[Page 13]
to practice this art of taking them daily; When they have caught enough for a Meal, and feel hungry, The Men, call the Women on shore, and haul up the Canoes for them, They then gather up a few dry Sticks, light a Fire under a shelving Rock, (if there is one near,) or a Wigwam, here they sit down and broil their Fish, when it is just warm through, they take off the Skin & Scales, then eat the Fish, Entrails, Bones and all, if not very large. - We have observed, that they chew a Fern Root at the time they are eating the Fish, but this, they spit out, having chewed it with with 6 or 8 Mor-sells of Fish, they eat some kind of Fruit like a Fig, too.
-We have given Birds to them which having bearly plucked, and warmed through they devour refusing no part of it. One or Two of them have ventured to taste our Salt Beef & Pork, which they liked so well, that they made signs for more,- The principal Articles on which the Subsistence of these poor Creatures depend, consist of Fish, Water and Fire;
Their Canoes, Spears, Lines $amp; Hooks are necessary for procuring the first Article - Their Weapons, of Defence consist of a Spear about 14 Foot long and terminating in a sharp point of Bone or hard Wood (whereas their fishing Spear has four Prongs tipped with Bone) they have a hooked Stick for throwing the Spear; a heavy Club, a piece of hard Wood in the Form of Scimitar, and a Shield made of a broad bit of the Bark of a Tree, seem to make up the whole of their warlike Instruments.
- Their Canoes are made of the Bark of the Tree, which I have said, somewhat resembles the Fir in its Growth. The manner of taking the Bark off for this Purpose is nearly as follows. After having made a circular Incision through the Bark, beginning 3 or 4 Feet from the Bottom of the Tree, they, by the help of Notches, climb up as high as they mean the Length of the Canoe shall be, where, they cut ye Bark through as at the Bottom, after this is done, they divide it in a straight Line from the top Incision to the bottom, and they contrive that this longitudinal Division of y' Bark shall run through the middle of the Notches, which they had cut to climb up by, so that they prove no detriment to the Bark for the Purpose that it is intended.
It being cut through to the Body of the Tree, they thrust in sticks between it & the Bark, by way of Wedges, to separate it from the Tree, they then leave them in this Manner 'till the Bark will strip off without using any Violence that might split it. having got it off, they pucker up the Ends and tie them with a tough stringy kind of Bark; & in order to strech it open we suppose that they place sticks across,
and keep them there till the Bark takes the form of a Canoe.
-The Article in which, I think they discover the greatest Ingenuity is their Hooks & Lines, the Hooks are of a pearly shell, ground to this shape, - the Lines are of a fine Bark nicely shredded & twisted very close and neatly: I have seen some of the Men with Net-Bags, made of this line. - There is one of their Arts which we have not, as yet, been able to come at the Knowledge of. I mean that, of producing Fire so quickly as they seem to do, a Stone appears to be one thing necessary for this Purpose, but we cannot find out what else they use.
[Page 14]
As to the Article of Dress I have hinted before they strictly follow the primitive Simplicity of the Adamites and the Evites and it may be said of these rude children of Nature, as of them, "they are naked and not ashamed", and I may add, they are nasty and dirty and not ashamed
They are wonderfully expert at the art of Mimickry, both in their Actions and in repeating many of our Phrases, they will say-"Good Bye" after us, very distinctly, The Sailors teach them to swear. They laugh when they see us laugh, and they appear to be of a peaceable Disposition, and have a Generosity about them, in offering You a share of their Food. - If you meet with any of them, they will readily offer You Fish, Fire, & Water, they seem to be easily offended, and quick and fatal in revenging an Injury.
In a Word, to sum up the Qualities Personal & Mental, (those at least we have been able to discern) They appear to be an Active, Volatile, Unoffending, Happy, Merry, Funny, Laughing Good-natured, Nasty Dirty, Race of human Creatures as ever lived in a State of Savageness.
They seemingly enjoy uninterrupted Health, and live to a great Age. We have seen One or Two deformed in their Backs & Legs, a poor Fellow showed us a crooked arm he made signs that he broke by falling from a Rock.-
We have reason to suppose, they burn their dead, and throw the Ashes into a Heap; for we have met with 2 or 3 of these Heaps resembling in shape our Graves, One of which we examined and found Pieces of the Human Bone that were not quite consumed.
Only two of Them have ventured to visit our Settlement to whom the Governor gave many presents, and did every that he thought might Induce them to stay, or to come again and brig their, Companions; The Objects which must have been entirely new to them did not excite their Curiosity or Astonishment so much as one might have expected. They just looked at them, with a kind of vague Indifference.
Of all the Things that have been given them the Axes (Fishing hooks & Lines, or any spare Instrument or Food seem to please them most. The Drum was beat before them, which terrified them exceedingly, they liked the Fife, which pleased them for 2 or 3 Minutes. Indeed Music of any kind does not attract their attention, long together, they will sometimes jump to it, and make a grunting Noise by way of keeping Time to the Tune. I have now given You most of the Particulars relating to the Customs and Manners of this rude Race of Creatures, that we have been able as yet to learn, which must necessarily be very little from their Language being such an inarticulate, unintelligible Jargon.
The other kinds of Inhabitants of these Wildernesses, and first of the Species of Quadrupeds that We have either shot, taken or seen are Dogs, Kanguroos, Opossums, the Pole Cat, Rat & Mouse Species.
The Natives have frequently Dogs with them, and
[Page 15]
the Governor has procured one of them. In Colour and Shape it resembles the Fox Dog, but the Tail is not so bushy, it has become very tame and domestic. The Natives set one of these Dogs at a Man, whom the Governor employs to shoot Birds and other Animals, and as He found himself in Danger of being Bit, He shot Him dead on the spot, the Natives were extremely terrified at this, and took to their Heels with the greatest Precipitation.
- The Animals which Captain Cook describes in his Voyage to New South Wales under the Name of Kanguroo are very numerous here: They feed in Herds of 12-20 and even 50 together, the Animal does not run, but jumps along on his hind legs, We have shot a great many of them the largest that we have killed, weighed 139 Pounds; ye Tail 17 Inches round. the Flesh, when the Animal is young eats something like Veal, as some think, but for my own part I am puzzled to know what it eats like. -
The Opossum, Pole Cat, & Rat Species are in great plenty, many of each sort have been caught & shot, they are very destructive to our Eggs & Poultry, they have snapped the Head off, two or three of our Hens & Chickens, and then sucked their Blood. - Three or four kinds of flying Squirrels have been shot. Some of the Convicts reported that they saw a Tyger one Evening, but we believe it was one pictured by their own creative Imaginations, You know, to a timorous Man a Bush in the Dark might be easily mistaken for a Tyger.
Birds are of various kinds here: the first, for Size and Food is the Emew, this Bird answers the Description given of it by naturalists very well, 3. 4. 6 of these Birds have been seen in the Woods feeding together, but they are extremely shy, and run with incredible Swiftness. - Our Grey-hounds got sight of One but could not come near to Him in running, however, the Governors Game-procurer by great chance got a Shot at one of them with a Ball and killed Him. It resembles the Ostrich in most particulars; The Flesh of it eats like young Beef, and one of its Side Bones was more than enough for four of our Dinners. Quails, Pidgeons, Doves Plover, Cockatoos, Beautiful Parrots, Loriquets, Crows, Hawks, and a variety of other kinds of Land Birds have been shot by our shooting Parties. Many of these Birds are beautiful in their Plumage, but There are none that sing half so sweet as our Chaffinch.
Of Water Fowls Ducks, Teal, Heron, Cranes, have been shot, and one Black Swan has likewise been shot, many of these last Birds have been seen, but they are extremely shy, as indeed may be said of all the animals here, which has led us to think that they are harrassed by the Natives. Our Gentlemen sometimes go out for a whole Day, and are not able to get a shot at a single Bird.
- I was one Day on a shooting Excursion and fell in with
a Tribe of the Natives, while I was with them, a Crow settled
in a Tree that was within shot, on levelling my Gun at it, one
of the Natives run up to Me in a hurry clapped his Hand over ye
Muzzle of the Piece and cried out several times, Bail Bail Bau
Bau!
[Page 16]
meaning as I conjectured, that I was not to kill it (for they have seen the Effects of the Gun) I complied with his Request, and laughed off the Offence I had seemingly given, at which, he laughed likewise and seemed mightily pleased.—
All the Animals, and the Birds that I mentioned above, (where
Beef, Mutton, & Veal are entirely out of the Question) make no
despicable Meat.
- Of Reptiles here are Snakes, Scorpions, Centipedes, Lizards and Guanas, The Insects which prove troublesome, are Musquitos, Sand Flies, Red and Black Ants:
Here are Spiders of various kinds, Butterflies, and several
sorts of Beetles, and some few Bees have been seen.
The Harbours on this Coast are well stocked with a variety of Fish.
And we have never set down to Dinner without a Dish of one
kind or other upon ye Table since our Arrival here, very often,
the Boat is so successful as to catch enough for the whole
Ship's Crew, and two or three times we have been able to supply the Officers Tables on Shore, but since the approach of the Winter, the Fish have become scarce, perhaps they go to the Northward as the cool Weather comes on, and return to the Southward with the Summer. The different kinds are, John Doreys, Turbots Soals, but these are as rare as Dolphins in the River Thames, One or two of each, however, have been taken. Mullet, Bream, Snappers, Jew Fish, Sting Rays, Mackerel are very common.
— Oysters, Cockles & Muscles are to be got for a little Trouble, one very small Lobster has been caught, and wonderful to tell, it was red. - Enormously large Sharks are very numerous in the Harbours, and are very destructive to the other Fish, as well as they are to our Lines & Hooks. We have taken a great many of them, and have found in the Female between 30 & 40 young ones.
A Word or Two of the Climate, then I have no more to say of the Country. - It was in January that we arrived here which in this part of the Globe is Midsummer, the Weather has been, for the greatest Part of the time, serene, moderate & pleasant, & warm tho' at times the Vicissitudes from Serenity to Squalls of Wind, Rain, accompanied with terrible Thunder & Lightning are sudden, and violent and from a dry sultry Heat, to a chilly Dampness (occasioned by heavy Night Dews) considerable. The Thermometer on Shore in the Shade has been up to 85 & 90 at Noon and by Sunset has fallen to 50 or 60, the Fall of 25 or 30 Degrees is common.
The Thunder and Lightning are astonishingly awful here, and by the heavy Gloom that hangs over the Woods at the Time these Elements are in Commotion, and from the Nature of the Violence done to many of the Trees, We have reason to apprehend that much Mischief may be done by Lightning here. Indeed we have experienced its fatal Effects since we have been here, for one Night 6 Sheep 1 Lamb, & 2 Pigs that were lying under a Tree, were all killed and the Tree violently riven. Two or three other Trees near ye Settlement have been riven in the same Manner by Lightning since we came here.
[Page 17]
The prevailing Winds here are S.W & S.E., Sea and Land Breezes are pretty regular, in fine Weather. On the whole, it may be said, we have more of what may be called agreeably warm, Dry, Clear, Serene Weather than Sultry, Rainy, Foggy, or Boisterous. It is just (June 18fh) now the middle of Winter, and the Weather is for ye most part clear, pleasant & moderately warm, but it is very (Therm cold 44 at times) in the Mornings & Evenings, and I think we have more frequently a rainy, damp, chilly Day than we used to have a Month ago but no Snow, nor Frosts, and We have, and shall have all through the Winter green Trees in abundance to look at, that is more than you can say in your Winter Master Dick.
Now I'll tell you what we have done with the Convicts, how they are disposed of, employed, &c. &c. - The Governor had on the Passage made himself acquainted with the Trade and Occupations of each : Accordingly, when they were landed, the Men that could be spared from the principal Business of clearing the Ground were set at their respective Employments, as occasion required such as the Carpenters, Sawyers, Shingle makers, Stone Cutters, Masons, Brick Makers Black-Smiths, &c. these were divided into Parties, and one of the most promising among the Party, was made an Overseer to the Rest. -
The Provost Martial, Constable, and Patroll, (Offices appointed by the Governor) were instructed to keep them within certain Limits;
Notwithstanding these Precautions to keep them at their Tasks, they found means to evade this Vigilance, and straggle into the Woods, they even had the Impudence to go over to Botany Bay, (w? is only 8 or 10 Miles by Land from this Port) and offer their Services as Seamen On Board the French Ships, (by the by, It strikes Me that I have never mentioned the Circumstances of these Ships arriving at Botany Bay, I will look back and if I have omitted it in this Narrative, I will tag it to the Journal which I mean to annex to this) The Officers would have nothing at all to say to them, and drove them away.
— Ten or 14 of Them would take their Provisions (which is served them once a Week) and instead of going to Work skulk about the Woods, and return by the Time of serving Provisions again. These with many other Misdemeanours committed on their Voyage and since their arrival here, convinced the Governour that if he tried them any longer with a lenient Government, He would be making the Just suffer for the Unjust. Therefore the Day, on which His Commission, and the Laws by which the Colony was to be governed were read: He told them, that he was sorry to find, He could no longer govern them by Lenity.
For this Reason, he was determined for the future, every Trespass however trivial, every Violation of the Laws or Orders should be severely punished. Thefts, He assured them, would never more be pardoned, but if detected, they should have every justice done them in in their Trial, and if found Guilty, the Laws should take their Course: To the Industrious He promised every Encouragement,
[Page 18]
but to those that would not Work and were found Idling in the Woods, their Provisions should be stopped, and they should have corporal Punishment.
- It is to be feared, that among such a Number of Delinquents, there are some innately bad and incorrigible, who are deterred from pursuing their vicious Inclinations only from the Fear of Punishment; and who will still be villanous, when they can be so secretly For, notwithstanding all that the Governor said to them, there are daily complaints of petty Larcenies, and other Offences :
- Two desperate Villains have been detected in stealing, tried in the* Criminal Court, found guilty, condemned, and in order to strike a terror into the Rest, led a few hours after from the Court House to the Place of Execution and hung up, nevertheless, they still are hardened and persist in their Crimes, some, by way of Punishment, have been put on a Rocky Island & kept there a Week or Two on short Commons, and there is no End to Flogging Them
- The greater part of The Women Convicts are a shocking abandoned set. The Governor took every Precaution to prevent an indiscriminate Intercourse with Them $amp; the Men, and as he thought Marriage among them might effect the good Purpose he meant, They had his Permission to Marry, and 20 or 30 of Them are already married, but the Misfortune is, one half of them have asked the Governor if the Chaplain cannot Unmarry, in short, they are a6 vile pack of Baggages continually violating all Laws, and disobedient to all Orders. The Disease, that Scourge of Mankind has made its appearance among them.
•Four Courts can be held here, a Civil, Criminal, Martial and Admiralty,
they are composed of the Naval & Military Officers, the Judge Advocate of the Settlement presides at the Civil if Criminal If 5 out of 7 concur in Opinion, Sentence of Death may be put in Execution. The Governor can Commute, Mitigate or Pardon a Sentence.
-I shall relate them just as they stand in my rough Journal, In a Word, I mean this, as a minute Detail of the Circumstances, which have influenced the Opinions which I have given You in the former, respecting the Country, its Inhabitants &c. &c. I shall perhaps stumble upon Repetitions, but I will vary as much as possible the Relation of them, but you must excuse Me stopping to attend to Points, Syllables, The's, And's, and all such tagging materials, These I will beg You to put in for Me, before You lend it your Friends, whom, with You, I sincerely hope the World goes cheerly.
Oh, now I think of it, You are a Musician so Volti Subito.
[Page 21]
Finding that I had missed this side of Paper, I shall (however irregular it may come in here) Insert the Account of the two French Ships which did Us the Honour of a Visit, during our short stay at Botany Bay, they expected to find a great Progress made, towards the Establishment of the Colony, and even hoped, that we should be able to afford them some Refreshments of the vegetable kind. We had seen two large Ships in the Offing (and a Ship in these Seas is almost as rare a thing as a Man of War above Westminster Bridge) three Days before we left the Bay, but the Wind blowing right out, they could not get in, till it favoured them somewhat, on the Morning that it favour'd our sailing for Port Jackson. - The Names of the Ships & Commander &c. &c. I have mentioned on the other side of this leaf.
The Compliments being received & returned, we took our leave of them and ply'd out of the Bay, where, they were now moored.
The Officers were rather reserved in making us acquainted with the Route they had taken, and the Discoveries they had º made since they arrived in these Seas, but gave Us to to understand, that they had been very far to the Northward, that Cap.tn Cook was extremely correct in the Narrative of his Voyages, and that He had left them very little to discover or Describe in this part of the Ocean.
They told Us they had been very unfortunate in their losses of Boats, Officers, & Seamen.
- On the North West Coast of America they lost two large Boats, in which were 22 of their People, & all drowned. the third Part of the Number were Officers: Again, at the Navigator's Islands, the Natives to the Number of a 1000 as they judged, attack'd them, when they were on shore watering, and with one Volley of Stones, suddenly discharged at the same Instant; destroyed two of their Boats, killed 14 People, and desperately wounded several others; One Captain & 5 Subalterns were among the Number killed, those that were unhurt, or only wounded, fired a Volley of Musketry on the Natives as they were retreating, and saw, as they think, about 30 fall this was all the Revenge they took - We could not learn on which side the Provocation began, but the French Officers, feared that their Seamen had given some Offence, as they had been here for some time and had lived on the most friendly Terms with the Natives.
— These Ships remained at Botany Bay about 5 Weeks, during which Time No People could show more Attention, Respect &, Civility, than their Officers did to Us, and We were equally zealous in showing the like Dispositions towards them. In a Word, there was a constant Succession of mutual good Offices passing between Us; We visited each other frequently, sometimes the Parties going by Water, at other Times by Land (for it is only 8 or 10 Miles over) and the little Difficulties and Fatigues which ye Voyagers or the Travellers underwent, were thought amply compensated, if they could attain a social Intercourse with one another,-
Govr Phillip had expressed his Wishes to Mr Perouse to be of any Service to Him in his Power, & M.r Perouse made use of this Offer by sending some Dispatches to be forwarded to Europe, by our Transports.- They hoped to be in Europe themselves in 18 Months.
[Page 23]
up, that were found out of the Boundaries. The Boats that were sent to haul the Seine were very successful, they met with some of the Natives, who behaved very friendly, even helped them to haul the Seine on shore, for which kind Office they were liberally rewarded with a Portion of the Fish. The Governor gave strict Orders, that the Natives should not be offended, or molested on any Account, and advised that wherever, they were met with, they were to be treated with every mark of Friendship, In case of their stealing any thing, mild means were to be used to recover it, but upon no account to fire at them with Ball or Shot.
Mon 28
The Employment to Day has been much the same as Yesterday, and most of the Tents are pitched. Some few Officers slept on shore.
CaptP. Hunter, Ll. Bradley, & the Master of the Sirius set out to explore and take a Plan of the Harbour.
T. 29th
The Governor, having fixed on a convenient Spot for the Cattle they, were all landed to Day. The Frame of the Governors House was landed, and the Carpenters employed in putting it up.
February 5th
In the Course of the last Week all the Tents of the Battal-lion, the Labaratory, and Hospital, and several of the Civil Officers Tents have been pitched, - likewise those for ye Men and Women Convicts, the Governors House got up, a Spot of Ground enclosed, and some culinary Seeds put in.
The Plants that we brought from Rio de Janeiro, and the Cape of Good Hope all landed and put in the Ground, a few Beans, Peas, small sallad, that were sown on our arrival here, have come up and appear at present very luxuriant: On the First Day of this Month, We had a vast deal of heavy Rain. Thunder & Lightning, and the next morning 5 Sheep, 1 Lamb. & 2 Pigs, were found dead, lying under a Tree, which was riven in a violent Manner by the Lightning: A small Store House is begun, for the Reception of some of the Provisions
- All the Convicts Men and Women, are landed: Many of the Men, and one Woman are missing.
Sat 9th
Last Thursday the Governor's Commission, and the Commission for establish? the Laws by which the Colony is to be governed, were read by the Judge-Advocate of the Settlement. There was some little Ceremony observed on this Business. Orders had been issued (the preceding Day) that every Body, on Shore, and from on Board the Ships that could be spared should attend. Early in the Morning the English Ensigns were displayed on Board the Ships & on the Shores, about 9º Clock the Battalion were drawn up on the Spot of Ground that had been cleared for a Parade, about 10, the Governor, all the Officers of the several Departments, the Convicts, Men & Women were assembled within a Square formed by the Military Arrangement; The Judge-Advocate of the Settlement then proceeding to the Business of reading the several Commissions, which, being performed, the Battalion fired 3 Volleys of Small-arms, the Band playing the first part of God save the King, between each Volley. The Governor then addressed the Convicts in an excellently adapted Speech, accompanied
[Page 24]
with many judicious Exhortations As well as I can remember it was to the following Purport - He began by Observing that they had now heard the Laws read, by which they were to be governed, and they,might depend upon it, that they should have their full Force: For He was sorry to find, that there were many among Them not be governed by Lenity, as he had frequently tried this mode of Government, by having already, repeatedly forgiven them Crimes, which they had committed in the Passage out, and since their Arrival here, and they had as constantly abused his Lenity, by similar Trangressions, all which he said, He would freely forgive and forget, but for the Future, he assured them, the Law should take its Course.- He was convinced, he told them, that there were a Number of good Men among them, who, unfortunately, from falling into bad Company, from the Influence of bad Women, and in the rash Moment of Intoxication, had been led to violate the Laws of their Country, by committing Crimes which in the serious Moments of Reflection, they thought of with Horrour & Shame, and of 183 which now, they sincerely repented, and would be glad by a future Conduct to retrieve their Characters; but sorry was he to add, that he feared there were some Men & Women among them, so thoroughly abandoned in their Wickedness, as to have lost every good Principle: Therefore, from henceforth, he declared, that however it might distress his Feelings, every Crime, from the smallest to the greatest Magnitude should meet its Punishment, which the Law inflicted. He observed likewise that many of them, since they had been disembarked, instead of assisting in the necessary Work of forming the Settlement, were found skulking in the Woods, and came to the Camp only at the appointed times for the serving of their Provisions to them, for the Future, all such Idlers, as were found beyond the Limits, the Provost Martial, and the Patrol received Orders to take up and Imprison, & that in Case of their running from the Patrol, they would be fired at with Ball: Moreover, He assured them, that those who would not Work, should not Eat, for, the good Men, he promised, should not be Slaves for the Bad, their daily Labour should be much easier, on account of the Warmth of the Climate than the Common Labourer's in England, but That, they should perform, or Starve, - He gave very good Advice & Encouragement to the Women, telling them, as well as the Men, & promised that good Behaviour should never go unrewarded by Him.
They had his Permission to Marry, and proper times would be allowed for the making up their little Agreements amongst each other, but after a certain hour in the Evening, any Man seen in the Woman's Camp, the Sentry would have orders to fire at with Ball, & in all indiscrinate Intercourse with the Women, the Offenders should be severely punished.
[Page 25]
February 1788 Sat 9th
He concluded by assuring them that it was in their own Power by a steady Perseverance in a Series of good Conducts to make the Day of their Transportation to this Place, the happiest Day they had ever seen; but once more, he would give them his Word, that for the Future, no Crimes whatever should go unpunished, observing, that not to punish the Bad, was doing an Injustice to the Good, therefore, Henceforth, The Laws should take their Course.-
In this Address, I thought the Governor, spoke with a Feeling and a Concern, that does Honour to his Humanity, and it is really a Pity, he has the Government of a set of Reprobates who will not suffer him "" to indulge himself in a Lenity, which he sincerely wishes to govern them by. - The Convicts were allowed the Rest of the Day to themselves, and the Governor, entertained, as many of the Officers as he conveniently could, at Dinner.
Sat. 9th
A Party set out yesterday for Botany Bay, by Land, to pay a Visit to the French Officers, from whom, they met with a very polite and cordial Reception. They informed our Gentlemen that a Number of the Convicts had been over, and applied earnestly to be taken on Board; One of Them promised to pay a Sum of Money for his Passage, on his Arrival in Europe Others, offered their Services as Seamen, and required no other Reward than their Provisions for the time of Serving, but the Officers of these Ships so far from Countenancing them, threatened, that if they were seen to skulk about there, they would send them Back to Us.
Our Gentlemen met with a good deal of swampy, Rocky Ground in their Journey and on the whole it was tedious, but the Civilities and hearty, friendly Treatment, which they received from the French Officers very amply recompensed all their Fatigues.
The same Day, Capt Clonard (the French Commodore's Captain) came round by Water, in a Boat from Botany Bay, to wait upon Govr. Phillip. He brought with Him, from the Commodore, some Dispatches for Europe which the Governor, had politely made an Offer to forward by the first of the Transports that he should Dispatch from this Place for England. - A Kanguroo was shot to Day, the first that has been procured since our arrival in the Country - 8 or 10 Natives passed not far from the Ship this Morning, in 5 Canoes, when they got near the Rocks, many of the Men got out, and by the help of a Spy-Glass, I could see them very busy in striking the Fish with their Spears, and I saw them take two or three tolerably large ones in this manner; the Women, remained in the Canoes employed in fishing with a Hook & Line, the Fish, they caught, appeared but small, after having caught a good many, they went on shore a little way up in the Wood, lit a Fire, and sat down round about it, in the Afternoon, they got into their Canoes, and returned, passing by the Ship again, they houl-
lowed, jabbered & pointed.
[Page 27]
making Bricks, and 8 or 10 Convicts of the Trade are now employed in the Business.
March Sundy 2nd
The Governor, Lc. Bradley, Master of the Sirius accompanied by some other Officers set out this Morning, in 3 Boats to look into, and to explore a Bay, which is about 8 or 10 Miles to the Northward of Port Jackson discovered and named by Capt Cook Broken Bay.
Mony 3d
A Bird has been shot to Day. which answers the Description given by K Goldsmith, of the Emew, it resembles the Ostrich its Flesh proved very good Eating, & Four of Us dined off, from one of the Side-Bones
Sund 4th
The Governor, and his Party returned this Afternoon from Broken Bay, it seems that it affords good Shelter for Ships, that the Entrance is bold, Plenty of Fish to be had, but for Spaciousness & Convenience it is not to be compared with Port Jackson.
They met with a vast number of the Natives here, some of w£ they thought they had seen before, at Botany Bay, indeed, it is pretty clear, that they wander up & down the Coast, going to the Northward in the Winter, and returning to ye South-ward (as we expect to find) in the Summer. The Natives, were very friendly to them, offered them Fire & Water, were extremely full of their Fun, laughing, Mimicking & Frisking about.
The Behaviour of one of the Women was rather singular, she took a great liking to the Governor's Great Coat, and as she could not influence Him to give it to her, by soft persuasions in her own language, She tried Jumping, Capering, and various Wanton Anticks would do, but these not succeeding according to her Wishes, She began to Weep, in a most lamentable strain, put on languishing Looks, in short practised all the Siren's Arts, but the Governor considering that this importuning Lady had done very well, seemingly, without a great Coat, and that it was a Comfort to him in his present Expedition, which it would be endangering his health to part with, He was obliged to persist in the Refusal of what, this Damsel had so whimsically and pathetically supplicated.
- In one part of the Bay, on their Landing rather late in the Evening, when, it was raining & blowing, an elderly Man came up to them, presented a lighted Stick, and invited them to a Cavern of a Rock, which was in Sight, and where he had a cheerful Fire, but as the Governor was for taking another Route, They could not comply with this Gentlemans Invitation, at which He seemed not a little displeased; However, This Man, visited them next Morning, and stay'd with them two or three Days, and by his Attention had prepossessed the Governor in his Favor, till, on the third Day, when, this trusty Friend, having taken a wonderful longing for a Spade, which he saw one of the Boats Crew using, took an Opportunity of making off with it, but, being seen, was stopped, and
[Page 28]
brought to the Governor, who, made signs for Him to go about his Business, giving him at the same time, a smart stroke with his open Hand, on which, the Gentleman was very very angry & Run &.- called his Comrades, but a Musket being fired over their Heads, they all scampered away into the Woods like Rabbits into a Burrow, however, the next Morning, they came down where the Governor had Tented all Night, & were Friends again.
Another curious Circumstance happened to them, while they were on the Business of exploring this Bay; They had landed, where there was a great many of the Natives; and in one of their Huts, the Governor, saw a large Crawfish, which, He Bartered for, giving the Owners of the Fish a Hatchet, and distributing Bawbles among many of Them whom, he thought might have a share of it, The Governor, now took the Fish, and was walking down towards the Boat with it, when, one of the Natives meeting Him, snatched it out of his Hand, and ran up with it to the Hut, where he had bought it, The Governor took no Notice then, but got into the Boat; soon after, they saw the same Fellow running down to the Boats hollowing and holding out the Fish, his Comrades, having told him, as they imagined that they had given something for it, however, the Governor, & the Gentlemen went on shore again, would not accept of the Fish but went up to the Huts where he got it, and took back all the Presents he had given them, this Conduct, was a great matter of Surprise & Mortification to them.
Sund.l6
Four Convicts that were sent out a little Distance from the Settlement to cut Rushes came in to Day, and acquainted the Governor that 10 of the Natives had attacked them, who, after throwing a few Spears and Stones, at them, retreated; One of the Convicts shewed a small Wound in his Breast, which, he had received from a Spear., a P
Wed 19th
The Supply Tender arrived to Day from Norfolk Island. They told us, it was with great Difficulty & Hazard, they Landed the Provision and Stores for the little Colony. The Shore being extremely rocky; and the Surf beating very high, which, they have Reason to think from the Situation and Form of the Island
is mostly the Case. In their Passage to this Island, they fell in with an Isle in the Latitude of and Longitude which had never been before discovered Lc. Ball, named it (in Honour of Lord Howe,) Lord Howe's Island, on Landing they
found a great many Turtle, 18 or 20 of which, they brought away with them, they likewise, met with several Birds of the Dove-kind, which they come so near to, as to knock down with a short Stick;. Nothing very remarkable of vegetable kind was found, Trees of the Palm kind were
[Page 29]
numerous. The chief Acquisition that we hope may accrue to our Settlement, from the falling in with this Island, * is the Turtle off which, we hope to
have many a Feast. Dick.
Tues. 25. -
To Day, the Lady Penrhyn, Charlotte, & Scarborough, being cleared of the Stores for the Settlement were discharged from Government Service, and will sail for China, as soon as they can fit for Sea. The East India Company having, before they left England, engaged them to go their for a Cargo of Tea; & as the Captains think of arriving in England in 14 or 15 Months, I shall put Letters on Board the Three Ships, for You, Denton, and all my Friends
We have had some Trials this Month in the Criminal Court but none of the Delinquents have been capitally convicted. -
The principal Business going on a shore, is the Building an Hospital, Store houses, Huts for the Officers; Enclosing Ground for Gardens. Many of the Officers have had 2 Acres of Land allotted to each, but 'tis not given to them as their Right & Property, because the becoming so, depends upon Government, at least, this is what I hear, - All the culinary Plants that have come up, degenerate exceedingly, Peas, Beans, Cabbage Plants &c do not thrive, & many of them have withered. Yams, Potatoes Pumpkins, Turnips, Indian Corn look somewhat promising.
The Governor has appropriated an Island, in the Harbour, to the Use of the Sirius, on which we have Landed our live Stock, enclosed a part of it for a Garden, and a put a good many different Seeds in
The Live Stock of the Settlement, in general Increase and Multiply
April Sund 13th
The Governor, & Captain Hunter accompanied by some other Officers, went on an Excursion down the Harbour, and made a Discovery of an Inlet which led into an extensive Space of Water forming a fine spacious Harbour, they likewise fell in with some Water which they had Reason to suppose was a Lake. Mond. 21st
Captn Hunter & D. Bradley & the Master of the Sirius set out this Morning to take a Survey of the new Part of the Harbour, which was discovered on the 13th Ins. - The Governor, accompanied by some of the Military Officers, the Surgeon of the Settlement, and a a Party of Marines set out this Morning to penetrate Inland some Miles to the Westward, Had you seen them, they would have put you in Mind of a Gang of Travelling Gipsies, for each of them had a Snapsack on his Back, with 8 Days Provision, some had Kettles, & Iron-Pots;
*It is about 4 days sail from Port Jackson.
[Page 30]
In order that they might find their Way back again, they Notched all the Trees that stood in the Direction of their Route. On the 28th Instant they returned, having penetrated about 30 or 40 Miles Inland, they walked over a vast Extent of fine Meadow Ground, where, the Trees were at a greater Distance from each other, than they are in the Country round about the Settlement, The Soil, they found was far superior in Quality; They saw some very high mountainous Land, which, at some other Opportunity the Governor means to Visit, and I hope to have his Permission to accompany Him in that Excursion.
31st We have had a few Trials, & plenty of Flogging, but I believe the Devil's in them, and can't be flogged out.
May 5th
The Lady Penrhyn Transport, and Supply sailed to Day the Former for China, the latter for Lord Howes Island to endeavour to procure us another Turtle-Feast, - In the Course of this last Week, We have had another Execution of a very young Lad but an old hardened Offended, who, on his arrival at the fatal Tree, said, that he was now going to suffer a Death, which he had long deserved.
Mon 12th
The Charlotte and Scarborough Transports, sailed, to Day for China, and as it is a matter of Doubt, whether those Ships will not arrive in England, before any of the Transports, Can, that sail direct for England, as soon as they can be cleared of their Stores. I have put 2 or 3 Letters on Board them for You & all my Friends, indeed, it is natural for Us, in such a distant part of the World, to snatch greedily at every Opportunity to convey our Hopes & Wishes to our Friends.
Tues. 13th
I walked out to Day, as far as the Brick Grounds, it is a pleasant Road through the Wood about a Mile or Two from the Village, for from the Number of Little Huts & Cots that appear now, just above Ground, it has a villatick appearance.
I see they have made between 20 & 30,000 Bricks, and they were employed in digging out a Kiln for the Burning of them.
I afterwards walked to the publick Farm, where, I find they have turned up 8 or 10 Acres of Land, and they talk of putting some Corn in the Ground soon. The Sheep die very fast from some Cause, The Cows & Bulls thrive I think, as do the Horses. The Hogs don't thrive. The Poultry do not increase very fast.
Wed. 14th
I have had a most delightful Excursion to Day with Captn Hunter and IA Bradley, We went in a Boat about 12 Miles up the
The Foundation Stone of the Governor's House was laid to Day, An Inscription engraved on Copper, to the following Purport is to be placed among the Foundation Stones, viz. The date of the Governor's arrival in this Cove, and the Date of the laying of the Foundation Stone of His House. Mond 19 -
They have begun to unlade the Transports, and land the Stores, and it has this Day been publickly announced that some of the Transports will sail for England in 6 Weeks, so a scribbling we will go. I shall put a Letter on Board each Ship for You. Pray don't neglect to forward those that I intend to Inclose in yours. & Pray Me; Dick have You had an Opportunity yet of Sending Me a Packet of News? who is the King? the Queen? the Ministers? whats the Whim? our whim will soon be, to go Naked, for You know, "When we are at Rome &c".
As for my part I shall be obliged soon to make a Virtue of Necessity for I have torn almost all my Cloaths to pieces by going into the Woods; and tho' we do not want for Taylors, We do, Woolen Drapers. Our Excursions, put me in Mind of your going a Steeple Hunting, We sometimes, put a Bit of Salt Beef, or Pork, Bisket, a Bottle of 0 be joyful, in a Snapsack throw it over our Backs, take a Hatchet, a Brace of Pistols, and a Musket, and away we go, scouring the Woods, sometimes East, West, N. S. if Night overtakes us, we light up a rousing Fire, Cut Boughs & make up a Wig-Warn, open our Wallets, and eat as hearty of our Fare as You, of your Dainties, then lie down on a Bed, which tho' not of Roses, yet
indeed, if it were not for the nauseous, greasy, grimy appearance of these naked Damsels, one might be said to be in a state of Tantalism, whenever they vouchsafe to permit Us to come near them; but what with stinking Fish-Oil, with
which they seem to besmear their Bodies, & this mixed with the Soot which is collected on their Skins from continually setting over the Fires, and then in addition to these sweet Odours, the constant Appearance of the excrementitious Matters of the Nose which is collected on the upper pouting Lip, in
rich Clusters of dry Bubbles, and is kept up by fresh Drippings; I say, from all these personal Graces & Embellishments, every Inclination for an Affair of Gallantry, as well as every Idea of fond endearing Intercourse, which the Nakedness of these Damsels might excite one to, is banished. And I can assure You, there is in some of them a Proportion, a Softness, a roundness, and Plumpness in their Limbs & Bodies, were they but cleanly, that would excite tender & amorous Sensations, even in the frigid Breast of a Philosopher.
Would "stop a Druid in his pious Course Nor could Philosophy resist their Force."
Sund. 25
The Supply Tender, arrived in this Cove to Day, from Lord Howe's Island, but 0! Woeful News, for our Alderman-like Stomachs. Not a single Turtle! so, from having had for this ten day's past, liquorish Chops from the Idea of 4 or 5 Turtle-Feasts on her arrival, we are now all Chop-fallen; The consolatory Reason that our Turtle-Connoissures assign for this Disappointment, is, that from the Winter Season being too far advanced, the Turtle do not go on Shore. - A Soldier brought in a Shirt, a Jacket, and a Hat to Day which, he said he found near to the Place where the poor sickly Convict was wounded, on Friday last, and, as the Jacket & Hat were known to the the very Man's, who was with the Convict wounded, We have reason to apprehend that the Natives killed him, and took him away somewhere.
Mond 26th
a Trial came on to Day in the Criminal Court of a Seaman and Marine belonging to the Sirius, for beating & wounding in a most cruel Manner another Man, a Seaman of the same Ship. I, being the Surgeon of the Sirius, and the first of the Faculty who saw the Man, whom they had so cruelly treated, was obliged to attend the Trial, to give my Opinion, how far his Life was endangered from his Wounds; They had nothing to Say in their Defence, therefore, they were sentenced to receive 500 Lashes each.
Wed 28th
I had an Inclination to Ramble to Day, therefore, as Capt Hunter and Lieutf Bradley were going to the Point of Land which forms the North Head of the Entrance of Port Jackson, in order to ascertain its Latitude, I took my Gun, and accompanied them, We had to Row 4 or 5 Miles down the Harbour before we landed, We then, had to ascend a steep Rocky, Hill, thickly covered with Brush-Wood, after walking about 2 Miles, we gained the Summit of the Head Land, from which
[Page 34]
We had a very extensive View, several Leagues out at Sea; Now, (says one of Us) if we could but see a Ship from England steering for Port Jackson, Aye, replies I, then I should get a Letter from my Brother Dick, and perhaps a good Cheese. Ay Ay says Capt Hunter, there would be general Rejoicings in Port Jackson if we could carry them the News of a Ship from England coming in. While the Gentlemen were Astronomizing, to get the Latitude, I & my Man Friday were rambling about, to shoot a few Birds.
By 12 O´Clock they had taken the necessary Observations, and returning, we made a Circuit over to a part of the Hill,where we observed a great Fire, we found it to be the burning of a Heathy brush-Wood, which we supposed the Natives had set on Fire for some Purpose, but what, we could not Conjecture, We observed likewise, Fires of this Nature, in several other Parts, of the Country, the Wind was blowing very fresh to Day and perhaps this might favour their Designs, if they had any at all, in burning this Stuff; indeed, we have remarked, that, whenever the Wind blows strong, there are a Number of these kinds of Fires about the Country, I have been induced to impute them to accident, from the Natives carrying lighted touch-wood about the Country with them; By the Bye, does not this Circumstance of their being so careful of preserving Fire as long as they can seem to imply, that the producing of it is a Work of great Labour to them for they even carry the lighted Sticks in the Bottom of their Canoes.
Well, to go on with our Ramble, We got down to the Water-side again, where we left the Boat, and just as we were thinking of setting down for our cold Repast, Mr Bradley discovered one of the Natives in a Cavern of a Rock, he was lying close down, and there was a little Girl about 4 or 5 years old beside him, they seemed to have been watching Us very anxiously. We went up to the old Adamite, who seemed to be past sixty. He did not discover much Fear, but the poor little Girl was exceedingly frightened at Us and cried and crouched behind the old Man whenever we looked at it.
We shot some Birds and gave them to the old Gentleman, which, after he had barely plucked, he put on his little Fire, and when about warm through, He eat very greedily, Bones, Entrails and all. We let him see the fatal Effects of the Gun, by showing him a Bird in a Tree and then shooting it, on seeing the Bird fall dead, he looked at the Gun with Astonishment, and seemed as afraid of it, as a Woman is, who thinks it may go off, loaded or unloaded. We have been always cautious in letting the Natives see that it is necessary to put any thing in the Gun to do Execution with it, and it is a Weapon that keeps them in great Awe, Many of them will not come near You till you have laid it down, which they will make signs for You to do.
[Page 35]
Frid 30th
A most Shocking Spectacle was brought to the Hospital this Evening : Two poor Creatures, Convicts, had been sent a few Miles up the Harbour, to cut Rushes, for thatching the Huts, and this Afternoon a Boat was sent to bring them down again, when, they found them lying among some Bushes, and murdered in a most horrid Manner by the Natives, Three Points of Spears were taken out of one Man, two of which had Transfixed Him in the Back the Points sticking some Inches out of his Breast a large Piece of his Skull, including the Eye seemed to have been cut out with an Axe. In the other Man, no wound was discovered from Spears, but he appeared to have been struck with some heavy broad Weapon over his Face, as that Part was black and bloody - The Natives had not stripped them of their Cloaths, nor had they taken their Tents away, but none of their Tools could be found. The Governor, means to take a Party of Marines to morrow Morning, and go to the Place where this Murder was committed, to endeavour to find out the Cause of these Hostilities: For it is his Opinion, with many others, that the Natives are not the Aggressors.
Sat. 31st
This Morning the Governor attended by 3 Marine Officers, the, Surgeon of the Settlement, and 10 or 12 Private Marines all armed set out for the Spot where the above Murder was committed.
This Afternoon, it was rumoured, that some of the Convicts had murdered two of the Natives, and 3 Convicts were taken on Suspicion, but as no clear Evidence could be produced to prove the Fact, they were acquitted; However there appeared some Probability of the Truth of the Report, and that the Murder of the two abovementioned Convicts was an act of Revenge, taken by the Natives on some Account, for they were Murdered the afternoon of the Day, on which it was said the 2 Natives were killed, it was asked in the Course of the Enquiry, what was done with the Corpse of the Natives, when, it was supposed that their Companions towed them off.
June Sund.1st
This Evening, the Governor, & his Party returned; They met with, between Two and Three Hundred of the Natives, all, armed, with several Bundles of Lances, Bludgeons, Wooden Scimitars, Stone-Hatchets & Shields. - The Governor & the Rest went up within 50 Yards of them, & halted, the Governor then, having given his Dagger to one of the Gentlemen, and appearing quite unarmed, advanced singly, on Which, one of the Natives, gave his Spear & Club to one of his Companions and met the Governor, soon after the Parley became general, the Rest of the Gentlemen, and many of the Natives having joined, they could not see any of the Tools which, they had taken from the Rush-Cutters, among them, neither could they make out by any -Signs the Discovery of the Cause of the Murder, the whole Intercourse with them
[Page 36]
was begun, and ended amicably. However, Their having thus assembled in this formidable Manner, it seems probable, that they had some Expectation, of our revenging the Death of the Convicts, and were equally prepared to be hostile, as disposed to be friendly, according to our Behaviour toward them
Mon. 2dn
About a Week ago, a fine She Goat belonging to one of Gentlemen, was found Dead, and some of the Fleshy Parts cut off, and to Day two Men were taken up on Suspicion of having killed this Goat, and made a Pie of some part of it, but it appeared that they found the Goat dead, its Entrails torn out and otherwise mangled as if som Animal had been eating of it, and as it was at this time perfectly sweet, and one of the Men was to be married the next Day, they took the Liberty of cutting some of the Meat off, to make a Pie for the Wedding-Dinner.
Wed. 4th
This being the Anniversary of His Majesty's Birth Day, Governor Phillip had prepared, for the Celebration of it, with every Mark of Loyalty and Distinction, he could think of. At Sun-rise the British Flags were displayed on Board the Ships, and on the Shore. The Sirius, and Supply fired 21 Guns each; This Ceremony they repeated at 1 O´Clock, and at Sun-set. At 12 O´Clock the Battalion was drawn up before the Governor's House, where, they fired three Vollies of Musketry, the First part of God Save the King being played by the Band between each Volley, after this Ceremony, the Officers of the Battalion, together with the Naval & Civil Departments, proceeded to the Governor's House, to pay our Respects to the Governor, who received Us with great Politeness, and congratulated Us, on being the first of His Majesty's Subjects, who celebrated this Day in New South Wales: He had previously given a general Invitation to the Officers to dine with Him; and about 2 O´Clock We sat down to a very good Entertainment, considering how far we are from Leaden-Hall Market.it consited of Mutton. Pork Ducks, Fowls, Fish, Kanguroo, Sallads, Pies & preserved Fruits, The Potables consisted of Port, Lisbon, Madeira, Teneriffe and good old English Porter, these went merrily round in Bumpers. The Toasts after Dinner were, the King, Queen fc Royal Family, the Prince of Wales, Prince William Henry, after this Toast, the Governor, in a very facetious and judicious Manner, mentioned the Necessity there was of having a County in order to circumscribe the Situation of our new Settlement, He would therefore, take this Opportunity of giving it the Name of Cumberland County, mentioning the Limits to be Botany Bay to the Southward, Broken Bay to the Northward, and some high Land (which he would call Landsdown and Carmarthen Hills) about 40 or 50 miles to the Westward,-He then gave as a Toast, The County iy the Cumberland Family. In the Course
[Page 37]
of the Afternoon the Governor had occasion to step into an adjacent Room, when; it was intimated by some one to pay Him a flattering Compliment, and every Gentleman standing up & filling his Glass, we all with one Voice gave, as the Toast, The Governor and the Settlement, We then gave three Huzza's, as we had done indeed after every loyal Toast, The Band playing the whole Time.
- We had hardly seated ourselves again before the Governor entered, He said "Gentlemen I heard You, and I thank You heartily for the Honour you have done Me, and filling his Glass, drank our Healths, wishing Harmony & Unanimity throughout the Settlement, promising that nothing should be wanting on his Side to promote it.
—About 5 O´Clock we broke up, and walked out to visit the Bonfires, The Fuel of One of Which, a number of Convicts had been two Days collecting, and to one who had never seen any bigger than Tower Hill Bonfire on these Occasions, it was really a noble Sight, it was piled up for several Yards high round a large Tree; Here, the Convicts assembled, singing and Huzzaing; on the Governor's Approach, they all drew up on the Opposite Side, and gave three Huzza's, after this Salutation, A Party of them joined in singing God Save the King.
- The Governor stayed about 20 Minutes, and then, with many of the Officers returned Home, where there was a cold Repast, for any Body disposed to take Supper, about 11 O´Clock all were retired, and I with Cap.tn Hunter and several other Officers of the Sirius returned on Board.
In Consequence of this being the first Celebration of His Majesty's Birth Day in New South Wales, Governor Phillip, had been studious to distinguish it with every Sentiment of Joy, Zeal and Affection in his Power, accordingly, He had issued his free Pardon, to all the Convicts that were in Confinement for Trial, or under Sentence of Punishment for Crimes committed since they came to the Country. Each Convict was allowed a Pint of Grog, and all Work, was suspended for the Day, Every Private Soldier drank His Majesty's Health &c Health in a Pint of Porter, and every Seaman, in an additional allowance of Grog, and all this, at the Governors own Expence. In a Word every Heart beat with Loyalty & Joy. –
June 5th
Notwithstanding the Governor's Indulgence Yesterday, it was found that while many of the Convicts were rejoicing at the Bonfire, there were others practising their old Custom of Thieving, and many of the Officer's Tents & Huts had been robbed. One Fellow was detected as he was making off, For the Officer happened to be in Bed, and jumping out, seized his Hanger, and knocked the Fellow, down, his Head is cut very much, but it is to be hoped that he will live to be tried & hung. One Officer's Chest was broke open, and robbed of 12 Pair of Stockings & other Articles. Did You ever hear of such a set of Reprobates!
[Page 38]
Mon. 9th
Two of Captain Hunter's Servants having gone on Shore Yesterday Noon, to take a Walk in the Woods, and not being yet returned, we were apprehensive that they had missed their Way, or that some Accident had happened to them, therefore Boats were sent up and down the Harbour close along the Shore with Directions to the Officers of them, to Fire a Musket now & then. I having a Mind for a Ramble, offered, with three other Gentlemen, as a Volunteer to go into the Woods, in search of Them, therefore arming Ourselves, and equipping our Snapsacks, we went on Shore, and directing our Course N.W. Inland We walked till 3 O´Clock in the Afternoon, hollowing, and firing our Guns every half hour, but not being able to meet with them, we determined upon staying out all Night, accordingly We laid down our Bread an Cheese Wallets, make up a Wig-wam of green Boughs, cut some dry Ferns for a Bed, lit two or three rousing Fires near our Hut, and set down to Dinner. We sung the Evening away, and about 9 O´Clock retired to Rest, taking it by turns to keep watch, and supply the Fires with Fuel.
About 8 O´Clock next Morning we set out again to find these poor Pilgrims, who had neither any defensive Weapon, nor Provision with them. We now directed our Course (for we had a Compass with Us) S.S.E. & about 11 O´Clock, we got down to one of the Coves of the Harbour, not hearing or seeing any thing of Them here, and our Provision nearly out, We walked along the Shore, hollowing, and Firing, till we got abreast of the Ship, We then went on Board, when, we were agreeably informed, that our Fishing Boat, having gone up the Harbour this Morning, they met with them, and took them on Board they were in the very Cove, that we walked down to in the Morning. We did not meet with any thing remarkable in this Excursion.
We walked over a vast Extent of rich Land and through some pleasant Valleys, and the Soil seemed fit for producing any kind of Grain, but from its Situation, the Quantity of heavy Timber growing upon it, to render it fit for Cultivation, it would require a vast Number of People, and Teams of Cattle, & a great Length of Time.
23rd
We are just now under great Tribulation about our Bulls and Cows, for they have been missing for some time & there is One of the Convicts who committed a Robbery some time ago, for which if taken, he will certainly be hung, who is supposed to have driven off the Cattle, as they were missed about the same time that he was, Many Parties have been out in different directions, some said they thought they saw the Print of the Catties Feet, and a Man's near it, however
[Page 39]
We have Reason to fear they have strayed so far, that they will never be brought back again, if they would but turn wild they might still, perhaps, be of Use to the Country, but we fear that the Natives will kill them, if they fall in with them.
Sun. 29th
No Tidings of our Cows & Bulls yet, but the Man who committed the Robbery, and was supposed to have driven them off is apprehended, He was taken near the Brick Ground, almost in a starving Condition, He was immediately tried for the Theft, as was also the Man who robbed the Tent on the 4th of June, they both of them pleaded Guilty, and were hung last Wednesday
The Man who was suspected of having driven the Cattle away, declared, he had not seen them. Their Loss, if it proves one, will be rather a Misfortune for our Colony, & as an additional Calamity the Sheep, both of the Public, & Private Stocks, die very fast.
July 2nd
It has this Evening been announced that two of the Transports will sail for England on the 10. Instant, & two more on the 12.- I shall put Letters on Board of each, for You, & many of my Friends, so that you will receive One among them all probably just to tell you where I am, and that wherever I am, or may be, I shall hope, Wish & Pray for Your, & Their uninterrupted Health & Happiness.
I have written a very long letter, similar to this to my Friend Mr Mein of Fowey, & I am thinking to put His & Yours on Board different Ships, so that if his, or Yours should Miscarry, You or Him can communicate some Accounts of your Infant Colony. Though, if they neither of them arrive, You will still have a chance of hearing of it, as I make no doubt, there will be Narratives Published, & if I can learn, that One Gentleman intends to give it to the Public, I will recommend You & yr Friends to his in preference to any other, because from his Genius I am certain it will be the most Entertaining, Animating, Correct
[Page 40]
and satisfactory of any that may appear.
July 11th
I am told there will be another Publication by Debrett in Piccadilly, which gives an impartial Account of the Voyage, and a Description of this Country. It will be written by a Captain Tench I believe, belonging to Battalion here.
But the other Publication which I referred you too in my Note on the 2dn Instant will be written by D. Collins Esqr-the Judge-Advocate of our Settlement - This will just serve to Prepare You & Your Friends for any of the Publications that may come out, it will do, in short for a Fire-side Chit-Chat with your Friends, while the Printers are compiling & Composing the others, but it will by no Means do for a Correct an full Description of the Country, My Situation on Board the Ship will not admit of my collecting all the Incidents Occurrences, Remarks &-c. and if I had Matter, I have neither Genius nor Abilities to Relate it in a tolerable Manner.
I am keeping by me an Account of the Voyage &c. &c. in a Series of Letters which You shall have the Reading of when I return Home, They are something fuller & more accurate than this
The Ships sail to Morrow Morning therefore, as I find I have no less than 31 Letters (& 5 of them almost as long as y') to Close, Seal, Enclose & direct, I must Conclude
Believe Me
your very affectionate Brother
G B Worgan
P.S. I have sent you 2 Letters beside this in different Ships