convicts - 255 -— Francis sails - jbjj Several arrivals - 056 Three extraordinary deaths - - ^Sf. CONTENTS* Page An election ... 25? The consequences of heat - - 258 Live stock and land in cultivation - 259 Certificates granted - - ibid The country on fire - - 26 1 Mr. Bass and Lieut. Flinders return from the voyage of discovery ; •. ibid CHAP. IX. A robbery - -305 The Governor visits Paramatta - - ibid Information from Norfolk Island. - ibid A criminal court held - - 3®6 An execution - ibid A gang of theives detected - ibid The goal at Sydney burnt - - 307 A missionary's house robbed - - ibid Stills detected Hr - - &'ld The settlers want grain for seed - - 30S A stone goal began - "• 309 Rain and its effects - ibid The Rebecca arrives - - - 311 — Nautilus chartered - - - ibid — — Britannia, whaler, returns - - ibid A criminal court held - - ibid — civil court ditto - ibid The criminal court again meet - ibid Effects of intoxication - " 112 A grub worm - Hacking goes to Hunter's river The Nautilus returns - - 314 A Spanish prize - 1bi« A vice admiralty court held - - ibid The Norfolk returns - - ibid Bad harvest at Norfolk Island - ibid Experiments - . The B uffalo arrives • - 3l5 The natives - - " ibld A criminal court held - - - 31° A murderer executed DEDICATION TO HIS MAJESTY. SIRE, Oke of the most mmbte of your subjects, presumes to lay at your feet, the History of New South Wales, and your Majesty's Colony on that Island* Tempted by that eminent. Philanthropy, with which, your Majesty is so peculiarly en- dowed, and the knowledge of which, in the most distant parts of the World, has more gloriously exalted your illustrious Name, in the hearts of all good Men, than, even your truly powerful Fleets and Armies, have enrolled it in the History of Great Sovereigns* If your Majesty should deign to look on this Production, you will have the satis- faction of finding, that the life you have so well spent, in promoting the Comforts and Happiness of the many Millions com- l DEDICATION. mitted to your Care, is even of such an Hea- venly nature, as in many cases to correct, and often reform, the most vicious of those, who have been found improper persons, to remain in those kingdoms, which are blessed with your irtitnediate presence. Tl^ just knowledge of Mankind, your MaWf^,orha9 so often shown, in the ap- pointnjt. i hi of your Officers, has seldom been mte\ beneficially felt, than in those you ha e,'^ from time to time chosen for New Sou^ Wales, who have in all cases, been, Gentlemen particularly calculated to represent your Person, and to fulfil your intentions, as they have possessed Learning, Prudence, Justice, and Mercy. That your Majesty, may long continue Vice-Regent on Earth, and that you may enjoy all those blessings, your many Virtues so much merit, is the ardent prayer of, i Your Majesty's Most Humble and devoted Subject and Servant, GEORGE BARRINGTON. PREFACE. To trace from the Origin, the History of any Country, but more particularly the one of so promising an aspect of future importance as that of New South Wales, is an under- taking very interesting, but not often to be accomplished with that degree of certainty, which precludes every idea, of Speculative Fiction, though when capable of being ef- fected, it forms a valuable acquisition to the World. In this situation stands New South Wales. Circumnavigators have fre- quented it, and the Public have been favoured with the Accounts of Individuals who have resided there, but no prior attempt has beeu made to produce a Complete History of the Country itself, from its Discovery, and an Account of its Inhabitants, their Customs, and Manners, accompanied with, an Historical Detail, of the proceedings of the English Colony, from the Foundation to its Present State, PREFACE. That such a Work must prove acceptable to the World in general, but particularly to his fellow Countrymen, the Author is well aware ; and as his residence in .the Country, enables him to add considerably to the vast fund of know- ledge already ascertained, he trusts, that his endeavour to furnish A Complete History of New South Wales, will meet with gene- ral approbation. If in the perusal of this Work, the refined mind finds but a few mo- ments pleasure, in following the interesting Narratives respecting the Natives or Colonists ; or if he is beguiled of one tear of sensibility, in Commisserating the sorrows or sufferings, of his innocent or guilty fellow creatures, the end of the Author will be answered : for though, alas ! he has formerly wandered in the paths of error, he trusts, that now he has felt the kind hand of patronizing favour, he may be looked upon as a Man endeavouring to do well, and hopes the promotion he has received, will be the means of enabling him to effect, some good in the remnant of his life, to counter-balance that proneness to evil which is ever, too attendant on the Human Creature. INTRODUCTION. 1 he important advantages, which' will conti- nually result to the Mother Country, from New South Wales, renders it of sufficient consequence to make the slightest information sought after with anxious avidity — nor is it a matter of surprise. — The Climate is healthy, the Soil good, and the very Bowels of the Earth is fraught with inexhaustible treasures; it con- tains Iron, Copper, and Coals; while the exterior abounds in Wood, and the Fruits, which are vari- ous, reach the summit of perfection, these ad- vantages will accelerate the growing importance of the Trade and Commercial Interest of the Country, while Bays and Harbours offer their sheltering protection to Ships. Yet considerable as these advantages are, they are very far surpassed, by the School the English Colony forms, for the Correction of those un- fortunate Human Beings, who, urged by various depraved motives, forfeit the protection of the Laws they have failed to observe ; it is much to J)e lamented, that the number of Objects thus INTRODUCTION. exiled is so great, while it is highly honourable in a Government to afford, even these outcasts, an opportunity of being serviceable to the state, and by their own good conduct, ulti- mately to themselves. — To the original Projec- tor of the Colony, (Lord Sydney) the Public are under great obligations, and no doubt can now arise of its success. — Though it must prove painful to- observe, that many sent to New South Wales, continued incorrigible — yet, on the contrary, some in the infancy of the Colony, will be found reforming rapidly, and the penitence of a few, cannot be but accept- able to Man, since in Heaven there is joy over even one sinner that truly repents. In executing the History of New South Wales, I mail avail myself of all my materials, under a regular series of Chapters ; first tracing the Discovery, then the Nature, Customs, and Manners of its original Inhabitants, from that I mall proceed to the Plan for settleing the Co^ lony, its Foundation and Progress to the present Time ; and lastly, the Natural History of the Island, thus endeavouring to present a Complete Whole, . THE HISTORY OF NEW SOUTH WALES CHAP. I. In contemplating the origin, rise, and fall of nations, the mind is alternately filled with a mixture of sacred pain and pleasure. And while the ¥ minds eye," views the prosperous state of this infant country, it can hardly refrain, taking an excursive glance at the United States of America, and at the same time, find itself, obliged to acknowledge, that it must prove equally great, and ardently hope, it will prove abundantly more grateful, to the mother coun- try. The beautiful and fertile island of New South Wales, is ascertained to be the largest in the world, and formerly supposed to be part of that imagi- nary continent, called Terra Australis Incognita, lies between 10 degrees 30 minutes, and 43 degrees South latitude, and between 110 and 8 HISTORY OF 153 degrees 30 minutes East longitude, ex- tending in all as much, as the whole continent of Europe, the Eastern coast running not less than 2000 miles in length from North-East to South-West. Its dimensions from East to West has not been s the Yoo-lahng, they pass the boys, then throwing away the grass tails, each takes up a boy and carries him off to the next scene, which is opened by several laying on the ground. The boys are then made to stand together ; at each end sits a man on the stump of a tree, with his arms extended : as the boys make towards these, the men begin to stare and loll out their tongues; the boys are now led over the men3 who then make a noise like thunder at a great distance. This is meant to make them brave men. The whole party then stop and the boys are set down. At the same time the performers, arm with spear and shield, the whole then poise and present their spears, at every third stroke which one gives his sheild with a club, who stands in the centre. This is to ihew the use of the spear to the youths. The scene that follows, is the ceremony of knocking out the tooth. A native sits on the grass, and a lad is seated on his shoulders. Now the mystic bone is produced to lance the gum, for which purpose it is made NEW SOUTH WALES, 15 sharp ; a stick is then with great ceremony cut at some distance from the end, and laid on a tree, then three aims are taken before it is struck, when the gum is cut, the operator puts the sharp point of the stick on the tooth, and with a stone in the other hand, *after making- three aims, he hits the stick, and out falls the tooth, generally as perfect as if drawn by a dentist. The lad is then taken away, that the gum may be healed by his friends, who dress him as he must for some time appear; which dress, consists of a girdle a wooden sword, and a ligature round his head ; for that day, he must neither eat or speak, and his left hand must be kept up to his mouth. It is deemed honourable to bear this operation without any sign of dissatisfaction, hut for fear all should not have fortitude enough to bear it, the assistants make a great noise. It is curious that the sufferer adds to his own name that of the person, on whose shoulders he sits to have the operation performed. The ceremony being ended, and the youths all dressed alike, they sit down, and on a sud- den given signal, they rise and rush into the town, which is just by, and drive every- body before them. These are now allowed to use the spear and shield, and accepted as men. One good quality these people certainly pos- sess, which is, that if a man and his wife, on any occasion quarrel, no one takes the least notice of it, each present minds his own business without casting even a look, at the wrangling- 1.6 kiSTOitf ot pair. This is, perhaps, one of the best lesson^ these savages afford to civilized society ; and in this instance, the children of nature shew more sense than those of refinement. The men fish with a fish-gig, or spear, which they are very qbxterous in the use of. The fish- gig is about twelve feet long, which they can lenghten by joints, according to the depth of the water. At the end they have two, three, or four barbed prongs, with a hook of a fish or other bone ;•; sometimes, in fine weather, a man will lay across his canoe with his face in or near the water, and his fish-gig ready for darting : thus they watch for prey, and seldom miss their aim. The women are employed in the canoes with lines and hooks ; the lines are made of the bark of trees, the hooks, like those used by the men, are made of bits of shells and birds talons, in one of their miserable canoes, which is seldom more than six inches from the surface of the water, washing the edge nearly in surf, which would frighten many seamen in a good vessel, the youngest child, if very small, lies in its mother's lap, from whence it cannot fall, though she is busy fishing, as she sits in the bottom of the canoe, with her knees up to her breast ; thus, between her knees and body, the child is secure. The men also dive and procure fish from the rocks under water, where they often remain a considerable time; when rising, to the surface they throw on shore what they have gained, to a person who attends to dress it by broiling on a fire kept ready for the purpose. ' NEW SOUTH WALES. 17 They have a curious way of catching birds. A native, will in the heat of the sun lay down as if asleep, holding a bit of fish in his hand; the bird seeing the bait, seizes on the fish, and the native then catches it. The spirit of retaliation, and ideas of honor they entertain, produces some singular circum- stances, of which the following is one:' A native of Botany Bay had been beaten by two natives of another tribe, one of these was in return to be beaten by him; for this purpose a party attended over night at the edge of a stream, near the settlement, to dance, which they continued doing till past twelve o'clock : the man who was to be beat danced with the rest, and then lay down among them. The next morning, while he was asleep at the foot of a tree, the one who was to beat him and an- other armed with spears and clubs, rushed on him; one threw his spear at him, but missed his objecl:, when the other gave him two blows with his club. This awoke him, he got up, but being unarmed, he sorrowfully hung down his head; no more blows were given, and his enemy Aviped the blood from his wounds with some grass : after this they were friends, for having satisfied his revenge he forgot the injury he formerly received. The great trouble they have in obtaining fire makes them seldom be without it; when it so happens, a number seat themselves in a circle, and as it is a work of great labour each takes a *48 HISTORY OF turn when the other is tired. It is performed by fixing the ' cylindrical piece of wood in a hollow made in a plane, the round part is then twirled round swiftly between both the hands, sliding them up and down, and thus it goes round till the wished-for fire is produced. The men ' «ften singe the beard, which is deemed qrfe of* the most painful operations they can undergo. These people, whose natural capacity so little can be urged in favour of, display in some cases extraordinary ingenuity, for various ■ figures have been discovered, cut on the surface of large stones, representing themselves in dif- ferent attitudes, their canoes, fish, and animals; and when that rudeness of the instruments, they must necessarily have used is considered, they exhibit perhaps, generally speaking, as strong likenesses as many portraits painted by our own artists in England. The natives had no conception of boiling water originally, for when the crew of a boat were boiling some fish, a native, while our *\ people were at a little distance, put his hand in to get some fish, and was of course sxalded, and: > much astonished. Both the male and female natives are particu- larly filthy in their food, indeed they care not what they devour, even the vermin from the head and maggots from trees they deem a great relish ; and not content with what may come in their way by chance, they throw pieces of NEW SOUTH WALES. 19 wood at the end of a line into the water to cat eh worms, maggots, and other vermin. Though a trivial offence in their ideas jus- tifies the murder of each other, they highly reprobate the* crime, when committed ..without what they esteem a just cause, an4the relations of the slain seek redress by retaliation. The colour of the natives, is by no means uniform, some are of a copper' colour, while others are perfectly black, but so filthy are they in their persons that their appearance is gene- rally that of dirty black ; when first born the skin is of a red hue, which in a few weeks turns to the colour of the parents, and then it never changes again. *tyf h yi/lQ o f / N ^ > , ^ £ ^0&/ IN- DWELLINGS. Those who repose on the soft pillow of ease will doubtless pity the situation of these savages, to the regular-built house, the protecting door, and the refreshing bed they are equally strangers. The miserable huts in which these people exist are made of the barks of trees, placed with both ends on the ground. Those near the' coast are larger than those in the woods, which are generally formed only of one bark, .-and shelter one person, while the large ones hold five or six. At the mouth of each dwelling is, in most cases a nest of insects, drawn together by the bones and remnants of their foc-d, and close to the hut is the fire which renders it smokey. Accidents by lire are frequent, many burn 20 HISTORY OF their toes and legs while asleep, and so very difficult are they to awaken, that a child is often seriously burnt while sleeping in the arms of the mother. Excavations in the rocks, also serve them for dwellings, which affords them protection, from both wind and rain ; in these caves they rniK without discrimination, and if undisturbed enjoy the comforts of sleep. These people certainly, have fewer ideas of building any place to shelter them from the weather than,,. any savages ever discovered, for those who build the bark huts, ard Very few compared to the whole, General!^ speaking, they prefer the ready made habitations they find in the rocks, which perfectly accords with the roving manner in which they live, for they never stay long in one situation, and as they travel in tribes together, even making the bark huts would engage them more time than they would be happy on one spot. CHILDREN. Among the natives of this country, neither the midwife, or man- mid wife, would find any employ, for females receive no assistance, and women only are suffered to be present, as the children are suffered to come into the world by the efforts of nature, and it is by no means un- common to see the woman a few hours after her deli very walking about as usual. The new born infant js carried about a bhort time by the mo- ther on a piece of bark, till it acquires strength NEW SOUTH WALES. gl enough to set on her shoulders with its legs round her neck, and lay hold of her hair to keep itself up. The children are named after some fish, bird, or beast. At an early age they have the ornaments of the hair added to them, as well as those of clay onthdskin. JUVENILE SPORTS. The sports of the native children are minia- ture exhibitions of the exercisers of men, from an early age they practise the throwing the spear and defending themselves from it ; and almost from eight years old till they realize the scene, they amuse themselves with stealing the females, as their fathers have formerly their mothers, and treating them little better. These are the sports of the youths ; but they are em- ployed assisting in fishing and the chase at an early age. Children feel themselves capable of receiving an insult, for even if at play a blow or push of greater force than seems requisite is given, they return one of the same kind with an equal spirit of retaliation as the men. The children have a talent for mimicry, in which they take great delight ; the air of a soldier, the importance of an officer, the skulking way of lazy convicts, indeed every thing that passes they mimic with great exactness, and if they succeed in endea- vouring to please, and draw forth the smile of approbation, they laugh themselves immoder- ately. 22 HISTORY OF DISPOSITIONS. Lavater himself would undoubtedly have been at a loss to assign, any general national character in a case like the present, for the dispositions of 'these people are paradoxi- cal ; they are brutal and generous, selfish and liberal, revengful and forgiving, jealous and unsuspecting, courageous and cowardly, open and cunning; with all these powerful opposi- tions it is hard to give any general idea of. na- tional character, at least any of a favourable kind. Their partiality to revenge by murder, must ever be detestable to refined nations, as well as the cruel manner in which men behave to the women; yet they have constancy to en- dure pain, and courage to fight either singly or in the field. There is little reason to . suspect they were honest before we came among them, or if they were, they (like too many others, when opportunity offers) soon became, expert theives. No strangers to falsehood and its effects on the minds of others, they endeavour to impress all they say as truth, by earnestly wishing us to believe that all we hear from others is false. They are not insusceptible of friendship or of sorrow, but neither is lasting ; even the love of themselves extends no further than the present instant, they know not of to-morrow. They eat and sleep, they awake and seek food, though it is. not uncommon to mafce the female sit in new South wales. 23 their canoe to catch fish while they sleep : thus at once shewing their absolute power and indo- lence. The kind submissive way in which they be- have, on meeting any of our people armed, would make any stranger think hiruself ^mong his friends, but if he meets the sam^people^^hen: without arms, he is nearly sure of being killed. They have some little knowledge of astro- nomy, but of the form of the earth they have none; and the sun they imagine returns by night from the journey of the day. The respect they pay to old age, from what- ever cause it may arise, is a credit to them, and they carry this to a great height if the object happens to be blind, for in that case nobody is suffered to stand before him, and when rowed in a canoe, the rower is obliged to sit behind him. Taking them thus, " with all their imperfec- tions on their heads," we have a right to presume that when equally enlightened, they may be- come equally possesed of those refined qualifica- tions, which at present, render Europeans their superiors. DRESS. The females at an early age wear a little apron, made from the skin of the opposum, or kangaroo cut into slips, and hanging a few inches from the waist; this they wear till they grow up and are taken by men, and then they example themselves. The men and i*©tten%eldom wear any thing 24 HISTORY OF are left off: this is truly savagei It is curious that those parents who think ar|y clothing de- cent for their children, should afterwards suffer them to go in a state of nature. by setting the on v them, and tl^'ugh Rothes have often been giveii'them; theyfcre always thrown away. Some few who #re in the habit of being much among us, do now fie a kind of bandage round the waist ; :but these are so kw as by no means to entitle them to be considered as any thing more than a nation of nasty naked savages. PROPERTY. That happiness is obliged to result from pro- perty, is by no means true, for few savages have less to call their own, than those of New South Wales, and yet they are perfectly happy; thisarises from only seeking what is requisite to satisfy na- ture, and any thing more they will not keep; thus the property these people possess are their canoes, spears, shields, clubs, hatchets, fish-gigs, and lines ; but some have informed us of hereditary property which they have retained undisturbed. The Goat Island, (called by them Me-mel,) close to Sydney Cove, was said to be the pro- perty of Ben-nil-long's father ; on our settling there he called it his, and took great pleasure in heing there with his wife. NEW SOUTH WALES. 25 LANGUAGE. The impossibility of giving any perfect idea of a savage language induces' -rjie to abandon such an attempt, but as many:) of the natives' words must of necessity be introduced, they will be explained as they occur*. The language certainly affords to the ear in many cases an agreeable harmony, ,and as they generally suit their " actions to their words," they are more intelligible than might be ex- pected, it is however to be lamented, that in these endeavours to be understood, they too often lay aside " the modesty of Nature," and thus they disgust and please at the same in- stant. The natives imitate any thing said by the English very correctly, indeed so much so, that they have even sung songs after our people, though on the contrary we do not find it an easy task to imitate them. WEAPONS. n Weapons for offensive and defensive war^ fare, as well as for fishing and the chase, have at all times been found with savages. Spears, throwing sticks, fish-gigs, shields, and clubs are their weapons. E 2$ lilSTORY OF Of the spear they have eight sorts, exclusive offish-gigs, for each of which they have a sepa- rate name, differing only for the purpose of distinguishing the number of barbed points. In the use of these, they are very expert, often hiting the object they aim at, from a dis- tance of 50, 60, and 70 feet. The throwing stick, is used in discharging the spear. This instrument is from 2 to 3 feet in length, with a shell on one end, and a hook on the othe*r. They have two sorts of shields, one made of bark and the other of solid wood. Of clubs they have various sorts, some are very large and long, which strike with such violence, as often to fracture the skull, and always bring a woman to the ground. The stone hatchet must by no means be for- got, as this has proved the most dreadful to our people. The stone which forms the head is fastened to the wooden handle with gum. Their instruments are generally ornamented with carved work, executed in the best stile they are capable of, and painted with red and white clay in the same way, as they decorate their persons. FUNERAL RITES. Among every class of human beings, death has a serious effect on the mind, and every na- NEW SOUTH WALES. 27 Vion, either civilized or savage, has a ceremony particularly solemn for the occasion ; whether this arises from the knowledge of revealed religion with the enlightened, or from the finer feelings of a savage, who knows that he can enjoy no future comforts, with a person jie may have been accustomed to live, it is equally enti$edv to our respect, for it has an almost e!|ual" effect on the mind, and I am confident, lliat the heart of a savage in New South Wales generally feels an anguish on such occasions that would do infinite credit to a polished European. Those who die young, are consigned to the grave, but those who have paffed the middle age are burnt. Previous to the body being either buried or burnt, it is carried about in a canoe on mens* shoulders, preceded by others who carry tufts of grass in their hands ; the head of the corpse is carried foremost, and when it paffes any hut the deceased has been accustomed to frequent, a child is taken up in the arms of a man and pre- sented towards the corpse as a mark of respect. When the body reaches the place of interment, it is deposited in a grave about six inches deep, strewed with grass and leaves ; on laying the corpse in the grave great care is taken to place it so that the sun may look at it as he passes. The grave is then covered in, and boughs and grass laid on the top, and over that they lay a log of wood. Thus every rite performed, some of the men lay an injunction on the women to 28 HISTORY OF prevent their eating any fish or meat that day. During the whole ceremony, the name of the deceased is. never mentioned, and the night after, two natives sit up to watch the grave. And when the body is to be burnt, the cere- mony is the same till it reaches the grave, in which is laid twigs and brush-wood, large logs being piled round it, about three feet high ; some grass h spread over the pile, the body js then put on it, with its head to the North ; logs of wood arc then placed over the Avhole, which is instantly set fire to and consumed. The next day the ashes are raked together, co- vered with mould, over which is placed the bark of a tree. They have a truly horrid accompaniment to these ceremonies, when a mother leaves a young child, and no one can be found to nurse and suckle it, which is, for the father, or nearest re- lation, to place the child in the grave directly after the mother, and dashing a large stone on the infant, the grave is instantly covered up by the natives, and thus both are burnt together. To this cause may be partly assigned the great want of population among the natives. This cruel ceremony is however never per- formed if any nurse can be found, or any person will engage to become its father, though its real father is alive : a man thus agreeing to become a father to the child, in case of the mother's death, reminds me nearly of what we call godfathers, only with this t^ruly essential NEW SOUTH WALES. QQ difference; that the savage godfathers, as I shall call them, of New South Wales, really do their duty, while the European godfathers, like greater savages, let them, generally speaking, take their chance in the world. GOVERNMENT. The natives live in a state of Nature au$ acknowledge one authority. They are divided into families, and the senior exacts compliance from the rest. This was soon discovered after our arrival, for when we met a family unknown to us the oldest advanced to speak to us, and to these old men they apply the name of (Be-anna) or father, by which name they called Governor Phillip, and all those, they saw our people pay obedience to. When any of these elders came among us, it was instantly wispered, with an eagerness which drew our attention, and im- pressed on our minds an idea that we beheld some one of consequence. Each of the families into which the natives are divided, have a nominal place of residence though they seldom stay long there at one time, and from this is derived the tribes name. The tribe of Cam- mer- ray, is the most power- ful and numerous, obliging the others to do as they like ; they are more robust than the others, and it is this tribe who are the operators in ex- tracting the tooth, from the natives. 30 HISTORY OF All great contests are decided, when these persons of the Cam-mer-ray tribe are present. - Yet all this respect, the other inhabitants pay to those of Cam-mer-ray, seems to arise from their vast superiority of numbers ; and this is not the only part of the world where numbers have gained- power over few; but seldom are they llke^he Cam-mer-ray tribe content, with the tribute of a single tooth from each of the van- squished. J RELIGION. Most countries have a religion of some kind, but the inhabitants of New South Wales have naturally none; they have no ob- ject on their minds that impels them to good actions or deters them from bad ; they have aeon- fused idea of a future state, but it by no means affects their actions. Some think they go over the great water, meaning the sea, when they die, and others expect to go to the skies where they came from, and that in the shape of little children, in which shape they will re-appear in this world at some future time. That they well know the differ- ence between right and wrong, as far as concerns this world, is evident, for if any body does them an injury the exclaim wee-re (bad) ; but if any person does them a service bood-jer-re (good). This proves they not only understand a differ- ence, but have words to express it. NEW SOUTH WALES. $1 DISEASES. In all ages diseases have been the compa- nions of mortals, and the natives of* New South Wales have their share ; most nations kavg:their cures, and all attempt to cure the maladies by which they suffer. A pain in the belly, they cured formerly by breathing on the hand tQ warm it and applying it to the part affected, singing a suitable song to the occasion, and keep- ing the mouth near the affected part, frequently stopping to blow on it, and making a noise, after blowing, like the barking of a dog ; but our settling there rendered this useless, as tincture of rhubarb saves this trouble. In 1789, a disorder in appearance like the small-pox, raged with incredible violence. Some Gentlemen of the colony took a native to the beach to find his former companions, and so much, did his agony and expression affect them, that it will never be effaced from their minds ; with an anxious eve he searched round every cove, no print of a human foot was to be seen on the sand ; the caves in the rocks were now the tombs of the dead, and not one living soul was to be seen — all had flown — in the silent agony of grief he lifted up his hands, and then exclaimed, " all dead ! all dead !" and in mournful sorrow again hung down his head, nor dfd he lift it up again during the excursion. 32 HISTORY OF This poor fellow at length suffered the fate of his companions, for on some of the natives* being brought to the Colony, he caught the disease -end died. With such violence did this disorder rage, that the country seemed desolate, and one;whle tribe of natives were swept off except , three persons. It is1 remarkable that though Sydney was full of children at tb^t time, and they visited >those natives that were ill, not one caught it. Those on the coast have a disorder very much like the itch, sometimes it is very general; in 1791, it raged so much that many came to the colony in a shocking state, and every native seen, had it with more or less violence. The venereal disease, there is every reason to imagine they ^vere not ignorant of before they knew us, but if they were, our arrival will account for its appearance shortly after, though every care on the part of the Governor was taken to prevent it. However an inter- course between the people soon took place, a native, woman had a child by a white man; but perceiving the child incline more to white, than the colour of her other children, she held the little unfortunate over the fire in the smoke, rubbing dirt and oil over its body, to give it the wished-for hue. When they have a pain in any part, they tie a ligature very tight round the part, and thu3 stopping the circulation of the blood, give ease to the part affected. STEW SOUTH WALES. SUPERSTITION. That these people should be superstitious must be naturally expected; they are certainly superior to brutes, and all those in the raterrae- diate steps from ignorance to knowledge must ever be so, and perhaps there are many who value their own refined knowledge, that are not totally free from this weakness. The Cam- mer*ray car-rah-dy (priest) who performed the operation of producing the bone in the tooth- drawing ceremony, would alone establish the fact, but others as strong can be produced. A native who had been wounded by a spear met with one of these conjurors before it was Well, who made him believe he had still the barb in his side ; however to shew his vast power, he pretended to take out what was not there, and sent the poor fellow away satisfied with his great importance. One of the female natives who lived in the Colony had been out and returned ill, though nothing seemed to be the matter with her; but she said one of the Cam-mer-ray women had made water in a path, she was obliged to come over, and this made her ill ; however it had such an effect on her weak mind that she did not recover, though Mr. White kindly bled her in the arm ; but the disease which superstition caused was overcome by the same weakness, which was effected by her being placed on the F 34 HISTORY OF ground, and a string tied round her head, the other end of the line was taken by a girl, who rubbed her lips with it till they bled ; this she spit into some water on one side of her, while the poor girl round whose head the string went, imagined; it came from her, conveyed by the string;'*.-' They never broil fish at night, because they think the wind will blow a contrary way to what they .want it. They will not whistle under a rock, having a tradition, that some of the natives did, while feasting under one, and it fell from a great height and crushed them to death. After these it is hardly requisite to say, that they believe in spirits. An apparition, they say, advances slowly, with its hand in a line with its face, and seizes the person it intends to visit by the throat. The repository of the dead, and even the darkness of the night are too powerful for their fears. Those indeed who can encounter these seem- ing perils, are esteemed proper persons to be- come Car-rah-dys. The shooting of a star, and thunder and light- ning they fear much. LOVE AND MARRIAGE. Those who delight in sentimental love tales, will probably be disgusted with the male na- NEW SOUTH WALES. 35 lives of New South Wales, for their conduct to women renders them considerably inferior to the brute creation ; indeed nothing but having promised to give a faithful account of all their customs, induces me to state what I now find become my duty. Strangers to the finer passions, they seek only the gratification of their brutal desires, yet like other savages they have customs peculiar to themselves on these occasions. In obtaining a female partner the first step they take, romantic as it may seem, is to fix on some female of a tribe at (enmity with their own, this done, the lover, as we must now esteem him, seeks to find his intended unprotected by her friends, when he steals upon the unsuspecting woman. The monster then stupifies her with blows, which he inflicts with his club, on her head, back, neck, and indeed every part of her body, then snatching up one of her arms, he drags her, streaming with blood from her wounds, through the woods, over stones, rocks, hills, and logs, with all the violence and determination of a savage, till he reaches his tribe, when a scene takes place with the relation of which, I shall neither stain my pages, or offend the reader. The woman thus violated becomes the wife of the ravisher, and is admitted into her husband's tribe. The tribe of the female, by the favourite plan of retaliation, redress this outrage, but the female herself seems contented, and seldom, leaves her husband or his tribe for another. 56 HISTORY OF The women are kept in the greatest subjection by the men. If a tribe is travelling and meets any of our people, the women are made to re~ tire to a distance, from which they are not suffered to advance till ordered ; and on any oc- casion the slightest offence given to the husband is punished with the blow of the club, which never fails to cause a stream of blood, and very often a fractured skull : yet this inhuman prac- tice appears rather to strengthen the wife's at- tachment than weaken it, and the very wounds are shewn as marks of honour. In some very few cases, the wives return this usage, and after such an engagement they live together the same as before. The analogy there is between savages and the lower classes of people in all countries, is here too obvious to escape attention. The men do not confine themselves to one wife, but the women revenge this by retaliation, and often by murder. That the females are not devoid of art, the fol- lowing anecdote will form a pleasing illustra- tion : A female fell in love with the great coat of the Governor, and used a variety of means to obtain it; she first danced, playing many antic tricks ; this not effecting it, she attacked the Governor with tears, and this failing, she ceased and then became as merry as any around her. Though chastity is not one of the virtues they boast, there are some few who seem ashamed to NEW SOUTH WALES. 3/ be naked before us ; though when among the natives they are indifferent in this respect. That even genuine love in all its native purity has been discovered among them, the reader will be convinced by the following little narrative, which happened in the neighbourhood of Paramatta, and I am well acquainted with the young man, who belonged to a tribe near Paramatta, he was about twenty three years old, had two sisters, one about twenty and the other only fourteen. One day when he returned from hunting the kangaroo, his sisters did not meet him as usual on his approach to the cave, so imagining they were gone to procure water or roots, he without going in, being fatigued, sat down at the foot of a tree to wait their return. The sun was now withdrawing itself, and the dark mantle of night with rapid strides began to cover the horizon ; now the vivid lightning with its forked forms bespoke the impending storm ; in a few moments the rain poured ra- pidly clown and drove my hero from the foot of the tree to his cave, but scarce had he reached it before another flash of lightning shewed to his distressed eyes the form of his youngest sister bleeding on the ground ; troubled as he was before at the warring of the elements, his agony was now increased ten-fold; kneeling down he endeavoured to make her rise; but alass ! she was incapable of hearing him, for she was senseless : discovering this he hastened to procure, a little water, and as he washed her face with it she returned to life. — "Oh ! my dear 38 HISTORY OF brother, cried she, our sister is torn from us, and I narrowly escaped being murdered for try- ing to prevent it; the wretch after beating her with his club, caught np one arm to drag her out of our cave, and I laid hold of the other to detain her, but the instant the brute saw this, with one blow of his club he knocked me to the ground, where you have now found me." As she ended this narrative the tears run down her cheeks, and her brother could not refrain ac- companying her, meditating revenge, and plan* ning its execution ; they passed the night in me- lancholy conversation, and soon as the returning sun enabled them, they sought together the tribe of the offender. After a journey quicks ened by haste to revenge, they reached the neighbourhood of the tribe they sought; when at a little distance, he saw the sister of the very savage who had stolen his sister, she was leaving her tribe to pick up some sticks for a fire ; (this was indeed a fine opportunity for revenge) so niaking his sister hide herself, he flew to the young woman and lifted up his club to bring her to the ground, and thus satisfy his revenge. The victim trembled, yet knowing his power she stood with all the fortitude she could, lift> ing up her eyes they, came in contact with his, tfnd such was the enchanting beauty of her form that he stood an instant motionless to gaze ou it. The poor thing saw this, and dropped on her knees to implore his pity, but before she could speak, his revenge softened into love; he threw down his club, and clasping her in his NEW SOUTH WALES. 3j) arms vowed eternal constancy ; his pity gained her love, thus each procured a mutual return. Then calling his sister, she would have exe- cuted her revenge, but for her brother; who told her she was- now his wife. On my hero asking after his sister, his new wife said she was very ill but would soon be better; and she excused her brother because the means he had taken were the customary ones of procuring a wife : " but you," said she, " have more white heart, (meaning he was more like the English) you no beat me ; me love you ; you love me ; me love your sisters; your sisters love me; my brother no good man." This artless address won both their hearts, and now all three live in one hut, which I enabled them to make com- fortable, within half a mile of my own house. I have taught all three to read decently, and hope they will continue to cherish those seeds of virtue I have laboured to impress on their minds. This little anecdote I have given as the young man related it to me; it affected me much, and perhaps I have lost much of the simplicity. The females of New South Wales are in many cases found to be at the head of the quarrels, and in these they mix with the men and do their part in the battle, indeed on some settled contests the women begin the affray. It is to this fondness for masculine avocations, that must be attributed the many quarrels which continually happen among them, 40 HISTORY OF CHAR II. 1 o carry into effect the sentences of Criminal Courts, which assigns to convicted guilt, a tem- porary or total exile from the country whose laws it violates, the English Government deemed New South Wales a proper spot to found a Colonial Establishment for the purpose. In the year 1786, the Commissioners of the Navy contracted for a number of vessels to . convey convicts to Botany Bay. The ships for the transports were properly fitted up, and the store ships had provisions for two years, and tools of every description put on board. Capt. Authur Philip hoisted a pendant on board the SiriusofSO guns, 520 tons burden, lying at Deptford, on the 24th of October, John Hunter Esq. was appointed as a Second Captain to her, for as Capt. Philip was to hold the high office of Governor over the intended Colony, a Second Captain was requisite to command her in his absence. As the Sirius was going on particular service she was not confined in her establishment, having 2 captains, 3 lieutenants, a master, purser, surgeon and two mates, a boatswain, gunner, and a detachment of marines The Supply brig was commissioned as an armed tender, commanded by Lieutenant NEW SOUTH WALES. 41 Henry Lidgbird Ball. The Sirius with this ship completed their equipment, and droped down from Deptford to Long Reach, on the 10th of December, and there took in powder, guns, and other stores. Some transports here joined them, and on the 30th of January, 1787, on the ar- rival of orders, they sailed for Spithead, but owing to foul weather did not reach it till the latter end of February. On the 5th of March the orders for embarkation arrived, and then to join the other ships at Mother-bank, after tak- ing the convicts and troops on board. On the 7th of March, Capt. Phillip came to command his fleet, at the Mother- bank, wishing to lose yno time as the wind now served. The signal $Qr sailing was made on Thursday the 10th; sohie of the men wishing to be paid up to the time of their sailing, demurred to proceed, so that Captain Phillip ordered such as refused to be put on board the Hyaena frigate, and to have in exchange the same number of her crew, and as she was to accompany the fleet to a given distance, they might be re-exchanged. This obstacle being removed, and the crews of the SiHus and Supply having received the usual two months advance of wages, the men of war and some transports got under sail to drop clown to St. Helen's and proceed to sea, but were un- able to pass through the needles till the next morning. 42 HISTORY OF The following are the vessels names, their tonnage, and the number of persons they had on board destined for the Colony; Name. Tons. Males. Females. Children. Total. Prince of Wales 334 35 50 85 Charlotte - • . 346 134 20 154 Lady Penrhyn 33S 7 101 108 Scarborough 418 240 240 Alexander 453 229 229 Friendship Snow 228 122 49 27 198 Store Ships Fish bourne 378 Borrodale 272 Golden Grove 331 1 2 3 Total 3098 7^8 222 27 1017 and the Sirius had on board the Major Com- mandant of the Marines, who was Lieutenant- Govenor of the Colony, the Adjutant and Quarter-Master, the Judge-Advocate, Capt. Collins, and the Commissary ; with 1 serjeant, 3 drummers, 7 privates, 4 women, and a few artificers. All the transports as well as the ships of war, were stored in every part with provisions, im- plements of agriculture, clothing for the con- victs, &c. &c. To prevent any separation, Capt. Phillip esta- blished day and night signals, and he allowed the Masters, to suffer a niunber of convicts to come upon deck in the day time, for the preser- vation of their health. The Lady Penrhyn and the Charlotte proved heavy sailors, but to pre- vent a separation, the Sirius shortened sail every NEW SOUTH WALES. 43 evening, and during the night carried a light in the main-top. On the 15th they found five persons were left behind, to supply which loss as many men came from the Hyaena. On the 16th they cleared the Channel. Four days had not expired from leaving the Channel, when a mutiny was discovered, by one of the convicts. Capt. Phillip ordered the two principles to be brought on board the Sirius, where they had two dozen lashes each. The Hyaena was now sent off with letters for England, but the five men lent for those left behind, chose rather to proceed with the fleet than return. On the '24th they made the latitude of Cape Ortugal. The Supply was now ordered to keep six miles a head in the day, and two during the night, as they expected to see land the next day, which proved the case, as early next morning the signal to that effect was made by her, and at noon they were by the rocks called the Deser- ters; and on the 31st off the Canary Islands, distant about three leagues from Madeira. On the 3d of June they saw the Island of Teneriffe a-head, and at spven in the evening the fleet came to an anchor in the road of Santa Cruz. While we lay here, one Powers, a convict, made his escape from the Alexander in a small boat ; he was however retaken and kept in irons. Hav- ing finished getting provisions and water, on the 10th the fleet got under weigh, on the 15th they crossed the Tropic of Cancer with a steady wind. On the 14th of July the fleet crossed the Equator, in the 26th degree of East 44 HISTORY OF Longitude ; and only two accidents happened in their passage to the Brazils, a seaman fell overboard and was drowned, and a female con- vict was killed by a boat falling off the booms. On the 2d of August the Coast of South Ame- rica was in sight, and on the 4th they anchored within the Islands at the entrance of the harbour of Rio de Janerio. The passage from Teneriffe, though a long one, was attended with no disease. During their stay here the convicts had an allowance of rice, oranges, and vegetables, and every care was taken to enable them to with- stand the scurvy; and during the whole passage the Rev. Mr. Johnson performed duty every Sunday. On Tuesday, the 4th of September, the Har- bour-master took charge of the Sirius over the bar, from this to Friday, the 14th, the wind blew hard, when it became calm till the 16th, and then it again sprung up, but by the Lady Penrhyn and other transports inattention to sig- nals we could not make sail in time. On the 19th a convict was drowned by falling over- board. On the 4th of October thirty convicts were reported to be ill, some of them danger- ously. Four seamen from the Alexander, were sent on board the Sirius, for having entered into a combination to release some of the convicts, while the ship should be at the Cape of Good Hope. On the 13th, the fleet came to anchor in Table Bay ; on the 15th Governor Phillip, and the principal Officers went on shore, to pay their respects to the Governor of the Cape of NEW SOUTH WALES. 45 Good Hope, and to request those stores, seeds, &c. requisite. While the fleet lay here the carpen- ters prepared as many stalls for the reception of •cattle as room could be found for, and on the Sth of November, 3 mares, 3 colts, 1 stallion, 7 cows, 1 bull, 1 bull-calf, with a good assort- ment of sows, boars, goats, ewes, and rams, &c. were received on board the various ships as live-stock for the Colony. During this long- stay the whole fleet had the benefit of fresh pro- visions and vegetables. Every article wanted being now procured, on the 12th, by signal, they all weighed anchor. For some time after they left the Cape the wind blew fresh. Capt. Phillip on the 16th made known his intention of leaving the fleet, and going forward in the Supply, that he might arrive in time to fix on, and clear, a proper spot for the settlement, previous to the arrival of the remainder of the fleet. In consequence of this determination, on the 25th Capt. Phillip went on board the Sirius, and with the Alexander, Scarborough, and Friendship transports quitted the fleet. On the 4th of January, 1788, the Sirius made preparations for falling in with land. On Monday, the 7th, about ten in the forenoon, the fleet was 17 leagues from the South Cape of New Holland, and at five minutes past two the signal for seeing land was made. The Mewston and S willy Rocks soon became visible, and the fleet with fair weather stood along shore, distant only about three miles from New Holland. The Land now appeared high, rocky, and barren. 46 history oy,v Over the South Cape it seemed woody, the coast was irregular, with low points forming creeks and bays. The Golden Grove in the night of the 9th shipped a sea, with a confused heavy swell, though it was a calm at the time, which circumstance has occured .to other ships in nearly the same situation. On the following day, at two o'clock, a squall took the Sirius, arid did her considerable damage; the slowness of their progress along the coast made it the 19th before they reached the Red Point. In the even- ing they saw the entrance into Botany Bay, but too late for the transports to enter that night. In the course of the night the whole fleet was carried Southward as far as a clump of trsnj^ called Post-Down-Clump; but as a breezy sprung up, they soon regained the lost distance, and at ten minutes before eight in the morning, the Sirius came to an anchor in Botany Bay, and by nine o'clock all the transports were safe in. This voyage, on the termination of which many doubts must have arisen in the onset, was providentially compleated in eight months and a week, during which time, the fleet sailed 5021 leagues, and at length rested, only a few days sail from the antipodes of their native country, and during the whole passage only 32 had died, though many were sickly on leaving England. But the good quality of the provisions, aided by the refreshments they received at Rio d.e Ja- nerio and the Cape of Good Hope, rendered the fleet healthy. ? ZtX NEW SOUTH WALES. 47 On the Sirius anchoring, Captain Hunter was informed that the Supply only arrived two days previous to the fleet ; and the transports which sailed with the Supply only the day before. Governor Phillip had not lost an instant from the time he arrived, in searching for a proper spot to found the settlement; but to all he had yet seen there were many objections; indeed, a place could hardly be found big enough for all to sit down. The shore round Point Suther- land was good, but there no fresh water could be found except what came from a marsh. Port Jackson and Broken Bay were now to be exa- mined, for which purpose the Governor with Capt. Hunter, Captain Collins (the Judge Advo- cate,) a Lieutenant, the Master of the Sirius, and a few marines, embarked in 3 boats. The Governor leaving orders for clearing the ground at Point Sutherland in his absence. These 3 boats presently drew the attention of the natives, who as they went along the coast, shouted " warre, "warre, warre," (that is " go away, go away, go away,") though, those about Botany Bay by no means looked on them, as enemies either of their country or themselves. The coast round Port Jackson promised little, but disappointed them, by soon shewing, a fine harbour capable of affording ample security for a large fleet. On one of the coves of this, it was resolved to fix the Colony, and having examined it, the Governor and his party returned to Botany Bay. Lieut. King, in the absence of the Governor, found nothing to induce the latter, to alter the 48 HISTORY or determination he had made to fix at Port Jackson, and the removal would have taken place the next morning, had not two strange sail appeared about day light ; these surprized us, till we ascertained they were the Boussole and Astrolabe, on their return from a voyage of discovery from France, under M. de la Perouse. As Capt. Hunter was working the Sirius out of Botany Bay as M. de la Perouse entered, tbey had hardly time to speak. Gover- nor Phillip, with a party of artificers taken from the convicts and seamen of the Sirius, and a few marines, arrived at Port Jackson on the 25th, and on the next day, ground enough was cleared to encamp the Governor's guard. The convicts landed that morning near a stream of fresh water, at the head of a cove. On this first inhabited spot, from that time tranquillity ceased, and the foundation of a new country usurped the seat of silence. The whole party that had arrived, were assembled this evening on the point, where they landed, on which was erected a flag- staff, the Union- Jack was dis- played, and the marines fired several vollies ; between these, the healths of the Royal Family, and success to the New Colony, were drank by the Governor and Officers, and to conclude the evening, the Sirius and convoy, arrived from Botany Bay. Thus closed the voyage to New South Wales, with all the good fortune that could be wished, and with considerably more than might reasonably be expected. Next day the disembarkment commenced, and continued NEW SOUTH WALES. 4$ till all the convicts and troops were landed. The confusion that must take place on such an occasion, is hardly to be described, for literally speaking, every man stepped out of a boat into a wood ; various parties were variously em- ployed, few were seen, but most heard ; some clearing ground, some pitching tents, others bringing up stores, in short, confusion was the order of the day ; but as the woods were felled, and ground cleared, the encampments regularly extended, the whole bore something like form. The Governor's house, which was made of canvass, and brought over on purpose, was put up on the East side of Sydney Cove, and a small body of convicts were placed in tents near it. The marines were placed at the head of the cove, and on the West side the main body of convicts. The women disembarked on the 6th of February, when every person belonging to the settlement landed. Tents were provided for the sick, which number we found with concern increase ; the scurvey and dissentry now broke out and several died. Wild celery, spinage, and parsley grew about the settlement, which all were glad to use in their messes. The live stock was landed, on the East point of the cove, when having cropped the pasturage, they were removed, to the head of the adjoining cove, which was cleared for a farm, to be under the direction of a person, the Governor brought out. His Excellency ordered some ground on the East side of his house, to be cleared for the H 50 HISTORY OF purpose of receiving the plants, &c. from Rio- de- Janeiro and the Cape of Good Hope. They were then brought on shore, and in a short time every eye was gratified with seeing the 11 gv orange, pear, grape, and apple take root in New South Wales. The Governor ordered his Majesty's commis- sion, which appointed him to be, his " Captain General and Governor in Chief, in and over the Territory of New South Wales and its Depend- encies," to be read in public, together with the Letters Patent for establishing Civil and Cri- minal Courts in the territory, which was now found to extend from Cape York, the extre- mity of the coast to the North, in the latitude of 20°. 37;. South, to the South Cape, the Southern extremity of the coast, in the latitude of 43°. 39'. South, and inland to the Westward as far as 135°. of East longitude, comprehend- ing all the islands adjacent, in the Pacific Ocean within the latitude of the before mentioned Capes. The ceremony of reading these instruments was performed, with great dignity, by Captain Collins, the Judge Advocate, after which the Governor addressed himself to the convicts, and assured them, that he should ever be ready to encourage those who might deserve it; but, on the contrary, those who acted in opposition to propriety, would inevitably meet the punish- ment they deserved ; nor did he close without shewing them, how much it was both their duty NEW SOUTH WALES. 51 and interest, to forget the ways in which they had lived, and to become good, honest, and industrious members of the community. At the end of his affectionate address three vollies were fired, after which he received the honours due to his rank on the parade, and Entertained all the officers and gentlemen of the settlement under a tent pitched on purpose. On mustering the convicts in the morning, nine were found absent, for notwithstanding .every care that could be taken, so ignorant were they, that fearless of danger, some of them intrcated, but in vain, to be taken on board the French ships in Botany Bay. For want of proper persons being sent out to act as overseers, the convicts could not be kept to work, as those who overlooked them, were only such convicts as behaved well on the voyage, so that having participated in the vices of others, they had neither inclination or power to exact obedient conduct. Thefts now began to be discovered, and many tools secreted ; these evils resulted in a great measure, from the sailors bringing spirits on shore, which even punishment could not prevent. The Criminal Court, was assembled on the 11th of February, for the trial of prisoners. One for an assault, was sentenced to have 150 lashes ; the next for robbing another convict of biscuit, was to be confined on a rocky island for a week, on bread and water; and the third, for stealing a plank, as sentenced to receive 50 lashes, but was pardoned. 5% HISTORY OF It is too frequently found that mercy is abused, and that a merciful judge encreases the number of criminals; this was shortly ex- emplified, for in less than a month four more were tried for a still greater offence, which was robbing the store of provisions ; thus at once destroying the support of the whole, and at the very time/ when the officer and the convict had the same allowance of provisions. The charge being proved, one man, James Barrett, suffered death, his confederates were banished, and one sentenced to have 300 lashes was pardoned, and one who was tried the next day was pardoned on condition of becoming executioner to the colony. The Letters Patent, authorized proceeding in a more summary way than in the realms of Great Britain. The Criminal Court was to consist of the Judge Advocate, and six Officers of the Sea or Land Service, and to hear, deter- mine and punish all offences committed in the Colony, according to the laws of England. The charges to be exhibited in writing by the Judge Advocate, and witnesses to be examined on oath, both for and against the prisoner, and the court to adjudge whether guilty or not, by a majority ; but in cases of death there must be five concur in the opinion of his guilt, and the sentences so pronounced to have the effect of a verdict from a Jury, and the Provost Martial to cause the judgment of the Court to be exer cuted according to the Governor's warrant, NEW SOUTH WALES. 53 The Civil Court consists of the Judge Ad- vocate and two inhabitants of the settlement, appointed by the Governor, which Court hears and decides all pleas of lands, houses, debts, and contracts, and all personal pleas, with power to summon the parties*, to examine such complaint by witnesses on oath, and issue exe- cution under the hand of the Judge Advocate, and any body aggrieved may appeal to the.Go- vernor, and if the amount exceeds 3001. to the King himself in Council. This Cou rt has likewise a power to grant probates of wills and administra- tion of personal estates acquired in the country. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Judge Advocate are constituted Justices of the Peace, and the Governor is empowered to make such other persons Justices of the Peace as he may think proper. Augustus Alt, Esq. Surveyor General, was the first sworn into this office, to sit with the Judge Advocate and determine on, and punish such causes as were of two little importance to bring before a Criminal Court. Besides the other powers of the Governor, he was Vice- Admiral of the territory, and could as- semble Courts Martial, and confirm and set aside sentences. Capt. Collins, the Judge Ad- vocate to the Settlement, had also a warrant giving him the same important office to the marine detachment. The Lieutenant Governor is Judge of the Vice- Admiralty Court, for the trial of offences committed on the High Seas. 54 HISTORY OF Thus, effectual means were provided to punish offenders, and as the various Courts could be assembled when wanted, that loss of time and labour was saved, which would otherwise have taken place. The allowance of provisions was now the fol- lowing weekly ration, to each male 7lbs. of biscuit, lib.* of flour, 7lbs. of beef or 4lbs. of pork, 3. pints of pease, and 6 ounces of butter ; and two thirds of this quantity to the female convicts, which ought certainly to have af- forded of itself perfect security to the store : but the Government had to deal with those who no consequences, would deter from the commis- sion of crimes, and who no reward could induce to do right. As the safety of the stores, constituted the preservation of the colony, ground was cleared and houses began to hold them. This was done by the convicts, and as a temptation to work they had a quantity set them, which done, they were allowed time to collect materials to build huts for themselves, but this few profited by, prefering idleness, and many thinking to escape if they could get on board, daily visited the ships of the French in Botany Bay; but M. de la Perouse gave no countenance to their re- quests, but threatened to drive them away by force. In February the Supply sailed from Port Jackson, as the Governor was instructed, for the purpose of growing flax, to form a settle- NEW SOUTH WALES. 55 ment at Norfolk Island, on which expedition he sent Lieut. King, first making him a Justice of the Peace, as Commandant, a surgeon, a petty officer, two soldiers, nine male and six female convicts, and two persons who boasted a knowledge of the flax dressing business. They had likewise tools, farming implements, and provisions for six months. The situation of Norfolk Island is in latitude of 29°. South, and in longitude 160°. 10V East of Greenwich. Lieut. Daws, of the -Marines, Mas by the Board of Longitude ordered to make observa- tions in New South Wales, for Which purpose the Board sent out proper instruments, and shortly after their arrival an observatory was begun, under this Gentleman's direction. On a survey of the harbour being made by Captain Hunter, it was found to exceed the extent imagined to the Westward, and the country was found to be even better there than near the settlement, During this survey Capt. Hunter saw many of the natives, who left him in a friendly Mray, as he treated them with his usual cheerful manners. Least the loose way in which the natives left their spears, fish-gigs, and other little property about, should tempt the convicts or others to make free with any thing, the Governor strictly ordered no one to take them, as it was his earnest wish, and constant endeavour to keep up a friendly intercourse with them. During the first six weeks of our residence, we received a visit from only two natives, who came and staid 56 HISTORY OF a short time, every thing they saw they admired, and on giving each a hatchet, we found they understood th£ use of it. It is to be lamented that the orders of the Governor had little effect, for the convicts lost ^p oj^oXtW^y -of' taking all they could find fronj; tl$p natives, which made them resist an attempt Vlwat's crew made to land in one of the ".cotyofj and shortly after a few landed on Garden Island, where a garden was making, and watching their opportunity, ran away with the tools of our men, who then fired at them, and hitting one with small shot, the axe was dropped, but with the rest they escaped. M. de la Perouse likewise was obliged to fire on the na- tives, for annoying his people while on shore. These circumstances attributed to the termina- tion of that intercourse Governor Phillip was so desirous to cultivate. Several couples signified their wish to marry, and they were never refused, unless proof was given that either had a husband or wife living on leaving England, and some expecting to have received a portion of liberty for marrying, finding themselves disappointed, wished to be restored to their former state. Important as the business was in which the whole colony was engaged, divine service was regularly performed on Sundays, all the con- victs attending, and a detachment of marines with their arms ; and it was with pleasure ob- served, that all behaved with the greatest attention and respect. NEW SOUTH WALES. 57 CHAP. III. In the beginning 'Of February, the Colony suf- fered great inconvenience from the rain, and on the 6th, 2 lambs, 6- sheep, and a r/ig* were destroyed by lightning, at the foot of a. tree. In the beginning of March, the Governor took an excursion for a few days, under the idea of finding several spots of good land, near Broken Bay, but without success. The weather became now equally averse to labour and health, the sick list amounted to 200 ; for the reception of these a building was erected, one ward for the troops, and a second for the convicts. Barracks likewise were began for the detachment, but all building was retarded, by the bad quality of the wood, which was both shakey and rotten. The French now departed from Botany Bay, but previous to their sailing buried the Abbe L- Receveur, not far from where their tents were erected, and on the tree at the foot of which he was laid, were nailed two pieces of board, with the following inscription : Hie jacet L. Receveur Ex F. F. Minoribus Gallic Sacerdos. Physicus in Circumnavigatione Mundi Duce D. de la Perouse, Obit Die 17 Febr. Anno 1788. I 58 HISTORY OF When these boards fell down, Governor Philiip had the inscription engraved on copper, and put in the same place. A wharf was now began, for landing goods, and the ordnance, which consisted'*. of two brass six pounders on. travelling carriages, four iron twelve pounders, ?-aud two iron six pounders, were brought on shore. The transports which Mere chartered for: China fegan to clear. A gang of convicts were employed about the head of Long Cove to make bricks, near which two acres of ground were cleared for- such officers, as wished to raise grain for their- stock, as no grants of land were to be made, until an account of the country had been taken. That necessity which obliged them to suffer the livestock to range about the tents,' was the cause of great inconvenience, for the hogs in particular made way into them, and destroyed every thing they met with. These damages were at first made good from the. store, but, that opening the door to impositions, an order was given, to kill any hog caught so trespassing. The main street for a town was marked out of extensive dimen- sions. The Supply returned from Norfolk Island on the 19th, after an^absence of 4 weeks and 6 clays. She reached the island on the 29thof last month, but in consequence of the great' surf they could not land till the 5th day after, and then could not pitch a tent till they had cleared the ground. The bay he landed in, and fixed the* settlement, he called Sydney Bay,* and the two small NEW SOUTH WALES. 59 islands at a little distance, he named Phillip and Nepean. The soil at Norfolk Island was very rich, but the landing- dangerous at Sydney Bay, as it is exposed to Southerly winds. The flax plant, which was the object of this expedi- tion, and which Capt. Cook remarked to: grow spontaneously, had not been discovered by Lieut. King when the Supply sailed. Lieut. Ball after he left this harbour, soon discovered an uninhabited island, smaller than Norfolk Island, abound- ing with turtle and fowls, which were so tame that some of the crew approached near enough to knock them down with sticks, this place Lieut. Ball called Lord Howe Island. The pines on Norfolk Island grow to an immense size, one measured nine feet round, and an- other 180 feet in length. The Scarborough, Charlotte, and Lady Penrhyn transports were cleared and discharged. Several of the con- victs came in from the woods wounded by the natives. One of the wounded had been em- ployed cutting rushes for thatching, and an- other who was not well, had been collecting vegetables. All our people denied giving any cause, but as they well knew the conse- quence that would result from offending the natives, there could be no wonder that they denied it, for the Governor had made known, that any one, giving them offence, should be subjected to a prosecution. There can be no doubt but our people gave the first offence, .for the Governor on his return from his excursion about Broken Bay, ityind the natives very shy, 60 HrSTORY OF instead of coming to him with that confidence with which he had formerly inspired them with. At length one came to him, and informed him by signs, that he had been beaten by some of our people, this and their running away, were strong- proofs of the truth, added to which 11 canoes full of natives, passed the Sirius, and on our b6ats going near them, they paddled off. The water, that had supplied the settle- ment, was found to be only a drain from a swamp, it was therefore requisite to let it remain without cutting the wood round it. April now commenced, and the winter was approaching, every hand was put on the buildings, even the ships' crews helped, except those who brought the cabbage trees, to assist in making huts, a row of which were began on the West side for the female convicts. Distress was now very universal owing to the scurvy. A woman con- vict was accused with stealing an iron, which was found on her, being left alone she hung herself, but was discovered and cut down in time to save her life. Thefts continued to be continually commit- ted, but they became fewer, as the Governor assured the convicts that instant punishment should attend all future convictions ; and had the sailors not continued to bring spirits on shore, their conduct as well as the convicts would have been more to be commended. The venereal disease was discovered among Jhe convicts, which made the Governor order, that any person having^J and concealing it, NEW SOUTH WALES. 6\ should receive corporal punishment, and have short allowance of provisions for six months. The ordnance of the colony was now placed under the direction of Lieut. Dawes, and a re- doubt was began by him. In the course of this month the stock of sheep suffered much by the dogs of the natives, at one part 5 6wes: and a lamb, were destroyed. * May, like every other month in the infancy of the Colony, was marked by crimes, a youth of 17, James Bennett, was tried and convicted for breaking open a tent, and stealing above the amount of ,5s. he confessed many crimes after conviction for this, and to idleness and bad company attributed his ruin. With a view to make a deeper impression on others, he was instantly executed. On the 5th, 6th, and 7th of this month a transport sailed for China. On the 8th, likewise, sailed the Supply for Lord Howe Island, in quest of fowl and turtle, as a change of diet was thought the best means of resisting the rapid progress of the scurvy. The Governor wishing to ascertain the state of the live stock, desired a general return ; the amount of which was, 5 cows 29 sheep 18 turkies 2 bulls 19 goats 35 ducks 1 stallion 25 pigs 29 geese 3 mares 49 hogs 122 fowls 3 colts 5 rabbits 87 chickens A bricklayer, being discovered among the convicts, a number of men were put under him to build brick hiA^ On the loth, a stone 62 HrSTORY OF house was began for the Governor. In the course of this month the store house was com- pleted and a road to the wharf. On the 2 1st, in the evening, a convict was brought to the hos- pital, dreadfully wounded by some natives with a barbed spear, which entered between his shoulders, and went three inches deep into his back. He said, that while in a cove at some distance, he was suddenly wounded by a spear, when his companion ran away, and that the natives then came and stripped him of his clothes, but did not take them away. In a few days the other man's clothes were brought in, torn with spears, and covered with blood, leav- ing no room to doubt of his fate. On the %5 th the Supply returned from Norfolk Island, being unable to procure any turtle ; but while absent, they saw a rock which Lieut. Ball, from its shape, called Ball Pyramid. A soldier and sailor were tried on the 26th for assaulting and wounding James M'Neal, a seaman belonging to the Sirius. This happened on Garden Island, they all three lived in one hut, and having re- ceived their week's spirits they got drunk and quarreled. The assault being proved, each received 500 lashes. The 30th of this month, the bodies of two convicts were brought in, the head of one was beaten to a jelly, and the bodies of both had many marks of spears. It was found on inquiry, that these men had stolen a canoe from the natives, for which they suffered with their lives. The natives them- selves came about us as usual, and some who NEW SOUTH WALES. 63 went near the Sirius were siiaved ; when they landed on the Western point, they examined every thing, and went away very friendly, taking no notice of the murders, and seeming to fear no resentment ; but the ■ Governor thought it necessary to avenge it, so he set out with a strong party well armed, and .landed were the bodies were found, then proceeding across the country to Botany Bay,. he saw on the beech upwards of 50 canoes, but no natives near them. However, in a cove between Bo- tany Bay and Port Jackson, he fell in with about 300 natives of both sexes, and a friendly intercourse took place, but nothing which could tend to discover the murderers. His Majesty's birth-day was kept with all the honours the colony \vrere capable of shewing ; the Sirius and Supply fired several vollies, and in honour of his Majesty's second brother, the Governor-fixed the boundaries of the first county on the island, and named it Cumberland County. Each person in the colony drank his Majesty's health, and those sent to the rocks as. a punish- ment, received a free pardon, That vicious minds, never lose an opportunity of taking an advantage is universally admitted, and the little liberty allowed the convicts this evening, af- forded them an opportunity of plundering many huts and tehrs. An officer on going to his tent, found a convict, who he was obliged to wound with his sword! before he could secure him. For- tunately two were detected and executed, but one of these was. oat.* of the way for 19 days, 64 HISTORY OF secreting himself by day, and coming at night to the colony to rob the huts and tents. Economy is one of those virtues which could hardly be expected to reign among convicts ; they were so destitute of it that they would not manage to use their provisions so as to last the week, but by devouring the whole in the beginning of the week, were totally without for the latter part. One of these improvident men made his week's allowance of flour (which was at that time Slbs.) into cakes, and eat them at one meal. The consequence was, he was taken both senseless and speechless, and next day died. A convict, to whose care was entrusted the cattle, let 4 cows and 2 bulls stray away, and did not inform the Governor of the loss for £ days, every exertion was made use of to recover them, but after a fruitless search for many days, they were given up as lost. As the weather became colder, the fish deserted the coast so much that few were to be caught, and from this cause the natives suffered so much, that one old man was found nearly starved to death. On the 22d a slight shock of an earthquake was observed, it lasted two or three seconds, but was so slight, that many did not feel it. The Prince of Wales, Alexander, Borrowdale, and Friendship, com- pleted their stores, and sailed for England on the 14th of July, and on the 20th the Supply sailed with provisions for Norfolk Island. Two transports now only remained, and every pre- paration was making for clearing and discharg- NEW SOUTH WALES. 6$ ing them. A cellar was made, to receive the stock of spirits from on board the Fishhourn, and the provisions from the Golden Grove were placed in the large storehouse. As many accidents happened by lire, an order was issued to prevent chimnies being built in those huts that were thatched. When our .people were fishing, it was by no means uncommon for some of the natives to come down and help them haul the seine, for which assistance they usually had a share of the fish given them. However, one day, driven by hunger or some less honest motive, they came and took more than half what was brought on shore ; the}^ were armed, and had a party in the rear with spears poized, ready to throw if any resistance had been made; but for the future a petty officer was ordered to go with every fishing boat down the harbour. Notwithstanding all the orders, thtt could be given to prevent offending the natives, they had, in toto, no effect on the con- victs, for in direct opposition to the Governor's regular orders, they Avould wander about, often only two together, and even singly. On the 27th, as two convicts strayed in this way, the natives made signs to them to go back, which they did, but ran different ways, the natives seeing this, threw spears at them ; one es- caped, but the other received two spears, on which, he swam over the bay, and said the natives laughed at him. 66 HISTORY OF The beginning of August was so very rainy, that all building, and indeed labour of every kind was suspended, and considerable damage was done to the brick-kiln, which fell in, a quantity of bricks were spoilt, and the very roads were unable to be passed. Till the 14th, when the weather changed, no work could be done. During the unfavourable deluge, thefts were frequent, a sheep, intended for celebrat- ing the Prince of Wales's birth day, was stolen, and notwithstanding the Governor offered the reward of emancipation for the discovery, it was without effect; but the Prince's birth day was observed by a cessation from labour, and the colours were displayed at the flag-staff, on this and all other birth-days of the Royal Family. A party of natives, on the 21st, landed from five canoes, near where the observatory was building, while some engaged the workmen and officers, the others endeavoured to take away a goat from the hospital, but being re- sisted by a sailor, they held their spears at him till he retreated, then killed the goat, and putting it in a canoe, bore towards Long Cove. The Governor followed them, and got up with some of the party, but neither could meet with the oifenders or the goat. The Supply, on the 26tht arrived from Norfolk Island, with accounts that the fl^x plant had been discovered, and was crowing luxuriently, but the wheat seed was found to have been heated on the passage, and would not vegetate. NE\f SOUTH WALES. 6Y One of the most artful convicts, amused the Settlement at Sydney Cove, with an account of a gold mine, he pretended to have discovered, and offered to conduct an officer to the spot. A boat was got ready, but on landing at the place, he prevailed on the officer to send away the boat, and afterwards left him, and arrived at the colony, some hours before the offiber, saying he sent him for a guard, but before that gentleman returned, he escaped into the wood, and did not return till next day, when he had 50 lashes for the imposition ; however he per- sisted that he had discovered a metal, of which he produced a bit. The Governor returned about this time from an excursion, and on hear- ing his tale, ordered him to be again taken down the harbour, and told the man, that if it turned out a deception, he would put him to death. This saved more trouble, for the man confessed he had invented the tale to im- pose on the crews of the Fishbourn and Golden Grove, who under the idea of having gold dust from him, would let him have cloathing, &c. and the specimens exhibited, where made from part of a brass buckle and a guinea, the remains of which he produced ; for this trick he had 100 lashes, and wore a canvass frock with an R cut and sewed on it, to render him a more conspi- cuous rogue than the rest; but so ignorant were many, that they believed he had really dis- covered a gold mine, notwithstanding his con- fession, and the rezvard he highly deserved, justly obtained, and still publicly worq. 63 HISTORY OF Those who were imprudent enough to exceed the limits laid down, without taking arms, continued to be molested by the natives. In the course of -this month, a straying convict, was beaten, stripped, and would have been mur- dered by them, had they not been alarmed by a musqiiet going off, on which they left him, and his clothes as fast as they could. September arrived, and the wheat sown at Port Jackson seemed to promise as little as that at Norfolk Island, therefore the Governor ordered the Sirius, to the Cape of Good Hope for seed, and as much flour as she could stow for the use of the colony; that she might bring a greater quantity, her guns were landed on the the West point of the cove : the Golden Grove was also ordered to prepare for taking stores, provisions, and convicts to Norfolk Island, A house for the stores of the detachment being now finished, they were landed from the Sirius, and placed in it. A boat of eight oars, and another of sixteen, sent out in frame, were now put together. The only cow left went mad, and was obliged to be shot, though with calf, The Golden Grove, on the 2d of October, re- ceived thirty-two convicts, a party of marines, and two seamen from the Sirius on board, for Norfolk Island ; and the Sirius sailed the same day for the Cape of Good Hope, from which time, one pound of flour was deducted per week from those who received the full allowance, and two thirds of a pound from those at a shorter allowance, and thus it was to continue fill the NEW SOUTH WALES. 6§ return of the Sirius, but by this deduction labour was not affected. Some convicts were employed in procuring timber to form a bridge, over the stream at the head of the cove. A party of Natives, on the 24th, met a stray con- vict, and threw spears at him, but luckily without effect. Qn having information of this, the Governor went with an armed /party; and hearing some natives in the bushes fired among them, being determined, they should keep from the colony. The Governor, in one of his excursions, discovered some fine land at the head of the cove, which, from its form, he called the Crescent, and having determined to fix a settlement there, on the 2d of November he went to mark out ground for a redoubt and other buildings, and on the 4th 20 convicts, who understood the farming business, were dis- patched to him. This spot was named Rose- Hill, and the earth being of superior quality to that about Sydney Cove, and free from rocks, it promised well for the encrease of grain. The Golden Grove returned on the 10th with very favourable accounts from Norfolk Island ; Lieut. King wrote that his people were healthy, vegetables and fish were in abundance, that his gardens flourished, and the grain last sown pro- mised a line crop. On the lgth, the two store ships sailed for England, by which the Gover- nor sent home dispatches. The redoubt began in July was this month completed, and two pieces of ordnance mounted in it. The convict who fabricated £he story of the gold-mine, had 70 HISTORY OF for some time been observed to have become very lazy, and to neglect his work; and at length he was convicted of house-breaking, and suffered death. Before he was turned off, he mentioned two women, who received the pro- perty he at various times stole. These were afterwards apprehended, and one of them made an example of; her head was shaved, and a canvas frock put on her, with R. S. G. (re- ceiver of stolen goods) painted on, and was to be punished, if ever seen without it. It was hoped, that shame would operate on some of the convicts at least, for of many no good could be expected, they were too callous, for any thing human to reform, and so lazy that no more work could be obtained from them, than just enough to prevent that punishment, which was the reward of total neglect. At length the Go- vernor, ordered, that those who did not do the work allotted them should only receive two- 'thirds of the allowance of provisions. On the contrary, there were some few convicts, whose conduct was marked by obedience and atten- tion, but these never associated with the vile ones. So eager, was one of the convicts, to return to England at the end of his time, that he sold part of his provisions from time to time to other convicts, to get money for his passage, and at last he died for want, leaving behind him a whole week's provisions intended for sale. A boat-house was began under Mr. Ried, the carpenter of the Supply, to build boats, &c. with the timber of this country. A landing NEW SOUTH WALES. 71 place was formed on the East side of the cove, and on the West side a powder magazine was marked out, to be built of stone. The Gover- nor determined, to procure one or two natives and bring them to the settlement, for the pur- pose of learning the native language, that by a capability of conversing, both parties might acquire a proper knowledge of the other, and know their friends and enemies. Accordingly, on December 30th, Lieuts. Ball and Johnstone seized a young man and brought him to the Governor, who had him clothed, and a light iron put on his wrist, he was then committed to the care of a convict, who could be well trusted. A hut had been prepared, and in this he slept well, all the first night, and made no attempt to escape. Thunder, lightning, rain, and hot weather closed the year, yet these violent commotions of the elements, by no means gave the most judicious an unfavourable opinion of the climate; neither did the frequent enormities, committed by the more depraved part of the convicts, make the enlighted part of the colony despair of eventually effecting all the good which could be rationally expected. ft HISTORY OF ,; CHAP. IV. . ■ dlenesj. theTmotner of all vices, held an absolute sway over the convicts, but this was not the only evil to be complained of. Thefts; which may be called the children of idleness, were no strangers to the colony, one com- mitted a robbery, and fled to the woods, but came every night to rob the tents and huts, and once effected a robbery on the pub- lic store, however he was taken, tried, and hung. Another for, stabbing a woman with whom he lived, was sentenced to have 700 lashes, half of which he had at the time it other was executed. When one of our boats went down the harbour with convicts to cut rushes, some natives stole three jackets, on the discovery they were pursued, when they left their canoe, and landing ran into the woods ; but our people, notwithstanding the continual orders, to touch nothing belonging to the na- tives, retained the canoe, on seeing which they threw a spear and wounded the cockswain. The young native that was taken to the colony in December, was now taken down the harbour, and conversed several times with his friends, but had no wish to leave the settlement. To prevent the convicts practice of selling their NEW SOUTH WALES. 73 clothes, the Governor ordered, that any person buying them, should on information be obliged to redeliver them, and lose the money they might have given for them. At the end of February, the detachment took possession of their barracks, and a brick guard- house was began. At Rose-Hill the ground was being cleared, but the labour of reriibving the timber when cut down, very much retarded the progress of our people. One of the convicts, in March, strayed away to the woods, to obtain a herb called by us the sweet tea, and he was murdered bv the natives. The brick-makers y gang, to which this man belonged, determined on revenge, and arming themselves with sticks, proceeded against the natives, but met a larger number than they expected, who threw spears at them, and killed one man and wounded six. On this, a well armed party was sent out, who found the body of the man, and a boy whom they had wounded and nearly cut his left ear off. Notwithstanding this party suffered so much, by going without orders against the natives, the Governor determined to punish them, and ordered those not wounded to have 150 lashes each, and as soon as the others re- covered, they were to have the same. Six soldiers were discovered, in a plan they had long executed, of robbing the store, by means of a false key, which breaking in the lock, led to a discovery, and the six were tried and hung. In the mean time Norfolk Island escaped an in- L 74 HISTORY OF surrection. The Supply returned from there on the 24th. On Thursday, the 26th of February, early in ■the morning, a hurricane visited the islandr several pines of 180 feet in length and upwards, were - blown- dbwn, and from then till noon the wind increased, with torrents of rain. A very large- bak was blown on the granary, and dashed it to pieces, breaking several barrels of flour. At noon the storm was so violent, that it blew up more trees than 50 men could have felled in a fortnight, and the gardens both public and private were destroyed. Lieutenant King's people were in good health, and he re- tained the same good opinion of the climate, he entertained at first; for the internal defence of the island he had formed the free people imo a militia, and general satisfaction was visible in every countenance when the Supply dropped anchor in the cove. The Governor ever anxi- ous to discover all that could be of use to the Islands prosperity, directed in the beginning of April, a survey to be made of a large bay on the North shore, in consequence of which, a suffi- cient depth of water was discovered for foreign ships to anchor in. The Governor called it Neutral Bay. Early in this month the people gave information, that on going to the harbour they found the caves filled with dead bodies of the natives. The cause of this was disco- vered on bringing two men, a boy, and a girl to the colony, when it proved to be the small- pox. The two men w'ere overcome by the NEW SOUTH WALES. J5 disease too much to recover,. but the boy and girl did very well directly. The native who resided with us, said whole families were killed by it, and that many to avoid it, flew to the woods. When the boy recovered, he was taken by Mr. White, the surgeon, of whom th£ boy was very fond, and the girl was taken by the clergyman's wife. From the time the children came to us, the native who lived Tn the set- tlement was very attentive to them, and, as was feared by every body, he caught the infec- tion and died. At five in the evening, on the 6th, after an absence of seven months and six •days, the Sirius from the Cape of Good Hope anchored in the cove. She arrived at the Cape on the 2d of January, and sailed on her return on the 20th of February. In a gale she suffered much damage. She brought 127,000 weight of flour for the settlement, and twelve months provisions for her crew. The latter end of May several convicts reported they had seen the body of a white man in a cove at a distance; a muster was called and no one found absent but a black named Csesar, who had absconded from the service of an officer, and taken with him a gun, an iron pot, and some provisions ; in the course of a short time, however, he was caught, and as the idea of death seemed to have no effect on his mind, the Governor ordered him to be kept at work on Garden Island in fetters. The King's birth day was celebrated with every possible respect on June 4th, 1789, and in addi- tion to the ceremonies of last year, the ordnance 76 HISTORY OF of the colony was fired for the first time, and in the evening, some of the convicts were suffered to perform the comedy of the Recruiting Officer. On the following day Lieut. Creswell, with a body of marines, sailed in the Supply for Norfolk Island. The Governor returned on the 14th of July, from a second excursion up the river Hawkesbury, in which he was im- peded by; a shallow just above a hill, he ealled Richmond Hill. Two years had now elapsed, and several convicts claimed the privileges of free men, but by some accident the proper- papers for ascertaining the facts, had been left in England, and though no profit hardly could arise from the freedom being granted, they were anxious for it, so the Governor directed the Judge Advocate to take the affidavits of those who could swear their time was expired, and recommended them to work for the public till the papers left in England should arrive. The live stock of the colony now. became an object of attention, it was observed, that all the animals kept for breeding brought forth a greater number of males than females, as in a litter of twelve pigs, nine were males, and only one kid out of seven was a female, and it gene- rally happened in the same proportion, This circumstance was of serious consequence, for it threatened to retard the time when the assist- ance from the mother country could bedispensed with. From Lieut, King, at Norfolk Island, the Supply brought dispatches, saying 17 acres of ground had been cleared, that he was erecting NEW SOUTH WALES. 77 a store -house, and had made a road from Sydney to Cascade JBay, and a cotton tree was discovered. The continual depredations committed in the colony, drew every good mind to consider some mode of relief, and at length a plan w^ pro- posed by one Harris, a convict, for a 'flight watch, to take up such as might be out a$er a given hour, and to be assisted by^ the military if wanted, this proposal was accepted by the Governor, and adopted on the 8th of August. On a survey of the Sirius, she Mas found to want considerable repairs, which commenced directly. As Henry Hacking, who was suffered to go into the woods to shoot fowls, was thus employed, a stone was thrown at him with great force, and oit looking about, saw about 40 natives in the bushes, wishing to get rid of them, he presented his piece several times, but instead of going away they followed him, on which he fired, and on discharging a second time, they went away. The purser of the Sirius, who was cutting wood, received a visit from a few natives, who hid his 'axes in the bushes, but finding he missed them, they ran off, and left two children behind them, which the purser, Mr. Palmer, detained till he recovered the property lost. The corn promised a grateful return at Rose- Hill, where an emu was killed, which on being opened contained 50 eggs. In October a vessel was launched, which was employed in taking provisions, &c. to Rose-Hill. It was now dis- 78 HISTORY OF covered that the store was infested with rats, and on removing them, eight casks of flour were found destroyed, In the beginning of November, the quantity of provisions issued to the males in the colony was reduced one-third, except spirits. This measure was adopted from the uncertainty of hearing from England, it was however found requisite to issue this ration of provisions on Saturdays and Wednesdays, to make them last theproper.time. Captain Hunter, on the 7th of November, brought the Siriiis into the cove perfectly re- paired and fit for sea. The supply on the 1 1th sailed for Norfolk Island, and was to call at Lord Howe Island in quest of turtle. By the activity of the watchmen, a female convict was taken up for house breaking, and received sen- tence to die, when she pleaded being with child, but a jury of women pronouncing otherwise she was executed, and previous to being hung, ac- knowledged she only said she was so, to save her life. One of the colony boats caught as many fish in the seine as would have served the whole settlement a day, had it not burst, and a boat belonging to the Sinus caught near fifty large fish, which were called light horsemen from a bone that grew out of the head like a helmet. On the 25th of November two natives were secured, they were known by the children, who informed them of the safety they were in, but being dissatisfied, one effected his escape with an iron on his ancle, and the other was detected NEW SOUTH WALES. 7J when going to follow the first, This month a brick-house was began for the Judge-Advocate, and in December the harvest was got in; at Rose-Hill it produced 200 bushels of wheat, 35 of barley, a few oats, and a small quantity of Indian corn, all of which was reserved for seed, and 25 bushels of barley was produced from a small spot of ground called the Governor's Farm, at Sydney. The Supply returned from Norfolk Island on the 21st, in her visit to Lord Howe Island,, 18 turtle were turned, but as several died on the passage only four could be left there. A few days before Christmas a cab- bage was cut at Rose-Hill, that weighed 261bs. On the 7th of January, 1790, the Supply sailed for Norfolk Island, with convicts and stores, as Lieut. King wished more hands to be sent to him. A convict, whose term the Governor was convinced had expired, signified a wish to be- come a settler, and as he had been bred to the business of a farmer, and by his good conduct and industry while in the colony, manifested a strong- desire to return to a s;ood line of life. The Governor ordered two acres of ground to be cleared, and a hut built for him, and supplied him with tools, seed, and live-stock, that he might commence farmer. Anxiety now became seriously visible, for the flour brought from England was expended, and only that, procured from the Cape of Good Hope remained. On the South head of the harbour a flag-staff, was erected, and a hut for those who attended it. This was meant to serve as a signal for any 80 HISTORY OF vessel that might arrive, and that the settle- ment might learn when any came in view. Fish was often caught in great abundance, and one night, enough' was taken to afford two pounds to every person in the settlement, which was given them exclusive of the regular provisions. The Governor directed boats to go out three times a-week to fish for the public, and the produce was of great service. Caesar, who was sent to work on Garden Island, effected his escape, and got to Rose- Hill, from whence he returned on the 30th very much wounded by some natives ; but he said he had discovered the cattle lost from the colony, and in endea- vouring to drive them before him, the natives threw spears at him. From his known character this was paid no attention to, but he was secured and taken to the hospital to be healed of his wounds. On the 10th of February, a signal was made from the flag-staff, every mind was big with expectation in full hopes of hear- ing from England, but it proved only the Supply on her return from' Norfolk Island, being unable to bear up to Port Jackson she had gone to Botany Bay. Lieut. King informed tn£ Governor that his wheat had returned 20 fold, and his people were healthy, and that the gardens flourished. The soil at Norfolk Island bearing such an evident superiority over that of the settlement, determined the Governor to send a number of convicts there, with two com- panies of marines. A month passed in making preparations for their departure. The weather NEW SOUTH WALES. 81 was very bad, the rain poured down in torrents, doing* great damage among the huts of the convicts. The allowance of spirits which had hitherto been half a pint a day, was on the 1st of March reduced to half that quantity. On the 3d, two companies of marines, with their officers, the Lieutenant-Governor, and a sur- geon, embarked on board the ships Sinus and Supply. On the following day, 11 6 male and 68 female convicts, and 27 children, were put on board. Caesar was one of the male convicts, who the Governor pardoned ; and one of an opposite description, for his conduct had been so good as to raise him to the privileges of freedom, and he was now sent as an assistant to a medical gentleman at Norfolk Island. The Sirius and Supply sailed on the 5th. Capt. Hunter left at the South Head, the gunner, a midshipman, and six of the Sinus's crew. Those who remained at Sydney had all the Governor's attention, he visited the huts left empty, by those gone to Norfolk Island, and gave them to those whose huts were in a miser- able state, and that this kindness might not fail to have some good effect, they were told, that unless, both the huts and gardens were kept in a good state, they would be turned out, and that they might have time to do this, Wednesday afternoon and all Saturday was allowed them. On the 27th, a still shorter ration was found requisite to be adopted, and 4lbs. of flour, g-^lbs. of pork, and l-§-lb. of rice, was all that could be allowed per week, for each M 83 /HISTORY OF person. This consequently affected the capa- bility of working so much, that it was ordered to begin work at sun-rise and end at one o'clock, allowing a little time for breakfast; and the afternoon* was allowed them to receive their provisions and work in their gardens. The same regulations were adopted at Rose-Hilf, and the night- watch was urged to be very active. The little live-stock now began to be an evil, for those to whom it belonged, being unable to keep them regularly fed, suffered them to range about, and as they did consider- able damage in the gardens, the Governor ordered them to be kept up at night, for if caught in any garden they should be forfeited. On the 3d of April it was directed, that all the fish caught should be issued at the public store, at the rate of ten pounds of fish to two pounds and a half of pork, for in the present state of affairs the smallest saving was an object* The want of supplies from England, threw a gloom over every person in the settlement, which was materially augmented by the loss of the Sirius, on the reef at Norfolk Island, this nearly banished all hope, as it was to this ship going for provisions, that all looked for relief Every exertion was made to save the ship, with- out effect, but no life was lost, and the major part of the provisions on board were saved. After the loss of the Sirius it was found requi- site to proclaim martial law; and that two keys should be made to the public store, one to be kept by Capt. Hunter in behalf of the seamen, and the NEW SOUTH WALES. S3 other by some person on the part of the military, And the next day the troops, seamen, and con- victs, being informed of the resolutions, shewed their satisfaction, by passing under the colours displayed on purpose. The* Supply brought the Commandant of Norfolk Island, and up- wards of thirty persons lately of the Sirius. Thus situated, the Governor called a council, when the dreadful situation of the colony was viewed, and it was agreed, that even the small ration of provisions must be reduced to all but children under 18 months. All private boats were to be given up for the public use, to be used in fishing, and men were to shoot for the benefit of the colony. The fishing boats not succeeding in the fishery at Botany Bay, were sent to Sydney with considerable success, but as the men employed were not found trust-worthy, an officer accompanied them. On the 7th, four hundred pounds weight of fish were caught and issued ; but from that day, during the month, so little was caught, that all the private boats were returned, and the men employed in them taken to the boats of government, and the shooting proved ineffectual ; necessity became pressing, and the colony had to deplore the non-arrival of stores from England. The only means left was to send Lieut. Ball, in the Supply, to Batavia, to get eight months' provisions for the ship, and hire another to assist in bringing to the colony 200,000lbs. of flour, 60,000lbs. of pork, . 80,000lbs. of beef, 70,000lbs. of rice, 84 HISTORY OF with necessaries for the hospital. Distant as. the period must be when these could arrive, they were the only ones to be depended on. She sailed on the 17th of April, and could not be expected to ixturn in less than six months. What tender anxiety must every one have felt when this vessel sailed ; every hope rested on its success, and as the mast-head became invi- sible, a prayer for her safety must have burst from every heart, and a tear thrill from each eye on losing the object of its attention. Notwithstanding the distressed state of the colony, care was taken to reserve 300 bushels of wheat for seed, and the Governor with his usual consideration of the public good, gave up 300 weight of flour, which was his own property, and received only the same ration for himself as the soldier or the convict. Thus the hut of the convict and the goverment-house knew alike the miseries of want. But though distress reigned universally, it was not possible to pre- vent thefts. A female convict coming from Rose-hill was robbed of seven days' ration, and as the state of the store would not afford her loss to be made good, she was left to the charity of the rest, who had themselves by far too little to empower them to work. An old man, who came to the store for his day's allowance, ex- hausted with hunger and weakened by age, was carried to the hospital, where he died the next day ; his stomach was opened and proved empty, and it appeared, on inquiry, that having nothing to cook his little provision in, he was ttEW SOUTH WALES. 85 forced to pay for the loan of one by a part of it, but when he could not afford to do thus, he was obliged to eat them raw, which caused indi- gestion, and killed him. At Rose-Hill no misconduct was found among the convicts ; a kangaroo was caught there which weighed 180lbs. The native dogs grew troublesome, as they came in numbers by night, and killed several hogs. ' The colony now became in want of salt, so two boilers were erected to boil salt water, and by this simple means was obtained a supply of that useful article ; and as the fishing tackle began to decrease, a rope-maker, (a convict,) was put to make lines from the bark of a tree, li ke the natives. The little labour that could be ob- tained from a starving people, was applied to getting the ground at Rose-Hill and Sydney ready to sow. On the 3d of June, every heart was delighted by the long expected signal for a ship in sight at South head, and though it blew very hard, Captain Tench, and the Go- vernor's Secretary, with Mr. White, went off at great risk, and reached the ship in time to give directions for her being placed in Spring Cove. She proved to be the Lady Juliana transport, from London, last from Plymouth, from whence she sailed on the 29th of July, with 222 female convicts on board. It was now found that the not hearing from England arose from neglect, delay, and misfortune, and the latter was by far the most serious. Two months after the Lady Juliana, sailed the Guardian, of 44 guns, 86 HISTORY OF Lieut. Riou commander, stored with provisions, &c. which joined with those on board the Juliana, made enough for two years, including clothing for the seamen, marines, and convicts, wines, blankets, inedicines, tools, &c. &c. The Guardian had a large collection of private pro- perty, for the officers, on board. Lieut. Riou, with his valuable cargo, touched at the Cape of Good Hope for live stock for the colony, and took on board 150 fruit trees prepared on pur- pose, under the direction of Sir Joseph Banks. This ship, unfortunately for all parties, on the 23d of December, struck against an island of ice, in latitude 45°. 54'. South, and longitude 41°. 30'. East, which did her so much damage, that to prevent her instantly sinking, the greater part of the cargo, both public and private pro- perty, were obliged to be thrown overboard. The live-stock was all killed, and the trees all destroyed, but the ship herself was saved, and had just regained port on the Juliana's arrival, and 75 barrels of flour were put on board her from the Guardian ; added to these circumstances, the Lady Juliana brought intel- ligence, that 1000 convicts were to sail from England shortly after, and that a corps of foot for the service of the country was raising. The pleasure felt on the first sight of the Juliana, was considerably depressed by the unpleasant news she brought. The birth-day of his Ma- jesty was kept with every honour, and the Governor pardoned all those in confinement or under sentence of punishment ; and the yth of NEW SOUTH WALES. 87 this month was appointed to he kept as a day of thanksgiving for his Majesty's recovery from his late lamentable illness, of which they now first heard. The Lady Juliana could not reach the cove* till the 6th. It was much to be lamented, that at a time when a cargo of any thing but convicts would have been of service, that scarce any thing else should arrive, but fortunately the colony had effectual relief by the arrival of the Justinian store-ship, Mait- land, master, with provisions, and requisites of all kinds, from England, after a short passage of five months. Three transports were now hourly expected, with 1000 convicts and detachments of the corps. The day after the Justinian arrived, the full ration was ordered to be given, and served weekly, and the drums beat as formerly for labour, and every thing resumed its former appearance. A shop was opened on shore by the master of the Juliana, for the sale of grocery, stationary, glass, &c. &c. but were offered so dear as to sell few. On. the 26th, the Surprize transport, from England, Nicholas Anstis, master*, came into the cove ; she had on board several officers and privates of " The New South Wales Corps," and 218 male convicts. This vessel sailed from Ports- mouth on the 19th of January, with two other transports, and only parted with them between the Cape of Good Hope and New South Wales; during the voyage they buried 4 i, and JOOmore * Mr. Anstis was chief-mate ou board the Lady Penrhyn. 8$ HISTORY OF were now on the sick list. On the 28th, the Neptune and Scarborough anchored off Garden Island, and the next morning entered the Cove. Great fears had been entertained that these vessels would increase the sick list, and these fears were realized, for the next day at noon, 200 sick were landed from the transports. On the West side was a shocking scene; above 30 tents were pitched before the hospital, and all the huts in the neighbourhood were filled with sick; many died, being brought on shore, and the appearance of those not on the sick list, was emaciated ; this, and the illness of the others, was occasioned by the way in which they were brought over, some in irons singly, and some linked together. A plan had been detected for a mutiny to take the Scarborough, and this was the cause of much circumspection ; for the future, few were suffered to be on deck at once, so that the want of air increased diseases shock- ing of themselves, and some on board the Neptune died in irons. Profit to the owners was all that seemed to be considered aboard these vessels. New bread was made and deli- vered daily to the sick, and wine, vegetables, &c. were given them, indeed no means of decreasing the sick list was neglected. The detachment of the New South Wales Corps was disembarked, and they took possession of the quarters allotted them in the marine barracks. The total of sick, on the 30th of June, was 34?9. By the 7th of July, the portable hospital, brought over in the Justinian, was got up and 2 NEW SOUTH WALES. 89 instantly filled ; and on the 13th, the sick list was augmented to 488 persons. The convicts whose health would permit, were sent to be employed at Rose-Hill, with a detachment of the New South Wales corps. The Governor this month, marked out land for a town at Rose-Hill, one street of which was to be a mile in extent, and 205 feet wide. At the same time, every one was busy at Syd- ney, discharging the transports, by which Lieut. Riou, sent from the Cape of Good Hope 400 tierces of beef j and 200 of pork, saved from the Guardian's wreck, which with the flour re- ceived by the Juliana, was all that could be preserved of the invaluable cargo ; a brick store* house was built this month, and a road formed from the brick kilns to the buildings. The Sur- prize and Justinian were ordered to Norfolk Island, as the Lady Juliana wanted repairs. The Justinian sailed on the 28th of July, with pro- visions and stores, and after landing them, was to proceed to Canton to freight home. By this ship the Governor forwarded dispatches, and the Lady Juliana being by great exertion re- paired, sailed in a few days on the same course. The Governor received by these ships official instructions, respecting the distribution of land, to those of the marines, who wished to become settlers in the country : every non-commissioned officer was to have 130 acres if single, and 150 if married : to every private 80 acres if single, and 100 if married; and 10 acres for 90 HISTORY OF every child barn at the time of the grant, free V of all rent for five years, and then to pay only one shilling a year for every 50 acres ; and if they entered into the New Corps, and formed a company, to be officered from the marines, they were to have \ "bounty of 31. and double the quantity of land, if they conducted themselves well for five years ; and in this case to be sub- ject to no rent for 10 years, and then only one shilling for every 50 acres : and on such grant to receive one year's provisions, seed, tools, and agricultural implements ; and when they could prove their ability, to cloth and maintain a number of convicts, they were to have their labour. Government between each parcel of land so allotted, retained a space as crown land, which was to be let on lease for 14 years. In each township 400 acres were kept for a clergy- man, and 200 for a school-master. The land, both good and bad, in all cases to be equally divided. The convicts who wished to become, settlers, either on emancipation or discharge, were to receive 30 acres if single, and 50 if married, and 10 for every child born at the time of settling ; and the only conditions re- quired by Government of the settlers, were, that they should reside on, and cultivate the ground, and reserve such timber as might be fit for his Majesty's navy. Towards the end of] July, a whale came into the harbour, and some! boats went after it, but the people not being! acquainted with the use of the harpoon, it es-l NEW SOUTH WALES. - 91 caped, and in its coiirse upset a punt, and Mr. Furguson, a midshipman of the S iritis, with two J soldiers were drowned; after which it ran 01 shore, and was killed by the natives. On the 1st of August, the Surprize sailed for Norfolk Island, with 135 male and 150 female convicts, with two superintendants and a deputy com- missary. The Scarborough sailed for Canton on the 8th, and the Neptune on/the 24th. Exertion was now made in all parts to forward the general interest; and as provisions were regularly delivered, work could be regularly enforced, and the thefts became less frequent, and till September the natives caused no more trouble ; but then Mr. White saw (Bennillong) the native who escaped in May, from the settle- ment, and he sent by Mr. White, as a present to the Governor, a slice of the whale. The Governor wishing to see him, armed, and went to the look-out, with a party, as he heard the cove was full of natives, and landed just by the whale. Bennillong was there with another, called Cole-be, who had also escaped from the settlement. The former was so altered in his person, that the Governor could hardly recol- lect him, till joined by Lieutenant Waterhouse and Captain Collins, to the latter of which gen- tlemen Bennillong was much attached, and now expressed much joy at seeing him again. Various articles were given to the natives, who were attending the whale feast. They shortly began forming a circle round the Go- vernor and his party, this somewhat alarmed 92 HISTORY OF them, and the Governor proposed, retreating backwards towards the boats, and instructions had been given to the men, to remain on their oars in case of any accident. Bennillong had shewn to the Governor several natives, and one he particularly pointed to his Excellency; wishing to notice him, the Governor went to- wards him, presenting both his hands, which civility, the savage mistook for an attempt to seize him, so lifting his spear in an instant, dis- charged it at the Governor, and with such force was it thrown, that entering above the collar-bone the barb came through on the other side. The spear was broken off by Lieut. Wa- terhouse, and while the Governor was being- conducted back to the boat, the men landed armed, but out of four musquets only one would go off. Two hours elapsed before the boat could reach the settlement, when the spear was extracted, and the wound pronounced not mortal. This misfortune, no doubt arose from the Governor landing unarmed, for the strong armed party sent off for Mr. White, (theprin* cipal surgeon,) to broken Bay, returned the next day, and though they saw many natives no accident happened. In a i'tw days bennil- long, with his wife and several companions, came to a cove on the North shore, near the settlement, and Mr. White and others taking Booroong (the native female child who was cured of the small pox) an interview with the natives was obtained, in the course of which Bennillong said, he had beaten Wil-le-me-ring, NEW SOUTH WALES. 93 (the native who had wounded "the Governor,) and that lie should wait some days, in hopes that the Governor would pay him a visit, which his Excellency did, on the tenth day after he received the wound, but himself and officers were ail armed. Bennillong 'assured him, that it was owing to fears for his own safety that Wil-le-mc-ring threw the spear. This visit may he esteemed the foundation of a good understanding with the natives. On the 26th of September, five men who had heen trans- ported for life, effected an escape from Rose- Hill, and on inquiry it was found they intended to steer for Otaheite; but from the boat in which they undertook their voyage, there can be no doubt but they perished. In the begin- ning of October, the heat and want of rain was so great, that the grass caught fire and burned for some miles, but the wind got strong N. W. and it was soon checked. On the 8th of Octo- ber, Bennillong, after many promises came to see the Governor, and his reception so delighted him, that he wished to have a hut and live near the settlement, for the building of which directions were immediately given. On the l^th, a signal was made for a ship in sight, and shortly the Supply came into the Cove from Batavia, after an absence of six months and two days. It was with great dif- ficulty that Lieut. Ball executed his mission, at the expenee of 11,6881 6s. 9d. As the five men escaped in September, others were tempted to make similar trials, but were detected, and 94 HISTORY OF the masts and oars, &c. they had hid in the woods were destroyed. A boat belonging to Mr. White, which went out with the seine, was filled by the surf/ and went down near Middle Head, with five people, who were all drowned. The oars, &c* which floated on shore, the natives fixed up on the coast, so that they might be seen by our people, this was the first act that shewed a friendly inclination towards the colony from them. A Storehouse was began and finished in November, at Rose-Hill, the size of which was 100 feet by 20. At Syd- ney, a landing place on the East side was finished, a cutler's-shop, a place to boil oil and melt tallow, and Bennillong's hut was com- pleted, and he took possession of it. The Dutch Snow, Waaksamheyd, (Good- look-out,) hired by Lieut. Ball, anchored in the Cove, with the provisions, &c. bought by that gentleman, at Batavia, which turned out of an inferior quality, and served to shew that the Dutch are not very nice about oppressing those in want, as our colony was then. In the course of the year 1790, Q seamen, 1 soldier, 123 male convicts, 7 females, and 10 children, died, making together 143 persons. It would be well if at the beginning of the new year, 1791? I could say the convicts in general had become new men, but that was not the case; for as the Indian corn grew ripe their depredations commenced, notwithstanding the full ration they now received : they seemed indeed to have an innate principle for stealing engrafted NEW SOUTH WALES. 95 in their constitutions. In January, the natives stole the colours from the flag-staff. On the 22d, the Supply sailed for Norfolk Island, with provisions, and to bring back Capt. Hunter, and the crew of the Sirius ; with which she re- turned on the 26th of February. The greatest distress was suffered there previous to the arrival of the provisions, but now every thing went on well, and the Supply brought some cM>v, as ma- nufactured there, from the flax of the country. On a survey of Norfolk Island, it was seen, that only three or four hundred families could be supported by the produce of it. ' In February, the heat was so great at Rose- Hill, that a number of birds and bats fell down dead from the trees and while flying in the air. On the 2d of March, Lieut. Thomas Edgar hoisted a pendant on board the Dutch Snow, which the Governor hired to go to England ; and at the end of the month, the officers and seamen who were to return to England, were em- barked, but ten seamen and two marines preferred settling in New South Wales. On the 28th the Snow sailed for England, with Capt Hunter, and the officers, and part of the crew belonging to the Sirius : and in the course of the night of the 28th, one Bryant, (with his wife and two children,) and seven other convicts escaped in a boat; and it was found the master of the Dutch Snow, furnished them with a chart and compass, which as some of them understood the use of, there remained no doubt, but they 9& HISTORY OF would reach Timor in safety, for it was under- stood they meant to make that place. In the course of this month, the first settler, James Ruse, after having been fifteen months on his ground, became desirous of giving up all claims on the public store, as he found he could live on the produce of his farm. As much had been suffered for want of provisions, the Gover- nor esteemed it prudent to guard against a second suffering, by lowering the ration in time; therefore on the first Saturday in April, 3lbs. of flour, 3lbs. of rice, and 3lbs. of pork, or 4~lbs. of beef were served to every man, woman, and child above ten years old; and a smaller to those under that age. A plan was now discovered, to take away a sixteen oared boat; but to guard against tins, and all other similar attempts, a centinel was placed on the wharf; and no boat suffered to leave the cove without the knowledge of the officer of the guard. The native, Cole- be, who had lately attached himself to Mr. White, came one day with a musquet in his hand, which he found at the bottom of the sea while diving; it was thought to have belonged to one of the men who were drowned with Mr. White's boat. The Supply did not return from Norfolk Island till the 30th of May, and her long absence began to cause great anxiety, which was accounted for on her arrival, as she had been driven off by contrary winds for ten days. The provisions at Norfolk Island were likewise low, and it was 2 NEW SOUTH WALES. 97 fbund to produce an evident effect on the countenances of the convicts, having suffered so much from the same cause before. On the 4th of June, the Governor named the town marked out at Rose-Hill, Paramatta. The good understanding which had commenced with the natives, induced them to bring fish to Para- matta, and exchange it for a little bread or salt meat ; but that depravity which had hitherto distinguished the convicts, nearly put an end to it, by destroying a canoe belonging to Balloo- derry, a native; and though all the convicts con- cerned in destroying the canoe were punished, the native was not satisfied, so threw a spear and wounded one not concerned in the mischief, which made the Governor, forbid Ballooderry coming near the settlement* This alarmed the natives in general, and they kept away for some time. On the 19th of July, arrived the Mary- Ann transport, from England, with 141 female convicts, six children, and one free woman on board, and a small lot of provisions. The Go- vernor made known, that no obstacles. would be placed in the way, of those whose times were expired that might wish to return to England, if they could induce the masters of any ships that came to convey them thither. The Ma- tilda transport arrived on the 1st of August, after a passage of only four months and five days from Portsmouth ; she brought 205 male convicts, a few of the New South Wales corps, and provisions for them for nine months after o §8 HISTORY OF landing. The Governor placed twelve convicts who wished to become settlers, in a range of farms at the foot of Prospect-Hill, West of Paramatta about four miles, and fifteen others he placed in the district named the Ponds, in a North-East direction, two milesi- from Para- matta, and finding the lots of ground he was instructed to retain, on each side of the grants of land, as crown land, would affect the inter- est of the settlers, he determined in such cases to deviate from that plan ; for the natives tak- ing advantage, of the distance settlers lived from each other, actually went and destroyed the hut of one, and would have murdered him, had not an armed settler accidentally made his appearance. On the 20th, the At- lantic arrived from Plymouth, with a party of the New South Wales corps, and 220 male convicts, and the next morning, the Salaman- der arrived ; she likewise had on board a party of the New South Whales corps, and 160 male convicts, with an allowance of nine months* provisions. The latter was ordered to proceed with her cargo to Norfolk Island. On the 28th, the William and Ann arrived, likewise with a party of military and 181 male convicts. The town now filling fast, and spirits finding their way on shore, it was ordered, that any found without a permit from the Judge Advocate should be seized. Ballooderry, with some of his friends, at length ventured into town, but on an attempt to seize him he threw a spea^ oa 4 NEW SOUTH WALES. 99 which, they were fired on, but only one of Bal- looderry's companions were wounded, and they all escaped. The business of this month was principally confined to clearing the transports, and removing- the shingles with which the houses and other buildings had hitherto been thatched, and regular tiles substituted ; the land in all parts was preparing for sowing. On the 3d of September, near 200 male convicts, and a party of the New South Wales corps, went in the Salamander to Norfolk Island. His Majesty's ship Gorgon, of 44 guns, Capt. Parker, arrived on the 21st, she brought from the Cape of Good Hope, a considerable quantity of live-stock, some of which died on board, however they landed one bull-calf, 16 cows, 68 sheep, and 1 1 hogs, and 200 fruit-trees, and a quantity of corn and garden seed. Ify this ship came a public seal for the colony, and a Commission empowering the Governor to remit, either absolutely or con- ditionally, the whole, or any part of the terms, for which any fellons might be transported. On the 26th, the Active from England, and the Queen from Ireland arrived in the cove ; on board the Active was a party of the new corps, 126 male, and 23 female convicts, and three children. These ships had been very unhealthy during their passage, and many of those in the Active and Queen complained that they had not received a proper allowance of provisions. An inquiry into the conduct of the master of the Queen took place before the magistrates, when it appeared he had not acted properly, and the 100 HISTORY OF Governor transmitted the proceedings, to the Secretary of State. On a survey of the Supply, it was discovered, after 6 months she would be un- able to make a voyage to England, it was therefore determined to, send her off directly. The Al- bemarle came into the Cove, on the 1 5th of Octo- ber, with 250 male and 6 female convicts, and 23 of the New South Wales corps. A party of the con- victs, in conjunction with some of the seamen, made an attempt to seize the ship on the 9th of April, but was prevented by Mr. George Brown, who hearing the alarm, armed, and fired atone of them, and lodged the contents in his shoulder, when they all ran below ; on being secured, two of the ringleaders were hung at the fore-yard arm, and two of the seamen who it appeared had supplied the convicts with tools to saw their irons off, where left at Madeira to be sent prisoners to England. On the 14th of October, the Britannia, with 129 male convicts, stores, and provisions, arrived; and on the 16th, the Admiral Barrington, with a party of the new corps, 264 male convicts, four free women, and one child. This ship brought 84 sick, who were landed directly. On the 26th, the Atlantic sailed for Norfolk Island, with Governor King and family, with other persons for the settlement, and then was to proceed to Calcutta for provisions. A party of convicts, on the 1st of November, consisting of near twenty, absconded from Paramatta, taking a-week's provisions, under the idea of either finding a passage to China, or a settlement NEW SOUTH WALES. 10 i where they might live without work. A party went in search of them without effect, but a boat going down the harbour a few clays after, found the wife of one of the convicts who had absconded with him; however she had been absent from the party three days, and had wan- dered by herself; the next day a boat brought her husband back to the settlement. They both gave the same account of the intentions of the whole party, and that they had suffered much by fatigue, heat of the weather, and hunger, Three more of these foolish people, were found by some officers on an excursion, but did not readily surrender themselves. They were sent to Paramatta, and careless of what they before suffered, they a second time decamped, but parties were sent in pursuit directly, and re- turned with thirteen of those who first went off, in a state dreadfully exhausted, having existed chiefly by sucking the wild honey-flower and shrubs. It was generally imagined, that the distressed appearance of these would deter all others from similar attempts ; but more effectu- ally to guard against them, the Governor made known, that in future^ the parties sent after any run-a-ways would have orders to fire on them, or if brought back alive, they should be chained together, and live on bread and water only for the rest of their terms ; and he told them also, that he understood they in- tended to arm themselves and seize on the stores ; but if any such attempt was made, every juan concerned should be put to death directly. 105 1ITS.TORY OF The Britannia, Mary-Ann, William and Ann, and Matilda, made an excursion as an experi- ment to see how far it might answer the pur- pose to visit this, coast as a whale fishery ; hut owing to the badness of the weather few could be secured though several were killed ; but from the great numbers seen, the masters of the ves- sels determined to give it another trial as soon as they could refit, which they did with much the same success. On the 26th of November, the Supply, Lieut. Ball, sailed for England, at which time there were 921 acres of land thin- ned, cleared, and cultivated. This month the mortality was so great that 50 male and four female convicts died ; and a servant of Mr, White's in passing from his house to the kitchen, without his hat, was deprived of sense and motion by a ray of the sun, and died the next day. At twelve o'clock that day, the thermo- meter stood at 94° -J-, and the wind was N. W. As the heat of the water affected the quality, and assisted by the watering the transports, considerably decreased the run of water, the Governor ordered the stone masons gang, to cut tanks in the rocks, as reservoirs, for water enough to last a considerable time. On the 3d of December, the Albemarle and Active sailed for India, and at and after this time orders were given to all masters or captains to deliver up any convicts or others, who might be found secreted on board, the first opportunity, to the British Government. The Gorgon sailed for England on the 1 8th of December. In January NEW SOUTH WALES. 103 1792, a convict fainted while dragging in a brick-cart, he was removed and laid under a cart near the road side, that he might be in the shade, and being weak fell asleep, but on wak- ing felt something tight round his' neck, which on putting his hand to, proved a large snake, who on being disturbed bit his lip. Two men passing took the snake away and killed it. The poor fellow who was bit died the next morning. At Paramatta, the bake-house was robbed by a fellow getting down the chimney, and return- ing by the same passage with his booty. To prevent riotous meetings of the convicts, an inclination for which now shewed itself, the Governor issued a proclamation, declaring, that if a riot took place in the night, that all absent from their huts, would be considered guilty, and be punished accordingly ; and if it hap- pened in the day time, all absent from work would be implicated. At the same time all complaints were directed to be made to the overseers, and any person not giving informa- tion of any plan for a riot, was to be considered as a principal. On the 14th of February, the Pitt, Capt. Manning, from England, came into the Cove, onboard of which was Francis Grose, Esq. with the appointment of Lieutenant-Go- vernor of the settlement, and Major-Command- ant of the New South Wales corps, a part of which came with him; there came likewise, 319 male and 49 female convicts, 5 children, and 7 free women, with provisions for that number for 10 months, and a sloop in frame of 104 HISTORY OF 41 tons burthefr. The Governor gave permission for a shop to be opened for the sale of articles brought out in the Pitt, which sold at great prices, in consequence of the uncertainty of receiving other supplies from England. InMarchthe Pitt sailed for Norfolk Island with provisions, and from thence was to proceed to Bengal. April and May~were distinguished by disease and mortality, many died, and a great number were, with illness and shortness of provisions, render- ed, so weak as to be incapable of labour. Thef mortality and depredations were chiefly con- fined to the convicts who came from Ireland in the Queen. The continual depredations at length, in May 179%, met with a temporary check, for the Governor ordered, that any body convicted, should be sent to cultivate the new grounds beyond Paramatta ; thus losing the comforts of a hut and garden, as well as the pleasures of being in society, and so powerfully did this operate, that one attempted suicide to avoid it. But the natives, in May, were de- tected robbing the settlements beyond Para- matta of corn, 15 or 16 were observed to come from a hut dressed in such clothing as they could find, and taking away corn in nets, it was first imagined they were convicts, but on one attempting to throw a spear, the man who saw them levelled his piece, and fired at him who dropped his spear, and they all fled, leaving the corn in the nets. A few days afterwards, a convict was butchered by the natives ; when the body was found it was scarce cold, and at NEW SOUTH WALES, 105 least 30 spear wounds in it. At .the end of this month, the corn was all housed in at Paramatta, and as the ground became clear, the convicts were detected, bringing in the corn .they had before stolen and secreted in the woods, and all such detected, were sent to the new grounds. The employ about this time was building brick huts in the room of those first made, which being formed of perishable materials, were nearly destroyed. The following lists of articles and prices, in the infantine country of New South Wales, in May 1792, may at some future time, if not at present, be deemed an object of curiosity. AT SYDNEY. Flour from 6d. to Is. per lb. Maize from 12s. 6d. to 15s. per bushel, Hens, laying ones, from 7s. to 10s. eack. .Cocks from 4s. to 7s. each. Chickens from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. each. Young ditto Is. each. Eggs 3d. each. Fresh Pork Is. per lb. Potatoes 3d. per lb. Cabbages Id. each. Greens foL-per doz. Sows in^pig from 4l. 10s. to 61. 6$i each. Sows 31. to 41. 4s. Growing Pigs 11. to 21. 10s. ■ each. Sucking ditto 10s. each. AT PARAMATTA. Flour Is. per lb. Maize from lis. to 13s. per bushel. Hens, laying ones, from 7s. 6d, to 10s. each. Cocks 4s. 6d. to 5s. each. Chickens 3s. each. Eggs 3d. each. Fresh Pork Is. Id. to Is. 3d. per lb. Salt ditto from lOd. to Is. per lb. Potatoes 3d. and 4d. per lb. Cabbages 10s. per 100. Tea 16s. toll. Is. per lb. Coffee 2s. to 3s. per lb. Moist Sugar 2s. to 2s. 6d. per lb. Tobacco grown in the coun- try from Is, 6d. to 2s. per lb. 106 HISTORY OF AT SYDNEY. AT PATtAMATTA, [Moist sugar Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d, Virginia, or Brazil, from 4s. per lb. - to 6s. per lb. Coffee 2s. to 2s. 6d. per lb. Soap from Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. Salt Pork 8d. to 9+ Ver lb- Ver lb- Brazil Tobacco ^3* :\o 5s. per Cheese from Is. 6d, to 2s. per lb.- ; lb. In June', the progress of the diseases abated considerably, though the ration was obliged to be lowered, but they were promised to be made up when supplies arrived, and all were exhorted to do the best they could to ensure a good stock for the next season, as there was every pros- pect of enough being produced then at Para- matta, to last the settlement for twelve months. However, on the 20th, the Atlantic store-ship came into the Cove from Calcutta, with provi- sions, when the following ration was issued for each marine and male convict for a week, 7lbs. of bread or flour, 7lbs. ditto of beef, or4lbs. of pork, 3 pints of pease, -Jib. of rice, or lib. of flour, and two-thirds of the above to each woman. A market-place, with a clerk to keep ac- counts, was appointed at Sydney, and at Para- matta, the Clerk had likewise to see that no stolen goods were bought, sold, or exchanged. The' harvest being got in, the viler convicts began their depreciations again, on the property of in- dividuals. Thus it seems that the fear of going to the new grounds, was of no great duration, and thoughr generally speaking, detection NEW SOUTH WALES. 107 speedily followed the commission; and punish- ment the conviction of the offenders, burglaries, and every species of robbery, was continually practised, and the only thing that could be lamented was, that what would .have formed an excuse in any other country, here en creased the crime, hunger ! ! ! for several declared, previous to punishment, that want of provisions was the cause, and this was in a great measure proved, for when the ration was at the full allowance there were by far fewer crimes committed, than might be expected from such a number, of such people. On the 26th of July, the Bri- tannia store-ship anchored in the Cove, from Falmouth. This was one of three ships, which were sent out with twelve months' cloathing, for the convicts, four months' flour, and eight months' beef and pork for 4639 persons at a full allowance ; in consequence of which, the Commissary next day issued to each man, 4lbs. of maize, 3lbs. ofsoujee, 7lbs. of beef, or 4lbs. of pork, 3lbs, of pease, or dholl, and -|4b. of rice ; two- thirds of a man's allowance, was issued to every woman and child above ten years old, and one-fourth of a man's ration to children under two years old. The Governor, in July, pardoned Elizabeth Perry, who came over in 1790, as James Ruse, a settler, had married Jier, which, with her own prudent conduct added to her husband's industry, procured this kindness from the Governor, and in this and most other cases, the hand of mercy, it was found, wajs extended with good effect, as by far 4 108 HISTORY OF the greater part of those who were pardoned, behaved with the greatest propriety. On the 30th of September, as the Britannia was about sailing out, the Atlantic hove in sight, and at night, entered the Cove, from Norfolk Island. Governor King complained of a grub doing material injury to the corn, which was thought to be produced by the great richness of the soil. That valuable article, lime-stone, was at length discovered in Norfolk Island, where it grew in great abundance, which super- ceeded the necessity of continually rebuilding of barracks, store-houses, huts, &c. The officers of New South Wales engaged the mas- ter of the Britannia, to make a voyage to the Cape of Good Hope on their account, for cattle and other articles not to be found in the stores. On the 7th of Oct. the Royal Admiral East In- diaman, Capt. Bond, arrived with stores and pro- visions for the colony, and 21 of the New Sputh Wales corps, a master miller, and a person to be employed in cultivation, and a third as master carpenter, with 289 male, and 47 female convicts. The Britannia sailed on the 24th for the Cape, and Mr. Raven took the Governor's dispatches for England, in which he demanded a supply of 12 months' provisions directly. A licence was granted for the sale of porter, but as spirits were introduced, it in fact, became a public house, with its usual accompaniments, drunkenness and idleness. At the latter end of the month a general delivery of cloathing, &c. to the convicts took place, which consisted of / NEW SOUTH WALES. 109 two frocks, two pairs of trowsers, one pair of stockings, one hat, one pair of shoes, lib. of soap, three needles, a quarter of a pound of thread, and a comb to each male; and to the females were delivered one cloth petticoat, one shift, one pair of shoes, one pair of stockings, lib. of soap, a quarter of a pound of thread, two ounces of pins, six needles, one thimble, and a pair of scissars. Of the quality of these, articles not much can be said in favour of, they were literally made only to sell ! ! ! October closed, with a melancholy circum- stance, to the feelings of those who valued real worth, it was Governor Phillip's making known, his determination of quitting his Government and returning in the Atlantic to England, as his health was on the decline, and he hoped by a change of air shortly to reinstate it. The 1st of November, was distinguished by the arrival of the Philadelphia brigantine, Patrick- son master, from Philadelphia, who having heard of our distress for want of provisions, at the Cape of Good Hope, made the best of his way to England, and from thence to# Philadel- phia, and getting his cargo on board, sailed here with beef, wine, rum, gin, tobacco, pitch, and tar. The Governor bought as much for the public store as amounted to 28291- Us. and the rest of his cargo was sold to the officers to great advantage. The Governor hired this vessel at the expense of J 501- to go to Norfolk Island with provisions and stores, 110 HISTORY OF Having now reached that period, of the His- tory of New South Wales, in which I find it re- quisite, as a faithful historian of the country, to introduce myself, I must beg* leave to make use of the words of that truly respectable author, and esteemed gentleman, Capt. Collins, who has recorded the event which took place on the 3d of November, 1792, in a way which, while it records the truth, will ever be my pride to merit. " On the 3d of the month three warrants of emancipation passed the seal of the territory : one to John Trace, a convict who came out in the first fleet ; having but three months of his term of transportation remaining, that portion of it was given up to him, that he might be- come a settler. The second was granted to Thonlas Restil, (alias Crowder,) on the recom- mendation of the Lieutenant-Governor of Nor- folk Island, on condition that he should not return to England during the term of his na- tural life, his sentence of transportation being durante vitce. The third warrant was made out in favour of one who, whatever might have been his conduct when at large in society, had here not only demeaned himself with the strictest propriety, but had rendered essential services to the colony— George Barrington. He came out in the Active ; on his arrival the Go- vernor employed him at Toongabbe, (some new ground beyond Paramatta,) and in a situation that was likely to attract the envy and hatred NEW SOUTH WALB6. Ill of the convicts, in proportion as he might be vigilent and inflexible. He was first placed as a subordinate, and shortly after as a principal watchman ; in which situation he was diligent, sober, and impartial; and had rendered himself so eminently serviceable, that the Governor re- solved to draw him from the line of convicts; and with the instrument of his emancipation, he received a grant of thirty acres of land in an eligible situation near Paramatta. He was afterwards sworn in as a peace officer. Here was not only a reward for past good conduct, but an incitement to a continuance of it; and Barrington found himself through the Go- vernor's liberality, though not so absolutely free as to return to England at his own pleasure, yet enjoying the immunities of a free man, a settler, and a civil officer, in whose integrity much confidence was placed." On the 13th, the Ptoyal Admiral sailed for Canton. Of the private speculation brought out in this ship, they sold at Sydney and at Paramatta to the amount of 36*001. and left ar- ticles to be sold on commission to the amount of 7501. more. On the 18th, the Kitty transport anchored in the Cove, from England, this vessel seemed particularly unfortunate, for the colony at least. She sailed twice from England, on first sailing- she had on board 10 male and 30 female con- victs, but a leak obliging her to put back to Spithead, eight of the 10 male convicts escaped, and when her cargo was landed, the flour was lt<2 HISTORY OF • damaged, and a quantity of iron pots, of which the colony was in the greatest want, were either cracked or broken. In this ship arrived two chests of dollars, amounting to 100 Ij. These were sent for the use of Government, and be- came a very convenient species of circulating currency. The brick hospital at Paramatta, consisting of two wards, was finished this month. On Tuesday, the 1 lth of December, the Atlantic being prepared for the reception of the Governor, his Excellency quitted the co- lony, having faithfully discharged the trust which his Majesty had reposed in him ; and with him embarked cheerfully two natives, Bin- nillong, and Yem-mer-ra-wau-nic, two men- attached to his person. U(ruf /? '/0/Z KJ — ^ | •/ %)i -f~ c !, the Snow, Susan Trotter, from Rhode Island. i NEW SOUTH WALES. 161 Her cargo consisted of spirits, broad-cloth, and a variety of useful articles. On the 30th, the Indispensable transport ar- rived from England, with 131 female convicts, and a small quantity of provisions. At a criminal court held this month, four pri- soners were tried for forging, and uttering with a forged indorsement, the note passed at the store in February, James McCarthy was con- victed of the same, and received sentence of death ; the others were acquitted. This trial had been delayed, McCarthy having broke out of the cells, and remained for some time shel- tered at the Hawkesbury. Three were tried for stealing some articles out of a store, and James Ashford, a young lad, was found guilty. He was sentenced to seven years labour at Norfolk Island. Two were found guilty of stealing geese, be- longing to Mr. Grimes, deputy-surveyor, and sentenced to receive corporal punishment. On the 1 1 th of May, the Britannia, store- ship arrived from Calcutta and Madras, with salt provisions and rice, exclusive of the private property of the officers, and one mare, five cows, and a calf, brought for sale. With this ship ar- rived Lieut. Campbell, and Mr. Phillips, a sur- geon, belonging to the Bengal army, for the purpose of raising 200 recruits from among those whose sentences of transportation had ex- pired. This at first seemed to promise as well for the settlement, as taking weeds out of a Y 162 HISTORY OF garden ; but the Governor found these gentle* men were only to accept of such as bore a good character. Such a number of such peo- ple could they have found them, being per- mitted to go, must have ruined the country, it would have indeed opened that way to villany which must have rendered it ever successful, as the number who wished to counteract vile pro- ceedings must have been considerably lessened. The Governor therefore determined not to suf- fer recruiting to commence for the Bengal army, till he was obliged by an order from the administration of his country. McCarthy was ordered for execution (for forgery) on the 16th, but the Rev. Mr. Johnson requested his life might be spared, as he seemed to have been the tool of others. To this request the Gover- nor acceeded, on condition of his being kept for seven years to hard labour at Norfolk Island. During May> several vile and daring robberies were committed, a convict who had liberty granted him to cultivate 30 acres of land, had bought a cask of provisions, from a ship in the cove, which he wished taken to a settlers near his farm; he therefore sent two men with it, who contrived that it should never reach the destination; and the house of a superintendant was broke open and robbed of property to a considerable amount. Information was given, that two run-a-ways, James M 'Maims, and George Collins, were secreted in a hut near the brick fields ; the consequence of which was 1 NEW SOUTH WALES. 163 George Collins was secured, but M'Manus escaped. The hut they were found in, M'as by- order pulled down as a warning for others, to be cautious how they harboured such persons. The Governor having reason to suspect, that the settlers were many of them much involved, and that their crops for some time were pledged to discharge those incumbrances. He ordered an inquiry to be made, when it proved, that in the districts of the Ponds, the Field of Mars, Eastern Farms, Prospect- Hill, and Mulgrave- Place, near the Hawkesbury, the several settlers owed 50981. Many of them were idle, drunken fellows, who gave themselves up to every vice. One man of a different description, had fortu- nately resisted many temptations to sell a sheep given him by Governor Phillip, Mas now master of 22 male and females, without buying a single one ; he was an industrious man, and very at- tentive to his business, and thus reaped the certain reward of his exertions. On the 19th of June, the house of William Miller, a baker, was robbed of articles to the value of above 501. principally the property of other persons ; but most of the things stolen, were next morning found in a situation, evidently chosen that they might be discovered. Mr. Bass and two others went on an excursion to view the mountains and country around them, and having in their route passed over some very rich ground, they reached the highest summit, and there saw at an immense distance a large range of mountains. On the 20th, the Governor and a party went 164 HISTORY OF a second time to see the state of the wild cattle, during which excursion they counted 94. A boat which had been driven into a bay at Port Stephens, returned with large pieces of coal, of which they reported great quantities to be lay- ing on the beach. On the 21st, the Francis sailed for Norfolk Island with dispatches from the Governor. Capt. Collins, as Judge- Advo- cate, and other Magistrates, rinding great in- convenience in transacting business at their own houses, a court-house was erected. A timber carriage was this month made use of both at Sydney and Paramatta, drawn by oxen, which saved much time, and the labour of many men. Several women were employed in haymaking, at Toongabbe, which was to be carried out by those ships, about to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope for cattle. On the 4th of July, Smith, a seaman of the Indispensable, was shot by David Lloyd, a convict servant ; and at the Hawkesbury, on the same day, David Lane was shot by John Fenlow, his master. Lane expired in a few hours, but Smith languished till the 9th, and then died at the hospital. Both mur- derers were taken up, but Fenlow escaped, though ironed, and was not retaken till the end of the month, when some natives gave informa- tion that he was in the neighbourhood of his own farm. These enormities were productive of some regulations long wanted. Several set- tlers had all assistance from government with- drawn from them ; others were struck off the victualling books, and all persons off the store NEW SOUTH WALES. 165 were ordered to appear at Sydney before some of the magistrates, and receive certificates that they had served their terms of transportation, and the settlers were no* allowed to employ any who had not such vouchers. This brought in many run-a-ways, who came with fictitious names, but they were detected and sent t& hard labour. Live-stock was rapidly increasing at this time, and an officer about leaving the colony, sold to government a flock of 100 goats, for 4901. 10s. which enabled the Governor to perform some promises he had made of giving to several worthy settlers a number of those valuable animals. Information was given to the Governor, that several persons were building boats without permission ; notwithstanding the convenience which must attend having boats in the harbour, abuses were carried on by their means. An or- der was given, that no boat should be built without the Governor's permission in writing; and that all boats in the possession of indivi- duals, should be taken to the master boat- builder, and numbered on the stern, a register of which should be kept by the provost-martial; and all boats without a number were to be seized. The natives had been less troublesome lately than for some time. Four people of a fishing boat who had been cast on shore near Port Stephens, met with some natives who put them into a path from thence to Broken Bay, and con- ducted them part of the way. In this journey, 166 HISTORY or these people made them understand that they had seen among the natives to the Northward, a white woman. On the 29th, the Francis returned from Norfolk Island. The criminal court at that settlement had been assembled, and one con- vict suffered death for a most daring burg- lary, which he and two others effected with circumstances of cruelty. The accomplices were sentenced to hard labour on Phillip Island. The gangs at this place employed in public works were seldom seen in the afternoon. It appeared that, notwithstanding the orders given tor the regulation of public labour, the super- intendants had tasked the people as they thought proper. By this, the work of government was almost neglected, and the convicts time applied to the use of individuals. To remedy this evil, the Governor informed the superintendants and overseers, that if they should be found applying to any other use the time to be employed for the public, they would be instantly dismissed. A court of criminal judicature was assembled early in August, for the trial of several offenders on different charges. Four were tried for a burglary in the house of William Miller, but acquitted. David Lloyd was tried for the wilful murder of John Smith, the seaman belonging to the Indispensable. It appeared, that the seamen had in a state of in- toxication gone to the house, to take from a female convict (then living as a servant at NEW SOUTH WALES. 16? Mr. Payne's, who he had cohabited with dur- ing the passage) some clothes he had given her. A riot in consequence ensued, and the prisoner endeavoured to make it appear, that he in his defence fired the pistol. The court found him guilty of manslaughter, and sentenced him to receive 600 lashes. John Fenlow was tried for the murder of his servant, David Lane. The charge was fully made out, and the prisoner re- ceived sentence of death. Four who had often broke out of prison, and run from the jail- gang, were tried as incorrigible rogues, and being found guilty, were sentenced to thres years hard labour at Norfolk Island ; and one man tried for a rape was acquitted. Fenlow, being tried on the Saturday, was executed on Monday, and his body delivered to the sur- geons for dissection. A stone was found in his srall bladder of the size of a lark's eo'sr. The night before his execution he confessed tbat the murder which he committed was premeditated. The day before he was tried, he had prepared an opening through the brick wall of his cell, purposing, had it not been discovered, to have escaped after his trial. On the 8th, the Susan sailed for Canton, in which two women and a few men were allowed to quit the colony. A civil court was held the next day, when some who had been arrested by writs issued from the last court were brought up, several of whom being settlers, assigned their coming crops for the different sums. Had those de- 168 HISTORY OF fendants been thrown into prison, their ruin would have been certain, and the debt would as certainly have remained unsatisfied. This method was tried as being more beneficial to both ; but they were in general of such a de- scription, that even this indulgence induced them to be more worthless and thoughtless than before. The ship, Grand Turk, anchored in the Cove on the 25d of August from Boston, in New England, with a cargo of spirits, tobacco, soap, linseedroil, iron, cloth, &c. but the speculation did not answer, as the market was over-stocked. The Supply sailed for Norfolk Island, on the 20th of September, with wheat. The following statements of live and other stocks, on the 29th of September, places the colony in that comfortable situation, which shews the combined exertions of the officers employed in the government, had been crowned Avith the success they deserved. LIST OF THE ] LIVE-STOCK. Whose property. Mares and Horses. Cowsand Cow- Calves. Bulls andi Bull- Calves. Oxen.jSheep. I Goats. Hogs. The property of "1 Government, J Officers civil S and military, j 14 43 67 1 34 37 37 46' 6 191 1310 Ill 1176 59 889 Total of GoO vernment & I officers, To Settlers, 57 57 101 74 52 1501 30 1287 140 9^8 9^1 Totals, 101 74 52 1531 1457 186*9 NEW SOUTH WALES. l'6§ Neither the stock of poultry, which was great, or the cattle in the woods, are included in this statement ; and as a proof of the value of the live-stock, it is only requisite to say, that two cows aud a steer sold for 1 SQL LAND IN CULTIVATION, To whom belonging. Land in Cultivation. Acres. To Government, Officers civil and military, 1700 - 1172 Total of Government and Officers, To Settlers, - - ' 2872 2547 General Total, 5419 STOCK OF PROVISIONS AND GRAIN. To last at the established ration. Quality. Weeks. Da^ Beef, - 27 0 Pork, - 40 5 Pease, - 18 0 Wheat, - 25 0 Maize, - 37 $ Sugar, - 4 0 To consume which there were victualled at Sydney, 2219 persons At Paramatta, - ms At Hawkesbury, - 454 Total - 363$ 170 history or There were 321 people not on the public stores, which, added to these 3638 on the store, made 3959 persons, excluding those at Norfolk Island, which were 889 persons ; who added to 3959 persons in New South Wales; made 4848 in New South Wales and its de- pendencies. The prices of various Articles at Sydney, in September, viz. Live Stock, Cows, 801. Horses, 901. Sheep, 71. 10s. Goats, 41. Turkeys, 11. Is. Geese, ll. Is. Fowls, full grown, 5s. Ducks, 5s. Provisions. Fresh Pork per lb. Is. 3d. Mutton, per lb. 2s. Goat, per lb. Is. 6d. Kangaroo, ditto, 6d, Fish, ?|d. Eggs per dozen, 2s. Salted Pork per lb. Is. Salted Beef, ditto, 8d. Potatoes per cwt. 15s. Ditto per lb. 3d. Flour ditto, ffd. Wheat-meal, sifted, 4|-d. Ditto, unsifted, 3Jd. Provisions, Wheat per bushel, 12s. Barley, per bushel, 10s. Pease, ditto, 7s. Maize ditto, 5s. Ditto ground, ditto, 8s. Cheese per lb. 3s. Butter, ditto, 3s. White-wine vinegar, per gal. 6i, Groceries. Hyson Tea per lb. ll. 4s. Coffee, ditto, 2s. Sugar (soft) ditto, Is. Soap, ditto, 2s. Virginia, leaf tobacco, ditto, 5s Brazil, roll, ditto, 7s. Black pepper, ditto, 4s. Ginger, ditto, 3s. Pipes per gross, ll. 10s. JFine and Spirits. Red Port, per bottle, 5 s. Madeira, ditto, 4s. NE\f SOUTH WALES. 171 Wine and Spirits. India Goods. Cape Wine, per bottle, 3s. Muslins, ditto, from 7s. to 12s. Rum, ditto, 5s. Nankeen, per piece, 10s. Gin, ditto, 6s. Coarse printed callicos, ditto, Porter, ditto, 2s. Silk handkerchiefs, ditto. 12s. Beer made at Sydney, Is. 6d. English Goods. IndiaGoods. Black Hats from 15s. to 21. Long cloth per yard froan Shoes, per pair, from 9s. to 13s. 5s. to 6s. Cotton Stockings from 6s. to Callic®s, ditto, from Is. 6d. to 12s. 2s. 6d, . Writing Paper, per quire, 6s. PRICE OF LABOUR. /. s, d+ Breaking up an acre of ground, 10 0 Clearing an acre of ground, 3 0 0 A labourer for a day's work 0 3 0 A carpenter for a day's work 0 5 0 Reaping an acre of wheat, - 0 10 0 Threshing a bushel of wheat, 0 16 Felling an acre of timber 0 17 0 Making of mens' shoes, -" 0 5 6 Making of womens' shoes, 0 3 0 Making a coat, - 0 6 0 Making a gown, - 0 5 0 Ground was from 12s. to 11. an acre. Washing 3d. for each article. A woman hired to wash for the day, Is. 6d. and her victuals. On the 29th of September, sailed the Re- liance, Britannia, and Francis, for Norfolk Island. In the Britannia Captain Collins, the Judge-Advocate, embarked for England, and whose departure was very particularly regretted, 172 HISTORY OF but that gentleman, whose unremitted ex- ertions for the good of the colony, was at all times so eminently distinguished, had the sa- tisfaction of leaving that country, which he found on landing a mere wood, in a state highly satisfactory to his own feelings. The Supply was to join them, and the Britannia was to take on board Lieutenant-Governor King and his family, as his health still continued very considerably impaired, and Governor Hunter had granted him permission to return to England. The Reliance was- to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope, and return to Port Jackson with live-stock. When Governor King quitted Norfolk Island, the state he left that settlement in, will in the following account shew, how well he was calcu- lated for the great trust reposed in him. JUDICATURE. A court of criminal judicature existed there similar to that at Sydney, only composed of five instead of seven members * but no civil court had been established. INHABITANTS. The civil department consisted of a Lieute- nant-Governor, a Deputy Judge-Advocate, a Deputy Provost-Martial, and Deputy Commis- sary ; a Surgeon, a Store-keeper, and four sub- ordinate Officers ; and the military of a company of the New South Wales corps. STEW SOUTH WALES. 173 The settlers were, four seamen who belonged to his Majesty's ship Sinus ; fifteen marines ; fifty-two settlers, whose terms of transportation had expired ; three officers, and others. The whole number (exclusive of the officers) with their families, was about 240. One hundred and forty-nine men, and sixty ^ three 'women, ■ whose terms of sentence had ex- pired, supported them selves by hiring ground from settlers, working for individuals, or at their different trades, and labouring for the public; for which they were clothed and fed from the stores, and received such other encouragement as their behaviour merited. The number of this class, with their women and children, was about 130. MALE CONVICTS. Those remaining under the sentence of the Jaw were : For life 36 from 1 () to 5 years 10 5 to 3 4 3 to 1 26 1 year to 6 months 60 Total - 136 of which 57 were assigned to settlers and others, and maintained by them; the rest were occupied as follows : not more than 30 men were em- ployed in cultivating ground for the public ad- vantage, and even these were much interrupted, 17 '4 HISTORY OF by attending the artificers in carrying on the different buildings. CULTIVATION, The island contains about 11,000 acres. In the level parts where the earth cannot be washed away by the heavy rains, the soil varies from a rich brown mould to a light red earth. These are varied by pieces of black mould and gravel. Those parts of easy ascent preserve their depth of soil, and many of them have born six success sive crops of wheat, LAND, The ground cleared of timber for public use, and that marked out for the settlers' lots, com- prised one half of the island, viz. Number Acres cleaved of Acres. of Timber. Ground allotted to settlers on grant or lease - - 3,239 920 allotted to officers by grant, lease, or permission, 132 132 ?- allotted to individuals of different descriptions, 100 100 reserved for jrovern- ment, and contiguous to the above allotments, - 1,400 cleared of timber, and occupied for the public be- nefit, - r 376 376 Total quantity of ground oc- cupied as above, - 5,247 13528 m W SOUTH WALES. 1/5 Number of Acres. Contents of the island, - 11,000 Quantity of ground unoccu- pied,}^ - - 5,755 Quantity of ground not clear- ed of timber, - - 9,472 Most of the ground cleared of timber was under cultivation in 1793 and 179 4, and pro- duced above 34,000 bushels of grain; but, from the check given to industry in the year 1794, and the great proportion of the labourers working for their own support and other ways disposed of, not more than one-third of the government-ground, and a fifth of the ground belonging to individuals, was in any state of cultivation during the last year. The few at public work, and the labour ne- cessary for preparing the ground to receive wheat, did not admit of more than 100 acres of wheat, 18 of maize being sown last year for the crown; the produce of which had been abund- ant; but the quantity was much reduced by the weeds that grew with it, and lightning. Cultivation was confined to maize, wheat, potatoes, and other garden vegetables. The heat of the climate rendered wheat an uncertain crop. The harvests of maize were plentiful ; and two crops were generally procured in twelve months. The produce of one crop was in ge- neral 45 bushels per acre, and often from 70 to 80. 1 176 HISTORY OF It appears, that there were 5247 acres occu- pied; of which only 1528 were cleared of tim- ber : that there also remained 5753 neither occupied nor cleared, making in the whole HISTORY OF was again attacked, and received tlieir spears with the greatest dexterity, till some treache- rous native took a station on one side, and fixed a spear in his back, which remained there. On this, they proceeded a second time to rush on him, when he had just strength enough left to make his escape into a house, where he was kindly received, but immediately fainted. The spear being drawn, and his wounds dressed, by a surgeon, in a few days he was able to walk. His brother, who had accom- panied him to the battle, stood up in his defence, and was wounded both in the leg and thigh. The principal sufferer in this affair was one named William and Ann, which he had adopted from a ship of that name which arrived in the year 1791. Some of the women on this occasion howled and cried alternately when they were enraged, which often happened, they danced and beat their sides with their arms; a proof of their passions being affected. On the 31st, an open boat, from the Hawkes- bury, which arrived with Indian corn, had been boarded in her passage by a party of natives in canoes. They were suffered to come in the boat, when watching an opportunity, they made an attempt to seize, the arms. This caused a struggle, in which the boat's crew prevailed, but not before some of these black pirates had lost their lives. NEW SOUTH WALES. 201 It was discovered that a boat belonging to a settler, which had been stolen some time, and was supposed to have been driven out to sea and lost, had been taken by the natives, after murdering the men who were in her. The boat, on a search being made, was found in the pos- session of the natives. This was a novel circumstance, but it was too true; the white people living amongst them had been the instigators of this mischief. A bridge, capable of bearing any weight, was erected over Duck river, for the convenience of land carriage between the towns of Sydney and Paramatta. During November, a scarcity of wheat once more visited the public stores, and the Gover- nor ordered a reduction of that article till the crops were gathered. The success which attended the seizure of the Cumberland, and the other escapes of two parties of convicts, tempted 14 others to form a plan for taking away a boat, and making* the same effort. Having secreted all the stores they meant to carry away, the night for their departure was settled; and they were on the point of embarking, when they were surrounded (by a party of magistrates and constables, who itook them and their stores into custody ; for jthey had not proceeded with the caution neces- sary for such an enterprize, and information Was given just in time to defeat their project; d © 202 ■ HISTORY OF and the next day they were punished, by being sent up to Paramatta to hard labour. On the subject of these mad schemes, the Governor addressed the convicts, and after- wards published an order, pointing out the risk which must attend such enterprises ; and said, he was of opinion, that a few ignorant people had been led to try them by the wicked designs of some viler than themselves. The Irish convicts wl^> arrived in the last ship shewing a propensity" to desert from work, a party of soldiers were sent to Toongabbe, there to remain during the harvest. Nine hundred bushels of the last year's crop, where brought round in the Francis from the Hawkesbury, and placed in the public store. Than the appearance of the wheat of this season nothing could promise better ; it had ripened suddenly, owing to some heavy rains being followed by hot weather. The military were hired to assist in .reaping;, it being necessary to lose no time in collecting the crops. James Wilson, who had for a long time taken up his abode in the woods, surrendered himself this month to the Governor's clemency. He had been with the savages over different parts of the country, and had submitted to have his shoulders and breast scarified after their custom. He appeared with no covering but aa apron of a kangaroo's skin. The Governor knowing, from his former habits, that if punished and sent to hard Labour, NEW SOUTH WALKS. | 203 he would rejoin his savage companions, thought to make him useful in the mode of living which he seemed to prefer ; therefore pardoned him, and proposed his attempting, to take the con- victs who were at large in the woods ; just be- fore Wilson's return two of whom had stolen two mares. Wilson said, that he had been 100 miles in every direction round the settlement, and had seen several animals, *which had not been seen in any of the districts; and to the North West of the head of the Hawkesbury, he came upon a very extensive tract of open and well-watered country, where he had seen a bird of the phea- sant species, and a quadruped, which he said was larger than a dog. A convict who had formerly been a school? fellow of the Ptev. Mr. Johnson's, had been 1 taken into his service, and he reposed in him the greatest confidence, treating him with every indulgence. He had not been in the service of Mr. Johnson long, when that Gen- tleman was informed that his servant had taken an impression of his store-room key, and pro- cured another from it that would fit the lock. Hardly crediting the information, he was urged to furnish an opportunity ; for which purpose a constable was concealed in the house one Sunday, while all the family but this servant were attendiag divine service. This plan suc- ceeded ; imagining all was safe, by means of his key, he entered the room, and was proceed- £04? HISTORY OF ing to plunder it, when the constable seized him taking the property. This month the Deptford brig sailed to the coast of Coromandel. On the 10th of December two of the natives, both of them well known in the settlement, (Cole-be, the friend of Bennillong, and one of another tribe) meeting at Sydney, attacked each other. Cole-be was remarkable for his activity, but his opponent was much younger, and a perfect match for him. Closing on each other, with their clubs, Cole-be, who had not before gained any advantage, and the handle of the other's shield drawing out, and falling from, his grasp, he stooped to pick it up, when Cole- be struck him on the head, and staggered him, arid followed his blow while in that situation. Cole-be as conscious this would acquire him the name of jee-run, or coward, as that the friends of the other would revenge his cause, the consequences might be serious if he died, he thought proper to abscond, and the poor fellow was taken care of, but on the 16th he died. During this time he was attended by some of his male and female friends, particularly two, Collins and Mo-roo-bra. One of the nights when a dismal song of lamentation had been sung over him, principally by women, his male friends, after listening with great attention, started up, and siezing their weapons, went off determined on revenge, knowing where to meet with Cole- be, they beat him and reserved the NEW SOUTH WALES. 205 gratification of killing him for their final re- venge, until the fate of their companion should be ascertained. The next night, Collins and Mo-roo-bra attacked a relation of Cole-be's, Boo-ra-wan-ye, whom they beat about the head with great cruelty. The murdered native was hurried the day after he died by the road side below the mili- tary barracks. He was placed by his,friends upon a large piece of bark, and laid into a grave. Bennillong assisted, placing the head of the corpse, near which he stuck a beautiful war- ra- taw, and covered the body with the blanket on which he died. The earth was thrown in with some spades, during which, and the whole of the ceremony,' the women howled and cried ; this was the effect of violent passions into which the men threw themselves. Many spears were thrown, and some blows were dealt with clubs ; but nothing serious happened. Cole-be's death all seemed determined on, hav- ing in so cowardly a manner killed one so much beloved. To effect which a number of natives met in a few days near the barracks, at which time a young man, a relation of Cole-be's, received many wounds, and a lad also related to him, (and who formerly lived with Mr. White, the surgeon), was to have been sacrificed, but he was saved by the appearance of a soldier, who had been sent with him for protection; for it was conceived, when the tumult against his uncle (Cole-be) had subsided, nothing more would be thought of him. 206 HISTORY OF Cole-be knowing that he must submit to the trial usual on such occasions, or live in th< continual fear of being murdered, determined to suffer the affair to be decided. Having made known his resolution. On a day appointed, he repaired armed to the place near the bar- racks. The violence shewn by the friends ol the deceased was indescribable ; and Cole-be would certainly have lost his life, but for several of the military. Although active in the use oi the shield, he was overpowered, and falling beneath their spears, would have been killed on the spot, but several soldiers rushed in, and prevented them ; he, from the many severe wounds he received, being incapable of making any resistance. The soldiers lifted him from the ground, and bore him into the barracks. Bennillong, the friend of Cole-be, was present at this meeting; but, without intending to take any part in it either way. The atrocity of his friend's conduct had been such that he could not openly espouse his quarrel ; perhaps indeed, he had no wish to fight ; and if he could avoid it, he would not, by appearing against him, add to the number of his enemies. He was armed, , however, and without clothing of any kind, remaining a silent spectator till the moment when the soldiers rushed in to save the life of Cole-be. On a sudden he was in a rage, and threw a spear among the soldiers, which took effect on one of them, entering at his back and coming out at the belly, close to the naval. For this he would instantly have been killed NEW SOUTH WALES. 207 had not the provost-marshal interfered and brought him away ; for lie had received a blow on the head with the butt-end of a musket It was thought necessary to confine him all night, to prevent the mischief with .which lie threatened the white people, and to save him from the anger of the military, and on the fob* lowing morning he quitted the town. Prior to the death of the poor fellow mur- dered by Cole-be, the natives at Sydney were called to the celebration of that ceremony, Yoo-lahnQ* Era-ba-diano;*. Bennillong was there, but returned without his Avife, being persuaded by her mother, who she met at the Yco-lahng, to leave her husband. Bennillong was no favourite with even the females of his own country, and those unfortu- nate enough to be with him for any time, were known to be actuated by fear of his brutality. The house of John Mitcham, a settler, and a stack of wheat, were set, on fire by three villains. The poor man owed above 301. which the con- tents of his wheat-stack was meant to discharge, but now, besides being cruelly beaten, lie had to make a fresh beginning in the world, and that very much involved. The man knew not who were his enemies ; for two of them had blackened their faces, and the other was a stranger. An order was issued, with an offer of condi- tional freedom, and permission to become a See pages from 12 to 15. 208 . HISTORY OF settler, to any convict who would give informa- tion to convict the offenders. As much mischief had been done by dogs among the hogs, sheep, goats, and fowls, an order was issued limitting the number kept by each person to what were necessary for pro- tection. Three schools for the education of children, had been established at Sydney ; and this being the period of their breaking-up for the Christ- mas holydays, 102 clean and decently-dressed children, came with their several masters and mistresses, and paid their respects to the Gover- nor, who examined the progress of the elder scholars in writing, &c. On Christmas-eve, two settlers between Syd- ney and Paramatta, having boasted of their abilities in drinking, challenged each other to a trial of skill in that way, and to prevent being disturbed, retired to a wood, with a quan- tity of spirits. Their abilities by no means kept pace with their boasting ; for one died on the spot, and the other was nearly dead when taken up. On Christmas-day information was given, that two seamen of the Reliance had discovered the body of a foldier (who had been for two days missing,) lying in a mangled state, with his head and hands cut off. A settler was fined 40s. and ordered to labour for six weeks, for disobeying the public orders. The commander of the wrecked ship, Sydney- Cove, having intreated the Governor to spare NEW SOUTH WALES, 209 the Francis to visit the wreck, and the six men he had left in charge of whatt gaopexty was saved. His Excellency consenting, at the latter end of the month the Francis sailed with Captain Hamilton for that purpose. Gn rh East side of Sydney, a fire broke out among the convict's houses, when three of them were destroyed ; and another house, at some distance, was burnt by some wretches who the owner had displeased. In December, the public labour was co- vering the new store- house, finishing a tower for a clock which had arrived in the Reliance, building another windmill, and completing the barracks of the assistant-surgeons. x\t Paramatta and Toongabbe the wheat was all nearly housed. At the latter place a barn had been built, 90 feet long, with a floor on which 16 or 18 threshers could work. In January, 1796, the prisoners who arrived in the last ships from Ireland had become so troublesome, and so dissatisfied, that, without the most rigid treatment it was not possible to make them do any work. Added to the natural vici- ousness of their propensities, they formed a stu- pid opinion that there existed a colony of white people in the country S. W. of the settlement, distant only between 3 and 400 miles, in which they assured themselves of finding every com- fort without labour, which to people of this de- scription seemed to promise every happiness that ignorant indolence could devise. E E and he died in about an hour. The same evening this heroic native was attacked in the usual way, and defended himself with prodigious gallantry. He was speared twice through the thigh, once through the leg, and received a bad wound in the right hand. ^ The magistrates at Sydney, two in number, being much indisposed, the Governor took upon himself the execution of their troublesome office. 9,16 HISTORT OF At the end of the month he visited Para- matta, to examine the progress of the works going on there. During his Excellency's stay, an Irish convict, who had escaped for some time, was brought in. After wandering about several days in search of a road which was to have conducted him to China, or the new ideal colony of white people, his strength failed as provisions grew short, and as he despaired of meeting with relief, he had sense enough to re- verse the written instructions calculated only to carry him out, directing him to keep the sun on a particular part of his body, varying ac- cording to the time of the day. Thus he tra- velled Eastward, which led him nearly to the head of George's , river, where a few. people were settled ; and having one morning heard a gun at a distance, he tried to walk to it, but was unable, when night came on him, being faint, he took a little flour from his pocket, and sprinkling it on some water, drank it, and then laid down to rest. In the morn- ing he was a little refreshed, and again endea- voured to get in the direction whence he heard the report of a gun, and soon heard a man's voice, on which he hallooed and to his great joy was answered. This man, who was a settler, took him to his house, recruited his spirits, and brought him into the town. Being questioned how he found his way back, he said, " that a paper compass which had been given him was of no use, so he kept his face toward the place 'whence the sun came from ; but had not the hord 1 NEW SOUTH WALES. 217 been on his side, he must have been lost, being two whole days without any food,, but a little flour and water. The public works carrying on tlffe month, were laying a new floor in the granary at Para- matta ; repairing every brick building belong- ing to government, which were all very much decayed. At Sydney, on the 31st, the building for that purpose being finished, the clock was put up, and thus made known the hour to the inha- bitants. This appendage of public utility, astonished the natives, who could by no means account for the noise it made on striking, at which times they started in the most anxious fear, till they became accustomed to the sound* The Francis again sailed to the wreck of the Sydney- Cove, on the first of February. Some of the natives who dwelt in the neigh- bourhood of the cow pasture plains, told, the Governor that several of the wild cattle had been killed, imagining this to have been done by tha Irish run-a-way convicts, a party of military, with Hacking, was sent out with orders if possible to secure them. After an absence of some days, they returned, having searched the country round, but no traces of the cattle where they had been accustomed to range could be seen, or did they meet any white people. The natives persisted in having seen some of the convicts among them, and said that some calves had been run down by them. This idea was strengthened by finding F F 218 HISTORY OF some short pointed spears, supposed to Jbue made for the killing calves caught. On the 9th of February, the three men who had been sent out with the Irishmen, so desirous of discovering a way to China, returned so ex- hausted, that two of them were scarce able to move. Wilson, who was the third, having been in the habit of travelling in the woods, kept them in spirits, and enabled them to reach Prospect-Hillabout sun-set. Having been in want of food for several days, except a few small birds, the refreshment which they procured had nearly overcome them. The Governor sent a free servant of his with Wilson, who gave an ac- count of the journey ; in the following very in- teresting particulars : " From Mount Hunter, (which was the highest land then known in that part of the country, and distant from Paramatta from 30 to 34 miles S. W. they departed January 24, travel- ling S. S. W. for 18 miles, VI of which was line open country. There they fell in with th< river Nepean, winding behind the cow-pastun plains. The banks of the river being exceed- ing steep and rocky, they had difficulty ii crossing. The other side of the river had a barren appearance ; during that day they saw a few kangaroos of a particular kind, having long, black, and brushy tails ; with a few birds, which, from the length of the tail feathers they called pheasants. i( On the 25th they continued in their course S. S. W. about six miles. They saw NEW SOUTH WALES. 219 many kangaroos and several emus ; met with some natives, one of whom engaged to go with them, if they would halt that night. This- agreed to, they had leisure to examine .a hill, the face of which appeared white, and proved to be a large cliff of salt, a sample of which they brought away. The next day they inclined to the Westward, and went 16 miles W. S. W. over a rocky country, covered with brushwood. They on the following day, travelled in the same direction, nearly the same distance, in which* they got to an open mountainous coun- try, where crossing a small river, they disco- vered both coal and lime-stone, and every step the scene improved. The 28th, they still went W. S. W. and added to their distance 20 miles. In one part they ascended a hill, from which they obtained a view of the country for a great distance. To the Northward it seemed to be open, and thinly clad with timber: to the North- Westward they saw some very high mountains, and apparent- ly good land : to the Westward they saw a deep break, which they thought formed by a river. This day they met with a party of natives, who were terrified, and ran away from them. One of the party followed and came up with a woman and child, whom he detained to tempt the men to return, but though she remained with them all night, the men did not ippear. They gave her a small hatchet in the morning, and sent her back. Wilson, though le understood a little of the language of the 220 HISTORY OF mountain natives, could not comprehend any thing the woman said, nor could she understand one single word spoken by him. " These natives were clothed with skins of animals, reaching from their shoulders to their heels, which had a very pleasing effect, ff The 29th, they travelled 24 miles in the same direction. The first four miles the coun- try was not good, being rocky and covered with low shrubs, and intersected with creeks, appearing to run towards some river. At the head of these creeks they saw several water falls, one fell 40 feet, and two others 20 feet each. They now proceeded Northward 12 miles, in- tending to get round the heads of the creeks ; but fell in with more. They then determined to keep W. S. W. but found, the country rocky and barren. They then saw a tree which they had not before noticed, about the size of an apple tree, the leaves of which were of a light blue, and the bark resembled that valuable pro duction of nature, the mahogany tree. " The party were now nearly exhausted, hav- ing had nothing to eat for two days, except rat." Wilson was willing to go forward ; but his companions were now become very unwell, and. wished themselves safe home again. ".The 30th, they continued \6 miles in the same direction of W. S. W. In the course or* the day they fell in with the head of a river nearly as large as the Hawkesbury, appearing to, run from S. E. to N.W. Its banks were so rocky and steep, that thev would have found. ; NEW SOUTH WALES. 221 irifiuite difficulty in descending them ; to which they were strongly invited by the appearance of a level open country on the other side ; and Wilson proposed making a canoe to cross over with; but the others were so faint and tired, having had nothing to eat hut the rat and two small birds each, that they were afraid to ven- ture. Their shoes were now worn out, and their feet cut and bruised by walking, so at length they proposed to return. " This being agreed to, on the 1st of Febru- ary, they came back S. E. by E. and having walked nine miles, they fell in with many meadows thinly stocked with trees. The hills were slightly covered with timber, and they were light. The ground was good except on the tops of the hills where it was stoney. Here they became much exhausted, and though they saw many birds, they could not approach near enough to shoot any. H On the £d, they came E. N. E. over a fine country, formed of meadows, extending some thousands of acres, with very i'cw trees. To- wards the evening, having passed the first ridge ©f mountains, they fell in with a number of kangaroos, one of which they killed, and were much refreshed by it. " On the 3d, the report of two guns in the S. E. was heard by them, which they answered, but were not returned. Though they had now reached that part of the country Wilson well knew, they must have perished, but for his great exertions. Wilson assured them of their 222 HISTORY OF being near Prospect-Hill ; which, after much difficulty, they at length reached, at the time they despaired of ever viewing it." A muster took place on the 14th of February, in every district of the colony, at which all the labourers, either free men or convicts, were obliged to appear. The next morning the set- tlers were called over, prior to which the Go- vernor informed them, that he had heard much discontent prevailed among them in conse- quence of some grievances which they com- plained of. For^ these, till he was acquainted with the nature of them, he was unable to ap- ply any relief, so he desired they might be made in writing ; and to save trouble, he would direct two gentlemen to collect from the settlers such of their distresses and grievances as they wished to make known ; and assured them, he had, from his own ideas, forwarded a plan to the Secretary of State, which he hoped would be attended to, and benefit them. The women and children were then mustered, and proved to form a very considerable part of the settlement. As the maize ripened trie natives resumed their depredations ; and on the 19th, the Go- vernor received information from Paramatta, that a man had been murdered near Toongabbe, and three others wounded ; and in a iew days, two others were killed in the same way, by the same natives. From these circumstances it became requisite to send out several well armed parties, and attack them where they could meet them. NEW SOUTH WALES. 223 Mr. Bass, the surgeon of the Reliance, now returned from an excursion of 12 weeks in a boat to the Southward. This gentleman, dis- liking an idle life, and having a good consti- tution, and being possessed of great sensibility, ingenuity, and observation, requested the Go- vernor to lend him a boat, and allow him to man her with volunteers from the King's ships ; proposing to go along the coast to make obser- vations. The Governor consenting, he set out in her ; he persevered as far to the Southward as the latitude 40° 00', visiting every opening in the coast; but only in one place, to the Southward and Westward of Point Hicks, find- ing a harbour capable of admitting ships. There was an appearance of a strait, or rather an open sea, between the latitudes of 39° and 40° South, and that Van Diemen's land consisted (as con- jectured) of a group of islands off the Southern coast of the country. Mr. Bass, on his return, picked up, on an island near the coast, the seven meu who were part of those who ran off with a settler's boat, and had been left in this place by their com- panions. Being incapable of taking them in his boat, he put them on the main land, fur- nished them with part of his provisions, and a gun for their protection. Two who were ill he took into his boat, and left the other five to march to the Northward, at the distance of upwards of 400 miles from Port Jackson. They were nearly naked, almost starved, and must have perished on the island, had not Mr. Bass 1 224 HlsfoRY OP discovered a smoke that they had made to draw his attention ; which he, being near, took for a smoke made by some natives. On the 26th of this month there was an unusually heavy fall of rain during the night. A curious notion was found to prevail among the natives respecting Pe-mul-wy, which must prove fatal to him. Both he and the other natives entertained an opinion, that, from his having been frequently wounded, he could wot be killed by our fire-arms. This fancied secu- rity tempted the rascal to be at the head of every party that attacked the maize-grounds. On the 5th of March, a court was held at Paramatta. Writs were issued, and prosecu- tions for debt commenced, and on the 7th ad- journed till the 19th, when it continued sitting until the 24th. The business consisted chiefly respecting debts contracted between the retail dealers and the settler* ; and as a proof to what height this business had arrived, it is only to state, that an appeal was made to the Governor in one cause for a debt of the very serious sum of 8681. 16s. lOd. which was withdrawn on the defendant consenting to pay the debt. , The Governor having received from the set- tlers, by means of the two gentlemen he sent to them (the Rev. Mr. Marsden and Mr. Arndell). a statement of their grievances and distresses, informed them, that he was sorry to see the effects of them at each civil court held. The debts with which they were so frequently burdened, through imposition and extortion, committed NEW SOUTH" WALES. g25 by petty dealers who infested the .colony, added to the difficulties under which an industrious man laboured, shewed there wanted some mode of providing the necessaries required ; these were grievances of which he determined to get the better, and he resolved to adopt every means in his power to give them relief. To begin which he found it necessary to shut many public- houses, which, when permitted, were meant as a -convenience to the people ; but he saw they were the chief cause from which many.- confessed their ruin to have sprung. The island which Captain Hamilton jrun his ship on, to prevent her sinking with them at sea, was now distinguished by the name of Preservation Island. From which the Francis had arrived with the remaining part pf the pro- perty. When she was unloaded, the property was put up and sold for the benefit of the underwriters, and fetched the inost enormous prices. The money that the settlers should have expended in the improvement of their farms was thus thrown away ; and as the wheat of the last season had been received into the public granary, and paid for, money not being- scarce, twenty-two shillings were paid for a common cup and saucer. The Governor wishing to obtain further information respecting the salt-hill Wilson and his companions saw in their late excursion, he sent Hacking there. On his return he brought some samples of various veins of salt in different places, of 10 to 113 feet deep. 0 G 226 HISTORY OF While out he was1 directed to seek for the wild cattle, and reported that a few miles from the place where they were usually found, he met with the most numerous herd yet seen ; in which he counted 170, and afterwards saw some stragglers. It was highly satisfactory to know that they were safe. Those men who carried off the boat of Owen Cavenagh, were heard of again. The end of this month, a report reached Sydney, that a piratical crew infested the harbour of Broken Bay, and the Hawkesbury. The Governor had a letter from these men, in which they pro- fessed to repent of their conduct, and intreated forgiveness. They said, they had been wrecked 400 miles to the Northward, when they at last got on shore, saving as much of Cavenagh's boat as enabled them to make a smaller one, and in this they returned, and surrendered themselves, when they were confined for piracy. The wanton destruction of timber had brought forth an order to prohibit the cutting- it down* The practice still continuing, the Francis was sent round to the Hawkesbury, to seize a quantity of timber which had been cut down for private sale. This seizure was of con- sequence at this time, as a brig was building, from 125 to 150 tons burthen, to replace the Supply, which was condemned, and a large boat, the Cumberland, in the room of that taken away by the crew. The colony was now in such want of naval stores, that the ruin of the craft, lately in such good condition, was KeW south WALES. 22/ nearly effected. The bottoms were destroyed by worms, for want of pitch, tar, paint, and oil ; and to render the Francis capable of going to Norfolk Island, with the Reliance, it was found necessary to reduce part of the Supply's sails for her use. Provisions and stores were now anxiously expected, as \6 months had elapsed since the arrival of the last. April opened with five men being capitally convicted at a court of criminal judicature, of seizing two boats, with an intent of escaping. One was convicted of a robbery ; three were transported to Norfolk Island for 14 years ; one for 7; one was adjudged corporal punishment, and one acquitted. Two of the five, condemned for seizing the boats, suffered at Sydney. Their companions were respited at the place of execution. They seemed penitent, and confessed the justice of their sentence, acknowledging much mischief they had done, and how much more they medi- tated, had they not been taken. One man, for robbery, of* the name of Mitton, was executed at Paramatta, certainly a fit sub^ ject for example. lie had been twice pardoned after sentence of death ; once in Ireland, and once here for a similar offence for which he now suffered. Before this man was executed, he confessed that many robberies had been concerted, and were to have been committed by him and others. He mentioned, as the chief instigator, a woman named Robley (the wife of a blacksmith at 228 HISTORY OF Sydney), who received all the property collected in this way. Dreading this discovery, she offered to accuse others, or she must have been convicted herself. A native woman from the Hawkesbury, reported that she had seen the two mares stolen some time since from Paramatta, and that they were in the neighbourhood of that river. She also said, that one Qf the men who ^ stole them had been killed by the natives, and* the other had perished with hunger. Hacking, when sent to .the -salt-hill last month, was accompanied by Wilson and another man, who were directed to pene^ trate as far into the country as the provi- sions they were able to carry would permit. They returned from an absence of three weeks, and said that they had been 140 miles W. by S. from Prospect Hill. In their journey they tra- velled over a variety of country, and found more salt hills. They met with some narrow rivers or creeks, and some very extensive tracts of open rich ground. They ascended hills of great height, from which their prospect was extensive, and whence they discovered moun- tains rising upon mountains to the Westward ; all exceedingly high, and they did not meet a single native in all their journey. The Governor wishing to know the truth of every report that could improve his knowledge of the advantages which this country contained, he sent a party, with a few natives, to learn if there was any salt near Broken Bay. Captain Waterhouse undertaking the search, found the NEW SOUTH WALES. Q%9 place described, and some salt; it was the pro- duce of the spray ; the sea breaking over the rocky parts of the shore in bad weather, and graining down behind, occasioned the quantity of salt among the sand, and on the rocks.* The settlers, little undeserving the attention they met with, were constantly laying com- plaints before the Governor. A petition was presented from them in April, expressive of the distress tbey were under, both from the high wages they gave for working their ground, and the immense price paid for all articles requisite to carry on business. And requested the price of maize might be the same as last year. His Excellency knowing their distresses, and as he was ever ready to listen to any reasonable applications, ordered the commissary to receive it at that price. But they were informed, that they must expect a reduction in the price of , grain of every kind to take place. Another evil oppressed them, which was an unbounded rage for traffic Even the delivery of grain into the public store houses was com- pletely monopolized, and settlers had few opportunities of getting any thing near the value for their crops, being obliged to dispose of it to those whose greater influence could get it received into the public store. Orders had been often issued on this subject, directing the storekeepers to give the preference to those whose grain was the produce of their own labour, and to let favour be shewn to the poor settler. These directions had been often frus- % 250 HISTORY Of trated, from the knowledge of which, thd Governor was completely kept ; on one occasion the store at the Hawkesbury opened to receive 1,500 bushels of wheat, and the whole was engrossed by two or three rich traders, to the exclusion of the farmers, settlers, and others* But -the Governor directed, that half the quan- tity thus partially put in, should betaken away, and room made for the accommodation of those so grossly injured. A report now prevailed^ particularly among the Irish, that an old woman prophesied the arrival of several French frigates, or larger ships of war, who, after destroying the settlement^ would liberate and take away all the convicts* This ridiculous tale was circulated with incre- dible rapidity. In consequence of this, one fellow at work in a gang at Toongabbe, threw down his hoe, and advancing foremost, gave three cheers for liberty. This was well received by his fellow convicts, but a magistrate being at hand, it was put an< end to, by securing this? wild Irish advocate, who was tied up, and rewarded by a severe flogging. ". In a few days after this circumstance, the Governor visited Toongabbe, and returning to Paramatta, met the prophetess, an old Scotch ■woman, who, when she saw the Governor, held up her hands, and begged he would for a few minutes listen to her, and she would endeavour to confute the reports propagated in her name. She said, she had heard he was offended with her ,' and she wished to convince him, that it was NEW SOUTH WALES. '231 totally false, and had arisen from a man, who, as she made a little beer, and sold it to the labouring people, had called for some one day at her hut, and entered into, conversation with her about the expected* arrival of ships with stores from England. On this the old woman recounted a dream she had the night be- fore, and from which she was led to hope that 'ships would soon arrive. Out of this con ver-* sation and dream, a story had been fabricated, purporting that this poor old creature had pro- phesied many extraordinary things. His Excellency told her he saw through the whole, and desired she would no longer be un- easy about the impression the first account made on him. With this she appeared highly gratified ; for she had been much distressed before she had met with this opportunity of in- forming him from whence this story originated. On the 2d of May, some of the Irishmen who had for sometime been searching for a road to China, were brought in by the settlers near George's river. They had wandered through the woods till nearly perished for want of food, when they were discovered in an unexpected way. Some people going from Botany Bay up George's river, had lost themselves by follow- ing an arm of that river never before looked into. During this mistake, they met these people, whose want of knowledge of the country led them down on a point of land placed be- tween two waters, where they remained nine days, unable to return, and must have perished 232 ^■STORY OF had not an accidental mistake led the people in the boat to tfijjn,. The narrative given of their travels and sufferings, were the same as of other similar adventurers, and added one m ore to the many already^recounted to -prove: that daring folly and extreme ignorance must be acting in strong conjunction over the minds of those who made such attempts. While such vagabonds were about the coun- try, the safety of a& property was in danger. A bull-calf of an officer was stolen from the herd, and though rewards were offered no in- formation transpired On the 14th, the Nautilus Brig, arrived from the island of Otaheite, in great distress. This little vessel had lost her passage to the N. W. coast of America, and had been at Eamscatka, the Sandwich Islands, and Otaheite. Being infirm and nearly worn out, the master found it impossible to repair his vessel at either of those places, and had touched at Otaheite for the re- freshments they required, and then endea- voured to reach this port, where they hoped to receive that assistance which would enable them to proceed to India. At Otaheite they found the missionaries sent from England, to propagate the Christian reli- gion, were not on such a footing as they expected to be with the natives, being nearly shut up within their little fortress. The natives had used threats, and made known an intention of taking off their women. The arrival of thrs Vessel in some degree relieved them from the. '# -v, tt£W SOUTH WALES, 233 anxiety they had for some time been under* alYd they determined to leave tile* island in her. « Mr. Bishop, her commander, paid them all the attention the shattered state of the brig permit- ted, taking on board in all, 19 men, women, and children ; and with great difficulty brought them safe to Sydney, the vessel being so leaky as to require the labour of all the company to keep her afloat. She was unable to bring them all, leaving six or seven on the island. Those arrived, were treated with attention, and all possible relief afforded to their distresses. On the 18th, the Barwell arrived from Eng- land, with male convicts, stores, and provisions. The weak state of the public gangs,-even made the allotment of villany which arrived in this ship, an acquisition to the general strength. The Barwell brought an account (from the Cape of Good Hope.) of the Lady Shore trans- port being lost on lier passage to New South Wales, with €0 convicts, 57 females and 3 males, a large assortment of stores, and a company for the New South Wales corps on board, to whom was owing the loss of the ship; for after -murdering the commander, and his first mate, they carried the ship into Rio de la Plata, where she was delivered up to the Spaniards. Thank God, there is no port in the British dominions ever open to receive the traitors of any country. In the Barwell arrived a new Judge-Ad vo- in the room of Captain-Collins, who had d Dore. £31 HISTORY OF resigned. Instructions now came from his Ma- jesty's Ministers to the Governor, on some points he had requested orders, particularly to the number of labouring pcqjKe who had for such a length of time been alloT$bd to the civil and military officers at the public expense. These instructions limitted the number to two; and others they might be inclined to employ were to be maintained and clothed by them- selves ; or if fed and clothed at the public ex- pense, to be paid for at a certain rate, either in the produce of their farms, or otherways. Among the convicts received by the Barwell wrere some useful mechanics ; a truly valuable acquisition, as the Governor would be enabled to discharge several free people. On the 29th, the Reliance and .Francis sailed for Norfolk Island, carrying a proportion of the stores received by the Barwell. On board of the Reliance were sent 100 casks of salt pro- visions, and 1200 bushels of wheat* The Governor having received several peti- tions and complaints from the settlers at Nor- folk Island, he caused the following order to be sent thither for their information : — " From the nature of the difficulties of which the settlers upon Norfolk Island have com- plained, difficulties which have not until very lately been known to have any existence, the Governor is led to suspect, that the same rage for traffic, and an intemperate indulgence in some of those destructive gratifications which, have so effectually ruined, many of the most NEW SOUTH WALES. £35 forward and promising settlers in New South Wales, have reached Norfolk Island. " His Excellency, from an earnest desire to promote the prosperity of the island, and the true happiness' df its inhabitants, has, since his arrival in this country, availed himself of every opportunity of forwarding for* their accommo- dation a share of such little comforts, as acci- dental ships may have brought hither. But he is sorry to observe, that instead of those at- tentions being felt as an advantage, they appear only to operate as an incitement to more exten- sive dealings ; a circumstance which he foresees must end in the ruin of many of the settlers, for whose welfare he is extremely anxious. He therefore urges them not to be led away from their real interest, by speculative ideas, or a desire of indulging in dangerous gratifications, squandering the whole produce of their hard labour in trifles, or in scenes of dissipation which must eventually end in their complete ruin. He desires that they will persevere with patience in the management of their farms and the rearing of stock; and assures them, that he has taken such steps as he hopes will incline the Government to consider the inconveniences which are sustained in this distant part of the world, and induce them to adopt such measures as will procure the colonists, before long, every European article that they may have occasion for at a very moderate expense ; and by that means put an effectual stop to the impositions under which the industrious settlers have too long laboured." £36 HISTORY OF At the end of May, the settlers at the North- ern farms were much troubled by the natives, who came down in a body, and burnt several houses. This was indeed unfortunate, as those farms had very great industry bestowed on them ; and as the land was of a superior quality it had not but for these savages been thrown away. On the 14th, there was a shower of hail- stones of a very large size, most of them measur- ing six inches in circumference. The Governor went to Paramatta on the 6th of June, to search for a proper place, for settling as farmers some of the missionaries from Otaheite, who wished to continue in New- South Wales; and some free settlers lately sent out by the Government, who with their families arrived from England in the Barwell. It is indeed very much to be lamented, that a single ship was ever suffered to sail from Eng- land for this country, without a portion, how- ever small, of such persons, by which means the country would have avoided many of the miseries it wras exposed to, in having, compara- tively speaking, none but convicts to deal with. On an examination of the country, he pro- nounced it superior to any that had yet been seen, and in quantity equal to what was wanted. This land was good, well watered, and easy to be cleared, and only distant from five to six miles from Paramatta. Being satisfied with the situation, he kindly recommended it to the missionaries ; but some of them seemed so un- decided as to give the Governor reason to sus* NEW SOUTH WALES. 237 pect some busy, ignorant, and wicked person or other had been giving them advice which might terminate much to their disadvantage. However, several determined to settle there, and in con- sequence received a portion of tools, grain, and other assistance from the public stores. Messrs, Campbell and Clarke of Calcutta, not discouraged by the fate of their unfortunate ship, the Sydney Cove, sent out another, which, in compliment to the Governor, they called the Hunter, and sent by her an assort- ment of India goods, and some cows and horses. This vessel arrived on the 10th of the month, when the Governor determined to crush if pos- sible, the spirit of monopoly ; to effect which he gave public notice, that the ship had arrived with a cargo for sale, and that every inhabitant might have an opportunity of buying what their circumstances would afford, he directed that no part of the cargo should be sold before the settlers had made known to him what sums of money they could conveniently spare ; and a day was appointed to receive their accounts. Orders were given, that no person should board any ship in the harbour till she was pro- perly secured in the Cove, and the master had been with the Governor and received port orders. Capt. Hamilton, late of the Sydney Cove, survived the arrival of the Hunter onlv a few days. * He never completely got the better of the distresses he suffered on the loss of his ship, and as the truly worthy, man generally gains U39 HISTORY OF esteem, though only a short time in the country, lie died much regretted by all who had the plea- sure of being acquainted with him. Complaints having been made, that the peo- ple who brought grain from the Hawkesbury to Sydney were practising numerous impositions on the farmers, by false measures ; the Gover- nor determined to put a stop to such robbery ; directed the magistrates of Sydney and Para- matta to order all measures to be brought to Sydney, to be proved and marked ; and made known that any measure used without such mark would subject the owner to a prosecution. The want of a vessel for a more frequent in- tercourse with Norfolk Island, having been felt, the commanding officer constructed a small decked boat, sloop rigged, which arrived at Port Jackson on the 15th; but for the want of a harbour at that island, she was launched from the shore, and obliged to proceed directly to sea. In consequence of which she proved very leaky; but as two pumps had been fitted on board her, they were able to keep the water under. The maize harvest was all got in during June : but some buildings were retarded by the rains which fell at the latter end of it. The situation of the Governor and other of-s ficers, employed in the Government of the coun- try, must have been particularly distressing : ever anxious to protect the good, and to pre- vent and punish the vile, who on their part were racking their too powerful inventions tQ NEW SOUTH WALES. 239 elude, if oiily for a moment, the paternal care which the government took of its subjects. Perhaps if we look back in history we may ac- count for the origin, increase, and growth of despotic governments ; from the same causes as that yileness too general among the ignorant, must have caused an increase of severity in those regulations first established for the good of the whole, and thus form eventually, that cli- max of despotism, which in the more modern periods of history are found overthrown. On the 1st of July arrived the Cornwall, Southern whaler, tlrj master of which brought an account that some Spanish cruizers had ap- peared off Cape Horn, the whalers of the South- ern fishery were directed to pass into these seas during the war. Tins ship was followed by two others, the Eliza from the Cape of Good Hope, and the Sally, This circumstance promised^some advantages to the settlement. The whale fishing on the coast would most certainly be effectually tried, and the existence, and positions of shoals, har- bours, or rivers, be ascertained. Having in a few days refitted, the 3 whalers sailed on their fishing voyages. Previous to which, the Argo, an American schooner, arrived from the Isle of France, having on board a cargo of salt provisions, French brandy, and other articles on speculation ; which, as usual in this country, found a ready sale, much more to the advantage of the owners than the colo- nists, As this ship came from the Mauritius, 240 HISTORY OF the Governor entertained some jealousy, eel4-* tainly founded on probability ; and, as it was not any ways impossible, that, under 'neu- tral colours, a spy might be concealed, he thought it requisite to put the battery on Point Maskelyne, into a more secure state, and to construct two redoubts in proper and conve- nient situations for offensive and defensive warfare, should it prove requisite. On the 18th arrived the Britannia whaler from England, with 94 female convicts, who being landed, some were sent to Paramatta and Toongabbe. The cattle that were brought in the Hunter, were at this time sold by auction, and \rere not greater objects of contest than the newly-arrived females, as the number of that sex in the colony bore no proportion to the men. The Reliance and Francis returned the 25th and 27th of this month, from Norfolk Island, having been absent 60 days ; the Reliance, on her passage back, meeting with blowing wea- ther and much sea all the way. By her, the commanding officer, wrote from Norfolk Island, that a most improper association had been entered into by the settlers and others, which they termed the Fraternal Society of Norfolk Island ; and which, among others, had for its object the uniting for the purpose of distressing the Government, by withholding the produce of their farms from the store; in consequence of some misconduct on the part of the store-keepers, who suffered the same mono- NEW SOUTH WALES. 241 poly to take place there, as was complained of at Sydney. They wrote at the same time to the Governor, denying giving*, any name to their meeting, but heavily complaining; that, " after much expense and trouble in rearing swine, the storekeepers would not receive it.*' The Governor highly and justly censured this manner of assembling, and in a printed notice which he sent to them, told the inhabitants, that if they felt any grievance, whether real or supposed, they must submit their complaints to the commanding officer of the settlement, by one or two persons elected for that purpose, and not by a numerous body of people. Every other mode of attempting to gain redress was illegal, and could only tend to expose those who might be concerned therein to a very conside- rable degree of danger, which he would most undoubtedly inflict. In the course of this month was tried an incorrigible offender, John Raynor, who was convicted of house-breaking, and accordingly executed, which fate he had often merited. He left a letter previous to his execution, in which he enumerated many of the offences he had committed, and denied some with which he had been charged. Various complaints, were made of the profli- gacy of the women; who, from having met too much indulgence on account of their sex, were grown, as mk, r; be naturally expected, so idle and insolent, &g£t they would not, unless forced, fe ii 242 HISTORY OF do any thing but nurse their children; an excuse very few were without. If their value might be estimated by the fineness of the children with which they had prodigiously increased the numbers in the settlements, they would have been found deserving every care and attention ; but their vices, too conspicuous and promi- nent to admit of much palliation, rendered them objects of detestation. The heavy rains which had fallen this month and last, having much damaged the public road between Sydney and Paramatta, two gangs were employed in repairing them. The weather was much colder than usual at this season, and in the interior, there was a sharp frost during the night. An order having been given in the beginning of August, for assembling the court of civil! judicature, a recommendation to the inhabitants was added, " that when any bargain, contract,, or agreement, was made between any party or parties, on any subject whatsoever, the same should be reduced to writing, specifying im direct and clear terms what the nature of such; bargain or contract might be, and causing the?: same to be properly witnessed, and subscribed! by the parties concerned." This measure was^ to prevent disputes, litigation, and misunder- standings among them, and to avoid the incon- venience which the members of the courl experienced, when convened, from the loost and careless manner in which business was brought before them. NEW SOUTH WALES. £43 On the 1st of this month the regulation rela- tive to the numher of public servants which the officers were allowed to retain, commenced. It now became too obvious, that, instead of employing each Sunday in the performance of those duties for which that day was set apart, it was passed in committing every vile act of dissipation, the overseers of the gangs were ordered to see their men mustered every Sunday morning, and to attend with them at church. The superintendants and constables were to see this order complied with, and that the women (who, as in all cases when they are really bad, are much worse than the men) were strictly looked after, and made to attend divine service regularly. And, as example was thought might, (as inmost cases,) do something, the officers were ordered not only to send a number of their ser- vants, but they were all called on, civil and military, to assist in theexecution of this order; and the magistrates were required to pay their attention, in compelling a proper obedience to it, by preventing the opening of the public houses during divine service, as \fell as any other irregularity on that day. On the 20th, arrived the Pomona and Diana, whalers belonging to the Southern fishery. The Governor desirous of having that part of the coast surveyed in which a strait was supposed to exist (between the latitude of 39° 00' S. and the land previously deemed the Southern Promontory of New South Wales, and called Van Diemen's land), his Excellency I 244« HISTORY OF resolved to send Mr. Bass, and Lieut. Flinders of the Reliance, on that service, in the small decked boat which lately arrived from Norfolk Island, which was named the Norfolk, after the Island on which she was built, for which purpose she was properly fitted up. The powder magazine having been found to be in an insecure and dangerous state, the pow der was removed on board the Supply. This in- deed was very necessary, for an attempt had been made to break open the door of the magazine, The mind, fatigued by the enormities of th convicts, will at least find relief by contem- plating the transactions of those, from whose nature nothing but savage actions can well be expected, for in this way the natives now claim attention. A young female, related to Bennillong, wh had resided from infancy at Sydney, was shock ifigly murdered ; and a native of Botany Ba had driven a spear through the body of a la called Nanberrey. The name of the girl wa War-re- weer ; but to distinguish her, as ther were others of that name, an addition was mad founded on a personal defect, she being blind o one eye, she was called War- re- weer Wo-gu Mi (one eye), The girl being killed, an Nanbarrey wounded, caused great violence from their friends, among which were Cole-be and Bennillong; the former meeting with the man who wounded the boy, revenged the treatr ment he received so completely that the mur* derer died of his wounds the next morning* i NEW SOUTH WALES. 245 Bennillong, in consequence of this, was attacked when alone by two men, and defended himself with the greatest address, and would have de- feated both, had they kept fairly in front; but one of them, with the treachery very common to those savages, skulked behind, and threw a spear with such violence that it entered his side seven inches into the cavity of his body. He was taken on board the Reliance, where at first the wound was attended with very unfavourable symptoms as nothing remained on his stomach. As the death of the young man slain by Cole- be was of course to be revenged, a body of the Southern natives fought those of Sydney for that purpose a few days after. The contest was carried on with much desperation on both sides; three natives were killed, and many wounded, among whom was Bennillong, who, having re- covered of his wound, appeared and fought on this occasion for Cole-be, like a good, honest, faithful, friend. The weather, which in the last month was re- markably cold , but at the end of this was sultry, accompanied by high winds, which set many parts of the country on fire, and destroyed much property; when the Surveyor-General's house, and every article in it, was consumed. The Bar well being ready for sea, sailed on the 17th of August for China. Capt. Cameron, her commander, was permitted to take on board fifty men who had completed their period of transportation, and kindly offered to touch at Norfolk Island for any purpose the Governor 246 HISTORY OF might wish. By this ship Mr. Campbell, who arrived in the Hunter from Bengal, took his passage to China ; and by this gentleman the Governor sent a letter to the Governor-General of India, informing him, that *" having trans- mitted to the Secretary of State, copies of the letters upon the subject of raising recruits in this country for the army in India, which had been received in the year 1796, it was the opi- nion of his Majesty's Ministers, that the incon- veniencies attending such a measure would more than counter-balance the advantages of it, and permission for that purpose could not therefore be granted." Indeed, had it been carried into execution, the army in India would not have been much benefited ; since, if the recruiting officers were as nice as their instructions directed them to be as to the point of character, small would be the number of recruits. In order to encourage the rearing of swine, as well as of every other live-stock, the settlers and others had notice given them that when any of them had prepared any number fit for the public store, they might make it known to the Commissary, who to prevent unnecessary expense or trouble, would inform them of the day and place he would receive them. He was also at liberty to contract for a given time, with any persons who would furnish either of the public stores at Sydney, Para* matta, or the Hawkesbury. NEW SOUTH WALES. £47 The Hunter Snow, Fern, coinmander, having found a voyage to New South Wales was no bad speculation, resolved to derive some profit from his returns/as it was understood, *when he sailed on the c20th, that he was bound for New Zealand, for-tkfi; purpose of cutting spars for the Bengal market*. Two men who had been exploring the coun- try to the NorthWest of Richmond Hill and the river Hawkesbury, found the bones of two mares which had been stolen from Paramatta. On the 1st of October, the Semi ram is, from Rhode Island, bound to China, arriveij, after a passage of three months and nine days. In the evening of the same day, the church on the East side of the Cove was/liscovered to be on fire. Every assistance was given, but in- effectually ; for as the building was covered with thatch, which was exceedingly dry, it was completely consumed in an hour. This was a great loss and calculated to impede the progress of morality, as during the week it was used as a school, for 200 children to be edu- cated, under the Rev. Mr. Johnson. As the Church stood alone, and no person was suffered to remain in it after the school hours, there was no doubt that it was the effect of design, in conse- * Mr. Robert Campbell, who returned to Port Jackson, said, that Capt. Fern proceeded to the river Thames in New- Zealand, where his crew cut down a quantity of spars, large enough to load his vessel ; and being short of hands, he could not have shipped them, but that the natives with much alacrity assisted in getting them to the water's side. 4 248 HISTORY OF quence of the late order to enforce attendance on divine service which had been rigidly executed ; with a view of rendering, by the destruction of the building, the Sabbath a day of as little de- cency and sobriety as any other. The perpetra- tors were, however, disappointed ; for the Go- vernor, justly deeming this to have been the motive, and highly irritated at such a shame- ful act, resolved, if no convenient place could be found for the performance of public worship, that Sunday, instead of being employed as each thought proper, the labouring gangs . should be employed that day in erecting another church. However, as a large store-house was just finished, it was fitted up as a church ; and thus not one Sunday did t]is wicked design affect the regular performance of divine service. A reward of 301. was offered for the discovery of the offender, with emancipation to the infor- mer if a convict, and a recommendation to the master of a ship to take him or her from the settlement. But rewards and punishments alike failed to effect any good among the convicts. ttEte SOUTH WALES. 249 CIIAt\ viii. O n the 7th of October, the Semiramis and Argo sailed for China; and the Nautilus Brig, with the Norfolk long-boat, sailed for Van Diemen's land. The Nautilus, which had been in ex- treme distress for every kind of repair, was com- pletely refitted ; but as two men, who had the care of the cargo with which she was sent out from India, had been very unfortunate through the bad state of their vessel, they were deter- mined to try during this season, how produc- tive the seal-fishing among the islands to the Southward would prove. On the 8th sailed the Francis for Norfolk Islaud, with a few women and stores. It was intended she should on her return, examine a shoal on the Northward of Lord Howe Island, and, if possible, ascertain the situation of an island discovered by Lieut. Shortiand, in the Alexander transport, and named by him Sir Charles Middle ton Island. Lieut. John Short- land, of the Reliance, son of the before-men- tioned officer, was sent in the Francis, charged with the direction of the vessel on that service. On board the Norfolk sailed Lieut. Flinders and Mr. Bass, who were instructed to examine K K 550 history or the strait supposed to divide Van Diemen's land from the continent. The great rage for trade before spoken of, pre- vailing so universally in the colony, occasioned continual scenes of contentions and litigation among the inhabitants ; s6 much that inconve- nience was felt in the liberties taken of impri- soning the convicts, servants of the crown, for debts due to the dealers, notwithstanding an order which was given by Governor Phillip, in which the colony were informed, that the pub- lic servants (convicts) had no property, their clothing, time, and labour, being the property of Government, and not at their own disposal. This order having wilfully worn out of recollection, it was become requisite to renew it, and thus prevent that loss of labour on the public works which imprisoning their persons must occasion. Notice was therefore again given, that the ser- vants of the crown should not be imprisoned ; and if any person was desirous of giving them credit, it must be on the strength of their own good opinion of such people; and it was now again to be generally understood, that govern- ment would not dispense with their labour for any private dealings. On the 11th in the evening, a fire broke out m the town of Sydney, which, but for great care and activity, would have destroyed every house on the East side. A row of buildings lately erepted for the nurses and others employed in and about the hospital, was set on fire, and con- 4 NEW SOUTH WALES. 251 sumed ; and the flames nearly reached the boat- yard. On the 20th of October, the Ann and Hope, an American ship, anchored in Botany Bay, contrary winds having prevented her reaching Port Jackson. The master wanted wood and water, and as three days proved time enough to procure them, at their .expiration he sailed for China. At the end of this month the Governor made an excursion among the settlers at Hawkes- bury ; and while there, made several regula- tions for the sawyers, who fixed their own portion of the public labour. His Excellency informed them that a session was to be held every three months for settling all civil con- cerns in future. The farms he found in general promising thfe greatest plently, but the houses and persons of the settlers wore the appearance of poverty and beggary, as they still continued converting the produce of their farms to the purpose of obtaining pernicious spirits which must ever keep them poor and wretched. On the 27th, the Marquis Cornwallis arrived from the Cape of Good Hope, M'ith cattle on Government account, amounting to 158 cows and 20 bulls, and a few on private account. When landed, some appeared weakly ; but gene- rally speaking, they were in good health, and proved a vast acquisition to the colony ; some of the cows being a mixed breed between the Cape and English cattle, and the whole seemed to be under the age of three years. ti5% HISTORY OP At the same time arrived the Indispensable, a Southern whaler, commanded by Mr. Wilkin- son, but she sailed again immediately. During this month the foundation of a stone building intended for a church, was laid at Sydney. It was intended to be 150 feet in length, and 52 in breadth. Similar preparations were making at Paramatta, but of a smaller size than those at Sydney. In November the criminal court of judica^ ture met twice, for the trial of several offenders; one of whom convicted of perjury, stood in the pillory agreeable to his sentence. Bennillong, who might have continued living at the Governor's house, preferred the^dangerous society of his own countrymen, only visiting the settlement when the recollection of the comforts he could no where else enjoy, oppres- sed him too powerfully. Information was brought of his having again been wounded in a contest with some of the other natives. Ben- nillong had received and recovered of many wounds, any single one of which would have destroyed an European. The natives certainly owe their fortunate recoveries more to their good habit of body than to any other cause. A fatal instance of effects of improper con- duct, and keen sense of criminality, was exem- plified in the melancholy end of Nathaniel Franklin, the Governor's steward. This man he brought from England, and intrusted the entire care and management of his domestic concerns to him. He had been very often cautioned by NEW SOUTH WALES. 253 his Excellency against the various artful and (fatiguing acquaintances he had formed, and was particularly desired to guard against not suffering himself to be led away by their' opi- nions. It appeared he had, very unfortunately, not possessed fortitude enough to withstand their infernal solicitations, but had consented to rob hi* kind protector, the Governor, to a very large amount ; thus abusing the uwlimitted confidence he had placed in him, and made a most iniquitous use of his name. At length touched by the glaring infamy of his conduct, lie retired into a shrubbery in the Governor's garden, and there shot himself through the head; thus at once shewing the divine truth of that excellent proverb, " evil communications corrupt good manners." The continual complaints made daily respect- ing the misconduct of the convict women, made it requisite to take some steps which should make them clearly understand the nature of their situation in the colony, and the several duties they were liable to perform. The Gover- nor therefore desired every officer or house- keeper, who had any female servant, to forward to the Judge-Advocate's office, the names of those employed ; and he forbid them to shield from public labour any but those they were permitted to retaiu ; and if at any time they might wish to discharge any such servants, to *end information of such design, with a charac- ter of the person, to the same office. 2J4 HISTORY OF Time which destroys every thing in all parts of the world, in his ravages, seemed particu- larly anxious to shew his power in New South Wales, where, though building had been but a very few years attempted, many had been re- built, and at this time the roof of the Govern- ment house at Paramatta was falling in, and the building on being surveyed, was founri so weak and decayed as not to admit of repairs ; therefore it was resolved to take it down, and build a new one; for- which purpose a number of brickmakers were sent to the neigh- bourhood. The ship's company of the Supply were ac- tively and usefully employed at Sydney, in constructing a half-moon battery on the East point of the Cove, where stood the house built for Bennillong by Governor Phillip. On the 25th, a violent burst of thunder, with whirlwinds, was felt, by which Several build- ings were considerably damaged. On the 3d of December, when the departure of the Marquis Cornwallis took place, for Ben- gal, several convicts were taken from the set- tlement without the formality of permission. The harvest began last month was completed this. Of the abundance fondly expected, all were disappointed; owing to an unfortunate drought in the course often months, the wheat did not turn out more than one- third the quan- tity of grain, that there was a rational expecta- tion it would have produced, had the season been otherwise. NEW SOUTH WALES. 2i5 At the conclusion of the harvest a slight dis- turbance took place among the Irish convicts at Toongabbe. Each man and woman who had been employed, having received a small quan- tity of spirits and water, which was ordered to be given them, its first effect was cheerful pleasantry, but it terminated in riot; a circum- stance by no means uncommon with those peo- ple. They were however soon separated and sent to their huts. On the 19th, the Francis arrived from Nor- folk Island, leaving all there in good health. Lieut Shortland, agreeable to his directions, searched for SirCha.Middleton Island and shoal, and returned with his journal, and a chart of the several traverses he made in quest of the island, and compared them with some made by Lieut, (now Captain) Ball, of his Majesty's armed brig Supply, when sent by Governor Phillip on the same pursuit. The extensive, range taken by those officers in the search, and not having met with any indications of land near that situation, left little reafon to believe the exist- ence of an island. That of the shoal was not doubtful ; and, although Mr. Shortland did not fall in with it, yet as a shoal had been seen near the spot in which that reef was laid down, there was every reason to believe that a bank Or shoal did exist thereabout ; but its exact situation in point of latitude and longitude had not yet been correctly fixed, nor was its extent supposed to be so great as was at first believed. 256 HISTORY OF The 25th, was properly observed as Christ- mas-day, in the evening the Nautilus ar- rived from the Southward. She had been at Preservation Island, >vhere, and in the neigh- bouring islands, she had been successful in seal-catching. The master left 14 of his peo- ple on the island of Cape Barren, to provide as many skins and as much oil as they could against his return. Those he brought with him were in a few days sold at Sydney. The Indispensable and Britannia whalers, which had been fishing on the coast, returned on the 29th to repair and refresh their crews. They had cruized from the latitude of 32° 00', to 55° 00' and not farther from the coast than from. 20 to 30 leagues, and thought themselves successful, one having got 54, and the other 60 tons of sperma- ceti oil. The Eliza put into Botany Bay, to wood and water ; but though much longer at sea had not mK with equal success, obtaining only 45 tons of oil. The master said he saw off the N. E. part of New Calidonia, a ship on shore on a reef, the lower masts of which were above water ; but the weather being thick and hazy, and blowing too fresh to allow him to examine her ; but as a piece of a boat, seemingly part of a whale-boat, floated near him, he jmdged it to be the wreck of a whaler ; and he also fell in with a seriously dangerous and extensive shoal, lying N. N. W. 40 leagues from Sandy Cape, on the coast of New South Wales. It was so ex- tensive, that finding himself on it, and not NEW SOUTH WALES. 257 being able to get back, it took him some con- siderable time to run through it. Three deaths happened this month out of the regular course : a woman died of the bite of a snake ; another was drowned in attempting to land at Norfolk Island ; and on the 19th died, suddenly, Mr. Stephenson, the storekeeper at Sydney. His death was not in the usual way, neither had been the last few years of his life; for by an upright conduct, and a faith- ful discharge of the duties of his office, he se- cured to himself the approbation of his supe- riors. He had been emancipated for his good behaviour, and thus enabled to execute the office of store-keeper. As the election of constables took place an- nually in December, the magistrates were re- quested to be very particular in the persons returned for that purpose ; as there was reason, from many causes, to fear, that the frequent escapes of prisoners from goal, must have been attended with that uniform success they met with, by the constables being tampered with, so shameful was their neglect of that duty en- trusted to their care. The wheat harvest over, the country, as hap- pened too generally at this season, was in many places on fire, when every person engaged in farm- ing was reminded of the necessity of exerting themselves tosecure their crops, againstaccidents by fire. An admonition one would have thought by no means requisite, as it so very materially con- 258 HISTORY OF cerned their own interest ; but it serves to shew that those not anxious for the public good, were careless even of their own. In the early part of December, the thermometer at the Hawkes- bury stood at 107 degrees. Many persons were much afflicted with in- flammations of the eyes, accompanied with ex- treme pain, which was supposed by the faculty to be occasioned by the dry, sultry weather which prevailed some time. Dysenteric com* plaints, which were attributed to the water, most of the runs and springs being nearly dried up. The tanks cut in the rocks, below the stream by order of Governor Phillip had proved of the greatest utility. The seamen of the Supply finished a half- moon battery this month, and part of that ship's guns were mounted in it, and thus formed a very respectable addition to the strength of the colony's defence. Among other works, some were employed in white- washing the houses in Sydney, and repair- ing the buildings which required it; an highly necessary attention once in very year, for the ge- neral preservation; the re- construction of which, if suffered to decay, was attended with a greal expense both of money and labour, the latt< of which was of more consequence than th< former as there were but few comparatively t< work, and small indeed was the quantity oj it to be obtained from them, New south Wales* 259 The live-stock and the ground in cultivation, will be seen to have very much increased this year, by the following account of each. LIVE-STOCK. Horses. Mares. Horned Cattle, j Sheep. Goats. Bulls and Oxen. Cows. 'Hogs. Male. Female. Male. Female. 44 73 163 2-;S 2S6j 1455) 2443 78/ 1880 LAND IN CULTIVATION, Acres in Wheat. Acres in Maize. Acres in Barley. 4659 1453 57| If to the increase of live-stock, and culti- vated land, could be added an increase of morality or improvement among the convicts, it would afford the mind infinite satisfaction, but alas! the earth itself and the beasts of the field have shown forth the bounty of the creator; while these beings have lived only to profane the name and goodness of him who suffered them to exist. On the 2d of January, 1779, several cer- tificates were given to convicts who had com- pleted their terms of transportation ; and £60 HISTORY OF that no one might have the power of mak- ing a plea of injustice being exercised with respect to their servitude, a rule was made seve- ral times during the year, to issue certificates to such as were entitled to them; and if they desired to be at their own disposal, they were struck off the victualling books. Many con- victs sent out had not more than two years to serve on their arrival, proved, by claiming their discharge, a considerable drawback from th« number of labourers in Norfolk Island and New South Wales. By these means were let loose om the public, a number of worthless characters, who became very dangerous and troublesome, refusing every kind of labour, though they neglected not to form connections with the worthless part of the inhabitants, who from their peculiar situations, had many opportu- nities of affording information where robberies of all kinds could be most readily and success- fully committed. Still, as the sentenced period had expired, there was no denying them with- out injustice, the restoration of their free- dom. The convicts in general had for several months suffered much, for want of clothing and bedding, for, during the late harvest they laboured in the fields, as totally divested of clothing as any native savages in the country. In consequence of which many anonymous letters were dropped, in which were threatened what vile actions would be effected at the season they knew many oportunities would offer. ? NEW SOUTH WALES. %6\ About this time, when certificates were to be granted, a numerous body, particularly of Irish convicts, many of whom had only lately reached the country, asserted in the most tur- bulent manner " their times were out," nor would they at first he persuaded they laboured under, a mistake ; when growing insolent, they used threats ; on which some of the most daring were secured and punished, after which they went peaceably to their work. The unfortunate produce of the harvest, now proved a most serious cause of regret, for the wheat was little more than straw ; and the maize burnt in the ground for want of rain. Indeed from the establishment of the colony, so long a drought and great continuance of heat had not been known. The country was now nearly every where in flames, and even the wind was parching, and a very few showers which fell proved of no advantage, being instantly drawn up by the excessive heat. On January the 12th, arrived the Norfolk, with Lieut. Flinders and Mr. Bass, from the examination of Van Diemen's land, of which voyage these gentlemen gave the following in- teresting particulars : Sailing, as stated, in October last, on the 11th, when nearly off Cape Howe, they were met by a fresh gale at S. W. on which they bore up, gained, and cast anchor in Twofold Bay. Mr. Bass had visited this Bay when on the coast before in the whale-boat ; but had not then an opportunity to examine it as he 2#2 ■ KtSTOItr OF wished, but now he ascertained Twofold Bay to be situated at the South end of a chain of hills, one part of which is more conspicuous than the rest, laying behind the bay. The land on the West side of this chain of hills, is both high and rocky. The shore divided into steep cliff heads, with small beaches ; the one formed by the foremost ridges, and the others by the sand thrown up at the foot of the vallies, and ponds of brackish water were found behind the beaches. The sudden rise of the hills permit the vege- table earth to be washed down into the vallies, and some of the gradual slopes retain enough of it to produce a thick coat of grass ; however the soil partakes too much of the stoney quality of the higher parts for cultivation. The hills and vallies produce large timber and brush- wood ; on the hills, the brush-wood grows in small clumps ; but in the vallies it not only covers all the surface, but is bound together by creeping vines of various sizes. In the S. W. corner of the bay, is a small inlet that communicates with the sea, through the beach at the back of which it lies. The chain of hills here runs back some distance from the water, and leaving some miles of \good ground, through which the inlet takes its course to the S.W. for six or eight miles, where it ends in swamps and marshes. On its banks they saw some hundred acres of alight sandy soil, in patches of from 50 to 100 acres each; but on the mountain side, it soon became stoney, NEW SOUTH WALES. 263 and on that next the inlet it was wet and salt. The country on the back of the bay is formed of round stoney hills hardly fit for pas- turage, but covered with timber, and patches of short brush- wood. On the South side, they found another shal- low inlet, larger than the other, running in by the end of a beach, and winding along to the S.S.W. with little low ground on its borders, but the returning tide did not allow them time to proceed to its head. On the East side, the hills not being either steep or prominent, several large slopes of good though sandy soil, were discovered to have been formed. Some of which extended to the water, well covered with grass, and thinly set with timber, which formed a beautiful appear- ance from the bay. Speaking of the land round the bay, these Gentlemen observed, it might be said it was more barren than productive ; that there were several spots of tolerable good, and some of excellent soil ; but the greater part incapable of cultivation, and fit only for pas- turage. The most common timber they saw was a species of gum tree, the bark of which on the trunk is that of the iron bark of Port Jackson ; and its leaf, that of the gum tree; its branches near the head are of a yellow colour, smooth, and resembling the barked limbs of trees. The wood longer grained, and tougher, splitting with more truth than any other kinds of the gum tree. VGA; HISTORY OF The natives in person were similar to those about Port Jackson, but their language was unintelligible. They used canoes, and seemed to well know the value of them ; for on rowing round the point of Snug Cove, when Mr. Bass was on a former visit, a party of them paddled on shore, took their canoes upon their heads, and ran off with them to the woods. How- ever, they did not now appear quite so shy as formerly ; and there was every reason to imagine that a friendly intercourse might have been established. As the very few spears seen here were made of solid wood, Messrs. Bass and Flinders con- jectured, that the grass reed spear used by the natives of Port Jackson was not known among these people. £ew marks of the kangaroo were seen, and both quadrupeds and birds appeared to be far less numerous here than in most other places. The dogs accompanying the voyagers found a porcupine ant-eater, which they could make no impression on ; he escaped by burrowing in the loose sand, sinking himself directly downwards, and not head foremost, thus presenting his prickly back, opposed his adversaries to the last. A tew clucks, teal, herons, cranes, and red- bills were seen on the lagoons, and some flights of curlews and plovers. The rocks consist of hard clay, mixed with great numbers of small stones, variously coloured, some with red, others with yellow. Some cal- carious fpar lay scattered on the surface of the NEW SOUTH WALES. 265 ground ; strata of which were deposited in fis- sures formed in the bodies of the locks. Leaving Twofold Bay, they proceeded to the Southward, and on the 17th, made a small clus- ter of Islands, in latitude 38° 16"', which now bears the name of Kent's Group. These arc six: or seven in number, of various sizes. Their height is considerable, and as irregular in figure as can well be imagined. This group appears formed of granite, which is imperfectly con- cealed by long straggling dwarfish brush, and some few still more diminutive trees. Nature is either working slowly on these islands, or has ceased to work on them, since a more deserted place is no where to be met with. ;The birds Seemed not to frequent them in their usual num- bers. Indeed there was nothing to tempt the explorers even to land. .Passing Kent's ( 1 roup, and standing to the Southward, next morning Furneaux's Islands were in sight, and on the following day they anchored at Preservation Island, which is one of them. These islands, from what was now and before seen of them by Mr. Bass, appeared to consist of two kinds, perfectly dissimilar in figure, but alike in the materials they are formed of. Both are of granite; but the one is low, and rather level, with a soil of sand covered with brush-wood and tufted grass: the other is jhigh and rocky, and cut into a variety of peaks. Some vegetable soil lies on these, and the vege- tation is large; and trees of a tolerable size are M M %66 • HISTORY OF produced in some places. There are attached to' some parts of these islands low sandy land, of the same height with the lower islands. Preservation Island, is of the humble class of islands and of a moderate height. A surface of sand, mixed with vegetable soil, scarcety hides from view the base of granite. In several places vast blocks of this stone lie scattered about, as free from vegetation and the injuries of weather as if they had but just fallen ; and, what is remarkable, most of them are entirely detached from the stone on which they rest. It seemed that these blocks had fallen from some place higher than on which they were found ; but that was at the same time deemed impossible, for they were then higher than any other part of the island. It is cer- tainly more probable, that subterraneous or vol- canic fire might have caused their appearance. The bulk of these blocks render them so con- spicuous, that the attention is first taken bjr them on approaching the island. But, besides gran ate, there is on the North side, where the island is lowest, a slip of calcareous earth, which discovers itself near the surface of the water. It is not pure, for broken pieces of the granite are mixed with it. Some parts are a mere mass of these pieces, cemented by the calcareous matter; others are a perfect chalk, and may be burnt into excellent lime. Broken sea shells and other exuviae of marine animals are apparent throughout the whole mass. NEW SOUTH WALES. 267 Upon the beach near this chalky rock, were found a considerable quantity of black metallic particles, which appeared in the granite as black shining specks, and are undoubtedly grains of tin. It excited much surprise to find this bed of the remains of shell animals, of which djalk is formed wherever found ; and Mr. Bass endea- voured to investigate the cause of this deposit, by examining the neighbouring parts ; on which he was of opinion, that as traces of the sea, and of the effects of running waters, were dis- cernable in various parts of the island, and par- ticularly in the vicinity of this deposit, it seemed probable it had been formed by two streams of the tide, which when the island was beneath the surface of the sea, having swept round a large lump of rock, then met and formed an eddy, where every substance must fall to the bottom. The lump of rocks is a rocky knowl, M'hich runs from the opposite side of the island nearly to the chalk. On each side is a gap, through which the two streams have passed. The vegetation of the island seems starved; consisting only of a few stunted trees; some patches of brush- wood, almost impenetrable ; tufts of sour wiry grass, and many low saltish plants, principally of the creeping kind. A spot on the East end of the island exhi- bited a phenomenon not easily explicable by any laws of that class of natural history to which it could be referribje. £6*8 HISTORY OF In a patch of naked sand, on one of the most lofty parts of the island, not less than 100 feet above the sea, within a few hundred yards, lav- scattered a number of broken branches of dead trees, from one to three inches in diameter, and apparently of a kind similar to the large brush- wood. Amid these branches were seen sticking up several white stoney stumps, of sizes ranging be- tween'the above diameters, and in height from a foot to a foot and an half. Their form, together with a number of prongs, projecting in different directions around their base, and entering the ground in the manner of roots, presented a strik- ing resemblance to the stumps and roots of trees. They were extremely brittle, a slight blow with a stick, being sufficient to break them; and when taken into the hand, they broke to pieces with their own weight. When broke transversely, it was seen that the internal was divided into interior or central, ex- terior or cortical. The external part, which occupied various proportions of the whole, re- sembled a fine white and soft grit-stone; but acids being applied to them, shewed it to be combined with a considerable portion of cal- careous matter. The interior or central part was always circular, seldom found the same diame- ter, or of the same composition, on any two stumps. In some, the calcareous and sandy matter had taken entire possession, so that the wood was completely obliterated ; but yet a cen- tral ring remained. In others was a center chalk, quite white, which crumbled between the fin- NEW SOUTH WALES. 2&9 gers to powder; some consisted of chalk and brown earth, and others had detained a few por- tions of their woody fibres, the spaces between which were filled up with chalk or earth. It appeared, when the people of the Sidney- cove came on the island, the pieces of dead branches at this time lying round the stumps, then formed, with them, the stem and branches of dead trees completly. But by this time cu- riosity, and the frolics of the horse landed from the Sidney-Cove, had reduced them to the state described. Mr. Bass had been told that the trees when in a complete state, rose from the stoney part ; and that a living leaf was seen upon the upper bran- ches of one of them. But he could never learn whether the stoney part of the stem was of an equal height in all the trees. To ascertain to what depth the petrification decended, Mr. Bass scratched away the sand from the foot of many of the stumps, and in no instance found it to have proceeded more than three or four inches beneath the surface of the sand, for at that depth the remains of the root came to view. There were parts of the roots which had undergone an alteration similar to that which had taken" place in the stems: these es- tablished the limits of the petrifying power ; for they had felt it only either at their outset from the bottom of the stems, or when, being obstruct- ed in their progress, they had arched upwards tp the surface. $70 HISTORY OP In accounting for the cause that produced this change in the structure of the lower parts of the stems of these trees, Mr. Bass professed the greatest diffidence. He found that all his conjectures were best supported by existing facts, allowing however, they were petrifactions, it is certain that there must have existed a pond, in which the petrifying water was contained; but the ground in their neighbourhood retained no traces of such a receptacle. There were, in-* deed, near them, some few lumps or banjos of sand, and vegetable earth held together by dead roots of small trees, and elevated above the rest of the ground, but the relative position of these with each other was so confused and irregular, that nothing but the necessity of a once exist- ing reservoir could ever lead any one to conjec- ture that these might have been parts of its bank. Mr. Bass concluded that this must have been the case, and that the remainder of the bank had been torn away, and the pond anni- hilated by some violent effort of nature. Notwithstanding the narrowness of the island, many small kangaroos were found in its brushy parts ; but so many had been destroyed by the peo- ple of Sydney- Cove, that they now became scarce. The sooty petrel had appropriated a certain grassy part of the island to herself, and retained her position with a degree of obstinacy not ea- sily to be overcome. For though it so happened, that the store-house for the wrecked cargo was erected upon the spot, and the people for more than a year gained the greater part of thr NEW SOtJfH WALES. 271 food from these birds, and were continu- ally walking over their habitations, yet at the end of that time the returning flights in the even- ing were as numerous as they had been on their first arrival* When Mr. Hamilton, the commander of the Sydney- Cove, quitted the house, he left two hens sitting upon their eggs, some breeding pigeons, and a bag of rice; but no traces were now to be discovered either of the birds or their food. Pro- bably as long as they continued in doors, they did well ; but that, when forced by necessity to go abroad for food, they fell a sacrifice to the ra- pacity of the hawks. Several snakes with venemous fangs wem found ; but, no person had been bit by them, so that the degree of their power was unknown. The water of the island was imagined to have been injurious to the health of people of the Sydney-Cove. Being supposed to contain arse- nic, which seemed highly probable from an ex- periment made with the metallic particles, which were thought to be tin. A fume of which bore many marks of arsenic arising from the crucible during the time of smelting it. Water was ve- ry scarce while these people were upon the island ; but, owing to some unusual falls of rain, several little runs and swamps were found by Mr. Bass ; and a low piece of ground where they deposited their dead was now a pond of an ex- cellent quality. Although he had seen but few of the low islands of Furneaux, yet Mr. Bass had not any 272 ' HISTORY OF doubt but that this account of Preservation Island would in general answer for the descrip- tion of any of them. He next describes what he saw of Cape Bar- ren Island, which he understood, from the peo- ple of the Nautilus snow, was an exact specimen of those of the higher kind, so far as they had observed of them. Cape Barren Island, which takes its name from the cape so called by Captain Furneaux, is a small island when compared with that lying to the northward of it. From what was seen of it in the sloop, it could only be conjectured that these two were separate Islands ; but Mr. Bishop had passed in the Nautilus through the channel that divides them. This island is one of the higher kind that consists of both high and low laud. The- high part composed of granite, in man}^ places, in others clothed with small gum trees, which draw their support through some small quantity of vegetable earth lodged by the broken blocks and fragments of stone, and some straggling brush-wood shooting up round the trees. The base of the low part is granite ; the sur- face chiefly sand ; its produce, variety of brush- wood, with some few small gum trees, and a spe- cies of fir, that grows tall and straight to the height of twenty or twenty- five feet. Within the body of the brush there are several clear spots, where the ground is partly rocky or san- dy, partly wet and spongy. These are some- what enlivened by beautiful flowering heath . 1 I NEW SOUTH WALES. 273 and low shrubs, but have a dark aspect. A grass tree grows here, similar to that about Port Jack- son, except that no reed, either living nor dead, could be found belonging to it. Im the brushes, were a few tufts of grass ; dmt the greater part of it was the coarse sort that grows in hassocks. It is curious that a place where food seemed to be so scarce should yet be thickly inhabited by the small brush kangaroo, and a new quad- ruped, also a grass -eater. This animal, being a new one, app'ears to de- serve a particular description. M The Wom-bat (or Womback) is a thick, short-legged, inactive quadruped, with appearance of every strength, and bigger than a turnspit dog. Its figure and movements, strongly bring to mind the bear. " Its length, from the tip of the tail to the tip of the nose, is thirty-one inches, of which its body is twenty- three and five-tenths. The head of this curious animal is seven inches. Its cir- cumference behind the fore- legs, twenty-seven inches; across the thick part of the belly, thir- ty-one inches. Its weight is between twenty- 8ve and thirty pounds. The hair coarse, and nbout one inch in length, thin on the belly, thicker on the back and head, and thickest up- pn the loins and rump ; the colour of it a sandy brown, of varying shades, darkest along the )ack. " The head is large and flattish, and, when ' ooking the animal full in the face, seems, ex- duding the ears, to form nearly an equilateral riangle, any side of which is about seven inches N N 274 HISTORY OF in length, but the upper side, or that which con- stitutes the breadth of the head, is the shortest. The hair upon the face lies in regular order, as if it were combed, with its- ends pointed upwards in a kind of radii, from the nose. M The ears are sharp and erect, of two inches and three tenths in length, stand well asunder, and are in nowise disproportionate. The eyes are small, and rather sunk than prominent, but< quick and lively. They are placed about two inches asunder, a little below the centre of the imaginary triangle towards the nose. The nice co-adaption of their ciliary processes, which are covered with a fine hair, seeming to afford the animal the power of excluding whatever may be hurtful. "The nose is large and spreading, the nostrib large, and capable of being closed. They stand angularly, and a channel is continued from them towards the tipper lip, which is divided like the hare's. The whiskers are rather thick and strong, and are in length from 2 to 3 inches, " The mouth is small; which contains five long grass-cutting teeth in the front of each jaw, within them is a vacancy of an inch, then appear two small canine teeth of equal height with, and so similar to, eight molares situated behind, as scarcely to be distinguishable from them. The whole number in both jaws amount to twenty-four. " The neck is thick and short, and greatlj restrains the motions of the head, which looks as if it was stuck on the shoulders. NEW SOUTH WALES. 275 " From the neck the back arches a little as far as the loins, whence it goes off at a flat slope to the hindmost parts, where no tail is visible A tail, notwithstanding is found, after separating the hairs, five tenths of an inch in length, naked, except for a few short hair near its end. This curious tail seemed to hold a much bolder proportion in the young than in the full-gown animal. " The fore legs are very strong and muscular: their length, to the sole of the paw, iso inches, and the distance between them is 5 inches. The paws are fleshy, round and large being 2 inches in dia- meter. Their claws are 5 in number* The 3 mid- dle claws are strong ; the thumb and little finger claws are also strong, but shorter than the others. The fleshy root of the thumb- claw, is smaller and more flexible than the others. The sole of the paw is hard, and the upper part covered with the common hair, down to the roots of the claws which it over- hangs. The hind legs are less strong and mus- cular than the fore; their length, to the sole, is five inches and a half. The hind paw is longer than the fore, but not less fleshy ; its length is nearly three inches, its breadth two inches and a half. The claws are four in number : the three inner ones are less strong, but about two- tenths of an inch longer than the longest of the fore claws; and there is a fleshy spur in the place of a thumb-claw. The whole paw has a curve, which throws its fore part rather inward. u In size the two sexes are nearly the same, \v\l the female rather the heaviest. 276' HISTORY OF "This animal has not any claim to swiftness of foot, as most men could run it down. Its pace is hobbling something like the gait of a bear. In disposition it is mild and gentle ; but it bites hard and is furious when provoked. Mr. Bass never heard its voice but once ; it was a low cry, which could not be heard at a distance of more than 30 or 40 yards. He chased one, and with his .hands under its belly lifted it off the ground -without hurting it, and laid it on its back along his arm. It made no noise, nor any ef- fort to escape. Mr. Bass carried the beast up- wards of a mile, shifting him from arm to arm, sometimes laying him on his shoulder, which he took in good part ; till being obliged to secure his legs while he went into the brush to cut a specimen of a new wood, the creature's anger arose with the pinching of the twine ; he whiz- zed with all his might, kicked most furiously, and snapped off a piece from the elbow of Mr. Bass's jacket with his grass cutting teeth; and the creature, when again taken up, remained implacable all the way to the boat, only ceasing to kick when he was exhausted." Besides Furneaux's Islands, the Worm-bat inhabits the mountains and several islands to the Westward of Port Jackson. In all these places its habitation is under ground, being ad- mirably formed for burrowing, but what depth it descends does not seem to be ascertained. According to the account given of it by the natives, the wom-bat of the mountains is never seen during the day, but lives retired in his hole, feeding only in the night; but that of the NEW SOUTH WALES. 2/7 islands is seen to feed in all parts of the day. The stomacs of such as Mr. Bass examined were distended with the coarse wiry grass, and he had seen the animal scratching among the the dry ricks of sea-weed thrown up upon the shores, hat could never discover what it was in search of. Cape Barren Island, besides the kangaroo and worn-bat, is inhabited by the porcupine ant-eater ; a rat with webbed feet ; parroquets, and small birds unknown at Port Jackson, some few of which were of beautiful plumage. Black snakes with the venimous fangs wrere numerous upon the edges of the brush. The rocks to- ward the sea were covered with fur-seals. Quitting Furneaux's Islands, the Norfolk proceeded toward the North coast of Van Die- men's land; and on the 1st of November an- chored at the largest of the Swan Jsles, two small islands so called by Lieut. Flinders, when here in the Francis; as an European belonging to the Sydney-Cove assured him that he had met great numbers of swans on them. The isle at which the sloop anchored, like Preservation Island, was low, sandy, and bar- ren, but differed in the composition of its rocks, or that substance Which formed the basis of its support. This had not any affinity to gra- nite. It was of various colours, but generally either of a light brown or grey. It seemed to be lamellated, but the lamelhu were placed ver- tically, often radiated with a diameter of four or five feet, and sometimes placed parallel. On breaking the stone, the fracture was vitreous, or 2/8 HISTORY OF like that of glass, and it scintillated on steel being applied. Rust of iron was visible in se- veral parts, the stone breaking in those parts into plates; but where none of those m ark in gs were seen, it broke with great difficulty. On the first view, the stone looked like clay; but as it produced fire with steel, there must have been a large portion of flint in it. It appeared to contain iron in rather a large quantity. Not a single swan was found upon the island, notwithstanding the information given by the European ; but several geese were breeding there, and the sooty petrel possessed the grassy parts. On the first of November, early in the morn- ing, they left the Swan Isles, steering to the Westward along shore. A column of smoke which arose some dis- tance inland, was the only proof of its being inhabited. At noon the latitude was 40° 44' 08", the peak of Cape Barren Island then in sight. At this time they were two miles to the Westward of the small island, which was low and rocky, lying about 2 miles and a half of a sharp, sandy point, with which it was nearly joined by some lumps of rock that almost closed up the passage. The aspect of the low land here was less pleas- ing, the mountains approaching nearer the sea, and the country appearing to be more stocked with wood. The coast seemed inclined to q. southerly direction, and the Western extremity, 4 NEW SOUTH WALES. 2/9 which bore S. W. by W. appeared irregular and very much broken. At five in the afternoon they anchored two miles and a half to the Westward of the small island, setting the vessel to the Northward. The next morning thev weighed at nine, with an easterly wind, and steered towards a small break that presented itself in the bottom of an extensive bay, lying between the two extremes then in view. The break was not sufficiently distinct to have justified in itself alone a reason- able supposition of an inlet, but that it was cor- roborated by the direction of the ebb tide, which, while the sloop was at anchor, was ob- served to come from the S. S. W. or directly out of the ba}r, running at the rate of two miles and a half per hour. By noon, they ascertained that there was not any inlet, they bore away to the Westward along the land. Their distance from the shore did not exceed a mile and a half. The back country consisted of high mountains, whose parallel edges were one above another lo a considerable distance inland. The land in front appeared both woody, bushy, and sandy. In the afternoon they ran between a sandy point, with shoal water off it, and two islands. One of these, named Waterhouse Isle, is be- tween two and three miles in length, high, but level, and covered with large wood. The other is small, low, rocky, and nearly bare. The coast now trended to the S. S. W. the land sloping up from the sea a moderate height, with £30 HISTORY OF mbre open than wooded ground, and little brush-wood ; but the soil sandy, and the grass thin. Proceeding, the shore no longer retained a regular line of direction, but fell back into sandy bights. Hauling off for the night to the Westward of a small rocky barren island, about four miles from the land, at six o'clock the next morning they came in with it again, and began their course along the shore, to the S. S. W. in an irregular manner. At eleven they passed within a mile of a grassy cape, which is the extremity of a ridge, that rising up by a gentle ascent, retreats and joins some lofy mountains. A small rocky island lay too miles from it to the W. S. W. at noon the latitude was 40° 55l 25", and the lon- gitude 147° 16' 30". Early in the afternoon a gap in the land situ- ated at the back of a deep narrow bight, at- tracted attention, this they bore away to ex- amine; and, after running three miles, they found they had shut in the line of the coast on each side, and were impelled forward by a strong inset of tide. Continuing their course for the gap, some back points within the en- trance soon became distinguishable, and the rapidity of the flood tide was observed to in- crease on nearing the shore. When the sloop was on the point of entering the harbour, the water shoaled suddenly, and she struck the ground and lay fast ; but the strong flood in a few minutes dragged her over into deep water, NEW SOUTH WALES. 281 and shot her into the entrance with great ve- locity. Having advanced within the entrance, the harbour began to expand itself in a kind of large basin. Its shores were broken into points, be- tween some of which the great strength of the flood tide led them to expect it would branch off into arms. The land lying immediately up- on its borders was low, but not flat; and tho^e points near whicn the sloop passed were clothed with an unusual degree of verdure. The sun being down, the vessel was anchored for the night, and the next day they proceeded with their researches. This harbour, or inlet, which was named by the Governor, Port Dalrymple, in compliment to Alexander Dalrymple, Esq. takes its course from the S. E. between two chains of rounded mountains, stretching inland from the sea with an almost imperceptible increase of elevation; and, seemed to unite, at the distance of between thirty and forty miles, in a body of rugged moun- tains more loftv than themselves. These two chains in their relative positions formed an acute angle, being at their greatest distance asunder, as measured along the sea ooast, only sixteen miles. As these gentlemen were limitted in point of time (twelve weeks having been deemed by the Governor sufficient for the execution of this service), the fear of losing a wind favourable for the prosecution of the principal object of the voyage, that of sailing through the strait, deter- o o 282 HISTORY OF red them from trying to reach the head of the river. The quality of the ground, was far superior to that of the borders of any of the salt water inlets of New South Wales, Western Port ex- cepted. The vegetable mould was, however, found to be of no great depth, and was some- times mixed with small quantities of sand. The best of the soil was found upon the sides of sloping hills, and in the broad vallies between them. Some parts that were low and level had a wet surface, bounded by small tracts of flower- ing shrubs and plants, that absolutely perfum- ed the air. These retained in general the ap- pearance of those in New South Wales, while they were in reality very different. The two countries present a perfect similarity in this, that the more barren spots are the most gaily adorned. Except in these places the grass does not grow in tufts, but covers the land equally with a short herbage, better adapted, for small than of large cattle. The food for the latter grows in the bot- toms of the vallies and on the damp flats. A large proportion of the soil promised a fair re- turn to the labours of the cultivator, but the greater part would perhaps be more advantage- ously employed, if left for pasturage, than if thrown into cultivation. Water was found in runs more than in ponds, not very plentiful, but far from being scarce. The west side of the river possessed the larg- est quantity of the best ground, because the mountains on that side are at a greater distance NEW SOUTH WALES. 283 than those on the east. The country lying near the west arm is rather flat, and might be con- verted to many useful purposes. The best land seemed to be that fine hilly country at the back of an island named Middle- Island; but access to it is not easy on account of a large shoal extending along its front, which is dry at low water, as far out as the island itself. The shape of the land is very pleasingly varie- gated with hill and valley ; the soil is in general a rich black mould, shallow, and even some- times a little stoney on the hiljs, but in the val- lies abundant depth and richness. A close coat of grass of a uniform thickness overspreads it every where. It appears to be watered only by swampy ponds, which in many places are at some distance from each other. The heavy timber is chiefly of the various species of the gum tree ; of which two are differ- ent from any that have been yet seen in this coun- try. But, from the few trees that have been fel- led, it was thought to be more sound at heart than they are usually. The she oaks were more inclined to spread than grow tall. The tree pro- ducing the yellow gum is of a very diminutive size; but, unlike that of Cape Barren Island, it bears a reed correspondent to itself. These were going into flower, and their length was only from nine inches to two feet. Grey kangaroos of a large size, abounded in the open forest ; and the brushes with the smaller black kind. The gloomy plumage of the parrots forms a 284 HISTORY OF contrast with the lustre of those near the settle- ment. The cry of the bell-bird seems to be un- known here. Aquatic birds, web-footed and waders, frequent the arms and covers of the ri- ver ; but the black swans alone are remarkable in point of number. Mr. Bass once saw three hundred swimming within the space of a quarter of a mile; and heard the " dying song" so ce- lebrated by the poets. Not more than two thirds of any of the flocks which they fell in with could fly, the rest could do no more than flap along upon the surface of the water, being either moulting, or not yet come to their full feather and growth, which they require two years to at- tain. They swam and flapped alternately, and went surprisingly fast It was some times a long chase, but the boat generally tired them out. When in danger, speed makes no part of their escape, they immerse their bodies so far, that the water makes a passage between their neck and back, and in this position they would avoid a heavy load of shot. They seemed endowed with much sagacity ; in chase they soon learned the weakest point of their pursuers, and, instead of swimming directly from them, as they did at iirst, always endeavoured in the most artful man- ner to gain the wind. The swan is said to feed upon fish, frogs, and water-slugs; but in the gizards of many that at different times and in different places were examined, nothing appeared but small wa- iter plants, and some little sand. Of their afFec-' tjon for their young he had seen some sacri- NEW SOUTH WALES. £85 fices; but of their fierceness, when opposed to man, or their great strength, he had seen no in- stance. Among other reptiles were found the snake with venemous fangs, and some brown guanoes. This country is but thinly inhabited, and the extreme shyness of the natives prevented any kind of communication whatever. They ne- ver even got sight of them but once, and that at a great distance. They had made fires abreast where the sloop was at anchor ; but as soon as the boat approached the shore they ran off to the woods. Their huts, of which seven or eight were frequently found together like a little encamp- ment, were constructed of bark torn in long stripes, after being divided transversely at the bottom, in such breadths as their strength would be able to disengage them from the wood. It is then broken into lengths, and placed, sloping- wise, against the elbowing part of some dead branch that had fallen off limbs of the gum tree ; and a little grass is sometimes thrown over the top. But, they have not ingenuity enough to place the slips of bark in such a manner as to preclude the rain. The only utensil observed lying near their huts was a kind of basket made of long grass. The two ends of a large bunch of this grass are tied to the two ends of a smaller bunch; the large one is then spread out to form the basket, while the smaller answers the purpose of a handle. Their use is to bring shell fish from the mud banks where they are collected. The large £S<5 HISTORY OF heaps of muscle shells found near each hut proved the mud banks to be a principal source of food. On an examination of their fire-places nothing, except a few bones of the opossum, or squ and here and there those of a small kangaroo were discovered. The mode of taking the opossum seemed to be similar to that practised in New South Wales, except that they use a rope in ascending the tree; for at the foot of a notched tree, about eight feet of a two-inch rope made of grass was found with a knot in it, near which it appeared broken. To the canoe thev were strangers as one was never met with, or was dny tree ever observed to be barked in the manner requisite for this purpose; though birds bred upon little islands to which access might be had in the smallest canoe. The roughness of the notches left bvthe stone O yl hatchet upon the bark of the trees bore no fa- vourable testimony to its excellence. They were rather the marks of a rough than of a sharp edged tool, and seemed more beaten than cut, which was not the case with the marks left by the stone hatchet of New South Wales. The range of the thermometer, taken in vari- ous parts of the port, was at night from 49° to 52°, and at noon from 58° to 64°. On the 20th of November they left Port Dalr- rymple with a light breeze at N. E. and proceed- ed slowly to the westward. At day-light the following morning, the wind shifted to the W. by N. which drove them back to Furneaux'o 4 NEW SOUTH WALES. 287 islands, where, the gale continuing at west, they were kept until the 3d of December, when they were enabled to proceed to the westward. The land here trended to the W. N. W. as far as visible through the haze, which suffered them only to dis- tinguish that it was high and uneven. Atnoon the latitude was 40* 58', and the longitute 140° 44'. Their progress was slow; but what was seen of it appeared high and mountainous, the moun- tains forming into low peaks, to which a few large shapeless knobs added a great Angularity. On the haze clearing away, and the shore being distinctly seen, it appeared rocky, but wooded nearly down to the water's edge. Here and there were seen spaces of open ground, some of which sloped toward the sea, and had a few large trees growing on them. A peaked mountain, some miles inland, might have been thought, from its shape and height, to have been once a volcano. On the 6th, towards noon, soon after passing Circular Head, the outermost land in sight stretched so far on the northward, that the course to clear it was N. N. W. It formed like two hummocks. Nothing new presented itself on the follow- ing day, but some small flights of sooty petrels. On the 8th, being threatened with a gale, they came to anchor under the land, off a small beach on its N. E. part, where the S. W. wind could not molest the vessel. Here Mr. Bass land- ed to examine the country, but the tall stur- dy brusb-wood grew so close that their dogs 283 HISTORY OF could hardly make their way through it. Se- veral patches seemed to have f>een burnt many months ago, but the small *brush and creeping vines only were destroyed;' the closeness of the blackened saplings was still*ii resistible. A few starved gum trees erected their heads above the brush- wood, and the whole wore an aspect of poverty. The rocks were composed of quartz, probably a species of granite, but unlike what formed Furneaux's Islands. Leaving this place on the 9th, they steeaed for the outermost land in sight, and was distant three or four leagues. After rounding the end of the land under which they had anchored, its shores fell back, and discovered to them it wras an island of from fifteen to twenty miles miles in circuit, and situated between four and five from the main. It was with the greatest aston- ishment that they recollected the fire places and sea shells which they had the preceding even- ing seen upon the island. This island had bestowed on it the name of the Three Hummock Island. During the early part of the morning, some millions of sooty petrels passed the vessel on their way to the westward. Having passed within a mile of a pointed part of the main, which in height and vegetation resembled Three Hummock Island, toward* noon they came up with some land, which prov- ed to be a small island, high and steep ; and a long swell, which had just before made its first appearance, broke violently upon it, making a furious surf on all sides. Its summit was fcfiW SOUTH WALES. 28<) whitened over with birds- With difficulty a landing was effected, and, after an encounter with some seals that stood above, they reached the top. The birds \found were albatrosses. The spread of their wings was from seven to nine feet; and the appearance of their visitors did not occasion much disturbance among them, even when they approached close to them. The females sat upon their nests, this being the season of their breeding, the nests were not more than a foot and a half apart, built of muddy earth, bound with grass, raised about four inches from the ground. One young bird was in each nest : of the size of a small pullet, covered with a beau- tifully white down ; at some distance resemb* lkig a ball of cotton. Some nests held an addled egg of a dirty white colour, and equal in size to that of a goose. The nests were so near each other, and the birds so conscious of the strength of their sharp bills, that in going through them they were obliged to make use of seal clubs, to procure a passage. Even the young ones spout- ed plentiful mouthfuls of a kind of oil on them not altogether unpleasant. This island, which obtained the name of Al- batross Island, was a mass of stone, without any other vegetation than a few tufts of coarse grass. Besides albatrosses, it afforded shelter to a few hair seals, and the large gull. The latitude was 40° 24', the longitude 145° 02'. Several other islands weffi seen to the South- Ward, ahxi the coast of the niam seemed trended $90 HISTORY or in the same direction. A deep bight lay at the back of these islands, with points and openings visible in its most distant part. They passed near enough to determine that they were high, steep, and difficult of access. Their tops and sloping parts were grown over with either coarse grass or short brush; but not any trees appear- ed. The largest might be seven or eight miles in circuit, the smaller were mere masses of rock, and the whole in number about twelve, obtained the name of Hunter's Isles. A fresh gale at E. N. E. and a heavy swell from the S. W. drove the vessel fast to the South- Mrard and Westward; and on the 11th, the gale having moderated, they stretched in for the land, a large extent of which was indistinctly visible through a light haze that hung about the horizon. At noon the latitude was 41° 13', and the longitude 148° 58'. With a fresh breeze at: N. N. E. they bore away along the shore, which trends to the S. E. by E. and was distant three or four miles. On the following morning the wind rounded to the Northward, and they continued along the shore. Early in the forenoon they passed a sin- gular point, with a number of lumps of rock ly- ing some two or three miles off it to the S. W. It resembled an artificial pier, or mole, witM warehouses upon it, and a light-house on the end next the water. Large masses of detached ob- long rocks gave the appearance of warehouses* and a remarkable long one standing upon its end, that of the light-house. NEW SOUTH WALES. 291 Neither Mr. Bass, nor his fellow voyager, Lieut. Flinders, hesitated to think they had passed through the strait, and from the Pacific, had entered the southern Indian ocean; for what within the extent of a vast sea could give birth to the monstrous swell now rolling in before their eyes ? and the coast was evidently trending towards the S. W. cape. It was worthy of remark, that the Northern shore of the strait from Wilson's Promontory to Western Port resembled the blufY bold shore of an open sea, with a swell rolling in, and a large surf breaking upon it ; while the Southern shore, or what is the coast of Van Diemen's land, appeared like the inner shore of a cluster of islands, whose outer parts break off the great weight of the sea. On the 11th in the afternoon a piece of land like an island was discovered standing out of the line of the coast, but was found joined to the main by a sandy beach. The shore behind it was rugged and craggy, and the land was both sterile and stoney. As night came on the vessel stood off to the Westward, and at day- light the next morning came in with the land near the same spot, and ran along the shore at N. W, About noon the coast rose into chains of high mountains, in the same line as the coast, in latitude 43° 07', the longitude 145° 42'. Some smoke rising astern the vessel was the first circumstance which afforded proof of inhabi- tants being on this West coast £92 HISTORY OF On the 13th they found the vessel had beei carried in the night to leeward of a break in tin land, they had seen the preceding eveninj which appeared like the entrance of an harbour. The north point of which was named Point St. Vincent. In the evening they passed the S. W. cape of Van Diemen's land, hitherto known as that of ? New Holland. It is a narrow piece of land, with two hummocks. Passing the cape, they went between De Witt's Isles and the main, and at sunset they were only about a mile and a half? from the South Cape. The South West and South Capes lie nearly East and West of each other, distant nearly fifteen! leagues. The coast between forms the Southern1 boundary of Van Diemen's land. The extremity of Van Diemen's land presents a rugged front to the icy regions of the southh pole; and seems to have extended further Southh than at present. It has numerous peaks, ridges, gaps and fissures, that seemed to disdain the smallest uniformity of figure. Beneath this con- fusion is observed an equal regularity. Lofty* ridges of mountain, bounded by large cliffs, project for miles into the sea, at nearly equal distances from each other, with a breadth from one to two miles. The bays between them arc< backed by sandy beaches. These buttresses ap- pear to be the southern extremities of the moun- tains of Van Diemen's land. De Witt's Isles are twelve in number, and o\ various sizes. The two largest are three or foul NEW SOUTH WALES. 2f)3 miles in circuit. Their sides steep ; but their height is inferior to that of the main. The largest is the lowest. The smaller isles are little more than lumps of rock, of which that called by Captain Cook the Mew Stone is the south- ernmost. Their appearance, like that of the main, bespeaks sterility; but, superior to the greater part of it, they produce a covering of brush; and upon the sides are a few stinted gum trees. ' A smoke that arose at the back of one of the bights shewed the main to be inhabited. The South Cape is easily to be distinguished from any other projection in its neighbourhood. Besides being the southernmost, it is a promon- tory making like a foreland, sloping gradually as it runs towards the sea, where it ends in a perpendicular cliff. About sunset the fresh N. W. wind died away suddenly ; and a squall from the Westward, of thunder, lightning, and heavy rain, soon car- ried them round the South cape, and, by dark, brought them off Storm- Bay, where they hauled to the wind with the sloop's head up the bay, meaning, in the morning, to proceed by this bay to the Derwent river. The night was squally, and by day light next morning (the 14th,) it was found that the ves- sel had drifted across the mouth of Storm-Bay, or Storm- Bay-Passage. Tasman's-head, its East- ern point, boreN. E. distant three miles. Being too far to leeward to fetch up, and the gale con- tinuing, they bore away round TasmanVhead. 294 HISTORY OF Nothing remarkable was observed about Tas* man's head, except two small islands lying off ft, at the distance of half or three quarters of a mile; and close to them were the two rocks named the Friars. The vegetation on the inner- most .of the two small islands had been burnt iu a manner similar to that on De Witt's isles. Passing Fluted Cape, a fine piece of Basaltes, and Penguin island, they brought up under Cape Frederick Henry, the north point of Ad- venture Bay ; and, the wind blowing strong off it, and the sloop being light and lewardly, they bore round Cape Frederick Henry, hauling on the north of it into the bay, and thus go into the Derwent river: but, finding themselves likely to lose ground by tacking, they stood into Henshaw's bay, and were greatly surprised to find that, instead of its being a mere shallow bight, as laid down in Hayes's chart, it extended many miles to the northward. The wThole now bears the mame of Frederick Henry Bay. In this very extensive bay they remained a week, traversing and measuring various parts of its shores. The surrounding country was found miserable, presenting little fit even for pasturage, and none good enough for cultivation, except near a shal- low lagoon on the west side, on the borders of which were seven or eight hundred acres of low ground, of a black mould. Near the best part, was a large fresh water swamp, overgrown witb ; reeds and bulrushes. NEW SOUTH WALES. Q$5 In the evening of the 2 1 st they entered the mouth of the Derwent. In passing between two islands, the heads of the sea- weed, named from its size, (Gigantic,) were shewing themselves above the surface in six or eight fathoms water. After a very slow course of about twenty-six miles to N. W. the Derwent river falls into Frederick Henry Bay, at which place its breadth is two miles and a quarter, and ten fathoms deep. Several hundred yards above the mouth, it is joined by the Storm- Bay-Passage, which union makes an island of that land which is Adventure Bay. This island, the Derwent river, and the Storm- Bay-Passage, were the discovery of Mr. Hayes, of which he made only an incorrect chart. That dull river the Derwent, not being affect- ed by the tides, its navigation is tedious, parti- cularly with a foul wind. It winds through a country of hills and mountains. The hills on the East rise directly from the banks; but the mountains to the Westward -are at the distance of some miles from the water side and have hilly land before them. The hills are thinly set with light timber principally short oaks; but are co- vered with thick grass, free from brush-wood or patches of shrubs. The soil is a black mould, deep in the vallies, very shallow, and occasion- ally a mixture of sand and small stones. As the hills descend with gentle slopes, the vallies be- tween are extensive and flat £96 HISTORY OF Mr. Bass ascended a mountain in the West three miles from the water, and so conspicuous as to be seen from every part of the Derwent, and was surprized to find it abound with tall gum-tree timber remarkably straight. The shore on the East side of the river,, is covered with a good soil, lightly wooded ; on the West the country rises suddenly into stoney hills so that it is not in general so good as in other places; a few patches were observed of eighty or one hundred acres of excellent land. The strata of cliffs were broken and lay sloping in different directions ; several pieces of petrified wood, and lumps of stone were in- veloped, or rather stuck into the matter of the rock, which, although in colour much like a yellow tinged clay, yet had the usual rough porous surface peculiar to such substances ; here as in other places, it was hard, but did not scintillate with steel, and was divided by lines of a still harder iron-tinged stone, into squares and parallograms of yarious sizes. From one of these intersecting lines, Mr. Bass took a small lump of this ferruginous stone, that seemed to have bubbled up, and to have hardened in the form of an ill-shaped bunch of small grapes. Some of the neighbouring cliffs, for several yards were formed into basaltic columns. In crossing one of the heads between two bays Mr. B. met with a deep hole in the ground Which seemed to have been caused by the fal- ling in of the earth. It extended about NEW SOUTH WALES. 997 twenty-two yards by seventeen; its depth twen- ty. And the sides were both rather smooth and perpendicular. Alittle surf that washed up within it proved a communication with the river, by a narrow subterraneous passage of from ten to sixteen feet in height, and according to the distance of the hole from the edge of the cliff, about thirty five yards in length ; proceeding on the West side from Point William to Shoal Point, the land is too stony on the hills for cultivation, but proper for pasturage. The ral- lies are certainly adapted to grain. The land round Prince of Wales Cove is level, and often clayey. About three hundred acres of open ground, called King George's Plains, seem well calculated for the purpose of rearing grape vines. The land at the head of Risdon creek, on the East side, seems preferable to any other on the banks of the Derwent. Herdsman's Cove, above ttisdon Creek, has a large tract of good land lying at its head. The country, which is thin of timber, rounds in- to grassy hills of gentle ascent. The soil con- sists of more brown earth than black mould ; on the sides and tops of the hills, it is stoney. A chain of ponds intersecting the hills afford a con- tinual stream of fresh water to the head of the Cove. Not supposing the sloop could proceed above Herdsman's Cove, they went up the river in her boat, under the idea that one tide would enable them to reach its source ; but they were mi,sta~ 298 HISTORY OP* ken. When the returning tide met them, the water had become fresh; the stream was two hundred and thirty yards in breadth, and in depth three fathoms. It was wedged in between high grassy hills that descended to the river. In their excursion a human voice reached them from the hills; when they landed, carrying one of several swans they had shot. Having nearly reached the summit, two females sudden- ly appeared some distance before them, each snatched up a basket, and ran off. A man then appeared, and suffered them to approach him without any signs of fear. He accepted the swan with joy and seemed to esteem it of value. He was unintelligible to them, even as they were to him, they addressed him in several of the dialects of New South Wales, and some few of the most common words of the South Sea Islands. With some difficulty they made him understand they wished to see his habitation. He pointed over the hills, and proceeded on- wards; often stopping under pretence of having lost the tract; which made them suspect his aim was, to amuse and titffethem. Judging, therefore, that in persisting to follow him they must lose the remaining part of the flood tide, they parted from him in great friendship. This man was short, slight, and of a mid- dle age, with a countenance more expressive of intelligence than of that ferocity or stupidity which generally characterized the other natives ; his features were less negro-like, than theirs; and on the top of his head were plaisteres of red earth. NEW SOUTH WALES. 299 His hair was either naturally short and close, or had been rendered' so by burning, and, although short and stiffly curled, they did not think it woolly.* He was armed with two ill made spears of solid wood. No part of the dress of Mr. Bass or Lieut. Flin- ders attracted his attention, except the red silk handkerchiefs round their necks; and their fire arms were to him, objects neither of curiosity or fear. This was the first man they spoke with in Van Diemen's land, and his open deportment led them to form a favourable opinion of the disposition of its inhabitants, and conjecture j£ the country was peopled in the usual numbers, he would not have been the only one they would have met. They found many huts on the shores of the river, of the same bad construction as those of Port Dalrymple, but with fewer muscle-shells lying near them. The natives of this place, draw the principal part of their food from the woods ; the bones of small animals were nume- rous round their deserted fire-places ; and the two spears Which they saw in the hands of the man were similar to those used for hunting in other parts ; and many trees were observed to be notched for the purpose of climbing. No canoes were ever seen, nor any tree so barked as to answer that purpose. And yet all the islands in Frederick- Henry Bay had evi- dently been visited. 4 Mr. Raven, returning to England in the Buffalo, put iiito Adventure Bay, where this man was seen, and cut off some vool from the head of a native there. 500 HISTORY OF The .feathered tribes were similar to tl. of Port Dairy m pie. The flocks of black swans even exceeded those they had before met with. The most formidable among the reptiles was the black snake with venemous fangs, and so much in colour resembling a burnt stick, that a close inspection could only detect the difference. Mr. Bass once, with his eyes cautiously di-* rected towards the ground, stepped over one which was lying asleep among some black sticks, aud would have passed on without observing it, had not its rustling and loud hiss attracted his attention. He resolved to take it alive, and try the ef- fect of its bite on a hawk at that time in the sloop. In the contest, he turned round and bit himself severely ; in a few minutes after which he was overcome. His exertions, however, were still vigorous, and Mr. Bass expected, as he began to recover himself, they would increase; but in less than ten minutes he died. Having never! before known a snake of this size to be killed by; a few very slight blows with a stick so rotten as scarcely to bear the weight of its own blow, he was at a loss to conceive how death so sudden succeeded so much vigour in an animal so tenacious pf life, When, three hours afterwards*; the skin was stripped off, the flesh for some disl tance round the marks of his teeth, was found inflamed and discoloured; thus this reptile pro v-» ed a suicide. Every particular relative to the Derwent river being stated, and all the iufgrmation of Van NEW SOUTH WALES. 501 T)iemen\sland related, it may be esteemed highly proper, to point out the manner in which this country and new South Wales appear to differ in their most essential quality, that of their soil. In adjusting* the comparative fertility of the soils of Van Diemen's land, and New South Wales, their contrasted dispositions are more pro- minent than any inequality in their quantity. They are poor countries ; but, as far as the eye of discovery has yet penetrated in either, the cultivable soil of the latter is found lying in a few distinct patches of varying quality; while the soil of the former, being more equally spread, those spots of abundant richness, or large wilds of sterility, are less frequently seen. Although Van Diemen's land seems to possess few or none of those depths of soil which the happiest spots of New. South Wrales are blessed with, it seldom excludes the hopes of its tra- veller with those tracts which disarm industry. In point of productive soil Mr, Bass gives the advantage to Van Diemen's land. Two rivers only, Port Dairy mple and the Derwent, are known to descend from Van Die- men's land ; and by Point St. Vincent possibly there may be a third. But two or three rivers fcear but a scanty proportion to the island. On the 3d of January they quitted the River Derwent, and proceeded tothe Northward, coast- ing the East side of Frederick-Henry Bay. The figure of the shore, between what is now called JBasaltes and Cape Pillar, exhibited one of those great works of nature which seldomfailsexciting 502 HISTORY OF surprise: it was all basaltic. The cape is a vast high wedge, which projects into the sea, sur- mounted by lofty columns. After passing Cape Pillar, some islands be- came visible to the northward ; but they did not reach them, as the wind failed. On the next day, they arrived within five miles of one which in its general appearance, bore some resemblance to Furneaux's Islands, On the 7th they saw Cape Barren Island. They did not pass through the channel, or pas- sage, which divides Furneaux's Islands, but discovered why Captain Furneaux named the place the Bay of Shoals. Early on the 8th they neared the islands lying off the Patriarchs ; three in number ; the largest of which was high, rocky, and barren, with a basis of granite, which, like that of Pre- servation Island, laid scattered about in large detached blocks. Landing upon the outermost, Mr. Bass found it well inhabited. The various tribes had divided into districts. One part was white with gannets, breeding in nests of earth and dried grass. Petrels and penguins had their under-ground habitations in those parts of the island which had the most grass. The rocks of the shore, and blocks of granite, were occupied iby the pied offensive shag and common gull; geese, red-bills and quails, lived in common, and the rest was appropriated to the seals, Mr. Bass observed with surprise, that though the principal herd made off as usual on the first ap- proach, yet the males, who possessed a rock to 4 NEW SOUTH WALES. SOS themselves, where they sat with their wives and progeny, on his drawing near them, hobbled up with a menacing roar, and fairly commenced the attack, while the wives seemed to rest their secu- rity upon the superior courage of the males; for, instead of retreating into the water with con- sternation, they only raised themselves upon their fore fins, ready to go, keeping their eye on him. The seal is reckoned stupid ; but Mr. B. noticed many signs of sagacity in them ; and was of opinion that, a seal might be trained to be a fisher for man, even as a hawk is his fowler, Having collected what stock was necessary, they stood to the Northward, and on the 12th reached Port Jackson, On an account of this voyage being delivered to the governor, he named the principal discovery, Bass Strait, as a tribute due to the correctness of that judgment which led to the supposition that the south-westerly winds which rolled in on the Western shores, could proceed only from their being exposed to the Southern Indian Ocean. The principal advantage likely to arise to the settlement from this discovery was, the expe- diting of the passage from the Cape of Good Hope to Port Jackson. But there is a greater advantage to be gained by making a passage through the strait. The major part of the ships that have arrived at Port Jackson have met with N. E. winds on opening the sea round the South Cape and Cape Pillar, and have been so retarded by them, that a fourteen days' passage to the 504 HISTORY OF port is reckoned to be a fair one, although the difference of latitude is but ten degrees. If by going through Bass Strait, the N. E. winds can be avoided, which would be the case, a week or more would be gained by it. This strait presents another advantage. From the prevalence of the N- E. and easterly- winds off the South Cape, many suppose that a passage may be made from thence to the West- ward, either to the Cape of Hood Hope, or India; but the fear of the great unknown bight between the South Cape and the S. W. Cape of Lewen's land, lying in about 35° South and 1 1 3* East has hitherto prevented the trial* The strait removes a part of this danger, by presenting a place of retreat, if wanted; and should the wind come at S. W. no ship need fear making a good stretch to the W, N. "W. There is besides King George the Third's Sound, discovered by Capt. Vancouver, in latitude of 35° 03' South, and longitude 108° 12' East. Thus prosperously did the voyage of Mr. Bass, and Lieut. Flinders, answer every purpose the Governor and these gentlemen fondly expected; and to future ages, most probably, will be left the proper elevation of these navigators! names, in the Temple of Fame; for though the advan- tages may now be seen, they will undoubtedly hereafter be beneficially felt. NEW SOUTH WALES, 305 CHAP. IX. Koir the interesting voyage of discovery, performed by Mr. Bass and Lieut Flinders, we must return to the proceedings at the colony. In the night of the 24th of January, 1 799, the commissary's house was robbed to a considerable amount, as they effected an entrance into the store-room. The governor this month visited Paramatta, and had the misfortune to find the pasture so universally burnt up, that the cattle were in want of grass ; and, as the drought continued, the maize, it was feared, would fall very short of the quantity expected ; his Excellency, therefore, ordered a return to be made of the stock of grain, that he might see on what he had to de- pend. By the arrival of the Diana, information was brought from Norfolk Island, that the produce of wheat had been greater this harvest than it had ever been before ; but the maize, for want of rain, was by no means so prolific ; and the ex- travagant price paid for wages, had obliged the settlers to advance the price of wheat to fifteen shillings a bushel. The number of causes for the recovery of debts, which came before the magistrates, reri- R R 506 HISTORY OF dered their business very troublesome ; and, as the inventive genius of the convicts, afforded them nearly constant employ as justices of the peace: an order was issued, making known, that pleas of debt must be decided by the court of civil jurisdiction. At the close of January, the criminal court resumed its operations ; when one man was found guilty of house-breaking, a second for forgery, and a third for having shot a native at Botany Bay. The man convicted of forgery was recom- mended to mercv, and the murderer was to re- ceive corporal punishment, at the execution of* which, many of the natives attended, and be- held it with perfect indifference. The man convicted of house-breaking, suffer- ed on the 8th of February, and his exhortations, previous to execution, had scarce ceased, when the court was assembled for the trial of another man for the same offence, of which he was con- victed. This man, Samuel Wright, had before been convicted but received a pardon. On the morning, of the day now appointed for his ex- ecution; he cut his throat, but in so slight a way, as evidently shewed he wished only to de- lay the fulfilment of his sentence, that he might obtain an opportunity of making an escape. A few, belonging to a gang of thieves, which had for some time infested the settlements, and plundered to a very large amount, were brought to trial before this court, but not being capital- ly convicted, some were transported to Norfolk Island, and others flogged. The executions of NEW SOUTH WALES. 307 those sentences, which the offended laws of eve- ' ry nation inflicts, are in general esteemed useful as warnings to others, but, that these should particularly lose that effect in New South Wales, should by no means excite astonishment as the major part of the inhabitants,had been too conver- sant with the nature of crimes and punishments, for any example to affect them ; particularly while a ready market almost continually offered for the sale of any stolen articles, which must be the case while the sailors of any ships were suffered to come on shore, or any persons permit- ted to go on board the ships. About twelve o'clock on the night of the 1 1th, the goal at Sydney was burnt down ; there were above 20 prisoners all ironed, in at the time it was first discovered, and it was with very considera- ble difficulty, they wrere brought from the flames. Not the least doubt was for an instant entertain- ed, but this building was set fire to purposely, though nothing could be discovered. In a few days after this fire, some of the Irish convicts with blackened faces, broke into the house of one of the missionaries, and not content with rob- bing him of all he had, they wounded him in se- veral places. The badness of the harvest, which seemed to ..• indicate a very material degree of want in the ar- ticle of grain, by no means tempted those who wished to distil spirituous liquors, to forego their inclinations though so repeatedly forbidden, con- sequently former orders on this subject were re* peated, and several stills seized and destroyed, 308 HISTORY OF The harvest which had most certainly been very unproductive, offered to the settlers an ex- cuse for requesting the loan of grain from the public store for seed, but as too many examples had proved how little good, could result from endeavouring to assist them, they were refus- ed, for their own stock they were known to have sold for spirits, and in some instances even that lent them for seed before they left the store-? house door, and for the sole purpose of obtain- ing spirits; which may, with great propriety, "be deemed the forbidden fruit of New South Wales; and the effects of plucking it (if I may be allowed the simile) was again exemplified on the last day of this month, when a soldier was found dead, sitting on the ground with his back reclined against the barracks ; he had, in an in- ordinate desire for spirits, taken too copious a draught the preceding night, and unable to reach home, undoubtedly fell down in the posi- tion he was found, and thus, like Bibo, was drunk when he died ; and though, from the si- tuation in which he was found, he appeared to have resigned his life without a struggle; it af- fords to any mind capable of thinking an exam- ple $t once just and dreadful ; for the mind, thus rendered incapable of retaining a proper sense of the creator, is thus shewn not fit to exist. The excessive heat of so long a continuance had very much affected the water. Those ponds which still retained any, were so reduced, that the major part of them were become most into- lerable brackish, and hardly drinkable. This NEW SOUTH WALES. 309 circumstance made it strongly conjectured, that the earth contained a very large portion of salt, as at this time the ponds on the high grounds were even very far from fresh. All the woods from Sydney to Paramatta were absolutely completely on fire, the trees were burnt to the tops, and all the grass destroyed. Tfl counteract if it was possible the vile in- tentions of those wicked wretches who were directly or indirectly concerned in setting the gaol on fire, a strong building of stone, with substantial walls, was began this month, which was well calculated to defeat any future attempt to reduce it by fire. The long dry weather which had prevailed, to the great injury of cultivation, was succeeded in the beginniug of March by rain for several days, which much refreshed the gardens then nearly burnt up, and revived at all parts of the island the shockingly perishing vegetation. At the Hawkesbury, a sad accident occured, which, proved destructive to the settlers at that place. The river suddenly, and in the course of a few hours, swelled to the height of 50 feet from its usual level, and with that rapidity as to carry every thing that stood in the way before it. The government store-house, erected at the first set- tling in this part, was in the course of this in- undation, swept away, with all the provisions Jt contained. Several inhabitants were taken from the ridges of their houses, by boats only in time to save their lives; for most of the dwellings were inundated, and the whole country 310 HISTORY OF appeared one extensive lake. A very conside- rable number of live stock, with a great part of the produce of the last harvest, and the house- hold property of the people, were driven away by the torrent. Fortunate indeed may it be esteemed, only one life was lost. . This proved a shocking calamity ; as no cause had appeared to indicate an overflow of the river, the settlers were by no means prepared for such an event. The natives however foresaw it, and advised the inhabitants of it, but, not liking to be taught by untutored savages, they neglected their advice, and thus ruinously felt the effects. There was no doubt, unperceived by the settlers a very heavy fall of rain in the interior, among the mountains, and, from the parched state of the land for such a long time, it had not been absorbed, but ran down the sides of the hills, fil- ling the low grounds, and branches of the river, which, was in form strictly serpentine, and could not give a passage to the water as fast as it descended. It was very generally believed, this violent inundation would, however, prove beneficial to the grounds overflowed, making them produce with such abundance as to cover the loss sus- tained* In a few days this collection of water found its way to the sea, and, the river resumed its usual level, when the settlers began fresh cropping their grounds ; for which purpose they applied to the Governor for seed wheat, which certainly could not be well refused, but an ap- plication made at the same time for beds and 4 NEW SOUTH WALES. 31 J cloathing, could not be granted, as the store was not rich enough in these articles to afford relief. The Rebecca whaler arriving, brought the account of the battle of the Nile, which was celebrated by a discharge of the artillery. The goods which arrived in the Rebecca for sale, were not able to be disposed of at Sydney, as a bad harvest had prevented the settlers being in possession of any money. The Nautilus was therefore chartered to convey them to Norfolk Island, where they might find a market. The Britannia came in to repair, and her suc- cess could by no means be complained of, as she had procured nearly 26 tons of oil while absent, and had the weather been more favoiuv able, she would have taken much more. . During March, the criminal court met once, when one man received sentence of death for house breaking ; and another for the same of- fence, was to be transported for ]4 years. The civil court was a week deciding a variety of causes for debt. On the 1st of April the criminal court was assembled for the trial of a soldier, whoa few days before stabbed a seaman belonging to the Reliance, that insulted him while on duty as centinal on a wharf at Sydney. As the man died, the soldier was of course tried for murder, but in the defence he made it was proved to the court, that it was occasioned by the intemper- ance of the seaman, in consequence of which he was accordingly found to have committed a justifiable homicide. 312 HISTORY OF To this effect of intoxication, a few days added another victim, in the person of a female, either the real or pretended wife of Simon Tay* lor, a man who had ever been considered one of the very few industrious settlers the colony could boast. They had been drinking- together, unfortunately, to great excess; and in that state quarrelled, when the unhappy man put an end to her existence. He was taken into cus- tody directly, and confined for trial A grub-Avorm was found in several parts of the cultivated ground, which did very consider- able damage ; and at the Hawkesbury a eatery pillar commenced its ravages, on the young grain just as it was shooting out of the earth. This circumstance occasioned some delay in sowing that ground which belonged to govern- ment. It was for some days reported, that the crews of two boats, suffered to go to Hunter's river for a load of coal, had been cut off by the na- tives, the Governor ordered his whale-boat to be well armed, and to proceed thither in quest of the boats and their crews ; sending in her Henry Hacking, who from his past services still retained the Governor's confidence. On his return, the information he gave his Excel* lency was, that on arriving he found an attempt had been made to burn the lesser boat, which had only three men in her, who on leaving Syd- ney, were provided with a musket each; the *men were, however, not to be found* Going in search of them, he met with a large body of NEW SOUTH WALES. 313 armed savages. On asking* them to tell him what was become of the white men, the natives said, they 'were gone to Sydney; but as he found they had taken away the sails, the men's blankets, and every thing that they had with them, this did not satisfy him ; so he then threatened to fire if they did not inform him directly, and presented Ids nuisqnet at them. At this they laughed, and said, that if he did not go away, and leave the. small boat, he had brought, and the whale-boat they would spear every white man there, and accordingly poised their spears in a very threatening manner. Hacking again levelled his piece at tbem, and snapped it without priming, merely to alarm them ; but they on the contrary, became far more noisy and violent than before. Finding an attack was certain, lie charged with buck- shot, and ordered them to leave the place ; but, their violence increasing, he at length fired, and four fell, one of whom got up again and ran away ; but as the other three remained on the ground, they were most .probably mortally wounded. The whole body now disappeared, leaving Hacking to retreat unmolested. As our people had been in the constant habit of visiting this river for coals, an d„ were always very particular in their conduct to all the natives they met with, treating them with kindness and civility, for their behaviour there was but one way to account. It has ever been universaliv allowed, that all savages are under the influence of sud- s s 314 HISTORY or den impulse, which nearly renders it impossible to trust them with security. The men belonging* to the boats were not heard of for some time, which made it feared they had been murdered, but they very fortu- nately reached the settlement in perfect safety. On the 24th of April, the Nautilus returned from Norfolk Island, and with her a Spanish ship, a prize to two whalers, captured off Cape Blanco on the coast of Peru. The Spaniard was bound from Lima to Guiaqnill. A vice-admiralty court being: assembled, she was condemned as a legal prize, and that part of her cargo, consisting of sugar and flour, was in a few days sold by public auction ; but a quan- tity of an ardent spirit, similar to the aqua ardente of the Brazils, the Governor would not allow to be sold. This new circumstance in the history of New SouthWales, wore the very promising appearance of rendering it of more consequence than it had previously been ; it indeed proved, that in a Dutch or Spanish war, it might become a place of importance, as it at once offered a reception to the prizes, and a court were they could be con* demned, as well as a market for their cargoes. On the 26th, the Norfolk returned from Norfolk Island, with information that the maize harvest had entirely failed, in consequence of the long drought. The want of clothing, during April, stimulated several experiments to be made, to remedy what indeed there seemed no other way of getting the NEW SOUTH WALES. 315 better of. An end of a Unefi web, produced from flax of the country, was crossed with thread, made of the bark of a tree, and a web from the bark was crossed by a thread of wool. Specimens of these were sent to England, and at least served to shew, that with proper tools, and proper hands, much might be done; nor must be forgot, the discovery of a strata of coal, or the iron ore, which on being smelted, has been found at least equal to the Swedish iron. His Majesty's ship the Buffalo, arrived from England, on the 3d of May. At the Cape of Good Hope she took on board 66 head of cattle, which were landed in good condition. She brought various tools and articles of hard* ware for the colony, but no bedding or cioath- ing had been sent out. Mr. Raven commanded this ship, by whose services the colony was much benefitted when in tlie ship Britannia, and was sent out to replace the Supply, and whose commander, Lieut. Kent, was with her officers and crew to be removed to the Buffalo ; and the Governor was directed to furnish Mr. Raven a passage to England. This ship, notwithstanding she w7as named the Buffalo, had at her head a carved figure of a kangaroo, with which the natives appeared very much pleased not expecting to see the ani- mals of their country represented by us in wood. The natives still hostile to the settlers, speared one of those at George's river so shock* ingly that he died of the wounds. L>IO HISTORY OF The natives of New South Wales, though they retained the greatest ferocity towards our people, were not divested entirely of the softer passions, for occasionally they would retire to the woods and unbend their morose natures by singing and dancing ; but that savage disposition which is universally found among them, even on these occasions gets superior to every other sensation, and they have absolutely been known to leave these parties of pleasure to satisfy that thirst for revenge for which they are at all times found to be so particularly eminent. On the l6th of May, Simon Taylor was brought before the criminal court of judicature for the murder of his wife ; and being convicted, he received sentence of death, and was executed on the 20th, at Paramatta. This man was sen- sible of his guilt, and admonished the spectators against indulging in drunkenness, which had brought him to his disgraceful end. Another man, was adjudged corporal punish- ment, and one year's hard labour, for embez- zling some live-stock, the property of govern- ment, which had been entrusted to his care. He had been one of the convicts who were with Capt. Riou in the Guardian, who on account of their good conduct before and after the ac- cident, received emancipation, and were allowed to provide for their own support. Few how- ever were found to merit this indulgence, and this last act strongly pointed out how requisite it was, for free persons to be sent out from Eng- NEW SOUTH WALES. 317 land to take care of the public live stock, and other purposes of trust. A highway robbery was committed on the 23d, between Sydney and Paramatta. Three men rushed from a wood, and knocking down a young man travelling from the first to the last mentioned town, emptied his pockets of several dollars. However recovering, and find- ing only one man, 'who was trying to get his handkerchief from his neck, he liad a struggle with him, and the thief not being the strongest, was secured and conveyed to Paramatta. A court assembled for his trial ; but the evidence being defective he was acquitted. Fresh pork having been for some time received into the store, there were now found six months' salt provisions on hand ; but without this supply from the produce of the country all would have been consumed, and the colony left destitute of animal food, unless an inroad had been made on the live stock. The curing of pork at Norfolk Island was en- couraged by every means; but the casks in which the salt meat was sent from England were so weak by their arrival that not one in twenty was fit for that use again. Had any timber, for this use been found, a supply of hoops and salt pans would have been wanting ; and, if not cured in the winter season, and the method observed by Capt. Cook which was now used at Norfolk Island, it remained doubtful whether it could be carried to any serviceable extent. 318 HISTORY OF Fresh pork being raised in consequence of the bad crops produced by the late harvest, afforded some relief to those who had materially suffered, the commissary was, at the close of this month, directed to pay only the former price, of nine- pence per pound. On a review of the public stores respecting salt provision, it was found necessary to make a small reduction in time, to avoid a greater. It was therefore ordered, that the rations should h6 delivered as follows to each man Aveeklv, Beef ----- 5 pounds, or Pork S pounds, Wheat - - - - 12 pounds, Sugar - - - 6 ounces, and this deduction was only to continue till the arrival of a store-ship with salted provisions. And to such men as were entitled, M'as issued as much as blue gurrah (or East India bunting) and thread as would make a frock and trowsers, a proportion was also delivered to the women and children. These gurrahs were brought from In- dia in the speculative cargos to this country, and were at last found useful to cover the absolute nakedness of too many people. The arrival of the Buffalo, enabled the Gover- nor at length to inform those people convicted in Ireland, and transported to New South Wales, that he had received a statement of the senten- ces of those brought in the magistrates in general, that on proof being HISTORY Of brought before them of any improper conduct in those dangerous and mischievous characters, or of any disobedience of orders, or neglect of such duty as they may be directed to perform, they may be ordered such exemplary punish- ment, either corporal or otherwise, as the na- ture of their crime may call for. This measure will appear the more necessary, when it is re- collected, that formerly, when such punishments were had recourse to, these women gave much less trouble, and were far more orderly in their conduct." The superintendants were directed not to allow them to leare their work, but to see they were employed during those hours allotted for their labour. The first of the orders was attended with ef- fect ; for in a few days, several who had been out of their time, were employed only in wanT deringfrom one district to another, without any honest means of getting bread, were appre- hended, and being examined, were ordered to labour. The genius of wickedness ever ready to reap advantage by any oversight, or want of caution, either on the part of government or individuals, now largely availed themselves of the little pre- caution used, on receiving live-stock at the pub- lic stores, and actually made a regular practice of stealing hogs, &c. during the night, and selling them the next day at the store ; but nq Sooner was this detected, than the Governor NEW SOUTH WALES. 325 ordered nothing to be received without a voucher as to whose property it was. The middle of July was occupied in taking an account of the inhabitants of the .settlements, the land in cultivation, and live-stock on hand, for the purpose of forwarding to England with the next dispatches. The number of acres in wheat amounted to 4:393, and in maize to 1440, or thereabouts. A sealer at the Hawkesbury, who had been a convict, had more land in cultivation than any individual in that district, having 46 acres in wheat, and five in maize. A man, left by a Mr. Hogan, in the care of some land bought by him in 1796, had now 200 acres in wheat, and the Commissary, Mr. Palmer, had an agent who, by great attention, had got upwards of 290 acres in wheat. Hogs were still numerous in this district, notwithstanding the great slaughter amongst them of late for the store. The settlers had im- ileed few sheep, but nearly 250 goats. The ground iu cultivation was considerably less in the neighbourhood of Paramatta, but the settlers were also proportionally few. The number of settlers at the Hawkesbury being nearly 200, and at Paramatta only 100. The widow of a superintendant had 50 acres in wheat, and 23 in maize. A man, named Edward Elliot, who had withstood every tempt- tation to sell the single ewe given him by Go- vernor Phillip*, had now 116 sheep, and was * Vide page l6S. 326 HISTORY OF in a fair way of becoming a man of considerable property. I had myself at this period, a live stock con- sisting of 13 sheep, 55 goats, and 2 mares, with 25 acres of ground in wheat ; but esteemed my- self much richer, in possessing the good opinion of every gentleman in the country which I trust I shall retain for the very few years, I may in all probability be in existence,forendea* vouring to discharge the important office com- mitted to my charge, has materially affected my health, but while I am honoured with any office under government, I shall, I hope, never be found wanting in the execution of my duty, even though I forfeit a life, which 1 lament has not always been so worthily employed ! In the district of Paramatta, the, total of the live stock were 532 sheep, 903 goats, and 428 hogs. The land in cultivation about Sydney> Mas very inconsiderable, and the live stock, exclu- sive of the officers and free settlers, was only 38 sheep, 292 goats, and 362 hogs, the convict settlers amounted to 70 only. Thus the agricultural affairs of the country were by no means in a contemptible state, and how very far superior must they have been, had the convicts and other labourers used any thing like decent industry. All the females among the wild herd of cattle in the woods, still re- mained untouched by order of the Governor, and it was determined they should remain so, till the period arrived, when from its increased numbers 2 NEW SOUTH WALES. 327 it might afford a permanent supply, and the too numerous males, at present afforded an agreeable variety, to the rations delivered from the stores. The Hillsborough transport arrived from Eng- land on the 26th of July, when she sailed, the number of male convicts on board, amounted to three hundred, but the gaol fever, breaking out among them on the passage, ninety-five died which number was encreased by six more within a few days after they landed. The erection of the stone gaol proceeding too slowly, the constables of the divisions of Sydney were ordered to inform the inhabitants of their divisions, that they must furnish from each, viz. from King's, Nepean's, Banks's, and Mas* kelyne's divisions, as well as from the Brick- fields, five men each day and a watchman to attend them. These were to be relieved by the same number every day, as long as the work should require such assistance. In the beginning of August the Governor employed several days taking an excursion from Prospect Hill to the settlement near George's river. Having formerly surveyed the country from Paramatta to that river, he determined to trace it in another direction, and had the satis- faction of finding, that it was equally favourable to cultivation with that before taken notice of. The distance from the hill was about five miles, over very fine ground, adapted for cultivation and pasturage, and equal to any part of New South Wales. The settlers placed there were do- ing very well, and had not been troubled for 328 Mis-Tory of some time by the natives. His Excellency now proceeded down the river to Botany Bay, and walked from there to Sydney, the space be- tween which places is nothing but barren and uneven ground, covered very generally with •ilowering heath. In a i'tw days after his return, the Norfolk arrived from the Northward. The Governor being anxious to obtain some information relative to the coast Northward of Port Jackson, and more particularly of two openings laid down by Capt. Cook, the further- most North of which he called Hervey Bay, and seemed to lie in latitude 24° 3(7 South, Lieut. Flinders, v. ;■ : directed by his Excellency to proceed in the Norfolk Northward, and exa- mine them wi'thall theaccuracv six weeks would suffer him. The Norfolk was manned from the two king's ships, and Lieut. Flinders took with him a native named Bong-ree, who was remarkable for his good disposition. To guard against accidents, they were supplied with eleven weeks provi- sions, and the vessel sailed on the 8th of July on this service to the Northward, and Lieut. Flinders on his return delivered to the Gover- nor the substance of the following particular and very interesting account : *Soon after seven in the morning of the 9th they sounded, without finding ground at fifteen fa- thoms, at the distance of half a mile from a reef of black rocks. There were two low and dan- NEW SOUTH WALES. 329 gerous rocks, lying between three and four miles from this point. Sounding again they found ground with ten fathoms of line, half a mile from shore, abreast Cape Hawke. Two hills noticed by Capt. Cook stood on the Cape, and were covered with brush- wood, and the strata lay many degrees from hori- zontal. From the Cape the coast falls back, forming a double bay. The land which was low, rose gradually, ridge over ridge inland, which made the country look pleasant from the sea, though the trees were very small indeed. In the morning of the 10th they discovered the vessel had been carried by a current conside- rably to the Southward, and at noon found a difference of thirty-three miles. The sloop was this morning found to have a bad leak, which admitted water so fast that one pump was obliged to be kept constantly at work. Its coming on suddenly was considered not to have been occasioned by any strain. But from whatever cause it arose it was of a serious nature, as the maize with which the sloop had been loaded continually choaking up the pumps. The Solitary Isles came in sight on the 1 lth., Lieut. Flinders intended to have landed on them, but no inducement presented itself; as on them he saw neither a seal or bird. They i appeared covered with brush; the colour of the irock, and general appearance, much resembled the small islands off Tasman's-head. At noon the country still continued to have the same irre- gular appearance ; but running along the shore v u 330 historV of it evidently grew worse, having a still greater ten-' dency to sand. The several projections of land! which appeared, often presented the appearance of openings behind; which hopes they were in-* clined to entertain, as Capt. Cook passed this part in the night. Early in the afternoon a small island opened from a low rocky point, behind which a small river run to the S. W. but breakers appeared to extend nearly across the entrance. A peaked hill, standing four or rive miles in- land, and more conspicuous than usual was seen soon after three o'clock P. M. Before five, the vessel stood in for an openingy and soon after dusk she anchored in two and a half fathoms of water on a hard bottom of sand. The objects in view inducing Lieut. Flinders* to enter this bay were, that he ntight by day-lighfr run along the remaining part of the coast, which Capt, Cook had only sailed by in the night, and to seek a place of safety, should the wind fail him on his return. The leak in the sloop was also a material inducement ; for should the place prove to be of consequence enough to expend ♦t few days in examining, and a place offer for laying her on shore, he meant to get it stopped. Examining this bay in his boat, he found it -very shallow ; and the North point of the en- trance proved a projecting spot of sandy ground. Returning to the sloop at noon, he landed on the South head to observe the latitude. The sun being half an hour from the meridian allow- rd him time to examine three huts standing in NEW SOtfTH WALES. 331 a circular form, at a little distance.- The frame was composed of strong tendrils of the .vine, crossing each other in all directions, bound by -strong grass at the intersections. The roof was bark, resembling that of the Tea-tree at Port Jackson, and so laid on as to keep out both wind and rain. The entrance was by a small avenue projecting from the periphery of the cir- cle, and not leading directly into the hut, but turned to prevent the rain beating in. The height of the under part of the roof was about five feet, and had collected a coat of soot, from fires having been made in the middle of the huts. One was a double hut with two recesses under one entrance, and large enough to contain fif- teen people. Bong-ree observed they were much superior to any huts made by savages which he had ever seen. He brought awa}r a small hand- basket, made of some leaf, capable of holding two or three quarts of water. White cockatoos and parroquets were now seen, and a crow with a note remarkable short and hasty. Pelicans, gulls and red-bills, frequented the shoals, and the country was sandy wherever landed. The palm nut tree found here was the third kind mentioned by Capt. Cook as produced on the Eastern coast of New South Wales ; and as Bong-ree, who was icquainted with the country as far as Port Ste- phens, never saw it before, this was probably one )f the most Southern situations in which it grew. The nuts were seen about the fire-places of the natives ; the lower end of which had been suck- 1 332 HISTORY OF ed, which method was afterwards practised, on procuring some ripe ones. The taste though pleasant at first, left an astringency behind, that by no means tempted a second trial. The eat- able part of the nut was so small, as not to be worth sucking out from the fibres. Their size was that of a walnut ; within the outer skin was •a hard shell like that of the cocca nut ; and with- in this, two, or more almond- like kernels. The nut, when taken from the tree, was an assem- blage of these kernels set into a cone, varying, in the size of a man's fist, to that of a melon. The size, and indentations on the surface, on a first view looked much like the outward form of the bread-fruit. The stem of the tree wm short, and none were observed to be eighteer inches in diameter. The branches did not ra- mify into twigs, but preserved their size to th< extreme, where the leaves were produced sur rounding the fruit. One or two smaller branche : struck off from the main branch, and pro duced their leaves in the same way, without fruit The height of the tree altogether might be fron fifteen to twenty-five feet. Suckers or branche of all sizes were seen shooting out below thos bearing fruit, growing downwards along th stem, which entered the ground and forme roots, as well as supporters to the tree. This bay not appearing to deserve a paticuk examination, Lieut. Flinders got underweight one o'clock in the afternoon of the 12th. On Saturday the 13th, at ten in the morning they were three miles from Cape Bryon, and tl NEW SOUTH WALES. 333 peak of Mount Warning just appeared over it. Having hauled more off the shore, to avoid the reef lying off Point Danger, on the following morning they were at a great distance from land. They now steered West for a large space, where no land was visible, and, perceiving breakers off the South point of the opening, found this was Moreton Bay. Passing between these breakers and Point Look-out, they got ground in twenty fathoms water. As they drew nearer, there ap- peared to be a large extent of water in the open- ing ; but Lieut. Flinders suspected there was no passage for a vessel in the direction he was steering. The country to the sea- ward was very sandy. Cape Moreton was at dusk only distant two miles ; and the highest Glass- House, presented itself over the distant land. Two hummocks resembling haycocks, distinct from any other land, opened soon after to the South- ward. The vessel was now hauled in round Cape Moreton, to go into Glass- House Bay. They steered West till eight o'clock, when having little wind, and that from the Southward, they dropped anchor. Weighing again the next morning, the 14th, they worked near the East- ern shore till noon. While within a mile of the shore, ten natives were distinctly seen, half of whom were most probably women, as they kept behind the others. The men made many gestures to our people. One had a green branch in his hand, which he waved from the ground on one side of 334 HISTORY OF him to the other, and some of them ran into the water occasionally, and beat the surface with sticks. They appeared to be friendly, using the same word in calling as that made use of by the Port Jackson natives, and appeared very desirous indeed, that the vessel should pro- ceed up the bay. In the evening Lieut. Flinders anchored in eleven fathoms M-ater, two miles from shore. On Tuesday, the 16th, at day -light, they weighed to turn up the bay. In their progress, they found various depths of water ; and, per- ceiving an opening in the Western land, Lieut. Flinders wished to anchor near it, but shoal water prevented him. At a quarter past eight in the morning, however, they cast anchor in three fathoms of water. Lieut. Flinders went in his boat towards the opening, taking with him Bong-ree the native. As they approached the sandy point on the East side of the opening, some dogs came down upon the beech, and shortly several natives appeared, carrying fishing nets over their shoulders. They lay upon their oars some time, conversing with them by signs, aud repeating the words which they made use of. As they seemed to be friendly, Bong-ree resolved to visit them ; and seeing nothing among them but the pieces of firewood, which these savages usually carry about with them, the boat was backed in, when he jumped on shore, naked, and as unarmed as themselves. NEW SOUTH WALES. 355 He soon made an exchange of the yarn belt from his waist, for a fillet of kangaroo hair. The muskets were kept at hand in the boat to guard against any treachery ; every thing- seeming to go on well, the natives appearing ra- ther shy than otherwise, Lieut Flinders joined his companion, taking his gun with him. By making friendly signs, laying down the gun, and offering a woollen cap, he was suffered to approach, and one took the cap; but when Lieut. Flinders made him understand he expected his net bag in return, he let him know he must first give him his hat. This hat, made of white fila- ments of the cabbage- tree, seemed to excite the attention of the whole party. As the hat was not given to the native, he came forward, first throwing the cap on the bank behind him, to secure it, and seemed very anxious for the hat or gun, if not both. Every tiling was, however, still carried on very ami- cably ; and Lieut. Flinders, with Bong-ree, made slowly towards the boat, but turned again, as he found they pressed too close after them. One native laughing, and talking as well as he could to Lieut. Flinders, tried to take his hat with a hooked stick, which, on being discovered caused a laugh. Behind another was stretching his arm to the same object, but fear prevented his coming near enough to reach it. When our people got into the boat, and shoved her into deep water, they were not pleased, but tried to induce them to land again. Finding this not succed, one threw his piece of fire-wood 356 HISTORY OF at them ; as it fell short the matter was treated as a joke. Another now ran into the water, and threw his, which likewise fell short: he then took the hooked stick, and slipped off the hook, which was only tied on, shewed a spear, with which he ran up to his middle in water, and threw ; it passed over the center of the boat, but touched no one- In consequence of this unprovoked attack, Lieut. Flinders snapped his gun at the man who threw the spear ; the flint being wet, it mis- sed fire ; but as the offender still stood in the water with his back towards them, and calling to his companions, Lieut. Flinders again tried, and the gun again missed fire. During this transaction, the greater part of the natives were observing Lieut. Flinders' mo- tions with much unconcern. On the third trial, however, it went off. The man in the water fell flat, as did every individual among them ; but those on the shore rose directly, and scram- bled away, some upright and others upon their hands and feet. One of the people in the boat then fired among them, and they fell again upon their faces; .but, as none were killed, they all got up, and made off behind a bank. The man in the water now rose up, and proceeded the same way, but his progress was slower than the others, he stooped much, carrying one hand be- hind him on his back. From whence it was thought he had been wounded, he continually looked over his shoulder, perhaps expecting to see a spear sticking in his back. Bong-ree said NEW SOUTH WALES. 337 another native had his arm broke by the second shot. This wanton attack, which obliged the party to fire on these people, in order to maintain that superiority which they esteemed it requi- site to assert, Lieut. Flinders thought might be the means of preventing future mischief, by giving them an extensive idea of his power, and thus deter them from any future attempt in his intercourse with them. For as he had to exa- mine this bay, and the leak was to be stopped, it became probable they would often meet; and he was satisfied of the great influence which the awe of a superior power has on savages, to create respect. With this view he fired at a man among the trees, who being above two hundred yards off, certainly esteemed himself safe. One of the balls grazed the bank in a line for him, but if it took effe6t, it could not be seen. They then landed to bring away the nets, which it was sup- posed the natives in their flight had forgot to take with them. On viewing the bank to ascertain the position of the natives, he saw se- veral running various ways among the trees, with an apparent design of coming round on them ; and, not knowing their force or numbers, Lieut. Flinders ordered the native and a man who had landed to return to the boats, as no nets were left as expected. The low sandy point where this business hap- pened, obtained for it the name ray which might make any one shudder. Among other friendly interchanges, the^ learned the names of Lieut. Flinders and his NEW SOUTH WALES. 355 party. Him they called " Mid-ger Plindah," and his brother Mr. Samuel Flinders, they nam- ed "Dam-wel." Three of their names were Yel- yel-bah, Ye-woo, and Bo-ma-ri-go. The resem- blance of this last to Porto Rico imprinted it on Lieut. Flinders's recollection. When these people joined the party, the strangers were shown and their names severally told them, until they had learnt the pronunciation. The ceremony was reciprocal, and accorded with what Capt. Cook had said before of an inhabitant of Endea- vour river, " lie introduced the strangers by name, a ceremony which upon siich occasions was never omitted." On a comparative view of the size of these people, they were evidently lower than the Eng- lish, and perhaps less in every respect, except in the disproportionate size of the head ; and indeed this was not general. In the features of the face, particularly in the elongation of the lower ones, in the small calf to the leg, and the curve of the thigh, they bore a general resemb- lance to the natives of Port Jackson ; but there was not one in all this group, whose countenance had so little of the savage, or the symmetry of whose limbs expressed strength and agility, sq much as those of Bong-ree. A hawk presenting himself, Lieut. Flinders thought it a fair opportunity of shewing his new friends a specimen of the effect of his fire-arms. He made them understand what he intended; but, while shifting the buck-shot in the musquet for a charge of small shot, their agitation was 2 556 HISTORY OF so great, that they seemed to be oti the point of running into the woods ; however, an expedient to keep them was contrived ; the seamen placed them in a cluster behindthemselves,andin this situ- ation they saw Lieut. Flinders approach towards the bird and fire. Their sensations at this mo- ment must have been curious; for the hawk flew away, though much hurt, as the natives noticed, for its leg was broke. This disappoint- ment brought to mind how ineffectual had been some former attempts of his to impress them with an idea of the superior power of their visit- ors. Bong-ree had annoyed his auditors with the barbarous sounds, and the clumsey exhibition of the Scotch dancers had all been viewed by them without either wonder or gratification. These people go naked, except that they wore belts round the waist, and fillets about the head and upper parts of the arm. These were formed of hair, twisted into yarn like threads, and then into bandages. Indeed the inhabitants appeared to possess in general a pointed differ- ence from those of New South Wales, particu- larly in their net-works. To these may be ad- ded the bag in which they seemed to carry their portible property, and which was most probably of the same kind as those mentioned by Capt. Cook ; but they were seen of different sizes, an< two that Lieut. Flinders procured were very dif- ferently worked. They were shaped somcwhal like a breast plate ; and "worn suspendec from the neck, which led him, previous to hi first interview with them, to suppose they were KEW SOUTH WALES, 357 some kind of defence for the more vital parts. They were provided with nets for catching very large fish, or animals, as the fragments of a rot- ten one lying on the shore were picked up, the meshes of which were wide enough to admit the escape of a moderate sized porpoise; and the line of which it was made was from three quarters to an inch in .circumference. Lieut. Flinders thought this mode of procur- ing their food would cause a characteristic dif- ference between the manners and dispositions of these people, and of those who mostly depend upon the spear or fiz-gig for a supply. In the one case, there must necessarily be a mutual operation of two or more, who would from neces- sity associate together. Those which had been met with in Shoal Bay and Glass- House Bay- were far superior to any that had been seen in the neighbourhood of Port Jackson ; this superiority Lieut. Flinders attributed to the dif- ferent mode of procuring fish which had been adopted by the inhabitants. He likewise sup- posed that the use of nets, and consequently whatever resulted from such use, arose from the form of the bay, which being shoal for a consi- derable distance from the shores, gave the great- est advantage to nets, over every other method, more especially the setting and scoop nets. Pumice-Stone river being full of shoals, required the same manner of fishing; and it was observ- ed that most if not all the islands in the bay were surrounded by cntensive shoals, which, by 3J8 HISTORY OF extending the necessity, would assist in brings ing nets into general use. At one time they saw nearly twenty natives engaged in fishing on one flat, the greater part of whom were employed in driving fish into a net which was held by their companions. That they were so engaged, they convinced our peo- ple by one of the party holding up a fish to them while he was standing in the water. During the time the sloop was in Glass-House Bay, they scarcely saw any of the women. Of their canoes little could be said ; for the only one they could examine was on the East side of Pumice-Stone river. This was formed of the stringy bark, and was much larger than &ny used at Port Jackson. The ends of it were tied up in the same manner, but it was very clumsy. None of the natives ever attempted to approach the sloop in canoes, though eight or ten were seen standing together, who appear- ed very desirous of having a communication with it. On the day the sloop was laid ashore in the river, the rise of the tide was but three feet and nine inches. The tides were then neaped, and the remark made by Capt. Cook, that " they had only one high tide in twenty-four hours" seemed to apply in this bay; for, although the sloop was got up as high as the strength of the crew would admit, yet she righted a full hour and an half before the night tide had done flowing, and shortly after one man haled her off. The superior rise of the night tide was well NEW SOUTH WALES. 359 known, and of course proper advantage was taken of it, at Port Jackson ; the tide also rose the highest at Western Port, round the South- ern promontory of New South Wales. The time of high- water in the river preceded the moon's passage over the meridian by two hours and a half. On Wednesday the 31st having a moderate breeze at S. by W. with fine weather, they got under weigh and beat out of the river. Having passed fifteen days in Glass-House Bay, Lieut. Flinders was enabled to form a complete judg- ment of it. And found it so full of shoals, that he could not point out any passage that would lead a ship into it without danger. Lieut. Flinders named the land on which Cape Moreton stood, Moreton Island, supposing that which Capt. Cook would have, given it, had he known its form. It appeared a strip of land the greatest extent East and West of which was not more than five miles; but its North and South extent Was about twenty-two miles. The ridge of land which ran along the middle of the island was nearly of the same height with the Cape; and though it appeared to be composed of piles of sand heaped together upon a base mostly of stone, it was interspersed with small trees calcu- lated to mislead a distant observer, who would most probably think that some spots of it could not be classed among the most barren parts of the universe. Passing out of the bay they saw a turtle lying asleep on the water, whence it became very proba- 560 HISTOHY OF ble, that taking these animals formed part of thef labours of the inhabitants, and well indeed "would it be if many of those who pride them- selves on the high state of civilization, equally- well employed their time. In his passage to Hervey's Bay, the next place of destination Lieut. Flinders was only two days; passing the Wide Bay of Capt. Cook on the 1st, and Sandy Cape on the 2d of August ; the Southerly wind of the day veering round in the evening to the Eastward compelled him during the night to keep some distance from some land ; but returning in the morning, he found Captain Cook's description of the coast applied exceed- ingly well. During this run he passed one of those spotted flat- tailed snakes first noticed by Captain Cook in this latitude, and which appeared to be of the kind observed by Captain Dampier on the North West coast of New Holland. In this bay Lieut Flinders remained till the 7th, during which time he had sailed round the interior without being able to enter any opening that might take him to a river. It Avas .deep and extensive, the soundings in it irregular, and in several places he was prevented by breakers from approaching nearer the shore. Hauling up for an opening which, he wished to examine, he came to a sandy inlet, laying at the mouth of it. Being unable to find a passage into the opening with the sloop, he came to an anchor and went ashore on this island which -was surrounded with shoal water. The base of NEW JSOUTH WALES. 36l -which he found to be a hard stone, over which was a covering- of sand, mixed with coral and shells. There was a cluster of palms on it, and other small trees ; a few large trees were lying on the shore, thrown clown by the wind or flood, assisted by the weight of the trees them- selves, which the depth of soil was not able to support. Being about half ebb, the shoal was dry, on which, were some thousand curlews and gulls, and some pelicans ; but all too shy to allow of his approach within musquet shot. On one of the trees was stuck the cap of a small whale's scull, and in one of the sockets, of the eyes a bird's nest, apparently of the last, season was discovered. This islet must certainly have been visited by natives ; for they found three spears, and near them was hidden a small shield, of the same form and substance as those seen near Pumice- Stone river. The spears were of solid wood, of twelve feet in length, and could not have been used with a throwing stick. One of them was barbed with a small piece of bone. The forms of the shores about this harbour, apparently dividing it into two bays, .an upper and lower ; and the shore on the East side of the upper bay being high and bounded by steep cliffs Lieut. Flinders was induced to think a deep channel existed there, as the sheet of water extended six or seven miles square. With the intention of accomplishing an Eas* tern passage to this upper bay, lie returned on board from his visit to Curlew islet, and got 3 A 362 HISTORY OF the sloop under weigh; but was obliged to give up the idea, finding the shoal water so extensive as to make it probable it joined a line of breakers; and the sun being near the horizon, to get clear of the shoal water before dark, became a princi- pal concern ; these induced him to shape his course for an hummock on the West side of the bay. The soundings deepened gradually to six fathoms ; but, shoaling again to three and even two fathoms, Lieut. Flinders suspected the flood tide might set the vessel to the Southward to- wards the shore ; this however, was not the case, for at day light next morning her situation was that expected, the sloping hummock bearing W. 5* N. and their distance off shore about two miles. Keeping along the shore till nine o'clock, the water shoaled to nine feet, and obliged them to haul off to the N. E. Being now to the North- ward of where Capt. Cook had laid down the coast line, and the land being visible at W. 10* N. and as far as N. W. from the mast head, he did not judge it necessary to pursue the search any longer under the supposition of there being a double bay, and therefore continued his course for the extreme of the sloping hummock called Break Sea Spit. Round Hervey's Bay the coast was in general, low near the shore, and on the West side it ex- tended to some distance inland. On that side the land wore a different appearance from that of Sandy Cape, there being few marks of sand, SEW SOUTH WALES, $6$ and the shore very rocky. Proceeding toward the head, the beaches presented themselves, and continued with little interruption into the up- per bay. A large island lying off the entrance to the upper bay shewed no marks of sand, but was well covered with both wood and verdure. In height, it was equal to the high parts of the main, and being four or five miles in length, seemed to be a fire island. On the Eastern shore the sand was more or less apparent every where, increasing in quantity towards the Cape. The white cliffs that were noticed before contained chalk ; the upper stratum, two or three feet in thickness, having a superior whiteness in those which were best seen. With respect to fertility, the general aspect •only can be spoken of. About the head of the 'bay, the trees were of a fair growth; grass seemed sufficiently abundant, there were few appearances o£ sand, and some parts of it were stony. Respecting the inhabitants he had only time to observe, that their smokes were numerous about the bay, and that they at times frequented Curlew islet. Of the animal, vegetable, or fossifproductions bf the bay, he could speak still less, the short- ness of his stay permitting no examination. From the appearance of the tide the day he andedon the islet, it was high water between welve and one o'clock, which was three or our hours before the moon came on the meri- ian. 3 364f HISTORY OF Having cleared the point of Break Sea Spit, on Thursday the 8th he proceeded on his return to Port Jackson. Passing the Mind between Smoky Cape and Solitary Isles in the day which had been before passed in the night, he observed it seemed to be higher than most parts of its coast, Mount Warning excepted ; and even there it was not so high near shore. The view that he had of the land at sunset, when Smoky Cape bore S. 25* W. distant fire or six leagues, induced Lieut. Flinders to imagine it probable that there might be an opening to the Northward. In the afternoon of Sunday the 1 8th, there being little wind, and the weather fine, they were attended by several spermaceti whales. They were not more than twice the sloop's length from her, coming up on either side at times very near her; and remained playing about for more than two hours. Their appearance was followed in the evening by a gale from the S. W. which reduced them to their storm sails, and compelled them to keep) off and on during the night The wind, how-4 ever, lowering the next day, and a Southerly! current having been in their favour, Lieut. Flin4 ders concluded his labours at dusk in the evenn ing of the 20th ; at which time he secured hid little vessel along side his Majesty's ship the Reliance in Port Jackson. The observations which were made by Lieutj Flinders on the set of the current at different parts of the coast, being directly opposite to th| remarks of Capt. Cook, it will only be doin^ NEW SOUTH WALES. 365 justice to his great merit to state them. That great and able seaman, Capt Cook, says, in his notice of the current on tins coast, " that it always ran with more force in shore than in the offino;." Now in o-oino; to the Northward the Norfolk was kept as near in shore as circum- stances would permit; hut the whole sum of Southing produced in eight days, was 65 miles, almost the whole of which they lost off the Three Brothers and Smoky Cape. To counter- act this, they had twenty- five miles of Northing, reducing the current to thirty miles in eight days, which* could indeed hardly be called a cur- rent. On the contrary, their average distance from shore when returning, was about twelve leagues off the land; and in running the same difference of latitude in twelve days the sum of the South- ing was two hundred and eleven miles, and the Northing but one mile and a half. Out of this, thirty-four miles were gained in one day when their distance from shore was the greatest. From this it appears, the current was strongest at the distance of five, and from thence to twen- ty or more leagues; and within that there was some set to the Northward. But Lieut. Flin- ders thought the Southerly current would pre- vail nearer to projecting points, at the times its strength was greatest, for in that respect it had been found to vary much. Respecting the tides it was scarce necessary to say any thing; for, by a comparison of the times of high water at Bustard Bay and Port 366 history of Jackson, it seemed the flood came from the Southward, and would therefore produce littl or no set along the coast, either way, in th< greatest part of that space. From Break Se; Spit, the coast trends to the Westward of North, which has a tendency to draw the flood from the S. E. and this was shown by Capt. Cook to be the case. Thus concluded the arduous voy- age of Lieut. Flinders, whose great skill in ex- ploring unknown coasts and harbours, ha3 so evidently manifested itself in this excursion, pro- mises fair to place him high in the list of British circum-navigators. KEW SOUTH WALES, 067 CHAP. 5L r rom contemplating a narrative, replete with rational gratification to the mind, it is a pity to be obliged to resume a continuance of the catalogue of crimes with which iniquity seems ever ready to afford a super- abundance of mate- rials. The crminal courts being assembled on the 59th of August, one man, Job Williams, was con- victed of a burglary ; and several others were ordered to be transported to Norfolk Island. Williams afterwards received a pardon, as, some favourable circumstances were laid before the Governor. Some difficulties were still placed in the way of the Commissary in preparing his accounts to be sent home, through the settlers, and other persons who had not come forward as directed, to \ sign the vouchers of sums paid for grain or pork delivered at the public stores, the Commissary i was therefore ordered not to pay directly in future, but to issue government notes quar- terly; when every person concerned would be obliged to attend, and give the proper receipts for such sums paid them. This was indeed a most valuable regulation, and some such pre- ventive mode had been long wanted. *63 HISTORY OF The convicts who arrived in the Hillsborough being mostly recovered from the disease and weakness with which they landed, additional strength was added to the public gangs, and -the different works in hand went on with consider- ably more spirit than they had for some time. In addition to the battery which, under the direc- tion of Lieut. Kent, had been constructed by the seamen of the Supply on the East point of 'the Cove, the work on Point Maskelyne had been completed with embrasures ; and some guns were placed in a commanding situation above the wind-mill on the West side ; and a work had been thrown up on Garden Island; there- fore, in point of defence, the settlement wore a respectable aspect. During the night of the 6th of September, the Resource, an American ship, arrived from Jlhode Island, bound to China. Having refreshed hei crew she sailed again on the 14th ; but to the in- jury of other Americans who might hereafter visit the settlement, the master took several seamen away belonging to the king's ships. To recruit their numbers, and refresh those he had on board, were undoubtedly his motives for coming in; but such conduct deserving a representation to the American Minister, the Governor deter- mined to make one. On the 15th, the Buffalo sailed for the Cape of Good Hope, to fetch cattle for the colony. The Governor wished to send a cargo of coals by . her to the Cape; but her repairs had taken up so much time, that to load her with that article ttEW SOUTlt WALES. 369 would have procrastinated her departure too far into the season, to admit of her return within the summer months, which was absolutely re- quisite to preserve her cattle. This desirable object was therefore declined. Dispatches were sent to England by this op- portunity, containing among others, a requisi- tion for those materials wanting to carry into effect the manufacture of woollens and linens, viz. a large quantity of reeds, hackles, tow, and wool cards, a quantity of log wood, red wood, copperas, and alum. Shortly after the sailing of this ship, the Go- vernor visited the wild cattle, for which pur- pose he left Paramatta the 24th of September, crossing the Nepean river next morning further to the Northward than before. In this direction he traversed with his party a new tract of coun- try, perfectly beautiful and highly calculated for both cultivation and pasture. Arriving at the Cow-pasture Plains, they met jj with a small herd of cattle about 20 in number, lall extremely fierce, and had not some dogs been with the party, they would certainly have been attacked. The natives who accompanied the Governor, were alarmed so much, that they climbed up the trees, and left their friends to provide for their own safety. Several of the dogs having been set at the cattle, by some of the party, who did it, not thinking their situation perfectly safe, the animals dismayed at this unu- sual appearance went off with great expedi- tion, all but a bull calf, which the dogs detained: 3 B 370 HISTORY or the Governor however, directed him to be freed, on which a curious circumstance occurred. Three horses being with the party, the calf stuck close to them, running between their legs, and as he bellowed very loud there was every reason to fear the flock would return, and there- by danger the party; thus it was thought requisite to stop his cries by shooting him which was done instantly, and they regaled with infinite satisfaction on veal, a dish almost unknown in this country. Quitting the Cow-pasture Plains, the Gover- nor and his party re-crossed the river higher up, and were led four miles over a mountainous country, and then over a level space covered with fine grass, and very well watered. On the return of the Governor and his party on the beginning of October, they found the tliza whaler had come in from sea, wanting'only thirty tons of oil to complete her cargo. A great number of convicts and others who were the labouring servants of Government hav- ing absconded for the purpose of living by rob- bery, or escape in those ships ready to sail. An order was issued, that those concerned might not plead ignorant of the consequence and thus try to evade punishment, " that any officer or man belonging to the above ships, who should be known to have countenanced or assisted the convicts above alluded to in making their escape would be taken out of the ship, and punished with the utmost severity of the law ; and as the wiost strict and scrupulous search wrould take NEW SOUTH WALES. 371 .lake place on board, for every convict- which should be found concealed, or suffered to remain on board without regular permission, so many of the ship's company should be taken out and detained for daring to encourage such escape. Such of the above public servants as might have taken to concealments on shore for the purpose of avoiding their work, or making their escape from the colony, if they did not return within a week to their respective stations, might, upon discovery, expect the most exemplary punish- ment ; but they would be pardoned for the pre- sent attempt if they returned immediately." Notwithstanding the Governor had found it requisite to publish this particularly strict order, the very day it appeared, on searching the Hills- borough then moving out of the Cove, several convicts were secreted on board, these however, were brought on shore, and all except one receiv- ed severe corporal punishment. That one was forgiven on declaring who were the people that encouraged their concealment, and prepared hiding places for them. This he did and it proved to be two of the seamen, who were also directly brought on shore, punished and then drummed to the wharf, and returned to the ship from whence they came. The little effect of good orders, regulations, and punishments, were again fully shewn, and still more strongly confirmed by the following circumstance; The Spanish ship a prize to the whalers had been bought by Mr. Hingston, late master of the Hillsborough, and two free men of the settle- 372 HISTORY OF ment, she had been named the Hunter, and was about making a voyage to Bengal, for the pur- pose of freighting back with goods for the colony. A female named Ann Holmes being found missing, while the Hunter was going out of the harbour, the Governor directed an armed boat to follow the ship, with constables to search "her ; and ordered if any persons were found on hoard without permission, to bring the ship again into port. Having found the woman, the ship was accordingly brought up the harbour and pro* perly secured. Many of her crew conducted themselves in an insolent and mutinous manner to an officer sent from the Reliance, having armed against the constables, and one of them presented a musquet at a chief constable, they were now secured, and ordered to be punished on board their own ship, after which they were turned on shore. But as the Governor thought something more than this requisite to be done ; a criminal court assembled and the master of the ship was tried, charged with aiding a female convict to escape. The offence consisting of aiding a co?ivict, thus it became requisite to prove the person found in his ship was a convict; but on referring to a list of the prisoners who arrived in the Ptoyal Ad- miral, which ship Ann Holmes had been sent out in, to New South Wales, no term of transporta- tion was found against her name. So the master was acquitted, it not being possible to prove that Holmes was then a convict. But the mas- ter was highly reprehensible for concealing any o Ta NEW SOUTH WALES. S73 person in his ship, and must undoubtedly have felt himself in an awkward situation, in being brought before a court for the breach of an order issued but a short time to guard him and others against the very offence he had committed. The Hillsborough, when searched, had no less than thirty convicts on board, against the orders, but these were without the knowledge of the officers, being secreted by the seamen. Soon after these transactions, both ships sailed on their voyages. Though by the measures adopted, it was sup- posed none had escaped in the ships, yet many were still known to be in the woods. On the 15th a young ox was missed from the stock- yard at Toongabbe ; with the hope of discover- ing the offenders, a notice was issued, holding out a conditional emancipation, and permission to become a settler, to any convict for life, who would come forward with the information neces- sary to convict the persons concerned ; and an absolute emancipation, with permission to quit the colony, to any one transported only for a limitted time; but nothing ever transpired that could lead to a discovery t Wheat at this time getting low in the stores rendered it necessary to deduct two pounds from the twelve which were issued, an addition was made to the allowance of salt meat, eight pounds and a half of beef being issued instead of five, and five pounds of pork in the room of three. This was to continue until the new crops were gathered which wore at present a promising- 374 HISTORY OF appearance, and the various misfortunes which had attended the exertions of the industrious, being, it was hoped at an end, the governor thought it to be his duty to fall to the original prices of grain, and of course directed the fol- lowing should be given in future : For wheat, per bushel, - 8s. The present barley, do. - 6s. Maize, do - 4s. to commence on the 1st of January, 1800. The Reliance sailed on the 2d of November, with a party of military to relieve those on duty at Norfolk Island; and the next day the ship Walker arrived from England, on board of which were Lieut. Colonel Paterson, and Capt Abbot, of the New South Wales corps. The dispatches the Governor now received, directed a register to be kept of all ships enter* jng in and clearing out of the harbour, in conse- quence of which he appointed Richard Atkins, Esq. the judge advocate, to that service; and it now became an article in the port orders delivered to the masters of ships on their arrival, " that they were not upon any account to break bulk, or attempt to land any article whatever, until such time as an account of the ship, her commander, cargo, &c. had been laid before the Governor." It was at the same time ordered that no boat, or indeed any person, except the pilot and officer, sent by the Governor, and the person to fill up the register, should ever board a ship, entering the port, till the informa- tion required had been fully obtained. NEW SOUTH WALES. . S?0 The ordnance of the colony was increased on. the arrival of the Walker by four iron twelve pounders, and intelligence was brought that coj per coin, to the amount of 5501. was put on board the Porpoise,, and might be daily ex- pected. Money would in its circulation most certainly be attended with the greatest utility to all the inhabitants of the colony in their se- veral dealings ; and to prevent its being taken out of the colony it might be marked. If by the introduction of the coin, the lamentable and nearly never to be forgiven crime of for- gery, mould be avoided, it would indeed be an event devoutly to be wished ; but in all human probability, this crime, if expelled, would only introduce the more general crime of manu- facturing counterfeit money, for among the many ingenious persons in the country it would certainly be attempted. At the same time as the Walker, the Britannia arrived from her last cruize, having perfected her cargo of oil. A general complaint being made by the in- habitants of Sydney concerning the quality of the bread delivered to them, the Governor or- dered a meeting of officers for the investigation of it ; it appeared the bakers received the wheat as issued, and engaged to give in return a quantity of bread ; but, never having been confined as to quality, returned loaves composed of more chaff and bran than flour, which made the convi&s very feelingly call them '{ scrubbing brushes." The bakers were heard, 376 HISTORY OF but proper directions were given to remove the evil, and prevent a repetition of it. , Lieut. Col. Paterson had, since he arrived, introduced some regulations in the corps of which he was sent out to take the command. As his Majesty had augmented the pay of the non-commissioned officers, drummers, and pri- vates of the army, since the 2ith day of May 1797, under certain regulations with respect to ftoppages, this regiment was to receive the benefit of three-pence halfpenny per day, to be dijbi&ed, as a payment for the ration issued to them, and which the commissary was now directed to serve, agreeable to the ration eftab- lished by command for such troops as were serving in Jamaica, Gibraltar, &c. &c. Col. Paterson was also instructed to com- plete the companies of the corps, if he could obtain proper characters for the purpose, in consequence of which notice was given, in- forming those free people, who could bring with them satisfactory recommendations to the colonel, they would be received for the regi- ment. The great pains formerly taken, to enforce a proper attention to the duties of religion, it might rationally have been thought, would have had a lasting effect ; but the orders and regulations for the good government of New South Wales, like the A6is of Parliament of the mother country, were only observed at their firft publication: again, therefore, was the Governor obliged to call on all in authority, NEW SOUTH WALES. 377 to exert themselves in enforcing a proper ob- servance of the sabbath, and they were parti- cularly directed to urge the women to attend divine service, for the females had at all times thought it convenient not to imagiue them- selves included in those addressed by the public orders. The crops of wheat, which at this time were ready for the reaper, wore a profitable and very promising appearance; the ftalks of that at the Hawkcsbury was bending with the \aB$Lt of the corn. But in this, as in other coun- tries, a crop could never with safety be reck- oned, until gathered into the barn. On the 16th of November fell a heavy storm of thun- der, lightning, and rain, with a shower of hail that knocked the greater part of the fruit off the trees, and cut up the gardens in the neigh- bourhood of Sydney ; though at two miles from that place, it was not felt. On the 18th of November, a gale of wind and rain visited the Hawkesbury two days after the storm at Sydney, which beat down much of the wheat, and greater part of the public store. This tempestuous weather subsided for a day, and then recommenced and continued until the 25th, when it cleared up ; and, to encrease the affliction, myriads of caterpillars were now destroying the young maize. To obtain an absolute knowledge of what was the produce of the year's harvest, proper persons were appointed, by the Governor, to visit every district, and to obtain from the 3 c 378 ■> HISTORY OF owners an account of what was produced on each farm. The building the public gaol at Sydney was not yet completed, although a meeting of the officers had been held to consider of the means best to be devised for defraying the expense. The Britannia whaler being now ready for sea, on the 2d of December sailed for England, by which opportunity Mr. Raven, who came with the Buffalo, and five of his officers took their passage; an agreement being made with the master, to furnish them wTith a passage for 2501. The Walker on the same day sailed on her fishing voyage. The dissatisfaction manifested by the settlers, respecting the reduction of the price of grain which had been ordered by the Governor to take place, induced them to complain to his Excellen- cy by petitions, in which they dated many hard- ships they laboured under, in the hope that he would receive the crops of this season at the higher price. Having considered the propriety of their petitions, he wished them to recollect, that four years since he had given notice, that the high price of grain jcould not be continued longer than that season : and though he had no doubt of their having had the losses they represented, and they must know he had used every means he could to remove or relieve them ; yet his duty forced him to adhere to the reduction of which he had given notice, and at the same time observed, some of the misfor- HEW SOUTH WALES. 379 tunes had proceeded from a want of attention to their own interest ; many of them having sold their last bushel for the imprudent gratifi- cation of the moment, thus reducing their fa- milies to distress and even nakedness. At the same time he informed them, he felt much pleasure in being able to communicate to them, that government intended to administer every relief, by supplying the inhabitants with both necessaries and comforts at a moderate price. - x During the same day which the Britannia sailed, the Plumier, a Spanish ship, anchored in the cove; which ship was a prize to three whalers that captured her near Cape Corientes, on the coast of Peru. Her cargo principally consisted of spirits and *wine, which being con- demned by the Vice-admiralty Court as a law- ful prize, were removed to the Supply, and an order was issued, to forbid the landing of spirits, wine, or malt liquor, till a regular permit was obtained, which restriction was ex- tended to wine and malt liquor, as spirits were frequently landed as those articles. The Commissary was now enabled to issue slop-cloathing to the convicts, as a quantity had been received by the Walker ; but unfortu- nately, however, much put on board arrived in a damaged state. On the 14th of December, the Martha schooner came in from Bass Strait; she brought 1000 seal-skins and 30 barrels of oil, which she had procured among the islands. 380 mSTORY OF The criminal court assembled on the 16th, wften two mates^ the ^p^ker were tried for using menaces to a g|KQg,,Tor stopping their boat when attempting t 1 spirits without a permit ; but as he had no authority for making a seizure, they were acquitted. One John Morris was convicted of forgery, and received, sentence of death ; but his fate being determined by the majority of one voice, this business must, as provided by the patent for establishing the court, be referred to the King in council. It was fortunate that such instances did not often occur ; for the unfor- tunate criminal must languish for many months in so dreadful a state of uncertainty, that it is hard to say, if the thus created punishment by suspense, even though eventually the cul- prit was pardoned, did not exceed the instant punishment of death ; and if, after a lapse of time, the pendant arm of justice inflicted the rigorous sentence of the law, the poor wretches state, must excite the commisseration of all hearts composed of any softer materials than iron. The settlers in a body again represented their inability to bear a reduction in the price of wheat this season, not only in consequence of their former losses, but of the very high price of those necessaries of life requisite for paying their labourers : thus the Governor consented to receive the wheat only at the former price of 10s. per bushel, and they were then told the re- NEW SOUTH WALES'. 381 duction would certainly take place the next season. His Excellency also allowed a quantity of wine and spirits to be landed, for the accom- modation of those wl crops Jto secure, and thus prevent the impositions they must be sub- ject to in procuring them from-a petty dealer. The Reliance and Francis returned on the 24th from Norfolk Island, with the relief of the mili- tary. Before the morning of the 25th, the log gaol at Paramatta was set on fire, and shortly con* sumed. The prisoners confined there were with difficulty saved from the flames, and so scorched that one died in a few days. The rewards formerly thought proper to be held out on other occasions, were offered to any one, who would give evidence to convict the incendries ; and the inhabitants were again called on by that duty each owed to society, as well as by his own interest, to use every means to discover the perpetrators of such diabolical _ mischief, which in its extent, involved the lives of many, and the properties of every one. It is by no means wonderful, that in a coun- try inhabited by convicts there should be an antipathy to a gaol, so strong as to end in the destruction of those, composed of combustible materials, and though it might be thought, the criminals on the outside, would have had a little pity for those on the in, that was not found the case either at the burning the prison formerly or now, which shews too plainly the real state of depravity to which human nature can reach. 582 HISTORY OF The harvest now begining, constables were sent to the Hawkesbury to secure every vagrant they could meet with and bring them to Sydney, if they did not choose to work, as the settlers were willing to pay them a dollar per day, and give themtheirprovisions; at this time there were many persons in that district, calling themselves free people, who refused to do any kind of labour unless paid the most exhorbitant wages. This evil indeed reigns too universally in all countries, for from this cause the farmer is evi- dently forced to charge more for his grain ; thus the encrease of price rises still higher, till at length the very labourer, who is the first grand cause, complains of the price of that bread he needs for himself or family. The following statement of the live stock and ground in cultivation in New South Wales at this period, is highly satisfactory : viz. LIVE STOCK. 39 Horses, 72 Mares, 188 Bulls and Oxen, 512 Cows, 31S9 Hogs, 47? 1 Sheep, and 258S Goats. LAND IN CULTIVATION. 5465 Acres of Wheat, 2302 of Maize, 82 of Barley, and only 8 of Oats. Thus it appears there was a great encrease of live stock, except of horses. And a considera- ble addition had been made to the ground in cultivation. 1 NEW SOUTH WALES. 383 That the encrease of live stock and land in cultivation, should have for its growing accom- paniment an encrease of crimes, can only be viewed with regret, and it is much to be lament- ed, that abilities so great, as those possessed by every officer in the settlement, had not more worthy subjects of his Majesty's to govern, and thus have them shewn to still greater advantage. On the 3d of January, 1800, the Swallow, East-India packet, arrived on her voyage to China. She on anchoring saluted the fort, which was of course returned. She had a, variety of articles for sale, intended for the China market; but the master found it worth his while to display to the female inhabi- tants here various elegant articles of dress. On the 3 1th the Minerva transport arrived from Ireland, with 162 male and c26 female con- victs _from that kingdom, all in perfect health, their treatment doing the highest credit to the master, the surgeon, and officers; only three had died during the passage. She was chartered for Bengal; and, as the season was early for her proceeding on that voyage, the Governor wishing to divide this description of people, would have sent her with them to Norfolk Island; but as no provision had been made for her proceeding to that place under the original charter-party, he did not think proper to give what the master demanded. And having been informed that another ship, the Friendship, had sailed from Ireland, he resolved to land the 384 HISTORY OF convicts and to avoid imposition wait her arrival. As the Minerva had touched at Rio de Jane- rio, she brought many articles for sale, from that port as well as from England, most of which were seriously wanted, but the prices were so immoderate as to drain all the money that could be procured. The arrival of the Minerva, was accompanied with that of the Fhynne, a snow from Bengal under Danish colours, chartered by the officers of the colony, through an agent they sent thither on purpose. She was laden on their account with articles they were much in want of. The 18th a convict attempted to go alongside the Minerva, and still persisting, though repeat- edly warned to keep off, was shot by the centinel, agreeable to his orders, and though tried was of course acquitted. The natives having murdered two men who had farms at the Hawkesbury, a few of the settlers in the neighbourhood determined like the native savages of the country to revenge their death by retaliation. There were three native boys living with a settler named Powell, and two others. These innocent and unoffend- ing lads selected as the object of their revenge by these white savages. Having told them, they thought they could find the guns of the white men, they were sent for that purpose, and soon brought them in. Powell and hi* com- panions now began to execute their infernal work of vengeance. For which purpose they . NEW SOUTH WALES, rove them into a barn, and after tying their hands behind them, the cowardly miscreants stabbed them, till two died beneath their hands. The third made his escape, by jumping into the river, and though to assist him in swimming he could only make use of his feet, yet with this disadvantage, and the savage murderers of his companions firing constantly at him, he reached the opposite bank alive, and soon joined his own far more innocent people. The governor, oil being informed of this cir^ cuius tance, with his usual goodness sent directly to the place, where the bodiesof these poor victims were found buried in a garden, stabbed in several places, and their hands tied as described. Powell and the other murderers were taken into custody, and a court being assembled, they were tried for the wilful murder of the two native boys.. The evidence produced to the court perfectly established that the deceased had died by means of the prisoners; and the members of the court were unanimously of opinion that they were u guilty of killing two natives ;'• but instead of passing a sentence of death, a special reference was made to his Majesty's Minister, and the prisoners were admitted to bail. By way of a defence the prisoners brought forward a cloud of witnesses to prove a number of white people had been killed by the natives; but most undoubtedly could these people have been properly understood, proofs had not been wanting, of the wanton and brutal manner in 3 D 386 HTSTORY OF which by far too many of them had been expel- led existence. Doubts arising as to the light the natives were to be held, the court applied to the Governor for information, when he sent the court the orders from time to time given respecting them, and a copy of an article in his " Majesty's in- structions to the Governor," which in very strong terms places them under the protection of the British government, and directs, that " if any of his subjects should wantonly destroy them, or give them unnecessary interruption in the exercise of their several occupations, they are to be brought to punishment according to the degree and nature of their offence. " But as in this instance, the court were divided in their sentiments, the whole business, with' their doubts, was agreed to be submitted to his Majesty's Minister. Notwithstanding it was impossible to explain to the natives, or make them comprehend the nature of these doubts, it was naturally to be expected they would ill brook the return of the prisoners to their farms without receiving some punishment: an event wholly opposite to their ideas and customs; in fact they threatened most violently to burn the crops the first opportunity. In the hands of a body of justly irritated and hostile natives, fire might, with little trouble to them, ruin every prospect of the most abundant harvest; and by this threat, it appeared evident they were not ignorant of the power they possessed, thus it was essential to the comfort, security, and indeed NEW SOUTH WALES. 387 existence of the settlers in particular, that they should live with them at least on amicable terms, On the 21st the Swallow sailed on her voyage to China. On the &5th of this month, the Walker whaler came in, not having met with any success. She had spoke the Albion, which had unfortunately been equally unsuccessful. The gaol at Sydney still wanting much of being compleated from the smalness of the sums raised to carry it on ; and as it appeared that the officers had paid forty pounds each as an idividual share of the expense, it became re- quisite that some means should be adopted to finish the building; and, as the price of wheat had, at the urgent request of the settlers, been for this season continued at ten shillings per bushel, it was thought proper to raise a sum for the purpose, by each leaving with the commis- sary sixpence, for every bushel of wheat taken to the store. This would undoubtedly be the least felt, and was intended to cease when a sum sufficient was collected. There being now only five months' provision in the store at a full allowance, it was deemed necessary to issue only two thirds of the regular ration; and* this deduction was to commence on the first of February. A small addition was made to that already in store, by seventy casks of salt provisions the master of the Minerva had for sale. The Francis and the Norfolk brought round each a cargo of timber and plank for a vessel building at Sydney, and other purposes, I* lb. T lb. i 4 pint. 1 oz. 1 oz. 388 ^ HISTORY OF On the first of February the alteration in the ration took place. Col. Paterson brought out with him an arrangement of the military ration, which, as directed by his Majesty's regulation, consisted of the following daily allowance for each man: Flour or bread, . - Beef, or Pork, - Pease, - - Butter, or Cheese, Rice, - - - - When the rice and pease could not be issued, H lb; of bread or flour, and \\ lb. of beef, or 10 oz. of pork, make a complete ration. The quantity of salt provisions at this time in store, not being able to suffer an exemption of the regiment from a reduction, they were informed that, till the store could afford to victual them agreeable to that regulation, they would receive the same as the civil department; but that no stoppages from their pay would take place on that account. One of these people a well-disposed young man, fell a victim to an attachment he had formed with a most infamous woman ; who, after plundering him of e\ery thing he pos- sessed, turned him out of her house, to make room for another. This treatment, though only what he might rationally have expected, he could not survive ; and, placing the muzzle of Ills gun under his chin, drew the trigger with his foot, and, the contents going through his neck, he instantly expired. It is a melancholy fact that from similar causes, may be deduced the arrival of at least one half of the male con- NEW SOUTH WALES. 389 victs, which shews the high importance of young men avoiding those connections so repleat with evil. The Betsey whaler arrived on the 13th, from the West coast of America with 350 harrels of oil. She was very leaky, and wanted much repair. At the same time the Hunter bark came from Calcutta, with a cargo on speculation; and the next day a Spanish brig captured by the whalers. On the 1 6th arrived the Friendship transport from Ireland with convicts : last from the Cape of Good Hope, where the Buffalo was embarking cattle for the settlement. The con- victs arrived in very good health, though they had been rather sickly previous to her reaching the Cape. The generality of the convicts sent by this ship and the Minerva were but ill calculated to be of any advantage to the settlement, as little addition could be made by them to the strength of the labouring gangs.. Many of them were bred up in genteel habits, and others to light professions, and of course unaccustomed to hard labour. These must become a drain on the store ; for, notwithstanding the detesta- tion for the crimes many of them were trans- ported for, yet it was not possible for the ^^ Governor, consistent with his well-known feel- ing humanity, to send a Physician, the once Sheriff of a county, a Catholic priest, or a Protestant clergyman and family, to the brick- xarts, brick-fields, grubbing hoe, or the timber 3Q() HISTORY OF carriage. The lower classes of convicts in these cargos were mostly old men, fit only for hut- keepers to remain at home and prevent robbery, while the other inhabitants of the hut were at labour : thus making good the old proverb, '"' set a thief to catch a thief." A quantity of clothing being received by these ships, and as no bedding had been sent, the Governor bought a thousand bad rugs, ma- nufactured in some of the Spanish settlements on the coast of America, and were on board the last prize. One of these, with a complete suit of clothing, were issued to each of the convicts. Many of the settlers declining to come for- ward and assist with the small assessment of sixpence per bushel on wheat, which was in- tended to be taken toward the completion of-* the gaol, it was now thought requisite to adopt some other measure ; and, as any article of luxury was conceived to be a fitter subject than any other for taxation, an order was is- sued, directing, that iC on a permit being ap- plied for to land spirits, wine, beer, or other strong drink from ships having those articles for sale/' the person wishing for it must make application to the gentlemen of the committee appointed to carry on the building of the gaol, and security was to be given them for the pay- ment of Is. per gallon on the purchase of spirits, 6*d. per gallon on the purchase of wine, and 3d. per gallon on the purchase of porter or strong beer : these sums, should the permits, NEW SOUTH WALES. 3Q1 be granted, which rested on the character of the person, were to he paid to the committee, and appropriated to the above purpose. Since the last arrivals from Ireland, a number of suspicious persons were continually strolling about Sydney at all hours of the night, se- veral boats had been taken away, and property to a serious amount stolen out of houses ; in order to put a stop to these practices, the cen- tinels were directed not to suffer any person, the civil and military officers of the settlement excepted, to pass after ten o'clock at night, without giving the counter-sign; on failure of which the centinel was to detain them until the relief came round ; when, if the corporal should not be satisfied with the account they gave, they were to be taken to the guard-house, •and detained till enlarged by the magistrates. In addition to this, the constables were directed to be strict in their rounds, and apprehend all improper or suspicious persons they might meet in the town during the night. In a few days after the issuing this order, several of the Irish prisoners assembled at a house, and making more noise than proper during the night, were taken up, and lodged in the gaol till the morning ; when they were set at liberty with strong assurances of being punished if again taken up. A new powder magazine was now began, the former being at too great a distance from the principal battery, and in a dangerously in- secure situation. The foundation of the new 2 392 HISTORY OF one was dug in a better spot, and where it could be properly secured ; which precaution was rendered necessary by the turbulent con- duct of those convicts from Ireland. The Reliance being so worn out, as to be no longer capable of doing any service to the co- lonv, it became necessarv to i>'ive her those repairs which- would enable her to reach Eng- land. She was therefore fitted for sea, and sailed on the 3d of March on her homeward- bound voyage. The Martha returned from the Southward on the 6th of March, with a cargo of oil and seal skins. As the Nautilus had left some of her people on Cape Barren Island, they in- formed the master of the Martha, that the best time for seals among those islands was from November till May. Many of the Irish convicts lately arrived were now afflicted with a dysenteric complaint, and several died. It has already been seen how little good could be effected by granting indulgence to the people of this country, and now another instance occurred from a class of people who it could hardly have been expected from. The settlers on the banks of George's river had served in the marine detachment, ond after- wards in the New South Wales' corps. By entreaties prevailed on the governor to grant them some live stock, his Excellency furnished each with a ewe sheep, which they were no sooner possessed of than they sold. This reach- tfEW SOUTH WALES. 59$ ing the Governor, lie ordered them to be seized, and returned to the flock of government Accounts of an alarming nature toward the latter end of the month arrived from George's river and the Hawkesbury. The weather had, for upwards of twenty days, been very wet, which was unfortunate, as the maize was now ripe, the wind blew a heavy gale, accompanied with so much rain that the river Hawkesbury, and all the creeks, rose beyond their banks, laying the flat country under water. The con- sequent damage followed the desolation which this flood spread over the cultivated grounds, and some lives were lost, though considering the extent of the flood they were few. The prospect of a fine maize harvest was now at an end, and work of everykind was suspended, for the purpose of preparing the ground for a se- cond crop of wheat. The settlement had not yet become so firmly established as to be en- abled to withstand such a succession of ill-for- tune without some assistance from the mother country. Had the settlers been more indus- trious, they must in some degree have been pre- pared for accidents of this nature ; and it was to be lamented, that, when they were established on the banks of the Hawkesbury, attention had not been paid to the evident figns of the floods which the river appeared liable to, had the dwellings been built on higher ground, the inundations which had occurred could have done no injury. The late overflows 3e 3 O 9 b 0 3 8 >> 3 3 >s pq £ pq At Paramatta, 460 845 JQO 741 Toongabbe, — 4 10 160 4,734% Sydney, — 349 80 40 The Northern Farms, 370 80 126 150 The Ponds, 66o 200 20 80 Prospect Hill, 810 275 _ 835 The Eastern Farms, 450 170 190 1,516 The Field of Mars, 590 905 76*0 1,420 Mulgrave Place, — 2,040 2,475 6,820 Liberty Plains, — 530 100 830 Concord, — 710 325 140 York Place, — — 50 310 Bu-la-nam-ino;, — 56* 30 1,5.16 Petersham Hill, — 2,140 410 2,015 Hunter's Hill, — 850 — 74 Port Jackson Harbour, — 390 140 i9$ ; - Banks Town, — — — 3,247 Dundas District, — — — 700 Norfolk Island, 49 205 — 3,26*7 Total granted by each, 3,389 10,674 4,905 28,()50 "■- ■ ■ — - • — - . — . mm, i j a 6 O o O zzi G CJ C The Districts in which £ o u X they were leased. 0 O "3 > o o >> J J J~> PQ >-> >> pa ■ PQ ' PQ At the township of Sydney 30 27 o 434- — — — — Paramatta, — ■ — __ 47 — Toongabbe, — — — 30 At Mulgrave Place, — — . 1.2 At 'Norfolk-Wand, \ ~~* — ■ — 265 Total leased by each. 30 27 a 397i 412 HISTORY OF The following is a list of the various vessels which arrived only in the harbour of Port Jackson, from January 1788 only to the close of the century, with their names, dates of ar- rivals, from whence they came, and their car- goes, as mentioned in the course of the work ; which now collectively brought together, places the country in a respectable view, and shews it capable of affording comfort and relief to many in need of refreshment, and a market worthy attention for the sale of nearly all cargos that can be sent. Names of Ships. Date of Arrival. Whence. Cargo. His Majesty's armed \ tender, Supply, J 25th Jan. 1788 England H. M. ship Sirius, 26th — Alexander, transport, 26th Convicts Scarborough, 26th — — Charlotte, 26th . — — Lady Penrhyn, — 26th — — : Friendship, 26th — — - Prince of Wales, 26th __ — Fishburn, store-ship, 26th — Provis. &c. Golden Grove. 26th — — Borrowdale, 26th — — H. M. ship Sirius, 6th May 1789 f C. of G. \ -Hope. — Lady Juliana, trans. 3d June 1790 England Convicls. Justinian, store-ship 20th — Provis. &c. Surprise, transport, 26th — Convifts Keptune, 28th — — Scarborough, 28th — — H. M. a. t. Supply, IQth Sept. — Provisions Waaksamheyd, "I Dutch store-ship, J 17th Dec. — — Mary Ann, transport, 9th July 1791 ^_ Convicts Matilda, 1st August — _— Atlantic, 20th — . — Salamander, 21st — ■ — William and Ann, 28th — . — H, M. S. Gorgon, 21st Sept. — Store? provi. NEW SOUTH WALES. 413 Names of Ships. Date of Arrival. Active, transport, Queen, Albermarle, Britannia, Admiral Barrington, Pitt, Atlantic, store-ship, Britannia, Royal Admiral, Philadelphia, brig, Am Kitty, transport, Hope, American, Chesterrield, whaler, Bellona, transport, Shah Hormuzear, El Dcscuvierta, f Spa. L* Atrevida, \ Cor. Daedalus, store-ship, Britannia, Boddingtons, trans. Sugar-cane, Fairy, American, William, store-ship, Arthur, Daedalus, store-ship, Indispensable, Britannia, Speedy, Halycon, American, Hope, American, Fancy, Resolution, store-ship, i Salamander, Mercury, American, Surprise, transport, Experiment, Britannia, Endeavour, store-ship, H. M. S. Providence, H. M. S. Reliance, \ H. M. S. Supply, J Young William, st. sh. Sovereign, Arthur, peres, stove-ship, Whence. 26th 26th 13th Oct. 14th Oct. 1 6th 14th Feb. 1792 20th June 26th July 7th Oct. 1st Nov. 18th Dec, 15th Jan. 1793 24th Feb. 12th March 20th April June 7th August 17th Sept. 29th Oct. 20th Mar. 1 794 1 0th 3d April 14th May 3 st June Sth 14th 5th July .9th ,10th Sept. 11th 17th Oct. 25th 24th Dec. 4th Mar. 1795 31st May 26th August 7th September 4-th October 5th Novembei 1st Jan. 17£K> 23d England Ireland England England Cargo. Convicts Bengal England Philadelphia England Rhodelsland C. of G. H. England Manilla N.W.C.ofA. C. ofG. H. Ireland Boston England Bengal N. W. Am. England Batavia England Rhodelsland Bombay England Rhodelsland England Bengal C. of G. II. Bombay England England Bengal England Provisions Convicts Speculation Convicts Speculation To repair Convicts Speculation To refresh Provis. &c. Cat. pri.pro. Convicts To refresh Provisions Speculation Provisions Speculation Provisions Convicts Speculation Stockforoffi. Cattle Stores Speculation Provisions 414 HISTORY OF Names of Ships. Date of Arrival. Experiment, Otter, American, Marq. Cornwallis, tr Abigail, American, Assistance, Susan, American, Indispensable, trans. Britannia, store-ship, Grand Turk, Am, Prince of Wales, st. sh. Sylph, Mercury, American, H. M. S. Supply, Britannia, transport, Ganges, H. M. S. Reliance, Deptford, Nautilus, Barwcll, transport, Hunter, Cornwall, whaler, Eliza, Argo, American sch. Sally, whaler, Britannia, transport, Pomana, whaler, Diana, Semi rami s, American, Marq.Cornwallis st.sh. Indispensable, whaler, Rebecca, American, Nostra Senora de \ Bethlehem, prize, J II. M.S. Buffalo, Albion, store-ship, Hillsborough, trans. Resource, American, Walker, store-ship, El Plumier, prize, Thynnc, Betsey, whaler, Friendship, transport, Speedy, transport, H. M. S. Buffalo, Bell Savage, American H. M.S. Porpoise, Royal Admiral, 24th 24th 11th February February 17th March 19th April 30th 11th May 23d August 2d November 17th 11 Jan. 1797 16th May 27 th 2d June 26th * 20th Sept. 14th May 1798 18th 10th June 2d July 4th 7 th 8th July 18th 20th August 20th 1st October 27 th 27th 5th Mar. 1799 24th April 26th 29th June 26th July 6th September 3d November 2d December 11th Feb. 1800 13th 15th 15th April 15th 7th June 7th Nov. 22d Nov. Whence. Bengal Boston Ireland Rhodelsland Dusky Bay Rhodelsland England Calcutta Boston England Manilla C. of G. H. Ireland C. ofQ. H. Madras Otaheite England Rental C. of G. II. Mauritius C. ofG. H. England C. ofG. H. Cargo. Speculation To refresh Convicts Speculation Speculation Convicts Provisions Speculation To refit Cattle Provisions Cattle Speculation Missionaries Convicts Speculation To refit 1 Speculation To refit Convicts To refit Rhodelsland C: of G. H. Cape Blanco C. ofG. II. England Rhodelsland England C. Coricntes Bengal America Kngland Ireland C.ofG.H. Rhode Island Kngland England Cattle To refit Speculation Various art. Cattle Provisions Convicts To refit Provisions Various art. Speculation To refit Convicts Cattle To r.ej Cbnv. & st. ; NEW SOUTH WALES. 415 During the government of Governor Hunter, the following list of works were executed by the working gangs; and those public works previous to his arrival, are found mentioned in the history at various times. A second strong wind-mill tower was erected at Sydney, 36 feet in height. At Sydney a granary, lLl feet in length, and 21 in width, with two floors, was built from the ruins of a mill house, formerly erected with great labour and expense by Lieut, governor Grose. The public roads made good and repaired at various times, and bridges thrown over the gullies. A framed bridge built over Duck-river, ca- pable of bearing any weight. Two log granaries, 100 feet long, one for wheat and the other for maize, erected at the Hawkesbury on the Green-hills, and inclosed .with paling. A similar one at Paramatta, 100 feet in length, and paled round with a strong high fence, like that at Sydney, which was also like that, destroyed by fire. A suite of rooms built of brick at Sydney, be- tween the hospitals and dwelling-house of the surgeon, for the use of his assistants; the huts originally built for them, having gone to decay. The huts at Paramatta, built by Governor Phillip for the reception of convicts on their arrival, having been neglected and which had 416 HISTORY OF fallen to ruin, were repaired and made fit for the use designed, A wind-mill with a stone tower, built on the hill above Sydney. A double logged gaol, 80 feet long, with se- parate cells for prisoners, was built at Sydney, which M7as afterwards burnt. Eight embrasures to the battery on point. Maskelyne, were made, and a redoubt raised with eight embrasures on the point of the cove, and mounted with cannon. And two guns were mounted on Garden Island. An apartment containing threerooms of brick, was built in the yard of the old gaol, before it was burnt, for debtors. A barn 90 feet long, was built at Toongabbe, in which nine pair of threshers could work. The original one built by Governor Phillip hav- ing fallen down. Both government houses, the military bar- racks, officers' dwellings, store- houses and gra- naries, and all public buildings repaired, coated with lime and white- washed, to preserve them from decay. A brick building 100 feet long, built by Go- vernor Phillip at Paramatta, was repaired, and two floors laid ; with an addition to its length of 60 feet, for the purpose of a granary for wheat ; there being no building entirely for this use in the colony. A framed and weather-boarded house was built on the Green-hills at the Hawkesbury, for the command.:. j officer of that district. It NEW SOUTH WALES. 417 was shingled, and had a cellar, a kitchen, and other accommodations, and paled round. A weather-boarded store- ho use, with two wings built at Sydney, which was on the burn- ing of the church converted into a place of worship, till a new church was erected. At Sydney an excellent brick granary was erected, 100 feet long and 22 wide, with three floors. An addition, was afterwards made to this building of about 70 feet, for a kiln to dry the grain. At Paramatta a weather- boarded granary, 140 feet in length, was built for the reception of maize. A complete smith's shop for forges, was built at Sydney. A range of barracks at Sydney were built for three officers. The foundation of a church was began at Sydney, of a large size. A handsome church was erected at Para- matta, 10© feet in length and 44 in width, with a room 20 feet long, raised on stone pillars, for a vestry or CQtnfcil room, A tower steeple was built at the same place for a town clock. A naval yard was paled in on the west side of the cove, and within it a joiner's and a blacksmith's shop, with sheds for the vessels re- pairing, and the workmen, were erefted ; with a steamer, a storehouse, a warder's lodge, and an apartment for the clerk. 418 HISTORY OF A neat thatched hut was built in the govern- ment garden at Paramatta, for the gardener. A handsome and commodious stone gaol at Sidney ; with separate apartments for debtors, and six strong cells for condemned felons. A commodious stone-house was built near the naval yard for the master boat-builder. A large and elegant government house was erected at Paramatta, the first being too small, and sb o-one to decav that the roof fell in. The new building is spacious and roomy, with cellars and an attic story. A new powder magazine was began, a frame was raised, and the roof thatched of an open barn at the Ninety Acres, and a threshing floor was laid. A new dispensary was built, and the pan- nelled hospital removed and rose on a stone foundation, and at the same time was erected a new hospital store. Fenced the military barracks with high paling. Enlarged by a scalene building the whole length of each house, the dwellings of the principal surgeon, the senior assistant-surgeon, and the deputy-surveyor, by which an addi- tional accommodation of two rooms were given to each house. Paled in a cooperage adjoining the provision store at Sydney. Cleansed from filth the pub- lic tanks, and encompassed them and the spring-head with paling. A military hospital and dispensary, and an officer's guard-room, were built at Sydney. NEW SOUTH WALES. 4J9 Sheds for the boats belonging to government when hauled on shore were also built. Laid a new foundation, rebuilt a part of the walls, and repaired the wet provision store at Paramatta. Houses were erected near the hospital at Syd- ney, for the nurses and attendants. Repaired, plastered, white-washed, and coat* ed with lime, a house for a school at Sydney. Several ftock yards for cattle were inclosed, and many old sheds were repaired at Paramatta, Toongabbe, and Portland-place. In the latter district, the timber of 120 acres was cut down, and nearly half (that of 50 acres) burnt off, a townihip marked out, and some few huts built, and a number of inferior buildings. Exclusive of erecting and repairing the fore- going public works, detachments were daily employed in preserving the various buildings, the property of the crown, particularly those occupied by that class subordinate to the com- missioned officers ; and, as these repairs were necessary to prevent those buildings going to decay, they had been paid every attention to by Governor Hunter. The inclosures of the park and burial ground having suffered by decay, a gang of carpenters and labourers were for a considerable time employed in preparing railing, and putting them up. The judge-advocate's house at Sydney was enlarged and repaired, with several alterations, and out-houses. 420 HISTORY OF The strength of the public gangs did not permit their being further employed, or it was meant to have built a water-mill at Paramatta. A court-house at the same place, and two new stores, with a guard-house at the Green Hills. The stores were of brick, and the guard-house of weather ■boards. In the district of Portland Place, a stocks yard, consisting of 30 acres, was inclosed with posts and rails, and included four chains of fresh -water ponds. In the naval department, a vessel was left on the stocks, designed to be pf 150 or 160 tons burthen, and intended for the purpose of tak- ing the relief to and from Norfolk Island. A boat called the Cumberland was on the stocks, and nearly finished, of 27 tons burthen, meant to be schooner rigged and armed, for the pursuit of deserters, who were in the practice pf carrying away the boats of the settlement. In this account of the labour performed for the pub/lie, under Governor Hunter, is not estimated the time employed for the preparation of the earth for sowing, and the gathering in pf the harvests ; so that it must indeed be considered, with no small degree of astonishment, that such a number of buildings should have, by any exertions, been effected, when proper allowance is made for the dispositions of those, who only could be employed in either building or repairing, and when added to the deduction, which thresh- ing out the corn for delivery, and unloading NEW SOUTH WALES, 421 the store-ships as they arrived, a proper allow- ance of time is made ; it proves that Gover- nor Hunter effected the most with the compa- ratively little labour he could induce the con- victs to perform. Shortly after the departure of Governor Hunter, it appeared on an investigation of the registers of the terms of transportation of the convicts, that the clerks, who had been suffered to have access to them, had altered the senten- ces of nearly two hundred prisoners, on receiving a sum from each equal in value to ten or twelve pounds. ; and proper steps to guard against so truly serious an evil in future, were taken at the colony, and proper information sent to England on the subject. It now appeared the expenses attending the erecting of the county gaol, had cost the sum of 3.9541. the greater part of which had been paid by public assessments. Every encouragement being given for the purpose of promoting the growth of wool, for manufacturing 300 yards of blanketing were made from what the woof produced last sea- son, from the flocks belonging to government and individuals ; and in five month], 470 yards of flax were made into linen. The never-resting spirit of Speculation which continually manifested itself in the arrival of ships, received a serious check by the Gover- nor's sending back three vessels from Bengal, on board which were fifty- four thousand gallons of spirits and wine. 422 HISTORY OF The quantity of copper coin expected having arrived, the Governor published a table of the fpecie legally in circulation in the colony, af- fixing the rates to each, at which they were to be considered a legal tender in all payments, viz. TABLE OF SPECIE. A guinea A Johannes A half ditto A ducat A gold mohur A pagoda A Spanish dollar A rupee A Dutch guilder An English shilling A copper coin of 1 oz. A ditto of £ oz. A ditto of ~ oz. And as the supply of copper was sent for the convenience of persons wanting to make small payments, no sum exceeding 51. was to be esteemed a legal tender of this money ; and it was declared, that exporting or importing* of any sum of the copper coin exceeding 5 1. should be punished by a fine of treble the value of the sum so exported or imported, and the ' forfeiture of the sum in question. Ships arrived from India, England, and America, bringing on fpeculation carg^s of * Except by government. 1 a 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 9 6 1 17 6 0 8 0 0 i 0 0 ■2 6 0 c2 0 0 1 1 0 0 %' 0 0 1 o 0 P* NEW SOUTH WALES. 423 wine, fpirits, tobacco, teas, fugar, hardware, wearing apparel, &c. and were publicly sold. By*these ships had been imported 59,294? gallons of spirits, 30,896 ditto of wines, out of which were landed 26,974 ditto of fpirits, 8,896 dito of wines ; and 32,320 ditto of spi- rits, 22,000 ditto of wines, were sent away. By information from Norfolk Island intelli- gence was received, that a plot was fortunately difcovered, on the 14th of December 1800, formed by some of the convicts to murder the officers, and, by getting possession of the island,, to liberate themselves. Two of the ringleaders were immediately executed, and others properly punished. Major Foveaux, the lieutenant-governor, had found the truly desirable long wanted and un- known acquisition, a good landing-place for boats and small vessels, in Anson's Bay, where there were four and five fathoms of water only a few yards from the shore, with a fine sandy beach, and a free passage from rocks or shoals. Having at length brought down the History of New South Wales in regular progression, to the close of the eighteenth century, I shall here desist from following the routine of the regular relation of events, and leave the coun- try in its settled state, and I shall now proceed to the Natural Hiftory of the Island; that done, I shall, in a concluding Chapter, give a continuance of the Hiftory, from the beginning of the year 1801, till the time I forwarded the manuscript to England* 2 424 HISTORY OF CHAP. XL Liittle versed in studying the divine works of Nature, I have/availed myself of the labours, of my predecessors, and accompany their re* searches with my own observations on the various subjects ; and as I have been assisted with natural historical information from the same high and distinguished characters who have generously favoured me with Colonial historical facts, I shall give undoubtedly a faithful account of the Natural History of New South Wales in its Various departments, as far as yet discovered, and, as Pope very justly observes, that " Want of decency is want of sense/' I shall by no means introduce any descrip- tion that can offend the most delicate mind, or shall I ititrude on my readers any account of those productions which seem the inhabitants of nearly all countries, such as the rat, the bat, the squirrel, &c. &c. meaning only to de- scribe those which seem to be more particularly the natives of this country, and were not ge- nerally known previous to the establishment of the colony. NEW SOUTH WALES. f£Z QUADRUPEDS. OR^ITHORHYNCHUS PARADOXUS. This animal, which has obtained the name of Ornithorhynchus Paradoxus, is still very little known. It is found only to inhabit fresh- water lakes in the interior parts of the country. It swims not on the surface of the water, but comes up to breathe, in the same manner as the turtle. The natives often sit on the banks, with spears and watch their rising to the sur- face, till they get a good opportunity of ftrik- ing them, which they do with their usual dexterity, and frequently succeed in catching them. Governor Hunter once saw a native watching one above an hour before he threw his spear at it; but at length he drove it through the neck and fore leg, and when he brought it on fliore, it used its claws with such force, that it be- came requisite to confine it between two pieces of board, while they cut off the barbs of the spear, to.disengage it. When freed, it ran on the ground with as great activity as a land tortoise, which was much faster than the structure of its fore feet seemed to promise. It inhabits the banks of lakes, and feeds in the muddy places which surrounds them ; but its food is unknown. The male is \7\ inches in length, from the point of the bill to the extremity of the tail. $ i 4£tf HISTORY OF The bill is 2-f. inches long; and the end of the tail 4-f inches. The animal's body is compressed, and of the fame general thickness, except over the shoul- ders, where it is smaller. The circumference of the body is. 11 inches. In size, the female is rendered rather larger than the male, by a portion of fat lying very generally under the skin, which the male is without. The colour of the male is a very dark brown, on the back, legs, bill, and tail; the under part of the neck and belly is of a silver grey. The hair is of two kinds ; a very fine thick fur, one half an inch long, and a curious kind of hair, nearly an inch long. The part neareft the root has the appearance of hair ; but for a quarter of an inch towards the point it becomes flat, resembling feathers: this has a gloss on it. The fur or hair on the back is shorter than that on the belly. No appearance could be observed of nip- ples ; although the skin on the belly of the fe- male was examined with the greatest accuracy. The head is compressed. The bill, projects beyond the mouth, and in its appearance resem- bles that of a duck ; but is in fact more like that of the spoonbill, the middle part being composed of bone, as in that bird: it has a very strong covering. The nostrils are close to each other, near the end of the bill ; and the upper lip projects three quarters of an inch beyond them. NEW SOUTH WAJ-ES. 4C27 The eyes are small; situated more on the upper part of the head than usual, and are be- hind the loose edge of the flap belonging to the bill. The eyelids are concealed in the hair, and, in the male, are scarcely seen ; but the female has a tuft of lighter hair, which marks their situa- tion. The ears are two large slits, behind the eyes, and larger than the orifices of the eyelids. The teeth are all grinders ; and are four in number, one on each side of the upper and under jaw, and have broad flat crowns. They differ from common teeth materially, having neither enamel nor bone, being composed of a horny substance only, connected by an irregu- lar surface in the place of fangs. When cut through which is readily done, the internal struc- ture is like the human nail. Between the cheek and the jaw, on each side of the mouth, there is a pouch, as in the mon- key tribe. When laid open, it is \\ inch long, and the same in breadth. In the female it con- tains a substance, the size of a small nut, in each pouch. Besides these teeth, there are two small point- ed horny teeth upon the projecting part of the posterior portion of the tongue, the points of which are directed forwards, to prevent the food being pushed into the fauces during the process of mastication ; which circumstance is peculiar to this animal. 'lite fore legs are short, and the feet webbed. Each foot has five toes, united by the web, 428 HISTORY OF which is very broad, and is continued beyond the points of the toes nearly an inch. On each toe there is a rounded straight nail, which lies loose upon the membrane forming the web. The hind legs are nearly of the same length as the forelegs, but stronger. Each foot has five toes with claws, and webbed. The male, on the heel, has a strong crooked spur, with a sharp point, which has a joint be- tween it and the foot, and is capable of mo- tion in two directions. When the point of it is brought close to the leg, the spur is con- cealed in the hair ; when directed outwards, it projects considerably, and is conspicuous. The tail in shape is like that of the beaver. THE TAPOA TAFA, OR TAPHA, Is the size of a rat, though its formation gives it the appearance of the martin cat, but that its body, compared to its size, is not so long. The head, which is broad from side to side, is in front flat ; the nose, which is pointed, projects beyond the teeth ; the eyes are large ; the ears broad and end in points. The nature and colour of its hair resembles that of the rat, and it has wiskers from the nose to the eyes ; the hind feet are longer, and more flexible than the fore. On each foot there are five toes, and of those on the fore feet, the middle toe is the largest,^ the rest fall off progressively ; the NEW SOUTH WALES. 429 nails are short and sharp ; on tire sole of the ot there is no hair ; the tail is long, and co- vered with hair of a mixed grey colour. THE TAPOA TAFA Is only a variety of the Tapoa Tapha, and that in its external appearance, being covered with black and white markings of various shapes. '&' WHA TAPOAU ROO. This animal in size resembles the racoon; the colour, which is grey on the back, be- comes lighter on the sides, and changes to a rich brown on the belly ; the hair is of two sorts, long hair, and a kind of fur. The Wha Tapoau Roo has a very short head, with pro- minent eyes and broad ears. Its tail is long, and covered with hair, except the under part towards the end. On the fore feet are five toes, the shortest of which appears like a thumb; the hind feet resemble those of the monkey, having no nail on the great toe, and being bare on the sole. THE dog, or dingo. The native dog of New South Wales re- sembles very much the foundation of the spe- cies, which is the Wolf, though it is consi- derably smaller, and stands lower; but from its 3 430 HISTORY OF ill-nature and viciousness, which indeed no- thing overcomes, it may with great propriety he esteemed the wolf of the country. The Dog or Dingo barks in a way peculiar to itself, but moans, snails, and howls like other dogs. Its general colour is a reddish dun, covered with long thick strait hair, and has short erect ears and a bushy tail ; the nose, belly, and feet, are of a blue grey colour. TOE POTO ROO, OR KANGAROO RAT. The head of this animal is not so flat on a side view as the Scalpis Dentata. It has ears formed like those of a mouse. The hind legs compared to the fore are long ; on the fore legs are four toes, „the two middle of which are longest, and of the same length, with long bent nails. On their hind feet they have three toes, the middle one of which is the largest; the tail is long ; the body has a mixed covering of hair and fur of a brownish grey colour. This curious animal, which is indeed a mi- niature of the Kangaroo,- has a pouch alfo on the lower part of the belly, for carrying its young in cases of danger or pursuit, on the surface of which are placed four nipples near each other. THE HEPOONA ROO. This animal, which in size resembles the rab- bit, has a flat body, with a head like a squirrel; the eyes are large and full, the ears are broad ; NEW SOUTH WALES. 401 the tail long, and its legs very short. Between the fore and hind legs, on the side is a skin, which on the extension of the legs form a broad wing; but when the legs are used in walking, it draws close up to the side of the animal, thus resembling the flying squirrel. On each fore foot it has five toes, with sharp nails, and on the hind toes it has the same number ; but one may be termed rather a thumb, as it has a broad nail like a monkey. The foot is well calculated for holding the animal in a sus- pended state; the hair is thick and long on the back, and of a brown-grey colour. THE KANGAROO. This animal appears the most important in the country; its size is considerable, and it supplies both food and clothing, if an apron may be so called, to the inhabitants. It has a small head, neck, and shoulders, and the body increases in thicknefs to the rump, from whence it again tapers to the tail. The head is oblong, and in form like trratf of a fawn, the upper lip being divided. The nos- trils are wide and open, and the lower jaw is I somewhat shorter than the upper. The pupil of the eyes is of a blueish black, and the irides are dusky. The ears are erect, ovated, and thin at the ends. The hair of the Kangaroo is of a greyish brown colour, somewhat similar to the English wild rabbit. It is thick and long, when the 432 HISTORY OF animal becomes old ; but is very slow in its growth, and for some time resembles a strong down. In some parts, however, the mouth for example, it begins earlier to be hairy. This animal's teeth are so singular, that it is impossible to decide, from them, to what class the Kangaroo belongs. It has four broad cutting teeth in the upper jaw ; but only two long lanceolated teeth in the lower, which point forwards, and are so placed as to oppose those of the upper. It has also four grinding teeth in each jaw, remote from the others ; and possesses the very singular power of sepa- rating the lower inoisores, and bringing them again close to each other. Thp proportions in some of the parts of this animal bear no analogy to what is common in most others. The fore legs are so very short, as scarcely to reach the nose, and are indeed useless for walking. The hind legs are almost as long as the body, and the thighs are very thick. On the forefeet are five toes, with long conic and strong black claws ; but on the hind feet are only three, the middle toe being very long and thick, like that of an ostrich, and extending far beyond the two others, which are small, and placed very distinct from it. The inner toe of the hind feet is singularly distinguished, by having two small claws ; and the bottom and hind parts of the feet, on which the animal often rests, are black, naked, and tubercu- NEW SOUTH WALES. 433 latecL The tail, which is thick at the base, and tapers to a point, has at the end a strong hard nail, and. the hair on it is short and some- what hard. The tail, though long in the old, is in the young short proportionally to the animal's size. It seems to keep pace with the growth of the hind legs, which are the instru- ments of progressive motion in this animal, and which would also shew that the tail is a kind of second instrument in this action. The scrotum, which is large and pendulous, is placed before ; and the female has, on the belly, an oblong pouch, of a vast depth, the receptacle of her young. The Kangaroo is frequently more than six feet long, from the nose to the tail ; and its weight of a hundred and fifty pounds and upwards. Kangaroo is the natives name for this extra- ordinary animal. It lurks among the grass, feeds on vegetables, and drinks by lapping. It goes chiefly on it's hind legs ; making use of the fore feet as hands, only for digging, or bringing its food to its mouth. The Kangaroo is timid : at the sight of men it flies from them by amazing leaps ; springing over bushes seven or eight feet high, and go- ing progressively from rock to rock. When in motion, this animal carries its tail quite at right angles with its body ; and, as it alights, often looks back. It is much too swift for greyhounds, and frequently escapes from 3 K 434 ftisTOftt of the fleetest of those animals. The tail is its weapon of defence, with which it is capable of beating away the strongest dog. The Kangaroo soon becomes domesticated when taken. Mr. Pennant, the celebrated English natu- ralist, gives the following account of one he saw in London, during 1793: " It was (says Mr. P.) in a place of con- finement ; it for a little time went on all fours, but soon assumed an upright attitude. It would sport with its keeper in a very singular manner: it first placed its tail in a perpendi- cular manner ; erected its body on it as a prop ; and then, raising its whole body, darted its hind legs on the breast of the man. It was capable of striking with great force, if pro- voked ; and it could scratch violently with its fore claws." / NEW SOUTH WALES. 435 BIRDS. THE R1RD OF PARADISE OF NEW SOUTH WAL£S. This elegant bird, which by some is called the Bird of Paradise, and by others the Mse- nura Superba, has a straight bill, with the nostrils in the centre of the beak. The base of the upper mandible has hairs like feathers in- clining downwards, the upper mandible is at the base much like that of the pigeon, The eye is a dark hazle, with a bare space around it of a blue cast. The chin, and a small part of the throat, are of a dark rufous colour : the rest, with the body, of a blackish grey. The rump feathers are longer than those of the body, and more divided. The colour of the wings is dark rufous. The legs and claws are large in proportion to the bird. The outward toe is connected with that in the middle as far as the first joint. The tail is long, and com- posed of three sorts of feathers, of which the upper side is of a dark grey, with ferruginous spots. The first two lower feathers, which are curved in two directions, are beneath of a pearl colour, with several crescent-shaped spaces, of a rich red and black colour. The laminae are unwebbed, rounded towards the extremity, or- namented with a black bar, and fringed at the end. The shaft of the second, also long, is 436 HISTORY OF fringed with hair-like filaments ; and the third, which is long and curved, is plumed on the inner side only, except at the extremity. The female differs little from the male, ex- cept in the tail, which is formed of 12 feathers a little curved and plumed, having the upper side dark rufous and grey, and the under of a pearl colour. These birds frequent the most retired parts of the country, and have been feen running very fast; but their cumbrous tails prevent them from being able to fly in a direct line. They sing for two hours in the morning, beginning when they quit the valley, till they attain the summit of the hill, where they scrape to- gether a small . hillock ; on this they stand, with their tail spread over them, and in this situation they imitate the note of every bird in the country, and then they return to the valley. WHITE FULICA. This bird is the only species of the genus known of this colour. Its body is the size of a large fowl, and on its wings are a small spine. The legs and spines on the shoulders of the wings are yellow; the bill and front of the head are red. BLUE BELLIED PARROT. Tins bird, which is found in all parts of the country, has a red bill; head and throat dark NEW SOUTH WALES. 43" blue ; back part of the head green ; prime quills dusky, barred with yellow. The belly is of a fine blue, thighs green and yellow ; breast red and yellow mixed ; back and wings green ; prime quills dusky, barred with yellow; tail cuneiform, with the two middle feathers green ; the others are the same only with yel- low outer edges ; the legs are dusky. BLACK OR BANKSIAN COCKATOO. The general colour of the black Cockatoo of New South Wales is a rusty black, with long feathers on the head, on the top of which is a fine mixture of yellow. The beak is brown, and on the under side of the tail are several fine scarlet feathers, with black markings and tips. FULLIGINOUS PETERIL. The beak of this bird is of a pale yellow hue, but the bird is in all other parts of a deep brown or blackish colour; except that on the chin there is a marking of white descending from the lower mandible. This bird is most cer- tainly only a variety of the iEquinoctiaJis of Linnreus. In size it equals the English Raven. white Vented crow. Tuts bird in shape and size resembles the English Magpye. It is black, except the base 43S HISTORY OF of wing feathers, the end of the tail, and the part from whence arises its name, which are all white. The beak is very strong, and* indeed both the habits and appearance of the bird, prove it to be of the Crow species. WHITE HAWK. The entire plumage of this bird is white, the beak is black, and the cere and legs yellow, in shape it resembles the English hen Harrier, which is the falco cyaneus of Linna3iis. CASSOWARY. The Cassowary of New South Wales, is larger in all respects than the well known bird called the Cassowary, and differs so much even in its shape, as to incontestibly prove it a new species; The colour is a dirty brown grey, inclined a little to white on the belly, the struc- ture of the feathers, which are all small, are like those of its common name-sake, having two quills with their webs arising out of one shaft; the head and beak resembles the ostrich in shape as well as size ; the feathers, which very thinly cover the head, are so small as to resem- ble hair which descends much thicker down the neck, except the chin and throat, where it is so nearly bare as to shew the skin, which at those parts is of a purple hue ; its wings are so short « NEW SOUTH WALES. #59 when compared to the bulk of the body, as to appear ridiculous; the legs of this bird also present a very singular appearance, for the back parte of them are notched like the teeth of a saw, and it has three toes, with strong black claws. This truly remarkable bird is very shy, and when seen, runs with the speed of a grey- hound ; its flesh is good food, being as tender as the best beef. CRESTED GOATSUCKER, This genus of birds are particularly large mouthed, in comparison to the smallness of their beaks. The colours of the Crested Goat- sucker are cinereous, pale-brown sprinkled with white spots on the under parts, with the long feathers of the tail sprinkled with pale fasciae, and the ribrissae standing up on the upper man- dible like a crest. The name of Goatsucker arose in conse- quence of an ancient opinion of their sucking goats, &c. From their mode of living as well as struc- ture, they must be esteemed nocturnal swal- lows; they are fond of insects for food, parti* cularly beetles. ANOMALOUS HORNBILL. This very singular bird has the bill of a Hornbill; the legs-of a Toucan; and the tongue 3 4-K) HISTORY OF of a crow. The size of the body is nearly that of a Crow, the bill is large, and bent in the upper mandible ; the space round the eye, is of a bright red ; the head, neck, body and wings, are of a lead colour; and the thighs and tail have black markings on them. TABUAN PARROT. This Parrot measures in length 18 inches, the head, neck and under parts, are of a rich scarlet colour ; the wings and upper part of the body is green ; crossing the upper parts of the wing coverts, is a bar of yellowish green, more glossy than in any other part; the bottom of the back and rump is blue ; there is a patch of blue at the lower part of the back of the neck, dividing the scarlet and green; the tail which is long and of an olive brown colour ; the bill is reddish, and the legs nearly black. The female is chiefly green. The under parts, head and neck olive brown; belly red; rump blue, upper part green, and dusky underneath. BLACK SWAN". Of this bird* it is requisite to say but little, as the reader of the history of New South Wales can be no stranger to it : all that need be * An exact representation of the Black Swan is given in the title page. e NEW SOUTH WALES. 4*41 said is, that in dignity and grace it is equal to the European Swan. Its colour is of a sooty blackness, except on the long wing feathers which are white. The beak is of a fine red colour with a black tip, and on the upper man- dible is a spot of yellow. The native name of the bird is Mulgo. Their flesh is esteemed even by those not na- tives of the country. THE YELLOW EARED FLY-CATCHER, Is of a brown plumage differing in depth of colour. Under each eye is a streak, which growing , wider reaches the ear, and is of a fine yellow colour ; the edges of the wing feathers are a slight yellow: the under part of the bird is white growing dusky about the chin and throat ; the bill is broad at the bottom and of a pale colour ; the tail is long, and when spread seems concave at the tip ; the legs are dusky. In size the Yellow eared Fly-catcher of New South Wales resembles the English Martin. MOUNTAIN EAGLE. The Mountain Eagle of New South Wales is a fine majestic bird, which stands three feet high on the •ground. 3 l £.5 442 HISTORY OF The colour of its feathers are brown ; the feet pale yellow, and the talons which it uses with the greatest force *, are black; the beak is of a yellowish horn colour, and the crest which is constituted by a few feathers, 'has a yellow sand}7 appearance. This bird is both an object of wonder and fear among the natives, for it frequently takes up a kangaroo, a dog, or a sheep, and probably they have little doubt but, that if driven by hunger and nothing else offered, the Mountain Eagle would descend for the purpose of carrying off a pative WATTLED BEE-EATER. In size this bird must be compared to the Missel Thrush, though larger in its proportions. The colour is brown, but down each feather is a white line; under each eye is a kind of wattle of an orange colour ; the feathers on the top of the head being longer than the rest, give an ap- pearance of a crest ; the middle of the belly is yellow ; and the tip of the tail feathers are white ; bot]i legs and beak are brown. GOLDEN-WINGED PIDGEON. This bird is of a curious species, remarkable for having most of the wing feathers marked * One taken by Captain Waterhouse while on an excursion by water, drove its talons through a seaman's foot, though it Jay at the bottom of the boat with its feet tied, ■i NEW SOUTH WALES. 44l with a spot of golden yellow, changing accord- ing to the lights in which it is viewed to green and copper bronze, and forms on the wing be- ing closed two bars across. The bill and legs are red ; the chiri and fore part of the head are of a buff colour, and a streak of brownish red passes each eye ; the two middle feathers of the tail are lighter than the other parts of plumage, which inclines to a dull lead colour with a bar of black near the ends. PORT JACKSON THRUSH. The top of the head is of blue grey ; the hind part of the neck and the back is of a fine brown ; the wings and tail are lead colour; the under parts of the bird are white, except part of the neck which is chocolate ; the bill is of a dull yellow, and the legs are brown. THE EMU. The Emu of New South Wales has by som$ been thought to resemble the Emu of India, and by others the Ostrich of Africa, but Sir Jo- seph Banks is said to be of opinion, that it is very similar to the American Ostrich. The Emu of New South \^ales measures from the head to the foot from seven to eight feet, its general colour of a dull red brown ; on the neck is a short space of purple ; the feathers are all small and a few like hairs hang under the m 444 HISTORY OF beak, and some few others grow erect on the top of the head ; the legs are of a blue grey, and the iris is a bright red. NEW HOLLAND CREEPER. The colours of this bird are black and white ; the bill is pointed and like the legs, dusky; the sides, belly, neck and breast are streaked with white, and over each eye is a streak of the same colour; the sides of the neck, and part of the back have the same kind of markings ; the quills and tail feathers have yellow edges, and several of the outer ones are spotted within with white towards the tips ; the size of the bird is nearly the same as the Nightingale. The female in colours resembles the male, only they are not so bright ; It has no white on the front of the head, that colour being confined to the parts round the cheeks ; the yellow on the. wings and tail incline rather to an olive colour; a rich brown colour is dispersed over the shoulders, which terminates about half way down the back. The bill, legs, and indeed the general form of the female is considerably stouter than that of the male. tht: knob fronted bee eater. Is about the size of a Blackbird ; the plumage is generally brown above and white beneath ; NEW SOUTH WALES. 445 the head and upper parts of the neck is very thinly covered with narrow feathers like hairs, but the fore part of the neck and breast are. fur- nished with long ones, pointed at the ends and of a white colour ; the bill is pale and about an inch in length, and on the forehead just at the base of the bill is a short blunt knob of a brown- ish colour, in length about a quarter of an inch ; the tongue which is nearly as long as the ■bill, is bristly at the end ; the legs are brown. THE GREAT BROWN KING'S FISHER. This bird is eighteen inches in length; the bill black above and white, beneath; the fea- thers narrow and long, so as to form a crest, they are of brown colours streaked with a paler brown ; the back and wings brown ; the lower part of the back and rump pale blue-green ; the outer edges of the quills blue within and the tips black ; on the wing covert is a patel of glossy blue-green, and the tail is barred with ferruginous and steel black glossed with pur- ple, t% end for an inch, white; the under part of the body is white, transversely streaked with dusty lines; the legs are yellow, and the claws black. PENNATIOtf PARROT. The body of this bird is crimson; the fea- thers on the back are black ; the chin, throat, mm 446 HISTORY OF and wings blue, with a line of a paler colour down the middle; the tail is long and blue, with. the ends of a pale colour. The female is green on the upper parts of the neck and body, and a patch of the same colour under each eye ; the throat and chin are blue ; the lower part of neck, breast and rump are red ; the belly on the middle is dusky green ; the tail dark blue fringed with chesnut; the other parts of the wing are dark blue. MOTACILLA, OR WARBLER. This is the same size as the superb warbler, to which it has most certainly great affinity, but the tail is not cuneated at the end. The upper parts of this bird are brown, but very pale beneath, with a broad band of deeper brown towards the tip of the tail. GREEN PARROQUET. This green Parroquet has a long tail; the feathers round the beak, and the base of those in the tail, are red. The beak is of a brownish yellow ; the feet are dusky ; the tail feathers are yellow, except at the base ; the wing fea- thers are dusky at the interior margins. RED SHOULDERED PARROQUET. This bird is from ten to twelve inches in length ; the general colour is a fine green, m* NEW SOUTH WALES. 477 with the outer edge of the wing near the shoulders blue; on the sides of the body is a patch of red, and round the beak are a few feathers of the same colour ; the long feathers of the wings are of a deep blue-black, edged with yellow ; the tail is of a very deep ferrugi- nous colour towards the base, but each feather is tipt with blue ; the feet and bill are of a pale brown. SOUTHERN MOTACILLA. This bird in size resembles the Motacilla Flava of Linnaeus, or yellow water wag-tail, but is much stouter made. The beak is pale, and the legs are brown ; the two middle tail feathers are marked with white at the ends ; the general colour of the bird is ash-coloured on the upper part, and yellow beneath. SACRED KINGS FISHER. This bird is about the size of a thrush, and measures nearly ten inches in length ; the top of the head is blue and crested ; the sides of the head, and back part of it, over the eye from the nostrils, a rusty coloured streak ; the chin, middle part of the neck, and under part of the belly, buff colour ; the plumage on its upper part is blue ; the beginning part of the neck is black, of which colour are the inner sides of the tail feathers, the external part* 448 -.< HISTORY OF only being blue. The base of the under jaw is whitish ; the legs are brown. CRESTED WHITE COCKATOO. I This bird is undoubtedly only a variety of the Psittacus Cristatus of Linnseus, or large White Cockatoo; the beak and legs are black, which indeed seems the case with all the varie- ties; the crest is yellow, as well as the under parts of the tail and wings ; the other parts are of a dusky white. From the great variety of the feathered tribe I have described, and which are indeed only a few of the many daily seen, it will appear evi- dent, that New South Wales is richly stored with some of the most beautiful works of the creation* *<\ New south wales. 449 SNAKES. BLUE SNAKE. The blue snake is about three feet and a half long, coated with rather large scales. The general proportion of this snake is nearly the same as the common English snake styled by Linnaeus Coluber Notrix. * BLACK AND WHITE SNAKE. The black and white Snake is very short, being only fifteen inches long, and from the head to the tail are alternate bars of black and white. YELLOW SNAKE. The yellow snake is from three to four feet long, very slender ; its general colour is a yel- low tawny colour, with many irregular indis- tinct bars of a dark brown hue. BROWN AND YELLOW SNAKE. This snake is eight feet long; the belly is of a yellowish colour; the other parts are of a dark brown, with many spots of dull yellow; the scales are very small in proportion to the size of the animal, and the tail tapers to the end, * The serpents 1 have described are but a few of the many which inhabit the country : none of these are poisonous, and are only the most remarkable because the most beautiful. 3 M 450 nfsTORY or LIZARDS. VARIEGATED LIZARD. This Lizard is so nearly like the Lacerta Mo- nitor of, or Monitory Lizard of Linnaeus, as to leave but very little doubt whether it is any thing more than a variety of that species ; the length of the body is fifteen inches, and the tail is still longer ; the colour is black with yellow spots and streaks in a transverse direction ; but those parts yellow in some, are white in others. THE BROAD TAILED LIZARD, This species is five inches long with a pro- portionate head ; the upper part is beset with numerous tubercles, which in those parts to- wards the head particularly are lengthened into points ; the under part is of a pale colour, nearly white ; the upper part is of a dusky grey colour and very rough ; it has a depressed lance- olate tail, nearly spiny on the margin. THE SCINCORD, OR SCINC-FORMED LIZARD. The tail is considerably longer than that of the Scincuses, though by no means so taper; the colour of this animal is an iron grey of vari- NEW* SOUTH/JVALES. vv451* ous shades, in different parts appearing like stripes across the back and tail; strong scales cover both body and feet; on each foot the toes are regular and in the same numbers on each foot, and on each toe is a sharp nail. Each toe is covered with a very strong coat of scales. Directly within the anterior edge of the open- ing of the ear is a membrane, that covers nearly one third of it, which is scolloped on the loose edge ; the teeth form a row on both sides of each jaw, which increase in size as they re- ceed ; they are short above the gum and rounded off, so that they are calculated rather for bruis- ing and breaking than cutting. What renders this animal remarkable, is, it Jias two tails which form a kind of fork. MURICATED LIZARD. The Muricated Lizard is nearly allied to the L. Agames and Calotes. Its length exceeds a foot ; the tail is very long, and every part of the animal is covered with scales of a sharp form, marked with a prominent line on the surface; near the head these scales run into a sort of spine; the feet are furnished with claws. The colour is a brownish grey, and the ani- mal on the upper part is marked with dusky bars, which arc most visible on the legs and tail. 452 HISTORY OF RIBBON D LIZARD. This Lizard appears the most elegant of the species; its length is about six inches and a half; its markings are parrelled lines of alter- nately black and white from the head to the base of the tail, the continuation of the tail is of fer- ruginous colour, of which indeed there are some few spots on the back ; the lower parts of the body is of a pale yellow hue inclining rather to white ; the tail which is long is round and tapers to the end. BLUE frog. This curious Frog which is of a fine blue, has a number of greyish specks beneath. It is the size of the common English Frog; it has four legs and feet, with four toes on each foot, and the toes on the two hind feet are webbed. THE WHITE JOINTED SPIDER. This Spider is of a fine clear chesnut colour, except on the body which is a pale brown with a NEW SOUTH WALES. 453 blackish fasciae reaching down about half way from its upper part ; the eyes are eight in num- ber and placed like those of the American Spi- der; it has a curiously lucid surface on its tho- rax and legs, the latter of which are furnished with long spines, and the animal has the power of either elevating or depressing at pleasure, and from an orifice at the top of each fang, it is evident this Spider poisons its prey previous to finally destroying it, 454 HISTORY OF FISH. To give any accurate idea of all the finny inhabitants of the deep surrounding New South Wales, is a task to be effected at some far remote period. Little indeed is the information I can give on this head at present, but that little is from the first authority. THE COMPRESSED SPAHUS Is about six inches in length, of a silvery white colour with a compressed body, as inti- mated by its name, and covered with scales of a moderate size. CYPRINACEOUS LABRUS. Tins Fish which is termed Labrus Corpore Albescente. Labrus with whitish body, it is only about six inches in length with large scales, and as before observed is of a whitish colour. DOUBTFUL LOPHIUS. The Doubtful Lophius is about six inches long, and of a very deep brown colour, nearly -black; the mouth which is very wide, is fur- nished with several rows of teeth both slender and sharp ; the brown on the belly is paler than that on the back considerably. NEW SOUTH WALES. 455 BALISTES GRANULATA. 'his Fish has a two spi-ned anterior dorsal fin, and the body covered with granules, and is allied to the Balistes Papillosus of Linnceus. The body is of an ash colour; the thorax proceeds to a Sacculus beneath, and the fish on the whole forms a singular appearance. THE LONG SPINED CHE.ETODOX. Tins seems to be a new, and is undoubt- edly a very elegant species of the Chea3todon, having seven black stripes on the body and six: spines on the dorsal fin ; in length it is four inches; the colour is a silvery white, rather darker on the back, on which part it has a bluish tinge. SOUTHERN COITUS. he specific character of this fish must be satisfactory, it is termed the Whitish Cottus, with aculeated head ; body marked with trans- verse livid band, and its length is from four to six inches. EASCIATED MULLET. This Fish is of a pale yellowish colour, mark- ed with longitudinal brown bands of five inches n length, and covered with large scales. 456 HISTORY Ot BOTANY. As to do justice to merit should ever be the object of an Author, I shall out of respect to Sir Joseph Banks, describe those productions of nature, which from the same cause Linnaeus has named Banksia. Four sorts of Banksia are described in the Supplementum Plantarum of Linnaeus, of which the Banksia Sevrata is the principal. BANKSIA SEVRATA. This is the most stately of the genus. Its trunk is thick and rugged. Leaves alternate, standing thick about the ends of the branches on short footstalks, narrow, obtuse, strongly serrated, smooth and of a bright green colour above, beneath opaque and whitish, with a strong rib running through their middle. A very large cylindrical spike of flowers termi- nates each branch. Most of the flowers are abortive, a few only in each spike producing ripe seed. The form of the capsules may be understood from the figure, which represents a whole spike in fruit, about a quarter the natural size. The capsules are covered with thick down. The plant, when it is in flower, shews the curved position in which the style is held by the NEW SOUTH WALES* 457 corolla ; the increase of the former in length being greater and more rapid than that of the latter. BANKSIA PYRIFORMIS. This species was unknown to Linnaeus; and Gaertner has given no specific character of it. It is however the Banksia with solitary flowers, ovate downy capsules, and lance-shaped entire smooth leaves. The capsules are larger than in any other known species. In the figure they are repre- sented considerably smaller than the life. BANKSIA GIBBOSA. Or Banksia with solitary flowers; ovate, tu- mid, rugged capsules; and cylindrical leaves. The leaves are very peculiar, being perfectly cylindrical, about two inches long and one line in diameter, pale, greeenand smooth. THE PEPPERMINT TREE. This tree grows to the height of more than an hundred feet, and is above thirty feet in cir- cumference* The bark is very smootb, like 4tfS HISTORY OF that of the poplar. The younger branches are long and slender, angulated near the top, but as they grow older the angles disappear. Their bark is smooth, and of a reddish brown. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate, pointed^jj&ery entire, smooth on both sides, and remarkably unequal, or oblique, at their base; the veins alternate and not very conspicuous. The whole surface of both sides of the leaves is marked with numerous minute resinous spots, in which the essential oil resides. The footstalks are about half an inch in length,4 round on the un- der side, angular above, quite smooth. The flowers grow in clusters, from six to eight in each, sessile and conglomerated. These clus- ters' arc supported on angular alternate foot- stalks, which form a kind of panicle. Each capsule is about the size of an hawthorn berry, globular, but as it were cut off at the top, rugged on the outside, hard and woody, and of a dark brown colour. At the top is a large ori- fice, which shews the internal part of the cap- sule divided into four cells, and having a square column in the center, from which the parti- -? tions of the cell arise. These partitions extend to the rim of the capsule, and terminate in four small projections, which look like the teeth of a calyx. The seeds are numerous, small, and angular. The name of Peppermint Tree was given to this plant by the celebrated Mr. White, on ac- count of the very great resemblance between the essential oil drawn from its leaves, and that NEW SOUTH WALES. 459 obtained from the Peppermint which grows in England. This oil was found by Mr. White to be much more efficacious in removing all cholicky complaints than that of the English peppermint, which he attributes to its being lefs pungent and more aromatic. " This tree appears/' says Mr. White, " to be undoubtedly of the same genus with that cul- tivated in some green-houses in England, which Mr. L'Heritier has described in his Sertum An- glicum by the name of Eucalyptus obliqua, though it is commonly called in the gardens Mctrofideros obliqua ; but we dare not assert it to be the same species, nor can this point be determined till the flowers and every part of both be seen and compared ; we have com- pared the best specimens we coujd procure of each, and find no fpecific difference. The Eu- calyptus obliqua has, when dried, an aromatic flavour somewhat similar to our plant. We have remarked, indeed, innumerable minute white spots, besides the resinous ones, on both surfaces of the leaves in some specimens of the garden plant, which are not to be seen in ours, and the branches of the former are rough, with small scaly tubercles. But how far these are constant we cannot tell. The obliquity in the leaves, one side being shorter at the base- than the other, as wHl as somewhat narrower all the way up, as in the Begonia nitida of the Hortus Kewensis, is remarkable in both plants.'' •4oO history of TEA TREE OF NEW SOUTH WALES. MELALEUCA? TRINERVIA, This is a small shrub, very much branched. The bark full of longitudinal fissures, and ea- sily separated from the branches. Leaves on short footstalks, alternate, lanceolate, pointed, intire, about three quarters of an inch in length, smooth on both sides, marked with three lon- gitudinal ribs, and reticulated with transverse veins ; they are also full of resinous spots, the seat of an aromatic essential oil. It most nearly approaches the Leptospermum virgatum of Forf- ter, referred by the younger Linnasus, perhaps improperly, to Melaleuca. At least it may safely be determined to belong to the same genus with the Melaleuca virgata Linn. Supp. though a distinct species. The specific dif- ference between them is, that the leaves of this plant have three ribs, whereas M. virgata has leaves perfectly destitute of ribs or veins. Hence it is judged the figure and description of Rumphius, Herb. Amboin. V. 2. t. 18. to belong rather to this Tea Tree, than to M. vir- gata; and if this conjecture be right, the plants are still further distinguished by the in- florescence, which in M. virgata is an umbel, whereas in the figure above mentioned the flow- ers are solitary. NEW SOUTH WALES. 46i SWEET TEA PLANT. This is a tree or shrub, from whose leaves it is judged to belong to the genus of Smilax. The leaves are about two inches long, ovato- lanceolate, pointed, entire, marked with three longitudinal ribs, and many transverse elevated veins, smooth and shining above, glaucous beneath, with a thick cartilaginous edge of the substance of the ribs. The leaves have the taste of liquorice root accompanied with bit- ter. They make a kind of tea, not unpleasant to the taste, and good for the scurvy. The plant promises much in the last respect, from its bitter as a tonic, as well as the quantity of iaccharine matter it contains. THE RED GUM TREE. Tins is a very large and lofty tree, much ex- ceeding the English oak in size. The wood is extremely brittle, and, from the large quantity of resinous gum which it eoi^ains, is of little use but for firewood. The flowers grow in little clusters, or rather umbels, about ten in each, and every flower has a proper partial foot- stalk, about a quarter of an inch in length, besides the general one. The general footstalk is remarkably compressed, and the partial ones are so in some degree. The flowers are yel- lowish, and of a singular structure. The calyx 4tf£ HISTORY OF is hemispherical, perfectly intire in the margin, and afterwards becomes the capsule. On the top of the calyx, rather within the margin, stands a conical pointed calyptra, which is of the same colour with the calyx, and about as long as that and the footstalk taken together. This calyptra, which is the essential mark of the genus, and differs from that of the Euca- lyptus obliqua of L'Heritier only in being co- nical and acute, instead of hemispherical, is perfectly entire, and never splits or divides, though it is analogous to the corolla of other plants. When it is removed, a great number of red stamina are seen standing in a conical mass, which before the calypta is taken off, are completely covered by it, and filled in the inside. The Antherss are small and red. In the centre of these stamina is a single style or pointal, rising a little above them, and termi- nated by a blunt stigma. The stamina are very resinous and aromatic. They are inserted into the margin of the calyx, so that the genus is properly placed by Mr. L'Heritier in the class Icosandria. These stamina and style be- ing removed, and the germen cut across about the middle of the calyx, it appears to be di- vided into three cells, each containing the ru- diments of one or more seeds. On making incisions in the trunk of this tree, large quantities of red resinous juice are obtained, sometimes even more than sixty gal- lons from a single tree. When this juice is dried, it becomes a very powerfully astringent • V NEW SOUTH WALES. 4^)3 gum-resin, of a red colour, much resembling that known in the shops by the name of Kino, and, for all medical purposes, fully as effica- cious. Mr. White administered it to a great number of patients in the dysentery, which prevailed much soon after the landing of the convicts, and in no one instance found it to fail. This gum-resin dissolves almost entirely in spirit of wine, to which it gives a blood- red tincture. Water dissolves about one-sixth part only, and the watery solution is of a bright red. Both these solutions are powerfully as- tringent. THE YELLOW RESIN TREE. This is about the size of an English walnut tree. Its trunk grows pretty straight for about fourteen or sixteen feet, after which it brandies out into long spiral leaves, which hang down on all sides, and resemble those of the larger kinds of grass or sedge. From the center of the head of leaves arises a single footstalk; eigh- teen or twenty feet in height, perfectly straight and erect, very much resembling the sugar cane, and terminating- in a spike of a spiral form, not unlike an ear of wheat. This large stem or footstalk is used by the natives for mak- ing spears and fish gigs, being pointed with the teeth offish or otfier animals. %But the most valuable produce of this plant seems to be its resin, the properties of which 4 '* A6A HISTORY OF vie with those of the most fragrant balsams. This resin exudes spontaneously from the trunk ; the more readily, if incisions are made in its bark. It is of a yellow colour ; fluid at first, but being* inspissated in the sun, it ac- quires a solid form. Burnt on hot coals, it emits a smell very much resembling that of a mixture of balsam of Tolu and benzoin, some- what approaching to storax. It is perfectly so- luble in spirit of wine, but not in water, nor even in essential oil of turpentine, unless it be digested in a strong heat. The varnish which it makes with either is very weak, and of little use. With respect to its medicinal qualities, Mr. White has found it, in many cases, a good pectoral medicine, and very balsamic. It is not obtainable in so great abundance as the red gum produced by the Eucalyptus resinifera. Thus having described the principal natural productions, I shall resume the history of the country: as to notice the endless variety of flowers, &c. &c. would exceed the limits of my plan, qrr indeed my wish. #1 NEW SOUTH WALES. 465 CHAP. XIL At the commencement of the century, it would be indeed fortunate, if the colony had been established sufficiently, to have placed a probability of want at defiance, but this was by no means the case ; for the salt provisions even in store at the beginning of the year 1801, were found to be so short, as to make it necessary to send a vessel to Otaheite, for the purpose of salting pork for the use of the Colony; but au obstacle of the greatest importance in such an undertaking, prevented its being immediately put in execution : namely, there was no salt to send for the purpose wanted, in the Colony; providentially, however, a vessel put in to port Jackson, from the Cape Verde Islands, of the master of which, the Governor wras enabled to purchase a quantity, amounting to nearly fifteen tons ; in consequence of which, a ship was dispatched, under the command of Lieut. Scott, completely equipped and furnished with every requisite instruction, to effect the object of his mission, and in addition to these, he took a letter from the Governor to Pomarre, the King of Otaheite earnestly requesting him, tip afford Mr. Scott every protection and assist* 3 o <\ 466 HtSTORY OF ancc in his power, to forward the completion of the business for which he was sent ; for the Go- vernor was perfectly aware, that although pro- visions might be sent out from England for the use of the settlements, yet accidents might re- tard or prevent their reaching New South Wales by the time those in the stores were ex- pended. In addition to this request to the King of Otaheite, the Governor urged particu- larly, that the missionaries residing at that place might receive every attention, and endeavoured to convince Pomarre, that his majesty would, by the good conduct shown to these people, judge of those of Otaheite. But probably Mr. Scott took with him, far more powerful argu- ments, that those in the Governor's letter, being accompanied by a plentiful assortment of yellow and red cloths, knives, shirts, toma- hawkes axes, jackets, scissars, &c. &c. for the people in general, and for his Majesty of Otaheite, who was known to be by no means averse to presents. Mr. Scott was furnished with a mantle and other dresses, ornamented with feathers, six musquets and ammunition, and thus equipped, could not well fail of suc- cess : and well indeed would it be, if objects of as much national advantage could be pro- cured from all nations, as that for the liberty of salting provisions at Otaheite, was to New South Wales, at the expense of so small a pre- sent. Least however, any accident should happen, the Governor forwarded instructions to Nor- 3 NEW SOUTH WALES. 467 folk Island, for salting all the provisions that could by any means be spared, for the settlers, convicts, &c. at Sydney. The Governor, ever anxious to prevent any want falling on the inhabitants, had entered into a contract with a merchant in India, for a cargo of cattle and rice, fully satisfied, that from the period of its arrival, the country would be unquestionably competent to supply its own wants, as far as related to grain and cattle at least, as the stock of cattle was now become very considerable, even independent of the wild cattle in the woods ; and the pro- mising crops of grain, now seemed enough to defy any prospect of want when gathered. The cattle in the woods, were now to be es- teemed seriously increased ; inasmuch, that from the power of their numbers, and addi- tional furiosity, all attempts to take them alive, was become dangerous, and indeed al- most absurd; and as they had strayed to the western mountains, they had gained nearly in- accessable retreats. Thus situated, it is by no means improbable but they may at no very dis- tant period, become objects of pleasure in the pursuit ; and by their eventual deaths, furnish a constant supply of food for the settlements, and certainly in a chace of this kind, far more real pleasure may be found, than in the pursuit of the timid hare, which, even when taken, can scarce serve half a dozen persons for a single ineal. 46& HISTORT OF On the 4th of June, 1801, his Majesty's birth- day was celebrated with additional marks of distinction, as intelligence had been received of the union of England and Ireland ; in con- sequence of which, on that occasion, the union standard was unfurled for the first time in New South Wales, and the Irish in confinement, were set at liberty. The live stock belonging to individuals in June 1801, was, Hogs. Goats. Sheep. Cattle. Horses. 4766 1259 6269 362 211 On the 12th of June, arrived the Earl Corn- wallis with convicts and stores, after a quick and prosperous voyage. By a return made of the inhabitants in the settlement, it appeared that on the 30th of June, there were six thousand five hundred and eight persons, under the authority of go- vernment ; nine hundred and sixty one of whom were at Norfolk Island, and of the good state of health universally enjoyed, a competent opi- nion may be formed, as only one hundred and eighteen were on the sick list. The live stock, the property of government, in August amounted to ; of Horses. Sheep. Cattle, 32 4SS $3\ NEW SOUTH WALES. 4#9 and the ground in cultivation, the property of government and individuals, amounted to the following numbers of acres only in wheat and maize : Acres of Wheat. Acres of Maize. The property of Go- vernment, 467 4857^ 300 3564, Total, 5324J 386V4. The brig Lady Nelson, of only 60 tons bur- then, commanded by Lieut. Grant, arrived without her meeting with any accident, in De- cember 1801. Her commander, perfectly ac- quainted with her good qualities, made the land in latitude 38° 00' South, coasting for some distance toward the Eastward, and sailing through Bass Strait, in his way to Port Jack- son. In this passage of the Lady Nelson through the Strait, nothing new was added to the disco- veries previously made by Capt. Flinders and Mr. Bass, in the Norfolk, except that of hav- ing made the land about four degrees further to the Westward than seen by those gentlemen. A serious accident happened by a fire, which consumed a stack that contained 1000 bushels of grain, the property of an individual ; and though there was every reason to suspect that it was occasioned by some incendiary, it could not be discovered, and indeed it was very diffi- cult to form an idea with any degree of ccr- ft 4)q HISTORY OF tainty, whether it was effected by a native or one of our own people, as the former were continually receiving what they deemed suffi- cient cause for the commission of every depre- dation and too many of the latter were ever ready to commit any vileness, without any provocation whatever. Unfortunately, however, the natural igno- rance of the natives, and the refined iniquity of the convicts, were not the only obstacles the colony had to encounter. Neither was the occasional intense heat to which the country was subject; for another overflow of the Hawkesbury inundated the country, and de- stroyed the farms and property of the settlers, who now abandoned themselves to despair, and quitted their possesions. Thus the close of the year 1801, and the opening of 1802, afford little or no variety to the general routine of occurrences which daily pass in all settled countries, except that New South Wales is, and I fear ever will be, while a receptacle for convicts, more particularly niarked by a repetition of crimes and punish- ments, than any quarter of the globe. The natives have now nearly ceased giving any material trouble to the colonists, unless ag> gravated, and in such cases they will seek their own modes of redress as long as they exist in their savage state of nature, and there can be little doubt but the causes which stimulate them Mill never cease. The Lady Nelson brig having been in Bass Strait, surveyed Western port, and found a very NEW SOUTH WALES. 4/1 ajood harbour. She also went, in company with the Francis schooner, to Hunter river, where they took in between them 45 tons of coal, which were exchanged with the master of the Cornwallis for a quantity of nails and iron, articles of which the colonists stood in the greatest need, and. thus the natural produce of the country contributed to its wants for the first time- As the Francis was now nearly worn out, the Governor purchased a vessel called the Harbin- ger, to go to and from Norfolk Island, the service of the Porpoise, which had for some time been used, being required for longer voyages. The Supply, though long since con- demned, was fitting up as a hulk for incorri- gible convicts; for though unfit fW every other purpose, it might still be thus employed, and be the means of affording another opportunity to the numerous still offending inhabitants of the coun- try, to return to a proper line of conduct, who it is even still to be lamented, continue equally un- moved, either by the fear of punishment, or the hope of reward, careless alike to the pain of the former or the pleasures of the latter, they fol- low the dictates of their own vile inclinations, and if impeded by the arm of justice, they suffer the inflicted sentence with that hardened bravado which represses every sensation of that pity which is an honour to human nature, when called forth into action by objects deserv- ing commisseration. This reflection, perhaps, bears more strongly on my mind, having been I 4/SJ, HISTORY OF this day favoured, by an officer of distinction, with the very interesting, though dreadful nar- rative of facts, relative to the sufferings of several persons who sailed with Mr. Bampton in the Shah Hormuzear, on the 19th of April 1793, in company with the Chesterfield, # and 1 know no better way of stating the horrid af- fair than in the words of the narrative : " On the 29th of June 1793, an island was discovered from on board the Shah Hormuzear, then in company with the Chesterfield, in lati- tude 9°. 28'. S. and 146*. 57' E. longitude, by good observation. " This new discovered land is called Tate's Island, in honour of Mr. Tate, of Bbmbay. '* On the 1st of July, the ships anchored in nine fathom water, about twelve miles to the Eastward of Tate's Island ; when it was pro- posed by Capt. Bampton, of the Hormuzear, to send a boat from each ship to sound two reefs of rocks, extending to the Northward from the North point of the Southward from the South point. " The boats were accordingly dispatched ; and when they had approached within about half a mile of the ifland, they perceived that the island was inhabited. " The natives made signs to the seamen to come ashore , but the day being then far ad- vanced, and not having a sufficient quantity of arms and ammunition in case they were at- * Vide page 117. i NEW SOUTH WALES. j*47S tacked, they thought it most prudent to make the best of their way back to the ships. " When the natives saw they were about to return, many of them leaped into the water and swam after the boats, while others of them launched two or three canoes, and soon came up Math them. They bartered bows, arrows, and spears, for small penknives, beads, &c. Some of the natives went afterwards on board the ships, and traded there in the same articles. "They are a stout well-made people, woolly- headed, and in stature resemble the description given of the New Guineas, as well as in com- plexion. They appeared to be humane and hospitable people from their behaviour while on board. " After they had left the Hormuzear, it was perceived that they had stolen a hatchet, and several small articles, which might have been expected, as it is common amongst most sa- vages. " On the 2d of July, it was proposed by Cap- tains Bamptonand Holt to man one boat from the two ships, and send her ashore, to see if there was any water to be had,, and also for a party to go up to the highest point of the island, to see how far the land extended to the Westward, as the ships were then looking out for Forest's Streights. " Mr. Shaw, chief officer of the Chesterfield, was appointed to this duty. Capt. Hill, of the New South Wales corps, Mr. Carter, purser of the Hormuzear,.and Mr. Haskett, passenger, 3 p f 4?^ HISTORY OF proposed to accompany him, in order to make some observations on the soil, produce, and inhabitants, of this new-discovered island. HISTORY OF to men who had not broke fast for fifty-two hours. " They passed the reef, however, without in the least noticing the natives, and continued their course to the Westward, Mr. Shaw and Mr. Haskett relieving each other every two hours at the steer oar. " On the 6th in the morning they discovered a sand bank to the Southward, quite dry, to which they gave the name of Forlorn Hope. A great number of birds being perceived about this bank, they endeavoured to make for it, in the hopes of killing some of them and gathering eggs, but found that the boat was drifting to the leeward of the bank ; they therefore hauled down the sail, and endeavoured to row up to it, but found themselves so exhausted for want of food and water, that it was impossible to make their way towards the bank ; indeed so much had that attempt fatigued them, that it was with the greatest difficulty they could ac- complish stepping the mast and again hoisting the sail. " This fatigue, after the boat was again on lier course, occasioned them to repine and mur- mur at their misfortunes ; but reflection on the goodness of that providence who so far had pro- tected them, changed it into a perfect reliance on his mercy. " On the 7th in the morning, they found two small birds in the boat, one of which they im- mediately divided into three parts, each devour- ing his share with the keenest sensations of hun- #p NEW SOUTH WALES. ger: the other bird was reserved for another meal. Even with this small share of sustenance their spirits were considerably raised : — they Still steering to the Westward ; the sun being their guide by day, and the stars by night. " Shortly after sun-set this day they found themselves in shoal water, and breakers all round them ; however, they stood on till about nine at night, when, having deepened to about five fa- thom, it was proposed by Mr. Shaw, and agreed to, that they should come to and rest themselves for the night. " On the 8th in the morning, they discovered land on both sides of them, which was at first very discouraging, but Mr. Shaw, perceiving a current setting to the Westward, conjectured that there was a passage through, and that after clearing the land they should find an open sea, by which means they might shortly reach Timor. " Having, therefore, stood in between the islands, they found there was a passage between them, and, not perceiving any signs of inhabit- ants, agreed to land and look for water: Mr. Shaw and Mr. Haskett accordingly landed, and finding a hole full of water, Mr. Shaw could not refrain from drinking heartily of it ; after which, however, and that a keg of it had been filled, it was found to be as brackish as the water alongside, " They stood on through these straights, which they named God's Mercy. In the after- noon Mr. Carter's wound became very painful ; L'V.. 48*^ HISTORY OF and on Mr. Haskett's opening it to wash it a3 usual with salt water, he found three pieces of the skull had worked out ; which circumstance, however, he did not communicate to Mr. Car- ter, hut, on the contrary, gave him every as- surance of its doing well. " Mr. Carter, having been very wreak from the opening of the wound, the throat of the re- maining bird was cut and applied to Mr. Car- ter's mouth, and, yielding a few drops of blood, gave him great relief. They divided the bird in the same manner they had done the other. " On the morning of the ninth, Mr. Carter was so much reduced as to be under the neces- sity of drinking his own urine, which example was followed by the other two, and notwith- standing its being disagreeable, they found great relief from it. About nine at night Mr. Shaw and Mr. Haskett found themselves so weak and overcome by sleep, that not being able to stand to the steer oar, they lashed the car, and found the boat went along very stea- dily. After joining in a prayer of thanksgivi ng to the Almighty, to whose protection they com- mitted themselves, they lay' down and had a re- freshing sleep; occasionally, however, they could not refrain from starting up to look out for land or danger. "They resumed their labours at the oar on the morning of the 10th, which were rather increas- ed by its blowing fresh and by a heavy swell, which obliged them to reef the sail. It was t i NEW SOUTH WALES. +M? with the greatest difficulty Mr. Carter's wound could be dressed. Mr Shaw's wound in the throat was by this time nearly closed up. u They stood on this day without any thing material occurring; Mr. Shaw still using all his powers to cheer them with the assurances of seeing land in a day or two, although at the same time he had hardly strength to haul the sheet aft, while Mr. Haskett lashed the oar. " At ten P. M. they found very shoal water, with breakers all round, on which Mr. Haskett took the oar, while Mr. Shaw kept a look out for a channel ; in which manner they ran on for the distance of three or four miles in not more than three or four feet water ; the sea frequently breaking over them, which rendered Mr. Car- ter's situation truly deplorable, as, from extreme weakness, he could not stir from the bottom of the boat, which was so full of water that it was with the greatest difficulty he could keep his head above it. " To add to their distress, no sooner had they got clear of one shoal, than from the vio- lence of the oar beating against another, Mr. Haskett was knocked out of the boat, which required all the exertions of Mr. Shaw to get him in again, and which he could have accom- plished by no other mode than that of putting an oar under his arm, and lifting him up as by a lever. " On the 11th, they felt themselves much re- lieved by getting clear of the shoals, and HISTORY OF launching once more into the ocean ; on which occasion, as often before, they addressed them- selves to that Power to which they trusted for deliverance. Mr. Cotter's wound was again washed, and four pieces more taken frem the skull, when they clearly discovered, that from the blow being given slantways down the back of the head, it had been given by a hatchet, which they had no doubt was the one which had been stolen from the ship. They still how- ever assured him of its looking well and being about to heal. " They were now in greater distress than ever for water: even the last miserable resource they had considerably failing them. This threw such a damp on their spirits that they grew disconsolate, -and were making up their minds to meet death with becoming fortitude, having given up every hope of surviving another day, when Mr. Haskett eagerly exclaimed " he saw land." " Mr. Shaw likewise perceiving it, they re- vived instantly. Once more putting their hopes in Providence, they stood in for the Southern extremity of the land, which they made no doubt was Timor, and soon got in a few miles to the leeward of the extreme, where they dis-# covered a bay, at the head of which were cocoa- nut trees. u They shortly after perceived the natives on shore- Recent circumstances, however, made them fearful of landing ; but Mr. Shaw observed, that they might as safely trust to the ■3 NEW SOUTH WALES. V?? chance of being well received on shore as perish at sea, which they must inevitably have done in another day. " Having resolved, therefore, they ran into the bay, when it was proposed that Mr. Haskett should remain in the boat, while Mr. Carter and Mr. Shaw went in search of Water. But on Mr. Carter's being helped out of the boat, it was found he could not stand : he was there- fore helped in again, and Mr. Haskett with Mr. Shaw advanced towards the natives, Mr. Shaw having a water keg and Mr. Haskett a musquet, when they were overjoyed by hearing the natives cry out, " Bligh! Bligh !" recollect- ing that Capt. Bligh was very humanely treated at Timor ; and they had now no doubt left but they had the good fortune to touch at the same place. They made motions to the natives for cocoa nuts, who gave them to understand that they did not belong to them ; one of them however gave Mr. Shaw a baked yam, which he found it impossible to eat on account of his throat being so exceedingly parched. Having made signs for water, the natives led them to a spring, where they quenched their thirst; when, having filled the keg, they ran to Mr. Carter, who was calling out for water, after which they devoured the yam with the greatest eagerness, the natives looking at them the whole of the time in astonishment. " After their slender repast, they mentioned the word Timor to the natives, who repeated it Yery distinctly, and pointed towards the point 4$?^ HISTORY OF to the Southward, and then to a prow on th£ beach, intimating that they would conduct them there ; in consequence of which Mr. Shaw gave them two musquets and a number of knives and scissars which remained in the boat. " The natives made signs to go farther up the bar, which they acquiesced in; but finding they wished to lead them up a very narrow in-* let, Mr. Shaw refused to go in with the boat, representing that it would be highly imprudent, and as they wished to get to Cupang as soon as possible, thought it adviseable to make the best of their way there. " This being agreed to, the boat was pushed off, and two oars got out in order to row round the point, expecting, after that, to have a fair wind to Cupang. Finding, however, a prow in chace of them, they lay on their oars, hoisted their sail, and put away before the wind, in order to escape from slavery, which they made no doubt of experiencing if taken by the prow in chace of them. " The .prow continued chasing them along the shore, between a reef and the beach, which extends the whole length of the island. Find- ing the prow still in chace, they stood over the reef, which is a continued chain of breakers, and the prow not thinking it proper to follow them, they escaped, and coasted it down the island. Night approaching, and finding them- selves much fatigued, they hauled the sheet aft, and lashed the oar as before, and found the li NEW SOUTH WALES. W*89 boat went along shore very steadily. They then lay clown to sleep, and on waking in the morning were refreshed with the smell of spices, which was conveyed by the land wind, and which so revived Mr. Carter that he several times exclaimed, " Keep np your hearts, my boys, we shall dine with the Governor of Cu- pang to-day." Their hopes were however frus- trated by the numerous difficulties they had yet to encounter, owing to the innumerable shoals and points, The water they had drank tended likewise to increase their appetites. They were forced at night, notwithstanding, to pursue the same method they had formerly adopted in order to obtain sufficient rest to en- able them to go through the fatigues of the ensuing day. " On the morning of the 13th, Mr. Shaw took the steer oar; but the wind being fresh, and the boat going with great velocity through the water, he was, from weakness, unable to stand the force of the oar, and fell overboard : luckily, however, he held by the gunnel until Mr. Haskett came to his assistance, when with great exertions he was got into the boat again. * Shortly after this they saw a point a-head, which thay found it impossible to M^eather while the wind remained the same way. They, there- fore, once more determined to land, and ac- cordingly ran into a small bay ; when the natives came running towards them, beckoning 3 R 1 490^ HISTORY OF them to come ashore, and calling out, " Bligh! Bligh !" They immediately ran the boat on shore, and Mr. Haskett being helped out of the boat by the natives, they sat him down on the beach, and went immediately to the assistance of his companions. When they had brought them on shore, they presented them with a couple of cocoa-nuts, yams, and Indian corn, which they received with unfeigned gratitude. " The natives gazed on these three famished sufferers in silent astonishment : nor is it to be wondered at ; for their cheeks were shrivel- led, their eyes sunk almost into their heads, their beards long, and their whole frames to- tally emaciated. ." The natives, far from disturbing them, made signs for them to eat and drink, which they did with the greatest eagerness. Mr. Carter then begged to have his wound dressed, which was done with fresh water. Mr. Shaw having unbound his wound, found it nearly healed. " The natives appearing to express some cu- riosity as to the manner in which those wounds were received, Mr. Shaw explained it in the best manner he could, at which they made signs of being much shocked, which did not however fully satisfy the three gentlemen of their pacific intentions ; but as they beckoned to proceed on towards their huts, they com- plied, which gave the natives apparently great satisfaction. J NEW SOUTH WALES. ^^9* u They then attempted to get up and walk, but they could not accomplish it without sup- port, which the natives very kindly afforded them, and led them to their town, which is si- tuated at the top of a steep hill, accessible only by two perpendicular ladders, up which they were lifted by their guides. When they ar- rived, they were taken to the Chief's house, where were assembled an immense concourse, who came to view the strangers. Here they were again presented with corn, yams, and toddy to drink, after which the Chiefs pressed them to take rest. Mr. Carter and Mr. Shaw accordingly laid themselves down there, but Mr. Haskett was removed to another house, there not being sufficient room for all. " They were a little alarmed at seeing two men watching at the door; notwithstanding that the Chief placed himself between them and the men, and had a spear by his side. Mr. Shaw got up in the night and went out of the door, in order to try if they would prevent him going farther, but was agreeably surprised to find they waited only lest any thing should be wanted by the strangers. " On the morning of the 14th of July, when they again met together, the natives presented them with Indian corn, yam, and toddy ; which when they had taken they made inquiry into the name of the land, and found that it was called Sarret, and was separate from the Timor V-3 4Q2 # HISTORY OF Land, which was the first place they refreshed at. They were also informed that there wras another small island to the Northward called Fardette by them, but which is in our charts called Ternabor. They also understood that a prow came yearly to trade to Ternabor, and that she would arrive in seven or eight months. " This information greatly relieved them, and they were soon convinced that the natives were of a humane and hospitable nature. " The first and second week elapsed without any material occurrence, except that of a pair of scissars being stolen by one of the children. As they were very serviceable in cutting the hair round Mr. Carter's wound the chief was in- formed of the circumstance, and he immediately called a council, consisting of the elders of the community ; when after an hour's debate they withdrew, and on the day following the scissars were found. " On the 25th of July Mr. Carter's wound was entirely healed, after having had thirteen pieces of the fractured skull taken out. " They remained in perfect health until the 24th of November, when Mr. Carter caught a fever, and died on the 10th of December 1793, much regretted by his friends Shaw and Iias- kett, as well as by the natives of Timor Land. " The two survivors waited in anxious ex- pectation for the arrival of the annual trading / NEW SOUTH WALES. > 493 prow from Banda, and she arrived, to their great joy on the 12th of March 1794. c They sailed from Ternabor on the 10th of April, and on the 1st of May arrived at Banda, where they were received with the utmost hos- pitality by the Governor, who supplied them with every thing necessary for men in their si- tuation, and procured them a passage on board an Indiaman bound to Batavia, where they ar» rived on the 10th of October 1794 V 404- '# HISTORY OF CONCLUSION. Having continued the History of New South Wales, to the year 1802, and as an opportunity will offer of sending the Manuscript to Eng- land in a few days ; I shall close my labours by one general view of the country, from the foundation of the settlement, to the present time. On a rational view of the country itself, at the period of effecting the first landing by Go- vernor Phillip, in 1 788. What was the country ? but one thick wood : this, by the never ceasing exertions of those officers in the expedition, gra- dually vanished ; the country opened ; agricul- ture commenced : the effects of their care was repaid by the satisfaction of knowing they per^ formed, to the best of their abilities, which were indeed great, the object for which they were sent: and how highly are they entitled to pub- lic gratitude, for rendering those parts which were formerly only large wooois, convenient ports for the refreshment of ships ; for the sales of cargoes ; grateful fields for industrious far- mers, and evidently in some cases, an effectual school of reform for characters previously ba~ 2 NEW SOUTH WALES. %m irished from decent society. The discoveries of coal, tin, iron, &c. &c. open the doors of commercial intercourse, sufficiently to prove, that whatever articles the country might here- after stand in need of, may be procured by the endless resources of its own natural produc- tions. The unfortunate circumstances which occa- sionally distress the country, both in conse- quence of the extreme heats and overflowing of the Hawkesbury, will undoubtedly become evils of less serious magnitude, as cultivation becomes still more generally diffused; for the slightest observation will shew, that had the country in the interior, been in a state of cul- tivation, the rains which swelled the Hawkes- bury would have been absorbed, as they de- scended instead of rolling down the smooth sur- faces of the hilly parts, and thus in one grand body, rushing into the Hawkesbury. Of this indeed, I am fully convinced, for as the pur- suits of Agriculture extend, the violent rains are attended with less dreadful consequences, which proves evidently, that in process of time, no ill effect will result from them. But on the contrary, the earth when in a state of culti- vation in the interior, will naturally be moist- ened and improved by the rains, and the moisture so received, will resist the heats which occasionally distress the settlers, by setting the whole surface of the country on fire ; and as the nature of the soil is so particularly prolific as to afford two annual crops. New .South Wales **&$ -t HISTORY OP may in time prove a second Poland, by becom- ing the Granary of the World ! ! ! The difficulties the officers have, from the foundation of the Colony had to combat, de- serves absolute pity, for what a scene of misery has been their portion, born and educated in affluence, nurtured in splendour, and accus- tomed to elegance, fashion, politeness, and all the enjoyments of refined life ; we find them snatched suddenly away, and placed through national necessity, between a numerous body of vile convicts, and an innumerable body of sa- vages, with only the very slender barrier of a few military. Thus situated, their strength could only be increased by the very few of those convicts returning to a proper knowledge of themselves. Dangerous indeed must be ima* gined, the situation of these gentlemen, and dangerous indeed it was ; but fortunately their own conduct was such, that ensured them re- spect, fear and love at the same time, and bad indeed as the convicts have been found, from the beginning to the end of the History of the Colony, not one has been found so lost, as to offer any personal injury to any of the officers. In continuing this- retrospect, the poor na- tives next interest my attention : their natures, which are naturally savage, could but ill brook being driven from any part of their native coun- try, and though offered no personal violence, at the foundation of the Colony, that spirit of revenge, so truly congenial to their natures, manifested itself by far too powerfully on every I NEW SOUTH WALES. v% 497 occasion. True, it most certainly is, that some of the convicts continually committed those depredations, which must have cried loudly, and have obtained redress, had they been exe- cuted on other persons. The consequence of course followed, for the natives knowing no superior power, sought redress in their own way ; but doubtless, had they never had just cause to be offended, the greatest benefit might have been gained by their labours, Indeed, now they begin to understand the English language a little, many are found particularly useful, and live regularly at the settlement, on the earn- ings of their own industry, and possess disposi- tions of the most amiable kind. Though there are undoubtedly, continually others, who, after living some time amongst our people, quit all the comforts of the Colony, for the savage asso- ciation of the wild natives; but this may cer- tainly be accounted for on two grounds ; a na- tural savage ignorance, or a total abhorrence of labour, to which cause must be attributed, the primary motive which occasioned many of the convicts visiting the country. It is therefore, by no means wonderful, that these savages to- tally unacquainted with any employment, should quit absolute labour, till they obtained a pro- per knowledge of all the various enjoyments they might obtain, by the exertion of that labour. As the natives associate with the inhabitants of the settlements, they very rapidly become en- 3 s \ :)8 t history or lightened, and have in many cases been known to give the first intelligence, of any breach of public orders issued by the Government. This has gained them the esteem of some, and the censure of others ; indeed, several have been so disgusted with the criminal proceedings of the convicts towards each other, that they have sought rather the habits of the former part of their lives, than live with those who would in- jure each other wilfully. It is however, to be hoped, that as the settlements] increase in culti- vation and population, the natives will have bet- ter examples and fewer temptations to do in- juries ; for, there are now nearly One thousand young persons living, all born in the country, who, it is fondly hoped, will become good and useful members of society ; in which case, a few years will remove all those fears, either from mischief to be dreaded from the natives or con- victs, that continually alarm the Government and better sort of settlers. Some of the natives are now very regular in attending divine wor- ship, and even those totally unacquainted with the language, behave with the greatest propriety, which respect, undoubtedly arises from an ex- planation received by them, from those of their fellow natives ; who have not only acquired the language, but can both read and understand the scriptures. How opposite has been, gene- rally speaking, the conduct of the convicts, born in a country where the poorest and meanest of the people are taught the value of the NEW SOUTH WALES.