initial commit of ebook 3534HEAD main

author: Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> 2025-10-15 05:21:45 -0700
committer: Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> 2025-10-15 05:21:45 -0700
commit: c6ffb3b6585fcbe7da480e46dc7b201add95d46e (patch)
tree: 3d3a80d1ab1829f9aaf2f7cd7f676c6ae59dfb9e /3534-h
1 files changed, 7757 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/3534-h/3534-h.htm b/3534-h/3534-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0e4370d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/3534-h/3534-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,7757 @@
+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+<html>
+<head>
+<title>A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port
+Jackson</title>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content=
+"text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
+<style type="text/css">
+<!--
+BODY {
+  BACKGROUND: #ffffcc; MARGIN: 10%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify
+}
+H1 {
+  COLOR: green; TEXT-ALIGN: center
+}
+H2 {
+  COLOR: green; TEXT-ALIGN: center
+}
+H3 {
+  COLOR: green; TEXT-ALIGN: center
+}
+H4 {
+  COLOR: black; TEXT-ALIGN: center
+}
+DL,OL,UL { text-align: left; line-height: 170%; }
+-->
+</style>
+</head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Complete Account of the Settlement at
+Port Jackson, by Watkin Tench
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson
+
+Author: Watkin Tench
+
+Release Date: May 8, 2006 [EBook #3534]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SETTLEMENT AT PORT JACKSON ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Col Choat and Stuart Kidd
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<h1>A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson</h1>
+
+<h4>by</h4>
+
+<h2>Watkin Tench</h2>
+
+<hr>
+<h3>Table of Contents</h3>
+
+<h4><a href="#pref">PREFACE</a></h4>
+
+<h4><a href="#1">A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port
+Jackson</a></h4>
+
+<ol>
+<li><a href="#1">A Retrospect of the State of the Colony of Port
+Jackson, on the Date of my former Narrative, in July,
+1788.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#2">Transactions of the Colony from the sailing of
+the First Fleet in July, 1788, to the Close of that
+Year.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#3">Transactions of the Colony, from the
+Commencement of the Year 1789, until the End of March.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#4">Transactions of the Colony in April and May,
+1789.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#5">Transactions of the Colony until the Close of
+the Year 1789.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#6">Transactions of the Colony, from the Beginning
+of the Year 1790 until the End of May following.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#7">Transactions of the Colony in June, July, and
+August, 1790.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#8">Transactions of the Colony in the Beginning of
+September, 1790.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#9">Transactions of the Colony in part of September
+and October, 1790.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#10">The arrival of the &lsquo;Supply&rsquo; from
+Batavia; the State of the Colony in November, 1790.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#11">Farther Transactions of the Colony in November,
+1790.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#12">Transactions of the Colony in Part of December,
+1790.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#13">The Transactions of the Colony continued to the
+End of May, 1791.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#14">Travelling Diaries in New South Wales.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#15">Transactions of the Colony to the end of
+November, 1791.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#16">Transactions of the colony until 18th of
+December 1791, when I quitted it, with an Account of its state at
+that time.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#17">Miscellaneous Remarks on the country. On its
+vegetable productions. On its climate. On its animal productions.
+On its natives, etc.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#18">Observations on the Convicts.</a></li>
+
+<li><a href="#19">Facts relating to the probability of
+establishing a whale fishery on the coast of New South Wales,
+with Thoughts on the same.</a></li>
+</ol>
+
+<a name="pref"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>PREFACE</h3>
+
+<p>When it is recollected how much has been written to describe
+the Settlement of New South Wales, it seems necessary if not to
+offer an apology, yet to assign a reason, for an additional
+publication.</p>
+
+<p>The Author embarked in the fleet which sailed to found the
+establishment at Botany Bay. He shortly after published a
+Narrative of the Proceedings and State of the Colony, brought up
+to the beginning of July, 1788, which was well received, and
+passed through three editions. This could not but inspire both
+confidence and gratitude; but gratitude, would be badly
+manifested were he on the presumption of former favour to lay
+claim to present indulgence. He resumes the subject in the humble
+hope of communicating information, and increasing knowledge, of
+the country, which he describes.</p>
+
+<p>He resided at Port Jackson nearly four years: from the 20th of
+January, 1788, until the 18th of December, 1791. To an active and
+contemplative mind, a new country is an inexhaustible source of
+curiosity and speculation. It was the author's custom not only to
+note daily occurrences, and to inspect and record the progression
+of improvement; but also, when not prevented by military duties,
+to penetrate the surrounding country in different directions, in
+order to examine its nature, and ascertain its relative
+geographical situations.</p>
+
+<p>The greatest part of the work is inevitably composed of those
+materials which a journal supplies; but wherever reflections
+could be introduced without fastidiousness and parade, he has not
+scrupled to indulge them, in common with every other deviation
+which the strictness of narrative would allow.</p>
+
+<p>When this publication was nearly ready for the press; and when
+many of the opinions which it records had been declared, fresh
+accounts from Port Jackson were received. To the state of a
+country, where so many anxious trying hours of his life have
+passed, the author cannot feel indifferent. If by any sudden
+revolution of the laws of nature; or by any fortunate discovery
+of those on the spot, it has really become that fertile and
+prosperous land, which some represent it to be, he begs
+permission to add his voice to the general congratulation. He
+rejoices at its success: but it is only justice to himself and
+those with whom he acted to declare, that they feel no cause of
+reproach that so complete and happy an alteration did not take
+place at an earlier period.</p>
+
+<a name="1"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER I.</h3>
+
+<h4>A Retrospect of the State of the Colony of Port Jackson, on
+the Date of my former Narrative, in July, 1788.</h4>
+
+<p>Previous to commencing any farther account of the subject,
+which I am about to treat, such a retrospection of the
+circumstances and situation of the settlement, at the conclusion
+of my former Narrative, as shall lay its state before the reader,
+seems necessary, in order to connect the present with the
+past.</p>
+
+<p>The departure of the first fleet of ships for Europe, on the
+14th of July, 1788, had been long impatiently expected; and had
+filled us with anxiety, to communicate to our friends an account
+of our situation; describing the progress of improvement, and the
+probability of success, or failure, in our enterprise. That men
+should judge very oppositely on so doubtful and precarious an
+event, will hardly surprise.</p>
+
+<p>Such relations could contain little besides the sanguineness
+of hope, and the enumeration of hardships and difficulties, which
+former accounts had not led us to expect. Since our
+disembarkation in the preceding January, the efforts of every one
+had been unremittingly exerted, to deposit the public stores in a
+state of shelter and security, and to erect habitations for
+ourselves. We were eager to escape from tents, where a fold of
+canvas, only, interposed to check the vertic beams of the sun in
+summer, and the chilling blasts of the south in winter. A markee
+pitched, in our finest season, on an English lawn; or a transient
+view of those gay camps, near the metropolis, which so many
+remember, naturally draws forth careless and unmeaning
+exclamations of rapture, which attach ideas of pleasure only, to
+this part of a soldier's life. But an encampment amidst the rocks
+and wilds of a new country, aggravated by the miseries of bad
+diet, and incessant toil, will find few admirers.</p>
+
+<p>Nor were our exertions less unsuccessful than they were
+laborious. Under wretched covers of thatch lay our provisions and
+stores, exposed to destruction from every flash of lightning, and
+every spark of fire. A few of the convicts had got into huts; but
+almost all the officers, and the whole of the soldiery, were
+still in tents.</p>
+
+<p>In such a situation, where knowledge of the mechanic arts
+afforded the surest recommendation to notice, it may be easily
+conceived, that attention to the parade duty of the troops,
+gradually diminished. Now were to be seen officers and soldiers
+not "trailing the puissant pike" but felling the ponderous
+gum-tree, or breaking the stubborn clod. And though "the broad
+falchion did not in a ploughshare end" the possession of a spade,
+a wheelbarrow, or a dunghill, was more coveted than the most
+refulgent arms in which heroism ever dazzled. Those hours, which
+in other countries are devoted to martial acquirements, were here
+consumed in the labours of the sawpit, the forge and the
+quarry*.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[* "The Swedish prisoners, taken at the battle of
+Pultowa, were transported by the Czar Peter to the most remote
+parts of Siberia, with a view to civilize the natives of the
+country, and teach them the arts the Swedes possessed. In this
+hopeless situation, all traces of discipline and subordination,
+between the different ranks, were quickly obliterated. The
+soldiers, who were husbandmen and artificers, found out their
+superiority, and assumed it: the officers became their servants."
+VOLTAIRE.]</p>
+
+<p>Of the two ships of war, the 'Sirius' and 'Supply', the latter
+was incessantly employed in transporting troops, convicts, and
+stores, to Norfolk Island; and the 'Sirius' in preparing for a
+voyage to some port, where provisions for our use might be
+purchased, the expected supply from England not having arrived.
+It is but justice to the officers and men of both these ships to
+add, that, on all occasions, they fully shared every hardship and
+fatigue with those on shore.</p>
+
+<p>On the convicts the burden fell yet heavier: necessity
+compelled us to allot to them the most slavish and laborious
+employments. Those operations, which in other countries are
+performed by the brute creation, were here effected by the
+exertions of men: but this ought not to be considered a
+grievance; because they had always been taught to expect it, as
+the inevitable consequence of their offences against society.
+Severity was rarely exercised on them; and justice was
+administered without partiality or discrimination. Their ration
+of provisions, except in being debarred from an allowance of
+spirits, was equal to that which the marines received. Under
+these circumstances I record with pleasure, that they behaved
+better than had been predicted of them--to have expected sudden
+and complete reformation of conduct, were romantic and
+chimerical.</p>
+
+<p>Our cultivation of the land was yet in its infancy. We had
+hitherto tried only the country contiguous to Sydney. Here the
+governor had established a government-farm; at the head of which
+a competent person of his own household was placed, with convicts
+to work under him. Almost the whole of the officers likewise
+accepted of small tracts of ground, for the purpose of raising
+grain and vegetables: but experience proved to us, that the soil
+would produce neither without manure; and as this was not to be
+procured, our vigour soon slackened; and most of the farms (among
+which was the one belonging to government) were successively
+abandoned.</p>
+
+<p>With the natives we were very little more acquainted than on
+our arrival in the country. Our intercourse with them was neither
+frequent or cordial. They seemed studiously to avoid us, either
+from fear, jealousy, or hatred. When they met with unarmed
+stragglers, they sometimes killed, and sometimes wounded them. I
+confess that, in common with many others, I was inclined to
+attribute this conduct, to a spirit of malignant levity. But a
+farther acquaintance with them, founded on several instances of
+their humanity and generosity, which shall be noticed in their
+proper places, has entirely reversed my opinion; and led me to
+conclude, that the unprovoked outrages committed upon them, by
+unprincipled individuals among us, caused the evils we had
+experienced. To prevent them from being plundered of their
+fishing-tackle and weapons of war, a proclamation was issued,
+forbidding their sale among us; but it was not attended with the
+good effect which was hoped for from it.</p>
+
+<p>During this period, notwithstanding the want of fresh
+provisions and vegetables, and almost constant exposure to the
+vicissitudes of a variable climate, disease rarely attacked us;
+and the number of deaths, was too inconsiderable to deserve
+mention.</p>
+
+<p>Norfolk Island had been taken possession of, by a party
+detached for that purpose, early after our arrival. Few accounts
+of it had yet reached us. And here I beg leave to observe, that
+as I can speak of this island only from the relations of others,
+never having myself been there, I shall in every part of this
+work mention it as sparingly as possible. And this more
+especially, as it seems probable, that some of those gentlemen,
+who from accurate knowledge, and long residence on it, are
+qualified to write its history, will oblige the world with such a
+publication.</p>
+
+<a name="2"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3>
+
+<h4>Transactions of the Colony from the sailing of the First
+Fleet in July, 1788, to the Close of that Year.</h4>
+
+<p>It was impossible to behold without emotion the departure of
+the ships. On their speedy arrival in England perhaps hinged our
+fate; by hastening our supplies to us.</p>
+
+<p>On the 20th of July, the 'Supply' sailed for Norfolk Island,
+and returned to us on the 26th of August; bringing no material
+news, except that the soil was found to suit grain, and other
+seeds, which had been sown in it, and that a species of
+flax-plant was discovered to grow spontaneously on the
+island.</p>
+
+<p>A survey of the harbour of Port Jackson was now undertaken, in
+order to compute the number of canoes, and inhabitants, which it
+might contain: sixty-seven canoes, and 147 people were counted.
+No estimate, however, of even tolerable accuracy, can be drawn
+from so imperfect a datum; though it was perhaps the best in our
+power to acquire.</p>
+
+<p>In July and August, we experienced more inclement tempestuous
+weather than had been observed at any former period of equal
+duration. And yet it deserves to be remarked, in honour of the
+climate, that, although our number of people exceeded 900, not a
+single death happened in the latter month.</p>
+
+<p>The dread of want in a country destitute of natural resource
+is ever peculiarly terrible. We had long turned our eyes with
+impatience towards the sea, cheered by the hope of seeing
+supplies from England approach. But none arriving, on the 2d of
+October the 'Sirius' sailed for the Cape of Good Hope, with
+directions to purchase provisions there, for the use of our
+garrison.</p>
+
+<p>A new settlement, named by the governor Rose Hill, 16 miles
+inland, was established on the 3d of November, the soil here
+being judged better than that around Sydney. A small redoubt was
+thrown up, and a captain's detachment posted in it, to protect
+the convicts who were employed to cultivate the ground.</p>
+
+<p>The two last of the transports left us for England on the 19th
+of November, intending to make their passage by Cape Horn. There
+now remained with us only the 'Supply'. Sequestered and cut off
+as we were from the rest of civilized nature, their absence
+carried the effect of desolation. About this time a convict, of
+the name of Daly, was hanged, for a burglary: this culprit, who
+was a notorious thief and impostor, was the author of a discovery
+of a gold mine, a few months before: a composition resembling ore
+mingled with earth, which he pretended to have brought from it,
+he produced. After a number of attendant circumstances, too
+ludicrous and contemptible to relate, which befell a party, who
+were sent under his guidance to explore this second Peru, he at
+last confessed, that he had broken up an old pair of buckles, and
+mixed the pieces with sand and stone; and on assaying the
+composition, the brass was detected. The fate of this fellow I
+should not deem worth recording, did it not lead to the following
+observation, that the utmost circumspection is necessary to
+prevent imposition, in those who give accounts of what they see
+in unknown countries. We found the convicts particularly happy in
+fertility of invention, and exaggerated descriptions. Hence large
+fresh water rivers, valuable ores, and quarries of limestone,
+chalk, and marble, were daily proclaimed soon after we had
+landed. At first we hearkened with avidity to such accounts; but
+perpetual disappointments taught us to listen with caution, and
+to believe from demonstration only.</p>
+
+<p>Unabated animosity continued to prevail between the natives
+and us: in addition to former losses, a soldier and several
+convicts suddenly disappeared, and were never afterwards heard
+of. Three convicts were also wounded, and one killed by them,
+near Botany Bay: similar to the vindictive spirit which Mr. Cook
+found to exist among their countrymen at Endeavour River, they
+more than once attempted to set fire to combustible matter, in
+order to annoy us. Early on the morning of the 18th of December,
+word was brought that they were assembled in force, near the
+brick-kilns, which stand but a mile from the town of Sydney. The
+terror of those who brought the first intelligence magnified the
+number to two thousand; a second messenger diminished it to four
+hundred. A detachment, under the command of an officer was
+ordered to march immediately, and reconnoitre them. The officer
+soon returned, and reported, that about fifty Indians had
+appeared at the brick-kilns; but upon the convicts, who were at
+work there, pointing their spades and shovels at them, in the
+manner of guns, they had fled into the woods.</p>
+
+<p>Tired of this state of petty warfare and endless uncertainty,
+the governor at length determined to adopt a decisive measure, by
+capturing some of them, and retaining them by force; which we
+supposed would either inflame the rest to signal vengeance, in
+which case we should know the worst, and provide accordingly: or
+else it would induce an intercourse, by the report which our
+prisoners would make of the mildness and indulgence with which we
+used them. And farther, it promised to unveil the cause of their
+mysterious conduct, by putting us in possession of their reasons
+for harassing and destroying our people, in the manner I have
+related. Boats were accordingly ordered to be got ready, and
+every preparation made, which could lead to the attainment of our
+object.</p>
+
+<p>But as this subject deserves to be particularly detailed, I
+shall, notwithstanding its being just within the period of time
+which this chapter professes to comprise, allot it a separate
+place, in the beginning of the next.</p>
+
+<p>Nor can I close this part of my work without congratulating
+both the reader and the author. New matter now presents itself. A
+considerable part of the foregoing chapters had been related
+before, either by others or myself. I was however, unavoidably
+compelled to insert it, in order to preserve unbroken that chain
+of detail, and perspicuity of arrangement, at which books
+professing to convey information should especially aim.</p>
+
+<a name="3"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3>
+
+<h4>Transactions of the Colony, from the Commencement of the Year
+1789, until the End of March.</h4>
+
+<p>Pursuant to his resolution, the governor on the 31st of
+December sent two boats, under the command of Lieutenant Ball of
+the 'Supply', and Lieutenant George Johnston of the marines, down
+the harbour, with directions to those officers to seize and carry
+off some of the natives. The boats proceeded to Manly Cove, where
+several Indians were seen standing on the beach, who were enticed
+by courteous behaviour and a few presents to enter into
+conversation. A proper opportunity being presented, our people
+rushed in among them, and seized two men: the rest fled; but the
+cries of the captives soon brought them back, with many others,
+to their rescue: and so desperate were their struggles, that, in
+spite of every effort on our side, only one of them was secured;
+the other effected his escape. The boats put off without delay;
+and an attack from the shore instantly commenced: they threw
+spears, stones, firebrands, and whatever else presented itself,
+at the boats; nor did they retreat, agreeable to their former
+custom, until many musquets were fired over them.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoner was now fastened by ropes to the thwarts of the
+boat; and when he saw himself irretrievably disparted from his
+countrymen, set up the most piercing and lamentable cries of
+distress. His grief, however, soon diminished: he accepted and
+ate of some broiled fish which was given to him, and sullenly
+submitted to his destiny.</p>
+
+<p>When the news of his arrival at Sydney was announced, I went
+with every other person to see him: he appeared to be about
+thirty years old, not tall, but robustly made; and of a
+countenance which, under happier circumstances, I thought would
+display manliness and sensibility; his agitation was excessive,
+and the clamourous crowds who flocked around him did not
+contribute to lessen it. Curiosity and observation seemed,
+nevertheless, not to have wholly deserted him; he shewed the
+effect of novelty upon ignorance; he wondered at all he saw:
+though broken and interrupted with dismay, his voice was soft and
+musical, when its natural tone could be heard; and he readily
+pronounced with tolerable accuracy the names of things which were
+taught him. To our ladies he quickly became extraordinarily
+courteous, a sure sign that his terror was wearing off.</p>
+
+<p>Every blandishment was used to soothe him, and it had its
+effect. As he was entering the governor's house, some one touched
+a small bell which hung over the door: he started with horror and
+astonishment; but in a moment after was reconciled to the noise,
+and laughed at the cause of his perturbation. When pictures were
+shown to him, he knew directly those which represented the human
+figure: among others, a very large handsome print of her royal
+highness the Dutchess of Cumberland being produced, he called out
+'woman', a name by which we had just before taught him to call
+the female convicts. Plates of birds and beasts were also laid
+before him; and many people were led to believe, that such as he
+spoke about and pointed to were known to him. But this must have
+been an erroneous conjecture, for the elephant, rhinoceros, and
+several others, which we must have discovered did they exist in
+the country, were of the number. Again, on the other hand, those
+he did not point out, were equally unknown to him.</p>
+
+<p>His curiosity here being satiated, we took him to a large
+brick house, which was building for the governor's residence:
+being about to enter, he cast up his eyes, and seeing some people
+leaning out of a window on the first story, he exclaimed aloud,
+and testified the most extravagant surprise. Nothing here was
+observed to fix his attention so strongly as some tame fowls, who
+were feeding near him: our dogs also he particularly noticed; but
+seemed more fearful than fond of them.</p>
+
+<p>He dined at a side-table at the governor's; and ate heartily
+of fish and ducks, which he first cooled. Bread and salt meat he
+smelled at, but would not taste: all our liquors he treated in
+the same manner, and could drink nothing but water. On being
+shown that he was not to wipe his hands on the chair which he sat
+upon, he used a towel which was gave to him, with great
+cleanliness and decency.</p>
+
+<p>In the afternoon his hair was closely cut, his head combed,
+and his beard shaved; but he would not submit to these operations
+until he had seen them performed on another person, when he
+readily acquiesced. His hair, as might be supposed, was filled
+with vermin, whose destruction seemed to afford him great
+triumph; nay, either revenge, or pleasure, prompted him to eat
+them! but on our expressing disgust and abhorrence he left it
+off.</p>
+
+<p>To this succeeded his immersion in a tub of water and soap,
+where he was completely washed and scrubbed from head to foot;
+after which a shirt, a jacket, and a pair of trousers, were put
+upon him. Some part of this ablution I had the honour to perform,
+in order that I might ascertain the real colour of the skin of
+these people. My observation then was (and it has since been
+confirmed in a thousand other instances) that they are as black
+as the lighter cast of the African negroes.</p>
+
+<p>Many unsuccessful attempts were made to learn his name; the
+governor therefore called him Manly, from the cove in which he
+was captured: this cove had received its name from the manly
+undaunted behaviour of a party of natives seen there, on our
+taking possession of the country.</p>
+
+<p>To prevent his escape, a handcuff with a rope attached to it,
+was fastened around his left wrist, which at first highly
+delighted him; he called it 'bengadee' (or ornament), but his
+delight changed to rage and hatred when he discovered its use.
+His supper he cooked himself: some fish were given to him for
+this purpose, which, without any previous preparation whatever,
+he threw carelessly on the fire, and when they became warm took
+them up, and first rubbed off the scales, peeled the outside with
+his teeth, and ate it; afterwards he gutted them, and laying them
+again on the fire, completed the dressing, and ate them.</p>
+
+<p>A convict was selected to sleep with him, and to attend him
+wherever he might go. When he went with his keeper into his
+apartment he appeared very restless and uneasy while a light was
+kept in; but on its extinction, he immediately lay down and
+composed himself.</p>
+
+<p>Sullenness and dejection strongly marked his countenance on
+the following morning; to amuse him, he was taken around the
+camp, and to the observatory: casting his eyes to the opposite
+shore from the point where he stood, and seeing the smoke of fire
+lighted by his countrymen, he looked earnestly at it, and sighing
+deeply two or three times, uttered the word 'gweeun' (fire).</p>
+
+<p>His loss of spirits had not, however, the effect of impairing
+his appetite; eight fish, each weighing about a pound,
+constituted his breakfast, which he dressed as before. When he
+had finished his repast, he turned his back to the fire in a
+musing posture, and crept so close to it, that his shirt was
+caught by the flame; luckily his keeper soon extinguished it; but
+he was so terrified at the accident, that he was with difficulty
+persuaded to put on a second.</p>
+
+<p>1st. January, 1789. To-day being new-year's-day, most of the
+officers were invited to the governor's table: Manly dined
+heartily on fish and roasted pork; he was seated on a chest near
+a window, out of which, when he had done eating, he would have
+thrown his plate, had he not been prevented: during dinner-time a
+band of music played in an adjoining apartment; and after the
+cloth was removed, one of the company sang in a very soft and
+superior style; but the powers of melody were lost on Manly,
+which disappointed our expectations, as he had before shown
+pleasure and readiness in imitating our tunes. Stretched out on
+his chest, and putting his hat under his head, he fell
+asleep.</p>
+
+<p>To convince his countrymen that he had received no injury from
+us, the governor took him in a boat down the harbour, that they
+might see and converse with him: when the boat arrived, and lay
+at a little distance from the beach, several Indians who had
+retired at her approach, on seeing Manly, returned: he was
+greatly affected, and shed tears. At length they began to
+converse. Our ignorance of the language prevented us from knowing
+much of what passed; it was, however, easily understood that his
+friends asked him why he did not jump overboard, and rejoin them.
+He only sighed, and pointed to the fetter on his leg, by which he
+was bound.</p>
+
+<p>In going down the harbour he had described the names by which
+they distinguish its numerous creeks and headlands: he was now
+often heard to repeat that of 'Weerong' (Sydney Cove), which was
+doubtless to inform his countrymen of the place of his captivity;
+and perhaps invite them to rescue him. By this time his gloom was
+chased away, and he parted from his friends without testifying
+reluctance. His vivacity and good humour continued all the
+evening, and produced so good an effect on his appetite, that he
+ate for supper two kangaroo rats, each of the size of a moderate
+rabbit, and in addition not less than three pounds of fish.</p>
+
+<p>Two days after he was taken on a similar excursion; but to our
+surprise the natives kept aloof, and would neither approach the
+shore, or discourse with their countryman: we could get no
+explanation of this difficulty, which seemed to affect us more
+than it did him. Uncourteous as they were, he performed to them
+an act of attentive benevolence; seeing a basket made of bark,
+used by them to carry water, he conveyed into it two hawks and
+another bird, which the people in the boat had shot, and
+carefully covering them over, left them as a present to his old
+friends. But indeed the gentleness and humanity of his
+disposition frequently displayed themselves: when our children,
+stimulated by wanton curiosity, used to flock around him, he
+never failed to fondle them, and, if he were eating at the time,
+constantly offered them the choicest part of his fare.</p>
+
+<p>February, 1789. His reserve, from want of confidence in us,
+continued gradually to wear away: he told us his name, and Manly
+gave place to Arabanoo. Bread he began to relish; and tea he
+drank with avidity: strong liquors he would never taste, turning
+from them with disgust and abhorrence. Our dogs and cats had
+ceased to be objects of fear, and were become his greatest pets,
+and constant companions at table. One of our chief amusements,
+after the cloth was removed, was to make him repeat the names of
+things in his language, which he never hesitated to do with the
+utmost alacrity, correcting our pronunciation when erroneous.
+Much information relating to the customs and manners of his
+country was also gained from him: but as this subject will be
+separately and amply treated, I shall not anticipate myself by
+partially touching on it here.</p>
+
+<p>On the 2nd of February died Captain John Shea of the marines,
+after a lingering illness: he was interred on the following day,
+with the customary military honours, amidst the regret of all who
+knew him. In consequence of his decease, appointments for the
+promotion of the oldest officer of each subordinate rank were
+signed by the major commandant of the marine battalion, until the
+pleasure of the lords of the admiralty should be notified.*</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*These appointments were confirmed by the
+admiralty.]</p>
+
+<p>On the 17th of February the 'Supply' again sailed for Norfolk
+Island. The governor went down the harbour in her, and carried
+Arabanoo with him, who was observed to go on board with distrust
+and reluctance; when he found she was under sail, every effort
+was tried without success to exhilarate him; at length, an
+opportunity being presented, he plunged overboard, and struck out
+for the nearest shore: believing that those who were left behind
+would fire at him, he attempted to dive, at which he was known to
+be very expert: but this was attended with a difficulty which he
+had not foreseen: his clothes proved so buoyant, that he was
+unable to get more than his head under water: a boat was
+immediately dispatched after him, and picked him up, though not
+without struggles and resistance on his side. When brought on
+board, he appeared neither afraid or ashamed of what he had done,
+but sat apart, melancholy and dispirited, and continued so until
+he saw the governor and his other friends descend into a boat,
+and heard himself called upon to accompany them: he sprang
+forward, and his cheerfulness and alacrity of temper immediately
+returned, and lasted during the remainder of the day. The dread
+of being carried away, on an element of whose boundary he could
+form no conception, joined to the uncertainty of our intention
+towards him, unquestionably caused him to act as he did.</p>
+
+<p>One of the principal effects which we had supposed the seizure
+and captivity of Arabanoo would produce, seemed yet at as great a
+distance as ever; the natives neither manifested signs of
+increased hostility on his account, or attempted to ask any
+explanation of our conduct through the medium of their countryman
+who was in our possession, and who they knew was treated with no
+farther harshness than in being detained among us. Their
+forbearance of open and determined attack upon can be accounted
+for only by recollecting their knowledge of our numbers, and
+their dread of our fire-arms: that they wanted not sufficient
+provocation to do so, will appear from what I am about to
+relate.</p>
+
+<p>March, 1789. Sixteen convicts left their work at the
+brick-kilns without leave, and marched to Botany Bay, with a
+design to attack the natives, and to plunder them of their
+fishing-tackle and spears: they had armed themselves with their
+working tools and large clubs. When they arrived near the bay, a
+body of Indians, who had probably seen them set out, and had
+penetrated their intention from experience, suddenly fell upon
+them. Our heroes were immediately routed, and separately
+endeavoured to effect their escape by any means which were left.
+In their flight one was killed, and seven were wounded, for the
+most part very severely: those who had the good fortune to
+outstrip their comrades and arrive in camp, first gave the alarm;
+and a detachment of marines, under an officer, was ordered to
+march to their relief. The officer arrived too late to repel the
+Indians; but he brought in the body of the man that was killed,
+and put an end to the pursuit. The governor was justly incensed
+at what had happened, and instituted the most rigorous scrutiny
+into the cause which had produced it. At first the convicts were
+unanimous in affirming, that they were quietly picking
+sweet-tea*, when they were without provocation assaulted by the
+natives, with whom they had no wish to quarrel. Some of them,
+however, more irresolute than the rest, at last disclosed the
+purpose for which the expedition had been undertaken; and the
+whole were ordered to be severely flogged: Arabanoo was present
+at the infliction of the punishment; and was made to comprehend
+the cause and the necessity of it; but he displayed on the
+occasion symptoms of disgust and terror only.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*A vegetable creeper found growing on the rocks,
+which yields, on infusion in hot water, a sweet astringent taste,
+whence it derives its name: to its virtues the healthy state of
+the soldiery and convicts must be greatly attributed. It was
+drank universally.]</p>
+
+<p>On the 24th instant the 'Supply' arrived from Norfolk Island,
+and Lord Flowe Island, bringing from the latter place three
+turtles.</p>
+
+<p>An awful and terrible example of justice took place towards
+the close of this month, which I record with regret, but which it
+would be disingenuous to suppress. Six marines, the flower of our
+battalion, were hanged by the public executioner, on the sentence
+of a criminal court, composed entirely of their own officers, for
+having at various times robbed the public stores of flour, meat,
+spirits, tobacco, and many other articles.</p>
+
+<a name="4"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3>
+
+<h4>Transactions of the Colony in April and May, 1789.</h4>
+
+<p>An extraordinary calamity was now observed among the natives.
+Repeated accounts brought by our boats of finding bodies of the
+Indians in all the coves and inlets of the harbour, caused the
+gentlemen of our hospital to procure some of them for the
+purposes of examination and anatomy. On inspection, it appeared
+that all the parties had died a natural death: pustules, similar
+to those occasioned by the small pox, were thickly spread on the
+bodies; but how a disease, to which our former observations had
+led us to suppose them strangers, could at once have introduced
+itself, and have spread so widely, seemed inexplicable.* Whatever
+might be the cause, the existence of the malady could no longer
+be doubted. Intelligence was brought that an Indian family lay
+sick in a neighbouring cove: the governor, attended by Arabanoo,
+and a surgeon, went in a boat immediately to the spot. Here they
+found an old man stretched before a few lighted sticks, and a boy
+of nine or ten years old pouring water on his head, from a shell
+which he held in his hand: near them lay a female child dead, and
+a little farther off, its unfortunate mother: the body of the
+woman shewed that famine, superadded to disease, had occasioned
+her death: eruptions covered the poor boy from head to foot; and
+the old man was so reduced, that he was with difficulty got into
+the boat. Their situation rendered them incapable of escape, and
+they quietly submitted to be led away. Arabanoo, contrary to his
+usual character, seemed at first unwilling to render them any
+assistance; but his shyness soon wore off, and he treated them
+with the kindest attention. Nor would he leave the place until he
+had buried the corpse of the child: that of the woman he did not
+see from its situation; and as his countrymen did not point it
+out, the governor ordered that it should not be shown to him. He
+scooped a grave in the sand with his hands, of no peculiarity of
+shape, which he lined completely with grass, and put the body
+into it, covering it also with grass; and then he filled up the
+hole, and raised over it a small mound with the earth which had
+been removed. Here the ceremony ended, unaccompanied by any
+invocation to a superior being, or any attendant circumstance
+whence an inference of their religious opinions could be
+deduced.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*No solution of this difficulty had been given
+when I left the country, in December, 1791. I can, therefore,
+only propose queries for the ingenuity of others to exercise
+itself upon: is it a disease indigenous to the country? Did the
+French ships under Monsieur de Peyrouse introduce it? Let it be
+remembered that they had now been departed more than a year; and
+we had never heard of its existence on board of them. Had it
+travelled across the continent from its western shore, where
+Dampier and other European voyagers had formerly landed? Was it
+introduced by Mr. Cook? Did we give it birth here? No person
+among us had been afflicted with the disorder since we had
+quitted the Cape of Good Hope, seventeen months before. It is
+true, that our surgeons had brought out variolous matter in
+bottles; but to infer that it was produced from this cause were a
+supposition so wild as to be unworthy of consideration.]</p>
+
+<p>An uninhabited house, near the hospital, was allotted for
+their reception, and a cradle prepared for each of them. By the
+encouragement of Arabanoo, who assured them of protection, and
+the soothing behaviour of our medical gentlemen, they became at
+once reconciled to us, and looked happy and grateful at the
+change of their situation. Sickness and hunger had, however, so
+much exhausted the old man, that little hope was entertained of
+his recovery. As he pointed frequently to his throat, at the
+instance of Arabanoo, he tried to wash it with a gargle which was
+given to him; but the obstructed, tender state of the part
+rendered it impracticable. 'Bado, bado' (water), was his cry:
+when brought to him, he drank largely at intervals of it. He was
+equally importunate for fire, being seized with shivering fits;
+and one was kindled. Fish were produced, to tempt him to eat; but
+he turned away his head, with signs of loathing. Nanbaree (the
+boy), on the contrary, no sooner saw them than he leaped from his
+cradle, and eagerly seizing them, began to cook them. A warm bath
+being prepared, they were immersed in it; and after being
+thoroughly cleansed, they had clean shirts put on them, and were
+again laid in bed.</p>
+
+<p>The old man lived but a few hours. He bore the pangs of
+dissolution with patient composure; and though he was sensible to
+the last moment, expired almost without a groan. Nanbaree
+appeared quite unmoved at the event; and surveyed the corpse of
+his father without emotion, simply exclaiming, 'boee' (dead).
+This surprised us; as the tenderness and anxiety of the old man
+about the boy had been very moving. Although barely able to raise
+his head, while so much strength was left to him, he kept looking
+into his child's cradle; he patted him gently on the bosom; and,
+with dying eyes, seemed to recommend him to our humanity and
+protection. Nanbaree was adopted by Mr. White, surgeon-general of
+the settlement, and became henceforth one of his family.</p>
+
+<p>Arabanoo had no sooner heard of the death of his countryman,
+than he hastened to inter him. I was present at the ceremony, in
+company with the governor, captain Ball, and two or three other
+persons. It differed, by the accounts of those who were present
+at the funeral of the girl, in no respect from what had passed
+there in the morning, except that the grave was dug by a convict.
+But I was informed, that when intelligence of the death reached
+Arabanoo, he expressed himself with doubt whether he should bury,
+or burn the body; and seemed solicitous to ascertain which
+ceremony would be most gratifying to the governor.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, Arabanoo's behaviour, during the whole of the
+transactions of this day, was so strongly marked by affection to
+his countryman, and by confidence in us, that the governor
+resolved to free him from all farther restraint, and at once to
+trust to his generosity, and the impression which our treatment
+of him might have made, for his future residence among us: the
+fetter was accordingly taken off his leg.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening, captain Ball and I crossed the harbour, and
+buried the corpse of the woman before mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>Distress continued to drive them in upon us. Two more natives,
+one of them a young man, and the other his sister, a girl of
+fourteen years old, were brought in by the governor's boat, in a
+most deplorable state of wretchedness from the smallpox. The
+sympathy and affection of Arabanoo, which had appeared languid in
+the instance of Nanbaree and his father, here manifested
+themselves immediately. We conjectured that a difference of the
+tribes to which they belonged might cause the preference; but
+nothing afterwards happened to strengthen or confirm such a
+supposition. The young man died at the end of three days: the
+girl recovered, and was received as an inmate, with great
+kindness, in the family of Mrs Johnson, the clergyman's wife. Her
+name was Booron; but from our mistake of pronunciation she
+acquired that of Abaroo, by which she was generally known, and by
+which she will always be called in this work. She shewed, at the
+death of her brother more feeling than Nanbaree had witnessed for
+the loss of his father. When she found him dying, she crept to
+his side, and lay by him until forced by the cold to retire. No
+exclamation, or other sign of grief, however, escaped her for
+what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>May 1789. At sunset, on the evening of the 2d instant, the
+arrival the 'Sirius', Captain Hunter, from the Cape of Good Hope,
+was proclaimed, and diffused universal joy and congratulation.
+The day of famine was at least procrastinated by the supply of
+flour and salt provisions she brought us.</p>
+
+<p>The 'Sirius' had made her passage to the Cape of Good Hope, by
+the route of Cape Horn, in exactly thirteen weeks. Her highest
+latitude was 57 degrees 10 minutes south, where the weather
+proved intolerably cold. Ice, in great quantity, was seen for
+many days; and in the middle of December (which is correspondent
+to the middle of June, in our hemisphere), water froze in open
+casks upon deck, in the moderate latitude of 44 degrees.</p>
+
+<p>They were very kindly treated by the Dutch governor, and amply
+supplied by the merchants at the Cape, where they remained seven
+weeks. Their passage back was effected by Van Diemen's Land, near
+which, and close under Tasman's Head, they were in the utmost
+peril of being wrecked.</p>
+
+<p>In this long run, which had extended round the circle, they
+had always determined their longitude, to the greatest nicety, by
+distances taken between the sun and moon, or between the moon and
+a star. But it falls to the lot of very few ships to possess such
+indefatigable and accurate observers as Captain Hunter, and Mr.
+(now Captain) Bradley, the first lieutenant of the 'Sirius'.</p>
+
+<p>I feel assured, that I have no reader who will not join in
+regretting the premature loss of Arabanoo, who died of the
+smallpox on the 18th instant, after languishing in it six days.
+From some imperfect marks and indents on his face, we were
+inclined to believe that he had passed this dreaded disorder.
+Even when the first symptoms of sickness seized him, we continued
+willing to hope that they proceeded from a different cause. But
+at length the disease burst forth with irresistible fury. It were
+superfluous to say, that nothing which medical skill and
+unremitting attention could perform, were left unexerted to
+mitigate his sufferings, and prolong a life, which humanity and
+affectionate concern towards his sick compatriots, unfortunately
+shortened.</p>
+
+<p>During his sickness he reposed entire confidence in us.
+Although a stranger to medicine, and nauseating the taste of it,
+he swallowed with patient submission innumerable drugs,* which
+the hope of relief induced us to administer to him. The governor,
+who particularly regarded him**, caused him to be buried in his
+own garden, and attended the funeral in person.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Very different had been his conduct on a former
+occasion of a similar kind. Soon after he was brought among us he
+was seized with a diarrhoea, for which he could by no persuasion
+be induced to swallow any of our prescriptions. After many
+ineffectual trials to deceive, or overcome him, it was at length
+determined to let him pursue his own course, and to watch if he
+should apply for relief to any of the productions of the country.
+He was in consequence observed to dig fern-root, and to chew it.
+Whether the disorder had passed its crisis, or whether the
+fern-root effected a cure, I know not; but it is certain that he
+became speedily well.]</p>
+
+<p class="note">[**The regard was reciprocal. His excellency had
+been ill but a short time before, when Arabanoo had testified the
+utmost solicitude for his case and recovery. It is probable that
+he acquired, on this occasion, just notions of the benefit to be
+derived from medical assistance. A doctor is, among them, a
+person of consequence. It is certain that he latterly estimated
+our professional gentlemen very highly.]</p>
+
+<p>The character of Arabanoo, as far as we had developed it, was
+distinguished by a portion of gravity and steadiness, which our
+subsequent acquaintance with his countrymen by no means led us to
+conclude a national characteristic. In that daring, enterprising
+frame of mind, which, when combined with genius, constitutes the
+leader of a horde of savages, or the ruler of a people, boasting
+the power of discrimination and the resistance of ambition, he
+was certainly surpassed by some of his successors, who afterwards
+lived among us. His countenance was thoughtful, but not animated:
+his fidelity and gratitude, particularly to his friend the
+governor, were constant and undeviating, and deserve to be
+recorded. Although of a gentle and placable temper, we early
+discovered that he was impatient of indignity, and allowed of no
+superiority on our part. He knew that he was in our power; but
+the independence of his mind never forsook him. If the slightest
+insult were offered to him, he would return it with interest. At
+retaliation of merriment he was often happy; and frequently
+turned the laugh against his antagonist. He did not want
+docility; but either from the difficulty of acquiring our
+language, from the unskillfulness of his teachers, or from some
+natural defect, his progress in learning it was not equal to what
+we had expected. For the last three or four weeks of his life,
+hardly any restraint was laid upon his inclinations: so that had
+he meditated escape, he might easily have effected it. He was,
+perhaps, the only native who was ever attached to us from choice;
+and who did not prefer a precarious subsistence among wilds and
+precipices, to the comforts of a civilized system.</p>
+
+<p>By his death, the scheme which had invited his capture was
+utterly defeated. Of five natives who had been brought among us,
+three had perished from a cause which, though unavoidable, it was
+impossible to explain to a people, who would condescend to enter
+into no intercourse with us. The same suspicious dread of our
+approach, and the same scenes of vengeance acted on unfortunate
+stragglers, continued to prevail.</p>
+
+<a name="5"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER V.</h3>
+
+<h4>Transactions of the Colony until the Close of the Year
+1789.</h4>
+
+<p>The anniversary of his majesty's birth-day was celebrated, as
+heretofore, at the government-house, with loyal festivity. In the
+evening, the play of 'The Recruiting Officer' was performed by a
+party of convicts, and honoured by the presence of his
+excellency, and the officers of the garrison. That every
+opportunity of escape from the dreariness and dejection of our
+situation should be eagerly embraced, will not be wondered at.
+The exhilarating effect of a splendid theatre is well known: and
+I am not ashamed to confess, that the proper distribution of
+three or four yards of stained paper, and a dozen farthing
+candles stuck around the mud walls of a convict-hut, failed not
+to diffuse general complacency on the countenances of sixty
+persons, of various descriptions, who were assembled to applaud
+the representation. Some of the actors acquitted themselves with
+great spirit, and received the praises of the audience: a
+prologue and an epilogue, written by one of the performers, were
+also spoken on the occasion; which, although not worth inserting
+here, contained some tolerable allusions to the situation of the
+parties, and the novelty of a stage-representation in New South
+Wales.</p>
+
+<p>Broken Bay, which was supposed to be completely explored,
+became again an object of research. On the sixth instant, the
+governor, accompanied by a large party in two boats, proceeded
+thither. Here they again wandered over piles of mis-shapen
+desolation, contemplating scenes of wild solitude, whose
+unvarying appearance renders them incapable of affording either
+novelty or gratification. But when they had given over the hope
+of farther discovery, by pursuing the windings of an inlet,
+which, from its appearance, was supposed to be a short creek,
+they suddenly found themselves at the entrance of a fresh water
+river, up which they proceeded twenty miles, in a westerly
+direction; and would have farther prosecuted their research, had
+not a failure of provisions obliged them to return. This river
+they described to be of considerable breadth, and of great depth;
+but its banks had hitherto presented nothing better than a
+counterpart of the rocks and precipices which surround Broken
+Bay.</p>
+
+<p>June, 1789. A second expedition, to ascertain its course, was
+undertaken by his excellency, who now penetrated (measuring by
+the bed of the river) between 60 and 70 miles, when the farther
+progress of the boats was stopped by a fall. The water in every
+part was found to be fresh and good. Of the adjoining country,
+the opinions of those who had inspected it (of which number I was
+not) were so various, that I shall decline to record them. Some
+saw a rich and beautiful country; and others were so unfortunate
+as to discover little else than large tracts of low land, covered
+with reeds, and rank with the inundations of the stream, by which
+they had been recently covered. All parties, however, agreed,
+that the rocky, impenetrable country, seen on the first
+excursion, had ended nearly about the place whence the boats had
+then turned back. Close to the fall stands a very beautiful hill,
+which our adventurers mounted, and enjoyed from it an extensive
+prospect. Potatoes, maize, and garden seeds of various kinds were
+put into the earth, by the governor's order, on different parts
+of Richmond-hill, which was announced to be its name. The
+latitude of Richmond-hill, as observed by captain Hunter, was
+settled at 33 degrees 36 minutes south.</p>
+
+<p>Here also the river received the name of Hawkesbury, in honour
+of the noble lord who bears that title.</p>
+
+<p>Natives were found on the banks in several parts, many of whom
+were labouring under the smallpox. They did not attempt to commit
+hostilities against the boats; but on the contrary shewed every
+sign of welcome and friendship to the strangers.</p>
+
+<p>At this period, I was unluckily invested with the command of
+the outpost at Rose Hill, which prevented me from being in the
+list of discoverers of the Hawkesbury. Stimulated, however, by a
+desire of acquiring a further knowledge of the country, on the
+26th instant, accompanied by Mr. Arndell, assistant surgeon of
+the settlement, Mr. Lowes, surgeon's mate of the 'Sirius', two
+marines, and a convict, I left the redoubt at day-break, pointing
+our march to a hill, distant five miles, in a westerly or inland
+direction, which commands a view of the great chain of mountains,
+called Carmarthen hills, extending from north to south farther
+than the eye can reach. Here we paused, surveying "the wild
+abyss; pondering our voyage." Before us lay the trackless
+immeasurable desert, in awful silence. At length, after
+consultation, we determined to steer west and by north, by
+compass, the make of the land in that quarter indicating the
+existence of a river. We continued to march all day through a
+country untrodden before by an European foot. Save that a
+melancholy crow now and then flew croaking over head, or a
+kangaroo was seen to bound at a distance, the picture of solitude
+was complete and undisturbed. At four o'clock in the afternoon we
+halted near a small pond of water, where we took up our residence
+for the night, lighted a fire, and prepared to cook our supper:
+that was, to broil over a couple of ramrods a few slices of salt
+pork, and a crow which we had shot.</p>
+
+<p>At daylight we renewed our peregrination; and in an hour after
+we found ourselves on the banks of a river, nearly as broad as
+the Thames at Putney, and apparently of great depth, the current
+running very slowly in a northerly direction. Vast flocks of wild
+ducks were swimming in the stream; but after being once fired at,
+they grew so shy that we could not get near them a second time.
+Nothing is more certain than that the sound of a gun had never
+before been heard within many miles of this spot.</p>
+
+<p>We proceeded upwards, by a slow pace, through reeds, thickets,
+and a thousand other obstacles, which impeded our progress, over
+coarse sandy ground, which had been recently inundated, though
+full forty feet above the present level of the river. Traces of
+the natives appeared at every step, sometimes in their
+hunting-huts, which consist of nothing more than a large piece of
+bark, bent in the middle, and open at both ends, exactly
+resembling two cards, set up to form an acute angle; sometimes in
+marks on trees which they had climbed; or in squirrel-traps*; or,
+which surprised us more, from being new, in decoys for the
+purpose of ensnaring birds. These are formed of underwood and
+reeds, long and narrow, shaped like a mound raised over a grave;
+with a small aperture at one end for admission of the prey; and a
+grate made of sticks at the other: the bird enters at the
+aperture, seeing before him the light of the grate, between the
+bars of which, he vainly endeavours to thrust himself, until
+taken. Most of these decoys were full of feathers, chiefly those
+of quails, which shewed their utility. We also met with two old
+damaged canoes hauled up on the beach, which differed in no wise
+from those found on the sea coast.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*A squirrel-trap is a cavity of considerable
+depth, formed by art, in the body of a tree. When the Indians in
+their hunting parties set fire to the surrounding country (which
+is a very common custom) the squirrels, opossums, and other
+animals, who live in trees, flee for refuge into these holes,
+whence they are easily dislodged and taken. The natives always
+pitch on a part of a tree for this purpose, which has been
+perforated by a worm, which indicates that the wood is in an
+unsound state, and will readily yield to their efforts. If the
+rudeness and imperfection of the tools with which they work be
+considered, it must be confessed to be an operation of great toil
+and difficulty.]</p>
+
+<p>Having remained out three days, we returned to our quarters at
+Rose-hill, with the pleasing intelligence of our discovery. The
+country we had passed through we found tolerably plain, and
+little encumbered with underwood, except near the river side. It
+is entirely covered with the same sorts of trees as grow near
+Sydney; and in some places grass springs up luxuriantly; other
+places are quite bare of it. The soil is various: in many parts a
+stiff and clay, covered with small pebbles; in other places, of a
+soft loamy nature: but invariably, in every part near the river,
+it is a coarse sterile sand. Our observations on it (particularly
+mine, from carrying the compass by which we steered) were not so
+numerous as might have been wished. But, certainly, if the
+qualities of it be such as to deserve future cultivation, no
+impediment of surface, but that of cutting down and burning the
+trees, exists, to prevent its being tilled.</p>
+
+<p>To this river the governor gave the name of Nepean. The
+distance of the part of the river which we first hit upon from
+the sea coast, is about 39 miles, in a direct line almost due
+west.</p>
+
+<p>A survey of Botany Bay took place in September. I was of the
+party, with several others officers. We continued nine days in
+the bay, during which time, the relative position of every part
+of it, to the extent of more than thirty miles, following the
+windings of the shore, was ascertained, and laid down on paper,
+by captain Hunter.</p>
+
+<p>So complete an opportunity of forming a judgment, enables me
+to speak decisively of a place, which has often engaged
+conversation and excited reflection. Variety of opinions here
+disappeared. I shall, therefore, transcribe literally what I
+wrote in my journal, on my return from the expedition. "We were
+unanimously of opinion, that had not the nautical part of Mr.
+Cook's description, in which we include the latitude and
+longitude of the bay, been so accurately laid down, there would
+exist the utmost reason to believe, that those who have described
+the contiguous country, had never seen it. On the sides of the
+harbour, a line of sea coast more than thirty miles long, we did
+not find 200 acres which could be cultivated."</p>
+
+<p>September, 1789. But all our attention was not directed to
+explore inlets, and toll for discovery. Our internal tranquillity
+was still more important. To repress the inroads of depredation;
+and to secure to honest industry the reward of its labour, had
+become matter of the most serious consideration; hardly a night
+passing without the commission of robbery. Many expedients were
+devised; and the governor at length determined to select from the
+convicts, a certain number of persons, who were meant to be of
+the fairest character, for the purpose of being formed into a
+nightly-watch, for the preservation of public and private
+property, under the following regulations, which, as the first
+system of police in a colony, so peculiarly constituted as ours,
+may perhaps prove not uninteresting.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>I. A night-watch, consisting of 12 persons, divided into four
+parties, is appointed, and fully authorized to patrol at all
+hours in the night; and to visit such places as may be deemed
+necessary, for the discovery of any felony, trespass, or
+misdemeanor; and for the apprehending and securing for
+examination, any person or persons who may appear to them
+concerned therein, either by entrance into any suspected hut or
+dwelling, or by such other measure as may seem to them
+expedient.</p>
+
+<p>II. Those parts in which the convicts reside are to be divided
+and numbered, in the following manner. The convict huts on the
+eastern side of the stream, and the public farm, are to be the
+first division. Those at the brick-kilns, and the detached
+parties in the different private farms in that district, are to
+be the second division. Those on the western side of the stream,
+as far as the line which separates the district of the women from
+the men, to be the third division. The huts occupied from that
+line to the hospital, and from there to the observatory, to be
+the fourth division.</p>
+
+<p>III. Each of these districts or divisions is to be under the
+particular inspection of one person, who may be judged qualified
+to inform himself of the actual residence of each individual in
+his district; as well as of his business, connections, and
+acquaintances.</p>
+
+<p>IV. Cognizance is to be taken of such convicts as may sell or
+barter their slops or provisions; and also of such as are
+addicted to gaming for either of the aforesaid articles, who are
+to be reported to the judge advocate.</p>
+
+<p>V. Any soldier or seaman found straggling after the beating of
+the tattoo; or who may be found in a convict's hut, is to be
+detained; and information of him immediately given to the nearest
+guard.</p>
+
+<p>VI. Any person who may be robbed during the night, is to give
+immediate information thereof to the watch of his district, who,
+on the instant of application being made, shall use the most
+effectual means to trace out the offender, or offenders, so that
+he, she, or they, may be brought to justice.</p>
+
+<p>VII. The watch of each district is to be under the direction
+of one person, who will be named for that purpose. All the
+patrols are placed under the immediate inspection of Herbert
+Keeling. They are never to receive any fee, gratuity, or reward,
+from any individual whatever, to engage their exertions in the
+execution of the above trust. Nor will they receive any
+stipulated encouragement for the conviction of any offender. But
+their diligence and good behaviour will be rewarded by the
+governor. And for this purpose their conduct will be strictly
+attended to, by those who are placed in authority over them.</p>
+
+<p>VIII. The night-watch is to go out as soon as the tattoo
+ceases beating: to return to their huts when the working drum
+beats in the morning: and are to make their report to the judge
+advocate, through Herbert Keeling, of all robberies and
+misdemeanors which may have been committed. Any assistance the
+patrols may require, will be given to them, on applying to the
+officer commanding the nearest guard; and by the civil power, if
+necessary; for which last, application is to be made to the
+provost martial.</p>
+
+<p>IX. Any negligence on the part of those who shall be employed
+on this duty, will be punished with the utmost rigour of the
+law.</p>
+
+<p>X. The night-watch is to consist of 12 persons.</p>
+</blockquote>
+
+<p>Every political code, either from a defect of its
+constitution, or from the corruptness of those who are entrusted
+to execute it, will be found less perfect in practice than
+speculation had promised itself. It were, however, prejudice to
+deny, that for some time following the institution of this
+patrol, nightly depredations became less frequent and alarming:
+the petty villains, at least, were restrained by it. And to keep
+even a garden unravaged was now become a subject of the deepest
+concern.</p>
+
+<p>For in October our weekly allowance of provisions, which had
+hitherto been eight pounds of flour, five pounds of salt pork,
+three pints of pease, six ounces of butter, was reduced to five
+pounds five ounces of flour, three pounds five ounces of pork,
+and two pints of pease.</p>
+
+<p>In order to lessen the consumption from the public stores, the
+'Supply' was ordered to touch at Lord Howe Island, in her way
+from Norfolk Island, to try if turtle could be procured, for the
+purpose of being publicly served in lieu of salt provisions. But
+she brought back only three turtles, which were distributed in
+the garrison.</p>
+
+<p>December, 1789. At the request of his excellency, lieutenant
+Dawes of the marines, accompanied by lieutenant Johnston and Mr.
+Lowes, about this time undertook the attempt to cross the Nepean
+river, and to penetrate to Carmarthen mountains. Having
+discovered a ford in the river, they passed it, and proceeded in
+a westerly direction. But they found the country so rugged, and
+the difficulty of walking so excessive, that in three days they
+were able to penetrate only fifteen miles, and were therefore
+obliged to relinquish their object. This party, at the time they
+turned back, were farther inland than any other persons ever were
+before or since, being fifty-four miles in a direct line from the
+sea coast when on the summit of mount Twiss, a hill so named by
+them, and which bounded their peregrination.</p>
+
+<p>Intercourse with the natives, for the purpose of knowing
+whether or not the country possessed any resources, by which life
+might be prolonged*, as well as on other accounts, becoming every
+day more desirable, the governor resolved to make prisoners of
+two more of them.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*One of the convicts, a negro, had twice eloped,
+with an intention of establishing himself in the society of the
+natives, with a wish to adopt their customs and to live with
+them: but he was always repulsed by them; and compelled to return
+to us from hunger and wretchedness.]</p>
+
+<p>Boats properly provided, under the command of lieutenant
+Bradley of the 'Sirius', were accordingly dispatched on this
+service; and completely succeeded in trepanning and carrying off,
+without opposition, two fine young men, who were safely landed
+among us at Sydney.</p>
+
+<p>Nanbaree and Abaroo welcomed them on shore; calling them
+immediately by their names, Baneelon (Bennelong), and Colbee. But
+they seemed little disposed to receive the congratulations, or
+repose confidence in the assurances of their friends. The same
+scenes of awkward wonder and impatient constraint, which had
+attended the introduction of Arabanoo, succeeded. Baneelon we
+judged to be about twenty-six years old, of good stature, and
+stoutly made, with a bold intrepid countenance, which bespoke
+defiance and revenge. Colbee was perhaps near thirty, of a less
+sullen aspect than his comrade, considerably shorter, and not so
+robustly framed, though better fitted for purposes of activity.
+They had both evidently had the smallpox; indeed Colbee's face
+was very thickly imprinted with the marks of it.</p>
+
+<p>Positive orders were issued by the governor to treat them
+indulgently, and guard them strictly; notwithstanding which
+Colbee contrived to effect his escape in about a week, with a
+small iron ring round his leg. Had those appointed to watch them
+been a moment later, his companion would have contrived to
+accompany him.</p>
+
+<p>But Baneelon, though haughty, knew how to temporize. He
+quickly threw off all reserve; and pretended, nay, at particular
+moments, perhaps felt satisfaction in his new state. Unlike poor
+Arabanoo, he became at once fond of our viands, and would drink
+the strongest liquors, not simply without reluctance, but with
+eager marks of delight and enjoyment. He was the only native we
+ever knew who immediately shewed a fondness for spirits: Colbee
+would not at first touch them. Nor was the effect of wine or
+brandy upon him more perceptible than an equal quantity would
+have produced upon one of us, although fermented liquor was new
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>In his eating, he was alike compliant. When a turtle was shown
+to Arabanoo, he would not allow it to be a fish, and could not be
+induced to eat of it. Baneelon also denied it to be a fish; but
+no common councilman in Europe could do more justice than he did
+to a very fine one, that the 'Supply' had brought from Lord Howe
+Island, and which was served up at the governor's table on
+Christmas Day.</p>
+
+<p>His powers of mind were certainly far above mediocrity. He
+acquired knowledge, both of our manners and language, faster than
+his predecessor had done. He willingly communicated information;
+sang, danced, and capered, told us all the customs of his
+country, and all the details of his family economy. Love and war
+seemed his favourite pursuits; in both of which he had suffered
+severely. His head was disfigured by several scars; a spear had
+passed through his arm, and another through his leg. Half of one
+of his thumbs was carried away; and the mark of a wound appeared
+on the back of his hand. The cause and attendant circumstances of
+all these disasters, except one, he related to us.</p>
+
+<p>"But the wound on the back of your hand, Baneelon! How did you
+get that?"</p>
+
+<p>He laughed, and owned that it was received in carrying off a
+lady of another tribe by force. "I was dragging her away. She
+cried aloud, and stuck her teeth in me."</p>
+
+<p>"And what did you do then?"</p>
+
+<p>"I knocked her down, and beat her till she was insensible, and
+covered with blood. Then..."</p>
+
+<p>Whenever he recounted his battles, "poised his lance, and
+showed how fields were won", the most violent exclamations of
+rage and vengeance against his competitors in arms, those of the
+tribe called Cameeragal in particular, would burst from him. And
+he never failed at such times to solicit the governor to
+accompany him, with a body of soldiers, in order that he might
+exterminate this hated name.</p>
+
+<p>Although I call him only Baneelon, he had besides several
+appellations, and for a while he chose to be distinguished by
+that of Wolarawaree. Again, as a mark of affection and respect to
+the governor, he conferred on him the name of Wolarawaree, and
+sometimes called him 'Beenena' (father), adopting to himself the
+name of governor. This interchange we found is a constant symbol
+of friendship among them*. In a word, his temper seemed pliant,
+and his relish of our society so great, that hardly any one
+judged he would attempt to quit us, were the means of escape put
+within his reach. Nevertheless it was thought proper to continue
+a watch over him.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*It is observable that this custom prevails as a
+pledge of friendship and kindness all over Asia, and has also
+been mentioned by Captain Cook to exist among the natives in the
+South Sea Islands.]</p>
+
+<a name="6"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER VI.</h3>
+
+<h4>Transactions of the Colony, from the Beginning of the Year
+1790 until the End of May following.</h4>
+
+<p>Our impatience of news from Europe strongly marked the
+commencement of the year. We had now been two years in the
+country, and thirty-two months from England, in which long period
+no supplies, except what had been procured at the Cape of Good
+Hope by the 'Sirius', had reached us. From intelligence of our
+friends and connections we had been entirely cut off, no
+communication whatever having passed with our native country
+since the 13th of May 1787, the day of our departure from
+Portsmouth. Famine besides was approaching with gigantic strides,
+and gloom and dejection overspread every countenance. Men
+abandoned themselves to the most desponding reflections, and
+adopted the most extravagant conjectures.</p>
+
+<p>Still we were on the tiptoe of expectation. If thunder broke
+at a distance, or a fowling-piece of louder than ordinary report
+resounded in the woods, "a gun from a ship" was echoed on every
+side, and nothing but hurry and agitation prevailed. For eighteen
+months after we had landed in the country, a party of marines
+used to go weekly to Botany Bay, to see whether any vessel,
+ignorant of our removal to Port Jackson, might be arrived there.
+But a better plan was now devised, on the suggestion of captain
+Hunter. A party of seamen were fixed on a high bluff, called the
+South-head, at the entrance of the harbour, on which a flag was
+ordered to be hoisted, whenever a ship might appear, which should
+serve as a direction to her, and as a signal of approach to us.
+Every officer stepped forward to volunteer a service which
+promised to be so replete with beneficial consequences. But the
+zeal and alacrity of captain Hunter, and our brethren of the
+'Sirius', rendered superfluous all assistance or
+co-operation.</p>
+
+<p>Here on the summit of the hill, every morning from daylight
+until the sun sunk, did we sweep the horizon, in hope of seeing a
+sail. At every fleeting speck which arose from the bosom of the
+sea, the heart bounded, and the telescope was lifted to the eye.
+If a ship appeared here, we knew she must be bound to us; for on
+the shores of this vast ocean (the largest in the world) we were
+the only community which possessed the art of navigation, and
+languished for intercourse with civilized society.</p>
+
+<p>To say that we were disappointed and shocked, would very
+inadequately describe our sensations. But the misery and horror
+of such a situation cannot be imparted, even by those who have
+suffered under it.</p>
+
+<p>March, 1790. Vigorous measures were become indispensable. The
+governor therefore, early in February, ordered the 'Sirius' to
+prepare for a voyage to China; and a farther retrenchment of our
+ration, we were given to understand, would take place on her
+sailing.</p>
+
+<p>But the 'Sirius' was destined not to reach China. Previously
+to her intended departure on that voyage, she was ordered, in
+concert with the 'Supply', to convey Major Ross, with a large
+detachment of marines, and more than two hundred convicts, to
+Norfolk Island, it being hoped that such a division of our
+numbers would increase the means of subsistence, by diversified
+exertions. She sailed on the 6th of March. And on the 27th of the
+same month, the following order was issued from headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>Parole--Honour.</p>
+
+<p>Counter sign--Example.</p>
+
+<p>The expected supply of provisions not having arrived, makes it
+necessary to reduce the present ration. And the commissary is
+directed to issue, from the 1st of April, the under-mentioned
+allowance, to every person in the settlement without
+distinction.</p>
+
+<p>Four pounds of flour, two pounds and a half of salt pork, and
+one pound and a half of rice, per week.</p>
+
+<p>On the 5th of April news was brought, that the flag on the
+South-head was hoisted. Less emotion was created by the news than
+might be expected. Every one coldly said to his neighbour, "the
+'Sirius' and 'Supply' are returned from Norfolk Island." To
+satisfy myself that the flag was really flying, I went to the
+observatory, and looked for it through the large astronomical
+telescope, when I plainly saw it. But I was immediately convinced
+that it was not to announce the arrival of ships from England;
+for I could see nobody near the flagstaff except one solitary
+being, who kept strolling around, unmoved by what he saw. I well
+knew how different an effect the sight of strange ships would
+produce.</p>
+
+<p>April, 1790. The governor, however, determined to go down the
+harbour, and I begged permission to accompany him. Having turned
+a point about half way down, we were surprised to see a boat,
+which was known to belong to the 'Supply', rowing towards us. On
+nearer approach, I saw captain Ball make an extraordinary motion
+with his hand, which too plainly indicated that something
+disastrous had happened; and I could not help turning to the
+governor, near whom I sat, and saying, "Sir, prepare yourself for
+bad news." A few minutes changed doubt into certainty; and to our
+unspeakable consternation we learned, that the 'Sirius' had been
+wrecked on Norfolk Island, on the 19th of February. Happily,
+however, Captain Hunter, and every other person belonging to her,
+were saved.</p>
+
+<p>Dismay was painted on every countenance, when the tidings were
+proclaimed at Sydney. The most distracting apprehensions were
+entertained All hopes were now concentred in the little
+'Supply'.</p>
+
+<p>At six o'clock in the evening, all the officers of the
+garrison, both civil and military, were summoned to meet the
+governor in council, when the nature of our situation was fully
+discussed and an account of the provisions yet remaining in store
+laid before the council by the commissary. This account stated,
+that on the present ration* the public stores contained salt meat
+sufficient to serve until the 2nd of July, flour until the 20th
+of August, and rice, or pease in lieu of it, until the 1st of
+October.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*See the ration of the 27th of March, a few
+pages back.]</p>
+
+<p>Several regulations for the more effectual preservation of
+gardens, and other private property, were proposed, and adopted
+and after some interchange of opinion, the following ration was
+decreed to commence immediately, a vigorous exertion to prolong
+existence, or the chance of relief, being all now left to us.</p>
+
+<blockquote>Two pounds of pork, two pounds and a half of
+flour,<br>
+two pounds of rice, or a quart of pease, per week,<br>
+to every grown person, and to every child of more<br>
+than eighteen months old.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To every child under eighteen months old, the
+same<br>
+quantity of rice and flour, and one pound of pork.**</blockquote>
+
+<p class="note">[**When the age of this provision is recollected,
+its inadequacy will more strikingly appear. The pork and rice
+were brought with us from England. The pork had been salted
+between three and four years, and every grain of rice was a
+moving body, from the inhabitants lodged within it. We soon left
+off boiling the pork, as it had become so old and dry, that it
+shrunk one half in its dimensions when so dressed. Our usual
+method of cooking it was to cut off the daily morsel, and toast
+it on a fork before the fire, catching the drops which fell on a
+slice of bread, or in a saucer of rice. Our flour was the remnant
+of what was brought from the Cape, by the 'Sirius', and was good.
+Instead of baking it, the soldiers and convicts used to boil it
+up with greens.]</p>
+
+<p>The immediate departure of the 'Supply', for Batavia, was also
+determined.</p>
+
+<p>Nor did our zeal stop here. The governor being resolved to
+employ all the boats, public and private, in procuring fish--which
+was intended to be served in lieu of salt meat--all the officers,
+civil and military, including the clergyman, and the surgeons of
+the hospital, made the voluntary offer, in addition to their
+other duties, to go alternately every night in these boats, in
+order to see that every exertion was made, and that all the fish
+which might be caught was deposited with the commissary.</p>
+
+<p>The best marksmen of the marines and convicts were also
+selected, and put under the command of a trusty sergeant, with
+directions to range the woods in search of kangaroos, which were
+ordered, when brought in, to be delivered to the commissary.</p>
+
+<p>And as it was judged that the inevitable fatigues of shooting
+and fishing could not be supported on the common ration, a small
+additional quantity of flour and pork was appropriated to the use
+of the game-keepers; and each fisherman, who had been out during
+the preceding night had, on his return in the morning, a pound of
+uncleaned fish allowed for his breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>On the 17th instant, the 'Supply', captain Ball, sailed for
+Batavia. We followed her with anxious eyes until she was no
+longer visible. Truly did we say to her "In te omnis domus
+inclinata recumbit." We were, however, consoled by reflecting,
+that every thing which zeal, fortitude, and seamanship, could
+produce, was concentred in her commander.</p>
+
+<p>Our bosoms consequently became less perturbed; and all our
+labour and attention were turned on one object--the procuring of
+food. "Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war" were no
+more.</p>
+
+<p>The distress of the lower classes for clothes was almost equal
+to their other wants. The stores had been long exhausted, and
+winter was at hand. Nothing more ludicrous can be conceived than
+the expedients of substituting, shifting, and patching, which
+ingenuity devised, to eke out wretchedness, and preserve the
+remains of decency. The superior dexterity of the women was
+particularly conspicuous. Many a guard have I seen mount, in
+which the number of soldiers without shoes exceeded that which
+had yet preserved remnants of leather.</p>
+
+<p>Nor was another part of our domestic economy less whimsical.
+If a lucky man, who had knocked down a dinner with his gun, or
+caught a fish by angling from the rocks, invited a neighbour to
+dine with him, the invitation always ran, "bring your own bread."
+Even at the governor's table, this custom was constantly
+observed. Every man when he sat down pulled his bread out of his
+pocket, and laid it by his plate.</p>
+
+<p>The insufficiency of our ration soon diminished our execution
+of labour. Both soldiers and convicts pleaded such loss of
+strength, as to find themselves unable to perform their
+accustomed tasks. The hours of public work were accordingly
+shortened or, rather, every man was ordered to do as much as his
+strength would permit, and every other possible indulgence was
+granted.</p>
+
+<p>May, 1790. In proportion, however, as lenity and mitigation
+were extended to inability and helplessness, inasmuch was the
+most rigorous justice executed on disturbers of the public
+tranquillity. Persons detected in robbing gardens, or pilfering
+provisions, were never screened because, as every man could
+possess, by his utmost exertions, but a bare sufficiency to
+preserve life*, he who deprived his neighbour of that little,
+drove him to desperation. No new laws for the punishment of theft
+were enacted; but persons of all descriptions were publicly
+warned, that the severest penalties, which the existing law in
+its greatest latitude would authorise, should be inflicted on
+offenders. The following sentence of a court of justice, of which
+I was a member, on a convict detected in a garden stealing
+potatoes, will illustrate the subject. He was ordered to receive
+three hundred lashes immediately, to be chained for six months to
+two other criminals, who were thus fettered for former offences,
+and to have his allowance of flour stopped for six months. So
+that during the operation of the sentence, two pounds of pork,
+and two pounds of rice (or in lieu of the latter, a quart of
+pease) per week, constituted his whole subsistence. Such was the
+melancholy length to which we were compelled to stretch our penal
+system.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Its preservation in some cases was found
+impracticable. Three or four instances of persons who perished
+from want have been related to me. One only, however, fell within
+my own observation. I was passing the provision store, when a
+man, with a wild haggard countenance, who had just received his
+daily pittance to carry home, came out. His faltering gait, and
+eager devouring eye, led me to watch him, and he had not
+proceeded ten steps before he fell. I ordered him to be carried
+to the hospital, where, when he arrived, he was found dead. On
+opening the body, the cause of death was pronounced to be
+inanition.]</p>
+
+<p>Farther to contribute to the detection of villainy, a
+proclamation, offering a reward of sixty pounds of flour, more
+tempting than the ore of Peru or Potosi, was promised to any one
+who should apprehend, and bring to justice, a robber of garden
+ground.</p>
+
+<p>Our friend Baneelon, during this season of scarcity, was as
+well taken care of as our desperate circumstances would allow. We
+knew not how to keep him, and yet were unwilling to part with
+him. Had he penetrated our state, perhaps he might have given his
+countrymen such a description of our diminished numbers, and
+diminished strength, as would have emboldened them to become more
+troublesome. Every expedient was used to keep him in ignorance.
+His allowance was regularly received by the governor's servant,
+like that of any other person, but the ration of a week was
+insufficient to have kept him for a day. The deficiency was
+supplied by fish whenever it could be procured, and a little
+Indian corn, which had been reserved was ground and appropriated
+to his use. In spite of all these aids, want of food has been
+known to make him furious and often melancholy.</p>
+
+<p>There is reason to believe that he had long meditated his
+escape, which he effected in the night of the 3rd instant. About
+two o'clock in the morning, he pretended illness, and awaking the
+servant who lay in the room with him, begged to go down stairs.
+The other attended him without suspicion of his design; and
+Baneelon no sooner found himself in a backyard, than he nimbly
+leaped over a slight paling, and bade us adieu.</p>
+
+<p>The following public order was issued within the date of this
+chapter, and is too pleasing a proof that universal depravity did
+not prevail among the convicts, to be omitted.</p>
+
+<p>The governor, in consequence of the unremitted good behaviour
+and meritorious conduct of John Irving, is pleased to remit the
+remainder of the term for which he was sentenced to
+transportation. He is therefore to be considered as restored to
+all those rights and privileges, which had been suspended in
+consequence of the sentence of the law. And as such, he is hereby
+appointed to act as an assistant to the surgeon at Norfolk
+Island.</p>
+
+<a name="7"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER VII</h3>
+
+<h4>Transactions of the Colony in June, July, and August,
+1790.</h4>
+
+<p>At length the clouds of misfortune began to separate, and on
+the evening of the 3rd of June, the joyful cry of "the flag's up"
+resounded in every direction.</p>
+
+<p>I was sitting in my hut, musing on our fate, when a confused
+clamour in the street drew my attention. I opened my door, and
+saw several women with children in their arms running to and fro
+with distracted looks, congratulating each other, and kissing
+their infants with the most passionate and extravagant marks of
+fondness. I needed no more; but instantly started out, and ran to
+a hill, where, by the assistance of a pocket glass, my hopes were
+realized. My next door neighbour, a brother-officer, was with me,
+but we could not speak. We wrung each other by the hand, with
+eyes and hearts overflowing.</p>
+
+<p>Finding that the governor intended to go immediately in his
+boat down the harbour, I begged to be of his party.</p>
+
+<p>As we proceeded, the object of our hopes soon appeared: a
+large ship, with English colours flying, working in, between the
+heads which form the entrance of the harbour. The tumultuous
+state of our minds represented her in danger; and we were in
+agony. Soon after, the governor, having ascertained what she was,
+left us, and stepped into a fishing boat to return to Sydney. The
+weather was wet and tempestuous but the body is delicate only
+when the soul is at ease. We pushed through wind and rain, the
+anxiety of our sensations every moment redoubling. At last we
+read the word 'London' on her stern. "Pull away, my lads! She is
+from Old England! A few strokes more, and we shall be aboard!
+Hurrah for a bellyfull, and news from our friends!" Such were our
+exhortations to the boat's crew.</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes completed our wishes, and we found ourselves on
+board the 'Lady Juliana' transport, with two hundred and
+twenty-five of our countrywomen whom crime or misfortune had
+condemned to exile. We learned that they had been almost eleven
+months on their passage, having left Plymouth, into which port
+they had put in July, 1789. We continued to ask a thousand
+questions on a breath. Stimulated by curiosity, they inquired in
+turn; but the right of being first answered, we thought, lay on
+our side. "Letters, letters!" was the cry. They were produced,
+and torn open in trembling agitation. News burst upon us like
+meridian splendor on a blind man. We were overwhelmed with it:
+public, private, general, and particular. Nor was it until some
+days had elapsed, that we were able to methodise it, or reduce it
+into form. We now heard for the first time of our sovereign's
+illness, and his happy restoration to health. The French
+revolution of 1789, with all the attendant circumstances of that
+wonderful and unexpected event, succeeded to amaze us*. Now, too,
+the disaster which had befallen the 'Guardian', and the liberal
+and enlarged plan on which she had been stored and fitted out by
+government for our use, was promulged. It served also, in some
+measure, to account why we had not sooner heard from England. For
+had not the 'Guardian' struck on an island of ice, she would
+probably have reached us three months before, and in this case
+have prevented the loss of the 'Sirius', although she had sailed
+from England three months after the 'Lady Juliana'.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*These words bring to my mind an anecdote,
+which, though rather out of place, I shall offer no apology for
+introducing. Among other inquiries, we were anxious to learn
+whether M. de la Peyrouse, with the two ships under his command,
+bound on a voyage of discovery, had arrived in France. We heard
+with concern, that no accounts of them had been received, since
+they had left Botany Bay, in March, 1788. I remember when they
+were at that place, one day conversing with Monsieur de la
+Peyrouse, about the best method of treating savage people, "Sir"
+said he, "I have sometimes been compelled to commit hostilities
+upon them, but never without suffering the most poignant regret;
+for, independent of my own feelings on the occasion, his
+Majesty's (Louis XVI) last words to me, de sa propre bouche, when
+I took leave of him at Versailles, were: 'It is my express
+injunction, that you always treat the Indian nations with
+kindness and humanity. Gratify their wishes, and never, but in a
+case of the last necessity, when self-defence requires it, shed
+human blood.' Are these the sentiments of a tyrant, of a
+sanguinary and perfidious man?"</p>
+
+<p>A general thanksgiving to Almighty God, for his Majesty's
+recovery, and happy restoration to his family and subjects, was
+ordered to be offered up on the following Wednesday, when all
+public labour was suspended; and every person in the settlement
+attended at church, where a sermon, suited to an occasion, at
+once so full of gratitude and solemnity, was preached by the
+Reverend Richard Johnson, chaplain of the colony.</p>
+
+<p>All the officers were afterwards entertained at dinner by the
+governor. And in the evening, an address to his excellency,
+expressive of congratulation and loyalty, was agreed upon; and in
+two days after was presented, and very graciously received.</p>
+
+<p>The following invitation to the non-commissioned officers and
+private soldiers of the marine battalion, was also about this
+time published.</p>
+
+<p>In consequence of the assurance that was given to the
+non-commissioned officers and men belonging to the battalion of
+marines, on their embarking for the service of this country, that
+such of them as should behave well, would be allowed to quit the
+service, on their return to England; or be discharged abroad,
+upon the relief taking place, and permitted to settle in the
+country-- His Majesty has been graciously pleased to direct the
+following encouragement to be held up to such non-commissioned
+officers and privates, as may be disposed to become settlers in
+this country, or in any of the islands comprised within the
+government of the continent of New South Wales, on the arrival of
+the corps raised and intended for the service of this colony, and
+for their relief, viz:</p>
+
+<p>To every non-commissioned officer, an allotment of one hundred
+and thirty acres of land, if single, and of one hundred and fifty
+acres, if married. To every private soldier, an allotment of
+eighty acres, if single, and of one hundred acres if married; and
+also an allotment of ten acres for every child, whether of a
+non-commissioned officer, or of a private soldier. These
+allotments will be free of all fines, taxes, quit-rents, and
+other acknowledgments, for the space of ten years; but after the
+expiration of that period, will be subject to an annual quit-rent
+of one shilling for every fifty acres.</p>
+
+<p>His Majesty has likewise been farther pleased to signify his
+royal will and pleasure, that a bounty of three pounds be offered
+to each non-commissioned officer and soldier, who may be disposed
+to continue in this country, and enlist in the corps appointed
+for the service of New South Wales; with a farther assurance,
+that in case of a proper demeanour on their part, they shall,
+after a farther service of five years, be entitled to double the
+former portion of land, provided they then choose to become
+settlers in the country, free of all taxes, fines, and
+quit-rents, for the space of fifteen years; but after that time,
+to be subject to the beforementioned annual quit-rent of one
+shilling for every fifty acres.</p>
+
+<p>And as a farther encouragement to those men who may be
+desirous to become settlers, and continue in the country, his
+Majesty has been likewise pleased to direct, that every man
+shall, on being discharged, receive out of the public store, a
+portion of clothing and provisions, sufficient for his support
+for one year; together with a suitable quantity of seeds, grain,
+etc. for the tillage of the land; and a portion of tools and
+implements of agriculture, proper for their use. And whenever any
+man, who may become a settler, can maintain, feed, and clothe,
+such number of convicts as may be judged necessary by the
+governor, for the time being, to assist him in clearing and
+cultivating the land, the service of such convicts shall be
+assigned to him.</p>
+
+<p>We were joyfully surprised on the 20th of the month to see
+another sail enter the harbour. She proved to be the Justinian
+transport, commanded by Captain Maitland, and our rapture was
+doubled on finding that she was laden entirely with provisions
+for our use. Full allowance, and general congratulation,
+immediately took place. This ship had left Falmouth on the
+preceding 20th of January, and completed her passage exactly in
+five months*. She had staid at Madeira one day, and four at Sao
+Tiago, from which last place she had steered directly for New
+South Wales, neglecting Rio de Janeiro on her right, and the Cape
+of Good Hope on her left; and notwithstanding the immense tract
+of ocean she had passed, brought her crew without sickness into
+harbour. When the novelty and boldness of such an attempt shall
+be recollected, too much praise, on the spirit and activity of
+Mr. Maitland, cannot be bestowed.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Accident only prevented her from making it in
+eighteen days less, for she was then in sight of the harbour's
+mouth, when an unpropitious gale of wind blew her off. Otherwise
+she would have reached us one day sooner than the 'Lady Juliana'.
+It is a curious circumstance, that these two ships had sailed
+together from the river Thames, one bound to Port Jackson, and
+the other bound to Jamaica. The Justinian carried her cargo to
+the last mentioned place, landed it; and loaded afresh with
+sugars, which she returned with, and delivered in London. She was
+then hired as a transport, reladen, and sailed for New South
+Wales. Let it be remembered, that no material accident had
+happened to either vessel. But what will not zeal and diligence
+accomplish!]</p>
+
+<p>Good fortune continued to befriend us. Before the end of the
+month, three more transports, having on board two companies of
+the New South Wales corps, arrived to add to our society. These
+ships also brought out a large body of convicts, whose state and
+sufferings will be best estimated by the following return.</p>
+
+<pre>
+Names of     No. of people   No. of persons who died   No. landed sick
+  Ships         embarked          on the passage       at Port Jackson
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+Neptune           530                 163                  269
+
+Surprise          252                  42                  121
+
+Scarborough       256                  68                   96
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+                 1038                 273                  486
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<p>N.B. Of those landed sick, one hundred and twenty-four died in
+the hospital at Sydney.</p>
+
+<p>On our passage from England, which had lasted more than eight
+months and with nearly an equal number of persons, only
+twenty-four had died, and not thirty were landed sick. The
+difference can be accounted for, only by comparing the manner in
+which each fleet was fitted out and conducted. With us the
+provisions, served on board, were laid in by a contractor, who
+sent a deputy to serve them out; and it became a part of duty for
+the officers of the troops to inspect their quality, and to order
+that every one received his just proportion. Whereas, in the
+fleet now arrived, the distribution of provisions rested entirely
+with the masters of the merchantmen, and the officers were
+expressly forbidden to interfere in any shape farther about the
+convicts than to prevent their escape.</p>
+
+<p>Seventeen pounds, in full of all expense, was the sum paid by
+the public for the passage of each person. And this sum was
+certainly competent to afford fair profit to the merchant who
+contracted. But there is reason to believe, that some of those
+who were employed to act for him, violated every principle of
+justice, and rioted on the spoils of misery, for want of a
+controlling power to check their enormities. No doubt can be
+entertained, that a humane and liberal government will interpose
+its authority, to prevent the repetition of such flagitious
+conduct.</p>
+
+<p>Although the convicts had landed from these ships with every
+mark of meagre misery, yet it was soon seen, that a want of room,
+in which more conveniences might have been stowed for their use,
+had not caused it. Several of the masters of the transports
+immediately opened stores, and exposed large quantities of goods
+to sale, which, though at most extortionate prices, were eagerly
+bought up.</p>
+
+<p>Such was the weakly state of the new corners, that for several
+weeks little real benefit to the colony was derived from so great
+a nominal addition to our number. However, as fast as they
+recovered, employment was immediately assigned to them. The old
+hours of labour, which had been reduced in our distress, were
+re-established, and the most vigorous measures adopted to give
+prosperity to the settlement. New buildings were immediately
+planned, and large tracts of ground, at Rose-hill, ordered to be
+cleared, and prepared for cultivation. Some superintendents who
+had arrived in the fleet, and were hired by government for the
+purpose of overlooking and directing the convicts, were found
+extremely serviceable in accelerating the progress of
+improvement.</p>
+
+<p>July, 1790. This month was marked by nothing worth
+communication, except a melancholy accident which befell a young
+gentleman of amiable character (one of the midshipmen lately
+belonging to the 'Sirius') and two marines. He was in a small
+boat, with three marines, in the harbour, when a whale was seen
+near them. Sensible of their danger, they used every effort to
+avoid the cause of it, by rowing in a contrary direction from
+that which the fish seemed to take, but the monster suddenly
+arose close to them, and nearly filled the boat with water. By
+exerting themselves, they baled her out, and again steered from
+it. For some time it was not seen, and they conceived themselves
+safe, when, rising immediately under the boat, it lifted her to
+the height of many yards on its back, whence slipping off, she
+dropped as from a precipice, and immediately filled and sunk. The
+midshipman and one of the marines were sucked into the vortex
+which the whale had made, and disappeared at once. The two other
+marines swam for the nearest shore, but one only reached it, to
+recount the fate of his companions.</p>
+
+<p>August, 1790. In the beginning of this month, in company with
+Mr. Dawes and Mr. Worgan, late surgeon of the 'Sirius', I
+undertook an expedition to the southward and westward of Rose
+Hill, where the country had never been explored. We remained out
+seven days, and penetrated to a considerable distance in a S.S.W.
+direction, bounding our course at a remarkable hill, to which,
+from its conical shape, we gave the name of Pyramid-hill. Except
+the discovery of a river (which is unquestionably the Nepean near
+its source) to which we gave the name of the Worgan, in honour of
+one of our party, nothing very interesting was remarked.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the end of the month, we made a second excursion to
+the north-west of Rose Hill, when we again fell in with the
+Nepean, and traced it to the spot where it had been first
+discovered by the party of which I was a member, fourteen months
+before, examining the country as we went along. Little doubt now
+subsisted that the Hawkesbury and Nepean were one river.</p>
+
+<p>We undertook a third expedition soon after to Broken Bay,
+which place we found had not been exaggerated in description,
+whether its capacious harbour, or its desolate incultivable
+shores, be considered. On all these excursions we brought away,
+in small bags, as many specimens of the soil of the country we
+had passed through, as could be conveniently carried, in order
+that by analysis its qualities might be ascertained.</p>
+
+<a name="8"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER VIII.</h3>
+
+<h4>Transactions of the Colony in the Beginning of September,
+1790.</h4>
+
+<p>The tremendous monster who had occasioned the unhappy
+catastrophe just recorded was fated to be the cause of farther
+mischief to us.</p>
+
+<p>On the 7th instant, Captain Nepean, of the New South Wales
+Corps, and Mr. White, accompanied by little Nanbaree, and a party
+of men, went in a boat to Manly Cove, intending to land there,
+and walk on to Broken Bay. On drawing near the shore, a dead
+whale, in the most disgusting state of putrefaction, was seen
+lying on the beach, and at least two hundred Indians surrounding
+it, broiling the flesh on different fires, and feasting on it
+with the most extravagant marks of greediness and rapture. As the
+boat continued to approach, they were observed to fall into
+confusion and to pick up their spears, on which our people lay
+upon their oars and Nanbaree stepping forward, harangued them for
+some time, assuring them that we were friends. Mr. White now
+called for Baneelon who, on hearing his name, came forth, and
+entered into conversation. He was greatly emaciated, and so far
+disfigured by a long beard, that our people not without
+difficulty recognized their old acquaintance. His answering in
+broken English, and inquiring for the governor, however, soon
+corrected their doubts. He seemed quite friendly. And soon after
+Colbee came up, pointing to his leg, to show that he had freed
+himself from the fetter which was upon him, when he had escaped
+from us.</p>
+
+<p>When Baneelon was told that the governor was not far off, he
+expressed great joy, and declared that he would immediately go in
+search of him, and if he found him not, would follow him to
+Sydney. "Have you brought any hatchets with you?" cried he.
+Unluckily they had not any which they chose to spare; but two or
+three shirts, some handkerchiefs, knives, and other trifles, were
+given to them, and seemed to satisfy. Baneelon, willing to
+instruct his countrymen, tried to put on a shirt, but managed it
+so awkwardly, that a man of the name of M'Entire, the governor's
+gamekeeper, was directed by Mr. White to assist him. This man,
+who was well known to him, he positively forbade to approach,
+eyeing him ferociously, and with every mark of horror and
+resentment. He was in consequence left to himself, and the
+conversation proceeded as before. The length of his beard seemed
+to annoy him much, and he expressed eager wishes to be shaved,
+asking repeatedly for a razor. A pair of scissors was given to
+him, and he shewed he had not forgotten how to use such an
+instrument, for he forthwith began to clip his hair with it.</p>
+
+<p>During this time, the women and children, to the number of
+more than fifty, stood at a distance, and refused all
+invitations, which could be conveyed by signs and gestures, to
+approach nearer. "Which of them is your old favourite,
+Barangaroo, of whom you used to speak so often?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," said he, "she is become the wife of Colbee! But I have
+got 'bulla muree deein' (two large women) to compensate for her
+loss."</p>
+
+<p>It was observed that he had received two wounds, in addition
+to his former numerous ones, since he had left us; one of them
+from a spear, which had passed through the fleshy part of his
+arm; and the other displayed itself in a large scar above his
+left eye. They were both healed, and probably were acquired in
+the conflict wherein he had asserted his pretensions to the two
+ladies.</p>
+
+<p>Nanbaree, all this while, though he continued to interrogate
+his countrymen, and to interpret on both sides, shewed little
+desire to return to their society, and stuck very close to his
+new friends. On being asked the cause of their present meeting,
+Baneelon pointed to the whale, which stunk immoderately, and
+Colbee made signals, that it was common among them to cat until
+the stomach was so overladen as to occasion sickness.</p>
+
+<p>Their demand of hatchets being re-iterated, notwithstanding
+our refusal, they were asked why they had not brought with them
+some of their own? They excused themselves by saying, that on an
+occasion of the present sort, they always left them at home, and
+cut up the whale with the shell which is affixed to the end of
+the throwing-stick.</p>
+
+<p>Our party now thought it time to proceed on their original
+expedition, and having taken leave of their sable friends, rowed
+to some distance, where they landed, and set out for Broken Bay,
+ordering the coxswain of the boat, in which they had come down,
+to go immediately and acquaint the governor of all that had
+passed. When the natives saw that the boat was about to depart,
+they crowded around her, and brought down, by way of present,
+three or four great junks of the whale, and put them on board of
+her, the largest of which, Baneelon expressly requested might be
+offered, in his name, to the governor.</p>
+
+<p>It happened that his excellency had this day gone to a
+landmark, which was building on the South-head, near the
+flag-staff, to serve as a direction to ships at sea, and the boat
+met him on his return to Sydney. Immediately on receiving the
+intelligence, he hastened back to the South-head, and having
+procured all the fire-arms which could be mustered there,
+consisting of four muskets and a pistol, set out, attended by Mr.
+Collins and Lieutenant Waterhouse of the navy.</p>
+
+<p>When the boat reached Manly Cove, the natives were found still
+busily employed around the whale. As they expressed not any
+consternation on seeing us row to the beach, governor Phillip
+stepped out unarmed, and attended by one seaman only, and called
+for Baneelon, who appeared, but, notwithstanding his former
+eagerness, would not suffer the other to approach him for several
+minutes. Gradually, however, he warmed into friendship and
+frankness, and presently after Colbee came up. They discoursed
+for some time, Baneelon expressing pleasure to see his old
+acquaintance, and inquiring by name for every person whom he
+could recollect at Sydney; and among others for a French cook,
+one of the governor's servants, whom he had constantly made the
+butt of his ridicule, by mimicking his voice, gait, and other
+peculiarities, all of which he again went through with his wonted
+exactness and drollery. He asked also particularly for a lady
+from whom he had once ventured to snatch a kiss; and on being
+told that she was well, by way of proving that the token was
+fresh in his remembrance, he kissed Lieutenant Waterhouse, and
+laughed aloud. On his wounds being noticed, he coldly said, that
+he had received them at Botany Bay, but went no farther into
+their history.</p>
+
+<p>Hatchets still continued to be called for with redoubled
+eagerness, which rather surprised us, as formerly they had always
+been accepted with indifference. But Baneelon had probably
+demonstrated to them their superiority over those of their own
+manufacturing. To appease their importunity, the governor gave
+them a knife, some bread, pork, and other articles, and promised
+that in two days he would return hither, and bring with him
+hatchets to be distributed among them, which appeared to diffuse
+general satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>Baneelon's love of wine has been mentioned; and the governor,
+to try whether it still subsisted, uncorked a bottle, and poured
+out a glass of it, which the other drank off with his former
+marks of relish and good humour, giving for a toast, as he had
+been taught, "The King."</p>
+
+<p>Our party now advanced from the beach but, perceiving many of
+the Indians filing off to the right and left, so as in some
+measure to surround them, they retreated gently to their old
+situation, which produced neither alarm or offence. The others by
+degrees also resumed their former position. A very fine barbed
+spear of uncommon size being seen by the governor, he asked for
+it. But Baneelon, instead of complying with the request, took it
+away, and laid it at some distance, and brought back a
+throwing-stick, which he presented to his excellency.</p>
+
+<p>Matters had proceeded in this friendly train for more than
+half an hour, when a native, with a spear in his hand, came
+forward, and stopped at the distance of between twenty and thirty
+yards from the place where the governor, Mr. Collins, Lieutenant
+Waterhouse, and a seaman stood. His excellency held out his hand,
+and called to him, advancing towards him at the same time, Mr.
+Collins following close behind. He appeared to be a man of middle
+age, short of stature, sturdy, and well set, seemingly a
+stranger, and but little acquainted with Baneelon and Colbee. The
+nearer the governor approached, the greater became the terror and
+agitation of the Indian. To remove his fear, governor Phillip
+threw down a dirk, which he wore at his side. The other, alarmed
+at the rattle of the dirk, and probably misconstruing the action,
+instantly fixed his lance in his throwing-stick*.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Such preparation is equal to what cocking a
+gun, and directing it at its object, would be with us. To launch
+the spear, or to touch the trigger, only remains.]</p>
+
+<p>To retreat, his excellency now thought would be more dangerous
+than to advance. He therefore cried out to the man, Weeeree,
+Weeree, (bad; you are doing wrong) displaying at the same time,
+every token of amity and confidence. The words had, however,
+hardly gone forth, when the Indian, stepping back with one foot,
+aimed his lance with such force and dexterity, that striking* the
+governor's right shoulder, just above the collar-bone, the point
+glancing downward, came out at his back, having made a wound of
+many inches long. The man was observed to keep his eye steadily
+fixed on the lance until it struck its object, when he directly
+dashed into the woods and was seen no more.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*His excellency described the shock to me as
+similar to a violent blow, with such energy was the weapon
+thrown.]</p>
+
+<p>Instant confusion on both sides took place. Baneelon and
+Colbee disappeared and several spears were thrown from different
+quarters, though without effect. Our party retreated as fast as
+they could, calling to those who were left in the boat, to hasten
+up with firearms. A situation more distressing than that of the
+governor, during the time that this lasted, cannot readily be
+conceived: the pole of the spear, not less than ten feet in
+length, sticking out before him, and impeding his flight, the
+butt frequently striking the ground, and lacerating the wound. In
+vain did Mr. Waterhouse try to break it; and the barb, which
+appeared on the other side, forbade extraction, until that could
+be performed. At length it was broken, and his excellency reached
+the boat, by which time the seamen with the muskets had got up,
+and were endeavouring to fire them, but one only would go off,
+and there is no room to believe that it was attended with any
+execution.</p>
+
+<p>When the governor got home, the wound was examined. It had
+bled a good deal in the boat, and it was doubtful whether the
+subclavian artery might not be divided. On moving the spear, it
+was found, however, that it might be safely extracted, which was
+accordingly performed.</p>
+
+<p>Apprehension for the safety of the party who had gone to
+Broken Bay, now took place. Lieutenant Long, with a detachment of
+marines, was immediately sent to escort them back, lest any
+ambush might be laid by the natives to cut them off. When Mr.
+Long reached Manly Cove, the sun had set; however, he pursued his
+way in the dark, scrambling over rocks and thickets, as well as
+he could, until two o'clock on the following morning, when he
+overtook them at a place where they had halted to sleep, about
+half-way between the two harbours.</p>
+
+<p>At day-break they all returned, and were surprised to find
+tracks in the sand of the feet of the Indians, almost the whole
+way from the place where they had slept to the Cove. By this it
+should seem as if these last had secretly followed them, probably
+with hostile intentions but, on discovering their strength, and
+that they were on their guard, had abandoned their design.</p>
+
+<p>On reaching Manly Cove, three Indians were observed standing
+on a rock, with whom they entered into conversation. The Indians
+informed them, that the man who had wounded the governor belonged
+to a tribe residing at Broken Bay, and they seemed highly to
+condemn what he had done. Our gentlemen asked them for a spear,
+which they immediately gave. The boat's crew said that Baneelon
+and Colbee had just departed, after a friendly intercourse. Like
+the others, they had pretended highly to disapprove the conduct
+of the man who had thrown the spear, vowing to execute vengeance
+upon him.</p>
+
+<p>From this time, until the 14th, no communication passed
+between the natives and us. On that day, the chaplain and
+lieutenant Dawes, having Abaroo with them in a boat, learned from
+two Indians that Wileemarin was the name of the person who had
+wounded the governor. These two people inquired kindly how his
+excellency did, and seemed pleased to hear that he was likely to
+recover. They said that they were inhabitants of Rose Hill, and
+expressed great dissatisfaction at the number of white men who
+had settled in their former territories. In consequence of which
+declaration, the detachment at that post was reinforced on the
+following day.</p>
+
+<p>A hazardous enterprise (but when liberty is the stake, what
+enterprise is too hazardous for its attainment!) was undertaken
+in this month by five convicts at Rose Hill, who, in the night,
+seized a small punt there, and proceeded in her to the South
+Head, whence they seized and carried off a boat, appropriated to
+the use of the lookout house, and put to sea in her, doubtless
+with a view of reaching any port they could arrive at, and
+asserting their freedom. They had all come out in the last fleet;
+and for some time previous to their elopement, had been
+collecting fishing tackle, and hoarding up provisions, to enable
+them to put their scheme into execution*.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*They have never since been heard of. Before
+they went away, they tried in vain to procure firearms. If they
+were not swallowed by the sea, probably they were cut off by the
+natives, on some part of the coast where their necessities
+obliged them to land.]</p>
+
+<a name="9"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER IX.</h3>
+
+<h4>Transactions of the Colony in part of September and October,
+1790.</h4>
+
+<p>From so unfavourable an omen as I have just related, who could
+prognosticate that an intercourse with the natives was about to
+commence! That the foundation of what neither entreaty,
+munificence, or humanity, could induce, should be laid by a deed,
+which threatened to accumulate scenes of bloodshed and horror was
+a consequence which neither speculation could predict, or hope
+expect to see accomplished.</p>
+
+<p>On the 15th a fire being seen on the north shore of the
+harbour, a party of our people went thither, accompanied by
+Nanbaree and Abaroo. They found there Baneelon, and several other
+natives, and much civility passed, which was cemented by a mutual
+promise to meet in the afternoon at the same place. Both sides
+were punctual to their engagement, and no objection being made to
+our landing, a party of us went ashore to them unarmed. Several
+little presents, which had been purposely brought, were
+distributed among them; and to Baneelon were given a hatchet and
+a fish. At a distance stood some children, who, though at first
+timorous and unwilling to approach, were soon persuaded to
+advance, and join the men.</p>
+
+<p>A bottle of wine was produced, and Baneelon immediately
+prepared for the charge. Bread and beef he called loudly for,
+which were given to him, and he began to eat, offering a part of
+his fare to his countrymen, two of whom tasted the beef, but none
+of them would touch the bread. Having finished his repast, he
+made a motion to be shaved, and a barber being present, his
+request was complied with, to the great admiration of his
+countrymen, who laughed and exclaimed at the operation. They
+would not, however, consent to undergo it, but suffered their
+beards to be clipped with a pair of scissors.</p>
+
+<p>On being asked where their women were, they pointed to the
+spot, but seemed not desirous that we should approach it.
+However, in a few minutes, a female appeared not far off, and
+Abaroo was dispatched to her. Baneelon now joined with Abaroo to
+persuade her to come to us, telling us she was Barangaroo, and
+his wife, notwithstanding he had so lately pretended that she had
+left him for Colbee. At length she yielded, and Abaroo, having
+first put a petticoat on her, brought her to us. But this was the
+prudery of the wilderness, which her husband joined us to
+ridicule, and we soon laughed her out of it. The petticoat was
+dropped with hesitation, and Barangaroo stood "armed cap-a-pee in
+nakedness." At the request of Baneelon, we combed and cut her
+hair, and she seemed pleased with the operation. Wine she would
+not taste, but turned from it with disgust, though heartily
+invited to drink by the example and persuasion of Baneelon. In
+short, she behaved so well, and assumed the character of
+gentleness and timidity to such advantage, that had our
+acquaintance ended here, a very moderate share of the spirit of
+travelling would have sufficed to record, that amidst a horde of
+roaming savages, in the desert wastes of New South Wales, might
+be found as much feminine innocence, softness, and modesty
+(allowing for inevitable difference of education), as the most
+finished system could bestow, or the most polished circle
+produce. So little fitted are we to judge of human nature at
+once! And yet on such grounds have countries been described, and
+nations characterized. Hence have arisen those speculative and
+laborious compositions on the advantages and superiority of a
+state of nature. But to resume my subject.</p>
+
+<p>Supposing, that by a private conversation, she might be
+induced to visit Sydney, which would be the means of drawing her
+husband and others thither, Abaroo was instructed to take her
+aside, and try if she could persuade her to comply with our wish.
+They wandered away together accordingly, but it was soon seen,
+that Barangaroo's arguments to induce Abaroo to rejoin their
+society, were more powerful than those of the latter, to prevail
+upon her to come among us; for it was not without manifest
+reluctance, and often repeated injunctions, that Abaroo would
+quit her countrywomen; and when she had done so, she sat in the
+boat, in sullen silence, evidently occupied by reflection on the
+scene she had left behind, and returning inclination to her
+former habits of life.</p>
+
+<p>Nor was a circumstance which had happened in the morning
+interview, perhaps, wholly unremembered by the girl. We had
+hinted to Baneelon to provide a husband for her, who should be at
+liberty to pass and repass to and from Sydney, as he might
+choose. There was at the time, a slender fine looking youth in
+company, called Imeerawanyee, about sixteen years old. The lad,
+on being invited, came immediately up to her, and offered many
+blandishments, which proved that he had assumed the 'toga
+virilis'. But Abaroo disclaimed his advances, repeating the name
+of another person, who we knew was her favourite. The young lover
+was not, however, easily repulsed, but renewed his suit, on our
+return in the afternoon, with such warmth of solicitation, as to
+cause an evident alteration in the sentiments of the lady.</p>
+
+<p>To heighten the good humour which pervaded both parties, we
+began to play and romp with them. Feats of bodily strength were
+tried, and their inferiority was glaring. One of our party lifted
+with ease two of them from the ground, in spite of their efforts
+to prevent him, whereas in return, no one of them could move him.
+They called him 'murree mulla' (a large strong man). Compared
+with our English labourers, their muscular power would appear
+very feeble and inadequate.</p>
+
+<p>Before we parted, Baneelon informed us that his countrymen had
+lately been plundered of fish-gigs, spears, a sword, and many
+other articles, by some of our people, and expressed a wish that
+they should be restored, promising, that if they were, the
+governor's dirk should be produced and returned to us to-morrow,
+if we would meet him here.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly on the following day we rowed to the spot,
+carrying with us the stolen property. We found here several
+natives, but not Baneelon. We asked for him, and were told that
+he was gone down the harbour with Barangaroo to fish. Although
+disappointed at his breach of promise, we went on shore, and
+mingled without distrust among those we found, acquainting them
+that we had brought with us the articles of which they had been
+plundered. On hearing this account, they expressed great joy, and
+Imeerawanyee darting forward, claimed the sword. It was given to
+him, and he had no sooner grasped it, than he hastened to
+convince his mistress, that his prowess in war, was not inferior
+to his skill in courtship. Singling out a yellow gum-tree for the
+foe, he attacked it with great fierceness, calling to us to look
+on, and accompanying his onset with all the gestures and
+vociferation which they use in battle. Having conquered his
+enemy, he laid aside his fighting face, and joined us with a
+countenance which carried in it every mark of youth and good
+nature.</p>
+
+<p>Whether Abaroo's coyness, and preference of another, had
+displeased him, or it was owing to natural fickleness, he paid
+her no farther attention, but seemed more delighted with us. He
+had no beard, but was highly gratified in being combed and having
+his hair clipped.</p>
+
+<p>All the stolen property being brought on shore, an old man
+came up, and claimed one of the fish-gigs, singling it from the
+bundle, and taking only his own; and this honesty, within the
+circle of their society, seemed to characterize them all.</p>
+
+<p>During this time, it was observed, that one of the Indians,
+instead of mixing with the rest, stood aloof, in a musing
+posture, contemplating what passed. When we offered to approach
+him, he shunned us not, and willingly shook hands with all who
+chose to do so. He seemed to be between 30 and 40 years old, was
+jolly, and had a thoughtful countenance, much marked by the
+smallpox. He wore a string of bits of dried reed round his neck,
+which I asked him to exchange for a black stock. He smiled at the
+proposal, but made no offer of what I wanted; which our young
+friend, Imeerawanyee, observing, flew to him, and taking off the
+necklace, directly fixed it about my neck. I feared he would be
+enraged, but he bore it with serenity, and suffered a gentleman
+present to fasten his black stock upon him, with which he
+appeared to be pleased. To increase his satisfaction, some other
+trifle was given to him.</p>
+
+<p>Having remained here an hour we went in quest of Baneelon,
+agreeably to the directions which his companions pointed out. We
+found him and Barangaroo shivering over a few lighted sticks, by
+which they were dressing small fish, and their canoe hauled up on
+the beach near them. On first seeing the boat, they ran into the
+woods; but on being called by name, they came back, and consented
+to our landing. We carried on shore with us the remaining part of
+the fish-gigs and spears which had been stolen, and restored them
+to Baneelon. Among other things, was a net full of fishing lines
+and other tackle, which Barangaroo said was her property and,
+immediately on receiving it, she slung it around her neck.</p>
+
+<p>Baneelon inquired, with solicitude, about the state of the
+governor's wound, but he made no offer of restoring the dirk; and
+when he was asked for it, he pretended to know nothing of it,
+changing the conversation with great art, and asking for wine,
+which was given to him.</p>
+
+<p>At parting, we pressed him to appoint a day on which he should
+come to Sydney, assuring him, that he would be well received, and
+kindly treated. Doubtful, however, of being permitted to return,
+he evaded our request, and declared that the governor must first
+come and see him, which we promised should be done.</p>
+
+<p>The governor did not hesitate to execute the engagement which
+we had contracted for him. But Baneelon still resisted coming
+among us, and matters continued in this fluctuating state until
+the 8th of October, when a fire, which they had agreed to light
+as a signal for us to visit them, was observed. The eager desire
+by which we were stimulated to carry our point of effecting an
+intercourse had appeared. Various parties accordingly set out to
+meet them, provided with different articles, which we thought
+would prove acceptable to them. We found assembled, Baneelon,
+Barangaroo, and another young woman, and six men, all of whom
+received us with welcome, except the grave looking gentleman
+before mentioned, who stood aloof in his former musing posture.
+When they saw that we had brought hatchets, and other articles
+with us, they produced spears, fish-gigs, and lines, for the
+purpose of barter,* which immediately commenced, to the
+satisfaction of both parties. I had brought with me an old
+blunted spear, which wanted repair. An Indian immediately
+undertook to perform the task, and carrying it to a fire, tore
+with his teeth a piece of bone from a fish-gig, which he fastened
+on the spear with yellow gum, rendered flexible by heat.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*It had long been our wish to establish a
+commerce of this sort. It is a painful consideration, that every
+previous addition to the cabinet of the virtuosi, from this
+country, had wrung a tear from the plundered Indian.]</p>
+
+<p>October, 1790. Many of them now consented to be shaved by a
+barber whom we had purposely brought over. As I thought he who
+could perform an operation of such importance must be deemed by
+them an eminent personage, I bade him ask one of them for a fine
+barbed spear which he held in his hand; but all the barber's
+eloquence was wasted on the Indian, who plainly gave him to
+understand that he meant not to part with his spear, without
+receiving an equivalent. Unfortunately, his price was a hatchet,
+and the only one which I had brought with me was already disposed
+of to the man who had pointed my spear. In vain did I tempt him
+with a knife, a handkerchief, and a hat; nothing but a hatchet
+seemed to be regarded. 'Bulla mogo parrabugo' (two hatchets
+to-morrow) I repeatedly cried; but having probably experienced
+our insincerity, he rejected the proposal with disdain. Finding
+him inflexible, and longing to possess the spear, I told him at
+length that I would go to Sydney and fetch what he required. This
+seemed to satisfy, and he accompanied me to my boat, in which I
+went away, and as quickly as possible procured what was necessary
+to conclude the bargain. On my return, I was surprised to see all
+our boats rowing towards home, and with them a canoe, in which
+sat two Indians paddling. I pulled to them, and found that
+Baneelon, and another Indian, were in one of the boats, and that
+the whole formed a party going over to visit the governor. I now
+learned, that during my absence, the governor had passed in a
+boat, on his return from Rose Hill, near the place where they
+were standing; and that finding he would not come to them,
+although they had called to him to do so, they had at once
+determined to venture themselves unreservedly among us. One of
+the men in the canoe was the person to whom I was to give the
+hatchet I had been to fetch; and directly as he saw me, he held
+up his spear, and the exchange took place, with which, and
+perhaps to reward me for the trouble I had taken, he was so
+delighted that he presented me with a throwing-stick
+'gratis'.</p>
+
+<p>Not seeing Barangaroo of the party, I asked for her, and was
+informed that she had violently opposed Baneelon's departure.
+When she found persuasion vain, she had recourse to tears,
+scolding, and threats, stamping the ground, and tearing her hair.
+But Baneelon continuing determined, she snatched up in her rage
+one of his fish-gigs, and dashed it with such fury on the rocks,
+that it broke. To quiet her apprehensions on the score of her
+husband's safety, Mr. Johnson, attended by Abaroo, agreed to
+remain as a hostage until Baneelon should return.</p>
+
+<p>We landed our four friends opposite the hospital, and set out
+for the governor's house. On hearing of their arrival, such
+numbers flocked to view them that we were apprehensive the crowd
+of persons would alarm them, but they had left their fears
+behind, and marched on with boldness and unconcern. When we
+reached the governor's house, Baneelon expressed honest joy to
+see his old friend, and appeared pleased to find that he had
+recovered of his wound. The governor asked for Wileemarin, and
+they said he was at Broken Bay. Some bread and beef were
+distributed among them but unluckily no fish was to be procured,
+which we were sorry for, as a promise of it had been one of the
+leading temptations by which they had been allured over. A
+hatchet apiece was, however, given to them, and a couple of
+petticoats and some fishing tackle sent for Barangaroo, and the
+other woman.</p>
+
+<p>The ceremony of introduction being finished, Baneelon seemed
+to consider himself quite at home, running from room to room with
+his companions, and introducing them to his old friends, the
+domestics, in the most familiar manner. Among these last, he
+particularly distinguished the governor's orderly sergeant, whom
+he kissed with great affection, and a woman who attended in the
+kitchen; but the gamekeeper, M'Entire*, he continued to hold in
+abhorrence, and would not suffer his approach.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Look at the account of the governor being
+wounded, when his detestation of this man burst forth.]</p>
+
+<p>Nor was his importance to his countrymen less conspicuous in
+other respects. He undertook to explain the use and nature of
+those things which were new to them. Some of his explanations
+were whimsical enough. Seeing, for instance, a pair of snuffers,
+he told them that they were "Nuffer* for candle,"--which the
+others not comprehending, he opened the snuffers, and holding up
+the fore-finger of his left hand, to represent a candle, made the
+motion of snuffing it. Finding, that even this sagacious
+interpretation failed, he threw down the snuffers in a rage, and
+reproaching their stupidity, walked away.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*The S is a letter which they cannot pronounce,
+having no sound in their language similar to it. When bidden to
+pronounce sun, they always say tun; salt, talt, and so of all
+words wherein it occurs.]</p>
+
+<p>It was observed, that a soft gentle tone of voice, which we
+had taught him to use, was forgotten, and his native vociferation
+returned in full force. But the tenderness which (like Arabanoo)
+he had always manifested to children, he still retained; as
+appeared by his behaviour to those who were presented to him.</p>
+
+<p>The first wish they expressed to return, was complied with, in
+order to banish all appearance of constraint, the party who had
+conducted them to Sydney returning with them. When we reached the
+opposite shore, we found Abaroo and the other woman fishing in a
+canoe, and Mr. Johnson and Barangaroo sitting at the fire, the
+latter employed in manufacturing fish-hooks. At a little
+distance, on an adjoining eminence, sat an Indian, with his spear
+in his hand, as if sentinel over the hostages, for the security
+of his countrymen's return. During our absence, Barangaroo had
+never ceased whining, and reproaching her husband. Now that he
+was returned, she met him with unconcern, and seemed intent on
+her work only, but this state of repose did not long continue.
+Baneelon, eyeing the broken fish-gig, cast at her a look of
+savage fury and began to interrogate her, and it seemed more than
+probable that the remaining part would be demolished about her
+head had we not interposed to pacify him. Nor would we quit the
+place until his forgiveness was complete, and his good humour
+restored. No sooner, however, did she find her husband's rage
+subsided, than her hour of triumph commenced. The alarm and
+trepidation she had manifested disappeared. Elated at his
+condescension, and emboldened by our presence and the finery in
+which we had decked her, she in turn assumed a haughty demeanour,
+refused to answer his caresses, and viewed him with a reproaching
+eye. Although long absence from female society had somewhat
+blunted our recollection, the conduct of Barangaroo did not
+appear quite novel to us, nor was our surprise very violent at
+finding that it succeeded in subduing Baneelon who, when we
+parted, seemed anxious only to please her.</p>
+
+<p>Thus ended a day, the events of which served to complete what
+an unhappy accident had begun. From this time our intercourse
+with the natives, though partially interrupted, was never broken
+off. We gradually continued, henceforth, to gain knowledge of
+their customs and policy, the only knowledge which can lead to a
+just estimate of national character.</p>
+
+<a name="10"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER X.</h3>
+
+<h4>The arrival of the 'Supply' from Batavia; the State of the
+Colony in November, 1790.</h4>
+
+<p>Joy sparkled in every countenance to see our old friend the
+'Supply' (I hope no reader will be so captious as to quarrel with
+the phrase) enter the harbour from Batavia on the 19th of
+October. We had witnessed her departure with tears; we hailed her
+return with transport.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Ball was rather more than six months in making this
+voyage, and is the first person who ever circumnavigated the
+continent of New Holland. On his passage to Batavia, he had
+discovered several islands, which he gave names to and, after
+fighting his way against adverse elements and through unexplored
+dangers, safely reached his destined port. He had well stored his
+little bark with every necessary and conveniency which he judged
+we should first want, leaving a cargo of rice and salt provisions
+to be brought on by a Dutch snow, which he had hired and
+freighted for the use of the settlement. While at Batavia, the
+'Supply' had lost many of her people by sickness, and left
+several others in the general hospital at that place.</p>
+
+<p>As the arrival of the 'Supply' naturally leads the attention
+from other subjects to the state of the colony, I shall here take
+a review of it by transcribing a statement drawn from actual
+observation soon after, exactly as I find it written in my
+journal.</p>
+
+<p>Cultivation, on a public scale, has for some time past been
+given up here, (Sydney) the crop of last year being so miserable,
+as to deter from farther experiment, in consequence of which the
+government-farm is abandoned, and the people who were fixed on it
+have been removed. Necessary public buildings advance fast; an
+excellent storehouse of large dimensions, built of bricks and
+covered with tiles, is just completed; and another planned which
+will shortly be begun. Other buildings, among which I heard the
+governor mention an hospital and permanent barracks for the
+troops, may also be expected to arise soon. Works of this nature
+are more expeditiously performed than heretofore, owing, I
+apprehend, to the superintendants lately arrived, who are placed
+over the convicts and compel them to labour. The first
+difficulties of a new country being subdued may also contribute
+to this comparative facility.</p>
+
+<p>Vegetables are scarce, although the summer is so far advanced,
+owing to want of rain. I do not think that all the showers of the
+last four months put together, would make twenty-four hours rain.
+Our farms, what with this and a poor soil, are in wretched
+condition. My winter crop of potatoes, which I planted in days of
+despair (March and April last), turned out very badly when I dug
+them about two months back. Wheat returned so poorly last
+harvest, that very little, besides Indian corn, has been sown
+this year. The governor's wound is quite healed, and he feels no
+inconveniency whatever from it. With the natives we are hand and
+glove. They throng the camp every day, and sometimes by their
+clamour and importunity for bread and meat (of which they now all
+eat greedily) are become very troublesome. God knows, we have
+little enough for ourselves! Full allowance (if eight pounds of
+flour and either seven pounds of beef, or four pounds of pork,
+served alternately, per week, without either pease, oatmeal,
+spirits, butter, or cheese, can be called so) is yet kept up; but
+if the Dutch snow does not arrive soon it must be shortened, as
+the casks in the storehouse, I observed yesterday, are woefully
+decreased.</p>
+
+<p>The convicts continue to behave pretty well; three only have
+been hanged since the arrival of the last fleet, in the latter
+end of June, all of whom were newcomers. The number of convicts
+here diminishes every day; our principal efforts being wisely
+made at Rose Hill, where the land is unquestionably better than
+about this place. Except building, sawing and brickmaking,
+nothing of consequence is now carried on here. The account which
+I received a few days ago from the brickmakers of their labours,
+was as follows. Wheeler (one of the master brick-makers) with two
+tile stools and one brick stool, was tasked to make and burn
+ready for use 30000 tiles and bricks per month. He had twenty-one
+hands to assist him, who performed every thing; cut wood, dug
+clay, etc. This continued (during the days of distress excepted,
+when they did what they could) until June last. From June, with
+one brick and two tile stools he has been tasked to make 40000
+bricks and tiles monthly (as many of each sort as may be), having
+twenty-two men and two boys to assist him, on the same terms of
+procuring materials as before. They fetch the clay of which tiles
+are made, two hundred yards; that for bricks is close at hand. He
+says that the bricks are such as would be called in England,
+moderately good, and he judges they would have fetched about 24
+shillings per thousand at Kingston-upon-Thames (where he resided)
+in the year 1784. Their greatest fault is being too brittle. The
+tiles he thinks not so good as those made about London. The stuff
+has a rotten quality, and besides wants the advantage of being
+ground, in lieu of which they tread it.</p>
+
+<p>King (another master bricklayer) last year, with the
+assistance of sixteen men and two boys, made 11,000 bricks
+weekly, with two stools. During short allowance did what he
+could. Resumed his old task when put again on full allowance and
+had his number of assistants augmented to twenty men and two
+boys, on account of the increased distance of carrying wood for
+the kilns. He worked at Hammersmith, for Mr. Scot, of that place.
+He thinks the bricks made here as good as those made near London,
+and says that in the year 1784, they would have sold for a guinea
+per thousand and to have picked the kiln at thirty
+shillings.'</p>
+
+<p>Such is my Sydney detail dated the 12th of November, 1790.
+Four days after I went to Rose Hill, and wrote there the
+subjoined remarks.</p>
+
+<p>November 16th. Got to Rose Hill in the evening. Next morning
+walked round the whole of the cleared and cultivated land, with
+the Rev. Mr. Johnson, who is the best farmer in the country.
+Edward Dod, one of the governor's household, who conducts
+everything here in the agricultural line, accompanied us part of
+the way, and afforded all the information he could. He estimates
+the quantity of cleared and cultivated land at 200 acres. Of
+these fifty-five are in wheat, barley, and a little oats, thirty
+in maize, and the remainder is either just cleared of wood, or is
+occupied by buildings, gardens, etc. Four enclosures of twenty
+acres each, are planned for the reception of cattle, which may
+arrive in the colony, and two of these are already fenced in. In
+the centre of them is to be erected a house, for a person who
+will be fixed upon to take care of the cattle. All these
+enclosures are supplied with water; and only a part of the trees
+which grew in them being cut down, gives to them a very park-like
+and beautiful appearance.</p>
+
+<p>Our survey commenced on the north side of the river. Dod says
+he expects this year's crop of wheat and barley from the
+fifty-five acres to yield full 400 bushels. Appearances hitherto
+hardly indicate so much. He says he finds the beginning of May
+the best time to sow barley,* but that it may continue to be sown
+until August. That sown in May is reaped in December; that of
+August in January. He sowed his wheat, part in June and part in
+July. He thinks June the best time, and says that he invariably
+finds that which is deepest sown, grows strongest and best, even
+as deep as three inches he has put it in, and found it to answer.
+The wheat sown in June is now turning yellow; that of July is
+more backward. He has used only the broad-cast husbandry, and
+sowed two bushels per acre. The plough has never yet been tried
+here; all the ground is hoed, and (as Dod confesses) very
+incompetently turned up. Each convict labourer was obliged to hoe
+sixteen rods a day, so that in some places the earth was but just
+scratched over. The ground was left open for some months, to
+receive benefit from the sun and air; and on that newly cleared
+the trees were burnt, and the ashes dug in. I do not find that a
+succession of crops has yet been attempted; surely it would help
+to meliorate and improve the soil. Dod recommends strongly the
+culture of potatoes, on a large scale, and says that were they
+planted even as late as January they would answer, but this I
+doubt. He is more than ever of opinion that without a large
+supply of cattle nothing can be done. They have not at this time
+either horse, cow, or sheep here. I asked him how the stock they
+had was coming on. The fowls he said multiplied exceedingly, but
+the hogs neither thrived or increased in number, for want of
+food. He pointed out to us his best wheat, which looks tolerable,
+and may perhaps yield 13 or 14 bushels per acre**. Next came the
+oats which are in ear, though not more than six inches high: they
+will not return as much seed as was sown. The barley, except one
+patch in a corner of a field, little better than the oats.
+Crossed the river and inspected the south side. Found the little
+patch of wheat at the bottom of the crescent very bad. Proceeded
+and examined the large field on the ascent to the westward: here
+are about twenty-five acres of wheat, which from its appearance
+we guessed would produce perhaps seven bushels an acre. The next
+patch to this is in maize, which looks not unpromising; some of
+the stems are stout, and beginning to throw out large broad
+leaves, the surest sign of vigour. The view from the top of the
+wheat field takes in, except a narrow slip, the whole of the
+cleared land at Rose Hill. From not having before seen an opening
+of such extent for the last three years, this struck us as grand
+and capacious. The beautiful diversity of the ground (gentle hill
+and dale) would certainly be reckoned pretty in any country.
+Continued our walk, and crossed the old field, which is intended
+to form part of the main street of the projected town. The wheat
+in this field is rather better, but not much, than in the large
+field before mentioned. The next field is maize, inferior to what
+we have seen, but not despicable. An acre of maize, at the bottom
+of the marine garden, is equal in luxuriancy of promise to any I
+ever saw in any country.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*The best crop of barley ever produced in New
+South Wales, was sown by a private individual, in February 1790,
+and reaped in the following October.]</p>
+
+<p class="note">[**As all the trees on our cleared ground were
+cut down, and not grubbed up, the roots and stumps remain, on
+which account a tenth part of surface in every acre must be
+deducted. This is slovenly husbandry; but in a country where
+immediate subsistence is wanted, it is perhaps necessary. None of
+these stumps, when I left Port Jackson, showed any symptoms of
+decay, though some of the trees had been cut down four years. To
+the different qualities of the wood of Norfolk Island and New
+South Wales, perhaps the difference of soil may in some measure
+be traced. That of Norfolk Island is light and porous: it rots
+and turns into mould in two years. Besides its hardness that of
+Port Jackson abounds with red corrosive gum, which contributes
+its share of mischief.]</p>
+
+<p>The main street of the new town is already begun. It is to be
+a mile long, and of such breadth as will make Pall Mall and
+Portland Place "hide their diminished heads." It contains at
+present thirty-two houses completed, of twenty-four feet by
+twelve each, on a ground floor only, built of wattles plastered
+with clay, and thatched. Each house is divided into two rooms, in
+one of which is a fire place and a brick chimney. These houses
+are designed for men only; and ten is the number of inhabitants
+allotted to each; but some of them now contain twelve or
+fourteen, for want of better accommodation. More are building. In
+a cross street stand nine houses for unmarried women; and
+exclusive of all these are several small huts where convict
+families of good character are allowed to reside. Of public
+buildings, besides the old wooden barrack and store, there is a
+house of lath and plaster, forty-four feet long by sixteen wide,
+for the governor, on a ground floor only, with excellent
+out-houses and appurtenances attached to it. A new brick store
+house, covered with tiles, 100 feet long by twenty-four wide, is
+nearly completed, and a house for the store-keeper. The first
+stone of a barrack, 100 feet long by twenty-four wide, to which
+are intended to be added wings for the officers, was laid to-day.
+The situation of the barrack is judicious, being close to the
+store-house, and within a hundred and fifty yards of the wharf,
+where all boats from Sydney unload. To what I have already
+enumerated, must be added an excellent barn, a granary, an
+inclosed yard to rear stock in, a commodious blacksmith's shop,
+and a most wretched hospital, totally destitute of every
+conveniency. Luckily for the gentleman who superintends this
+hospital, and still more luckily for those who are doomed in case
+of sickness to enter it, the air of Rose Hill has hitherto been
+generally healthy. A tendency to produce slight inflammatory
+disorders, from the rapid changes* of the temperature of the air,
+is most to be dreaded.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*In the close of the year 1788, when this
+settlement was established, the thermometer has been known to
+stand at 50 degrees a little before sunrise, and between one and
+two o' clock in the afternoon at above 100 degrees.]</p>
+
+<p>'The hours of labour for the convicts are the same here as at
+Sydney. On Saturdays after ten o'clock in the morning they are
+allowed to work in their own gardens. These gardens are at
+present, from the long drought and other causes, in a most
+deplorable state. Potatoes, I think, thrive better than any other
+vegetable in them. For the public conveniency a baker is
+established here in a good bakehouse, who exchanges with every
+person bread for flour, on stipulated terms; but no compulsion
+exists for any one to take his bread; it is left entirely to
+every body's own option to consume his flour as he pleases.
+Divine service is performed here, morning and afternoon, one
+Sunday in every month, when all the convicts are obliged to
+attend church, under penalty of having a part of their allowance
+of provisions stopped, which is done by the chaplain, who is a
+justice of the peace.</p>
+
+<p>'For the punishment of offenders, where a criminal court is
+not judged necessary, two or more justices, occasionally
+assemble, and order the infliction of slight corporal punishment,
+or short confinement in a strong room built for this purpose. The
+military present here consists of two subalterns, two sergeants,
+three corporals, a drummer, and twenty-one privates. These have
+been occasionally augmented and reduced, as circumstances have
+been thought to render it necessary.</p>
+
+<p>Brick-kilns are now erected here, and bricks manufactured by a
+convict of the name of Becket, who came out in the last fleet,
+and has fifty-two people to work under him. He makes 25,000
+bricks weekly. He says that they are very good, and would sell at
+Birmingham, where he worked about eighteen months ago, at more
+than 30 shillings per thousand.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing farther of public nature remaining to examine, I next
+visited a humble adventurer, who is trying his fortune here.
+James Ruse, convict, was cast for seven years at Bodmin assizes,
+in August 1782. He lay five years in prison and on board the
+'Dunkirk' hulk at Plymouth, and then was sent to this country.
+When his term of punishment expired, in August 1789, he claimed
+his freedom, and was permitted by the governor, on promising to
+settle in the country, to take in December following, an
+uncleaned piece of ground, with an assurance that if he would
+cultivate it, it should not be taken from him. Some assistance
+was given him, to fell the timber, and he accordingly began. His
+present account to me was as follows.</p>
+
+<p>I was bred a husbandman, near Launcester in Cornwall. I
+cleared my land as well as I could, with the help afforded me.
+The exact limit of what ground I am to have, I do not yet know;
+but a certain direction has been pointed out to me, in which I
+may proceed as fast as I can cultivate. I have now an acre and a
+half in bearded wheat, half an acre in maize, and a small kitchen
+garden. On my wheat land I sowed three bushels of seed, the
+produce of this country, broad cast. I expect to reap about
+twelve or thirteen bushels. I know nothing of the cultivation of
+maize, and cannot therefore guess so well at what I am likely to
+gather. I sowed part of my wheat in May, and part in June. That
+sown in May has thrived best. My maize I planted in the latter
+end of August, and the beginning of September. My land I prepared
+thus: having burnt the fallen timber off the ground, I dug in the
+ashes, and then hoed it up, never doing more than eight, or
+perhaps nine, rods in a day, by which means, it was not like the
+government farm, just scratched over, but properly done. Then I
+clod-moulded it, and dug in the grass and weeds. This I think
+almost equal to ploughing. I then let it lie as long as I could,
+exposed to air and sun; and just before I sowed my seed, turned
+it all up afresh. When I shall have reaped my crop, I purpose to
+hoe it again, and harrow it fine, and then sow it with
+turnip-seed, which will mellow and prepare it for next year. My
+straw, I mean to bury in pits, and throw in with it every thing
+which I think will rot and turn to manure. I have no person to
+help me, at present, but my wife, whom I married in this country;
+she is industrious. The governor, for some time, gave me the help
+of a convict man, but he is taken away. Both my wife and myself
+receive our provisions regularly at the store, like all other
+people. My opinion of the soil of my farm, is, that it is
+middling, neither good or bad. I will be bound to make it do with
+the aid of manure, but without cattle it will fail. The greatest
+check upon me is, the dishonesty of the convicts who, in spite of
+all my vigilance, rob me almost every night.</p>
+
+<p>The annexed return will show the number of persons of all
+descriptions at Rose Hill, at this period. On the morning of the
+17th, I went down to Sydney.</p>
+
+<p>Here terminates the transcription of my diary. It were vain to
+suppose, that it can prove either agreeable or interesting to a
+majority of readers but as this work is intended not only for
+amusement, but information, I considered it right to present this
+detail unaltered, either in its style or arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>A return of the number of persons employed at Rose Hill,
+November 16th, 1790.</p>
+
+<pre>
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+How Employed | Troops | Civil dept |     Troops       |      Convicts         |
+             |        |            |Wives  |  Children| Men | Women | Children|
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Storekeeper                 1
+Surgeon                     1
+Carpenters                                              24
+Blacksmiths                                              5
+Master Bricklayer                                        1
+Bricklayers                                             28
+Master Brickmaker                                        1
+Brickmakers                                             52
+Labourers                                              326*
+Assistants to the
+provision store                                          4
+Assistants to the
+hospital                                                 3
+Officers' servants                                       6
+Making Clothing                                                50
+Superintendants            4
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Total number of
+persons   552|  29    |    6       |   1   |      3   | 450 |  50   |    13   |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="note">[*Of these labourers, 16 are sawyers. The rest
+are variously employed in clearing fresh land; in dragging brick
+and timber carts; and a great number in making a road of a mile
+long, through the main street, to the governor's house.]</p>
+
+<a name="11"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER XI.</h3>
+
+<h4>Farther Transactions of the Colony in November, 1790.</h4>
+
+<p>During the intervals of duty, our greatest source of
+entertainment now lay in cultivating the acquaintance of our new
+friends, the natives. Ever liberal of communication, no
+difficulty but of understanding each other subsisted between us.
+Inexplicable contradictions arose to bewilder our researches
+which no ingenuity could unravel and no credulity reconcile.</p>
+
+<p>Baneelon, from being accustomed to our manners, and
+understanding a little English, was the person through whom we
+wished to prosecute inquiry, but he had lately become a man of so
+much dignity and consequence, that it was not always easy to
+obtain his company. Clothes had been given to him at various
+times, but he did not always condescend to wear them. One day he
+would appear in them, and the next day he was to be seen carrying
+them in a net slung around his neck. Farther to please him, a
+brick house of twelve feet square was built for his use, and for
+that of such of his countrymen as might choose to reside in it,
+on a point of land fixed upon by himself. A shield, double cased
+with tin, to ward off the spears of his enemies, was also
+presented to him, by the governor.</p>
+
+<p>Elated by these marks of favour, and sensible that his
+importance with his countrymen arose in proportion to our
+patronage of him, he warmly attached himself to our society. But
+the gratitude of a savage is ever a precarious tenure. That of
+Baneelon was fated to suffer suspension, and had well nigh been
+obliterated by the following singular circumstance.</p>
+
+<p>One day the natives were observed to assemble in more than an
+ordinary number at their house on the point, and to be full of
+bustle and agitation, repeatedly calling on the name of Baneelon,
+and that of 'deein' (a woman). Between twelve and one o'clock
+Baneelon, unattended, came to the governor at his house, and told
+him that he was going to put to death a woman immediately, whom
+he had brought from Botany Bay. Having communicated his
+intention, he was preparing to go away, seeming not to wish that
+the governor should be present at the performance of the
+ceremony. But His Excellency was so struck with the fierce
+gestures, and wild demeanour of the other, who held in his hand
+one of our hatchets and frequently tried the sharpness of it,
+that he determined to accompany him, taking with him Mr. Collins
+and his orderly sergeant. On the road, Baneelon continued to talk
+wildly and incoherently of what he would do, and manifested such
+extravagant marks of fury and revenge, that his hatchet was taken
+away from him, and a walking-stick substituted for it.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached the house, they found several natives, of
+both sexes lying promiscuously before the fire, and among them a
+young woman, not more than sixteen years old, who at sight of
+Baneelon, started, and raised herself half up. He no sooner saw
+her than, snatching a sword of the country, he ran at her, and
+gave her two severe wounds on the head and one on the shoulder,
+before interference in behalf of the poor wretch could be made.
+Our people now rushed in and seized him; but the other Indians
+continued quiet spectators of what was passing, either awed by
+Baneelon's superiority or deeming it a common case, unworthy of
+notice and interposition. In vain did the governor by turns
+soothe and threaten him. In vain did the sergeant point his
+musquet at him. He seemed dead to every passion but revenge;
+forgot his affection to his old friends and, instead of complying
+with the request they made, furiously brandished his sword at the
+governor, and called aloud for his hatchet to dispatch the
+unhappy victim of his barbarity. Matters now wore a serious
+aspect. The other Indians appeared under the control of Baneelon
+and had begun to arm and prepare their spears, as if determined
+to support him in his violence.</p>
+
+<p>Farther delay might have been attended with danger. The
+'Supply' was therefore immediately hailed, and an armed boat
+ordered to be sent on shore. Luckily, those on board the ship had
+already observed the commotion and a boat was ready, into which
+captain Ball, with several of his people stepped, armed with
+musquets, and put off. It was reasonable to believe that so
+powerful a reinforcement would restore tranquillity, but Baneelon
+stood unintimidated at disparity of numbers and boldly demanded
+his prisoner, whose life, he told the governor, he was determined
+to sacrifice, and afterwards to cut off her head. Everyone was
+eager to know what could be the cause of such inveterate
+inhumanity. Undaunted, he replied that her father was his enemy,
+from whom he had received the wound in his forehead
+beforementioned; and that when he was down in battle, and under
+the lance of his antagonist, this woman had contributed to assail
+him. "She is now," added he, "my property: I have ravished her by
+force from her tribe: and I will part with her to no person
+whatever, until my vengeance shall be glutted."</p>
+
+<p>Farther remonstrance would have been wasted. His Excellency
+therefore ordered the woman to be taken to the hospital in order
+that her wounds might be dressed. While this was doing, one of
+the natives, a young man named Boladeree, came up and supplicated
+to be taken into the boat also, saying that he was her husband,
+which she confirmed and begged that he might be admitted. He was
+a fine well grown lad, of nineteen or twenty years old, and was
+one of the persons who had been in the house in the scene just
+described, which he had in no wise endeavoured to prevent, or to
+afford assistance to the poor creature who had a right to his
+protection.</p>
+
+<p>All our people now quitted the place, leaving the exasperated
+Baneelon and his associates to meditate farther schemes of
+vengeance. Before they parted he gave them, however, to
+understand that he would follow the object of his resentment to
+the hospital, and kill her there, a threat which the governor
+assured him if he offered to carry into execution he should be
+immediately shot. Even this menace he treated with disdain.</p>
+
+<p>To place the refugees in security, a sentinel was ordered to
+take post at the door of the house, in which they were lodged.
+Nevertheless they attempted to get away in the night, either from
+fear that we were not able to protect them, or some apprehension
+of being restrained from future liberty. When questioned where
+they proposed to find shelter, they said they would go to the
+Cameragal tribe, with whom they should be safe. On the following
+morning, Imeerawanyee* joined them, and expressed strong fears of
+Baneelon's resentment. Soon after a party of natives, known to
+consist of Baneelon's chosen friends, with a man of the name of
+Bigon, at their head, boldly entered the hospital garden, and
+tried to carry off all three by force. They were driven back and
+threatened, to which their leader only replied by contemptuous
+insolence.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*This good-tempered lively lad, was become a
+great favourite with us, and almost constantly lived at the
+governor's house. He had clothes made up for him, and to amuse
+his mind, he was taught to wait at table. One day a lady, Mrs.
+McArthur, wife of an officer of the garrison, dined there, as did
+Nanbaree. This latter, anxious that his countryman should appear
+to advantage in his new office, gave him many instructions,
+strictly charging him, among other things, to take away the
+lady's plate, whenever she should cross her knife and fork, and
+to give her a clean one. This Imeerawanyee executed, not only to
+Mrs. McArthur, but to several of the other guests. At last
+Nanbaree crossed his knife and fork with great gravity, casting a
+glance at the other, who looked for a moment with cool
+indifference at what he had done, and then turned his head
+another way. Stung at this supercilious treatment, he called in
+rage, to know why he was not attended to, as well as the rest of
+the company. But Imeerawanyee only laughed; nor could all the
+anger and reproaches of the other prevail upon him to do that for
+one of his countrymen, which he cheerfully continued to perform
+to every other person.]</p>
+
+<p>Baneelon finding he could not succeed, withdrew himself for
+two days. At length he made his appearance, attended only by his
+wife. Unmindful of what had so recently happened, he marched
+singly up to the governor's house, and on being refused
+admittance, though unarmed, attempted to force the sentinel. The
+soldier spared him, but the guard was instantly sent for, and
+drawn up in front of the house; not that their co-operation was
+necessary, but that their appearance might terrify. His ardour
+now cooled, and he seemed willing, by submission, to atone for
+his misconduct. His intrepid disregard of personal risk, nay of
+life, could not however, but gain admiration; though it led us to
+predict, that this Baneelon, whom imagination had fondly
+pictured, like a second Omai, the gaze of a court and the
+scrutiny of the curious, would perish untimely, the victim of his
+own temerity.</p>
+
+<p>To encourage his present disposition of mind, and to try if
+feelings of compassion towards an enemy, could be exerted by an
+Indian warrior, the governor ordered him to be taken to the
+hospital, that he might see the victim of his ferocity. He
+complied in sullen silence. When about to enter the room in which
+she lay, he appeared to have a momentary struggle with himself,
+which ended his resentment. He spoke to her with kindness, and
+professed sorrow for what he had done, and promised her future
+protection. Barangaroo, who had accompanied him, now took the
+alarm: and as in shunning one extreme we are ever likely to rush
+into another, she thought him perhaps too courteous and tender.
+Accordingly she began to revile them both with great bitterness,
+threw stones at the girl and attempted to beat her with a
+club.</p>
+
+<p>Here terminated this curious history, which I leave to the
+reader's speculation. Whether human sacrifices of prisoners be
+common among them is a point which all our future inquiry never
+completely determined. It is certain that no second instance of
+this sort was ever witnessed by us.</p>
+
+<a name="12"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER XII.</h3>
+
+<h4>Transactions of the Colony in Part of December, 1790.</h4>
+
+<p>On the 9th of the month, a sergeant of marines, with three
+convicts, among whom was McEntire, the governor's gamekeeper (the
+person of whom Baneelon had, on former occasions, shown so much
+dread and hatred) went out on a shooting party. Having passed the
+north arm of Botany Bay, they proceeded to a hut formed of
+boughs, which had been lately erected on this peninsula, for the
+accommodation of sportsmen who wished to continue by night in the
+woods; for, as the kangaroos in the day-time, chiefly keep in the
+cover, it is customary on these parties to sleep until near
+sunset, and watch for the game during the night, and in the early
+part of the morning. Accordingly, having lighted a fire, they lay
+down, without distrust or suspicion.</p>
+
+<p>About one o'clock, the sergeant was awakened by a rustling
+noise in the bushes near him, and supposing it to proceed from a
+kangaroo, called to his comrades, who instantly jumped up. On
+looking about more narrowly, they saw two natives with spears in
+their hands, creeping towards them, and three others a little
+farther behind. As this naturally created alarm, McEntire said,
+"don't be afraid, I know them," and immediately laying down his
+gun, stepped forward, and spoke to them in their own language.
+The Indians, finding they were discovered, kept slowly
+retreating, and McEntire accompanied them about a hundred yards,
+talking familiarly all the while.</p>
+
+<p>One of them now jumped on a fallen tree and, without giving
+the least warning of his intention, launched his spear at
+McEntire and lodged it in his left side. The person who committed
+this wanton act was described as a young man with a speck or
+blemish on his left eye That he had been lately among us was
+evident from his being newly shaved.</p>
+
+<p>The wounded man immediately drew back and, joining his party,
+cried, "I am a dead man". While one broke off the end of the
+spear, the other two set out with their guns in pursuit of the
+natives; but their swiftness of foot soon convinced our people of
+the impossibility of reaching them. It was now determined to
+attempt to carry McEntire home, as his death was apprehended to
+be near, and he expressed a longing desire not to be left to
+expire in the woods. Being an uncommonly robust muscular man,
+notwithstanding a great effusion of blood, he was able, with the
+assistance of his comrades, to creep slowly along, and reached
+Sydney about two o'clock the next morning. On the wound being
+examined by the surgeons, it was pronounced mortal. The poor
+wretch now began to utter the most dreadful exclamations, and to
+accuse himself of the commission of crimes of the deepest dye,
+accompanied with such expressions of his despair of God's mercy,
+as are too terrible to repeat.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of the day, Colbee, and several more natives
+came in, and were taken to the bed where the wounded man lay.
+Their behaviour indicated that they had already heard of the
+accident, as they repeated twice or thrice the name of the
+murderer Pimelwi, saying that he lived at Botany Bay. To gain
+knowledge of their treatment of similar wounds, one of the
+surgeons made signs of extracting the spear, but this they
+violently opposed, and said, if it were done, death would
+instantly follow.</p>
+
+<p>On the 12th, the extraction of the spear was, however, judged
+practicable, and was accordingly performed. That part of it which
+had penetrated the body measured seven inches and a half long,
+having on it a wooden barb, and several smaller ones of stone,
+fastened on with yellow gum, most of which, owing to the force
+necessary in extraction, were torn off and lodged in the patient.
+The spear had passed between two ribs, and had wounded the left
+lobe of the lungs. He lingered* until the 20th of January, and
+then expired. On opening the corpse, it was found that the left
+lung had perished from suppuration, its remains adhering to the
+ribs. Some pieces of stone, which had dropped from the spear were
+seen, but no barb of wood.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*From the aversion uniformly shown by all the
+natives to this unhappy man, he had long been suspected by us of
+having in his excursions, shot and injured them. To gain
+information on this head from him, the moment of contrition was
+seized. On being questioned with great seriousness, he, however,
+declared that he had never fired but once on a native, and then
+had not killed, but severely wounded him and this in his own
+defence. Notwithstanding this death-bed confession, most people
+doubted the truth of the relation, from his general character and
+other circumstances.]</p>
+
+<p>The governor was at Rose-hill when this accident happened. On
+the day after he returned to Sydney, the following order was
+issued:</p>
+
+<p>Several tribes of the natives still continuing to throw spears
+at any man they meet unarmed, by which several have been killed,
+or dangerously wounded, the governor, in order to deter the
+natives from such practices in future, has ordered out a party to
+search for the man who wounded the convict McEntire, in so
+dangerous a manner on Friday last, though no offence was offered
+on his part, in order to make a signal example of that tribe. At
+the same time, the governor strictly forbids, under penalty of
+the severest punishment, any soldier or other person, not
+expressly ordered out for that purpose, ever to fire on any
+native except in his own defence; or to molest him in any shape,
+or to bring away any spears, or other articles which they may
+find belonging to those people. The natives will be made severe
+examples of whenever any man is wounded by them; but this will be
+done in a manner which may satisfy them that it is a punishment
+inflicted on them for their own bad conduct, and of which they
+cannot be made sensible if they are not treated with kindness
+while they continue peaceable and quiet.</p>
+
+<p>A party, consisting of two captains, two subalterns, and forty
+privates, with a proper number of non-commissioned officers from
+the garrison, with three days provisions, etc. are to be ready to
+march to-morrow morning at day-light, in order to bring in six of
+those natives who reside near the head of Botany Bay; or, if that
+should be found impracticable, to put that number to death.</p>
+
+<p>Just previous to this order being issued, the author of this
+publication received a direction to attend the governor at head
+quarters immediately. I went, and his excellency informed me that
+he had pitched upon me to execute the foregoing command. He added
+that the two subalterns who were to be drawn from the marine
+corps, should be chosen by myself; that the sergeant and the two
+convicts who were with McEntire, should attend as guides; that we
+were to proceed to the peninsula at the head of Botany Bay; and
+thence, or from any part of the north arm of the bay, we were, if
+practicable, to bring away two natives as prisoners; and to put
+to death ten; that we were to destroy all weapons of war but
+nothing else; that no hut was to be burned; that all women and
+children were to remain uninjured, not being comprehended within
+the scope of the order; that our operations were to be directed
+either by surprise or open force; that after we had made any
+prisoners, all communication, even with those natives with whom
+we were in habits of intercourse, was to be avoided, and none of
+them suffered to approach us. That we were to cut off and bring
+in the heads of the slain; for which purpose hatchets and bags
+would be furnished. And finally, that no signal of amity or
+invitation should be used in order to allure them to us; or if
+made on their part, to be answered by us: for that such conduct
+would be not only present treachery, but give them reason to
+distrust every future mark of peace and friendship on our
+part.</p>
+
+<p>His excellency was now pleased to enter into the reasons which
+had induced him to adopt measures of such severity. He said that
+since our arrival in the country, no less than seventeen of our
+people had either been killed or wounded by the natives; that he
+looked upon the tribe known by the name of Bideegal, living on
+the beforementioned peninsula, and chiefly on the north arm of
+Botany Bay, to be the principal aggressors; that against this
+tribe he was determined to strike a decisive blow, in order, at
+once to convince them of our superiority and to infuse an
+universal terror, which might operate to prevent farther
+mischief. That his observations on the natives had led him to
+conclude that although they did not fear death individually, yet
+that the relative weight and importance of the different tribes
+appeared to be the highest object of their estimation, as each
+tribe deemed its strength and security to consist wholly in its
+powers, aggregately considered. That his motive for having so
+long delayed to use violent measures had arisen from believing,
+that in every former instance of hostility, they had acted either
+from having received injury, or from misapprehension.</p>
+
+<p>"To the latter of these causes," added he, "I attribute my own
+wound, but in this business of McEntire, I am fully persuaded
+that they were unprovoked, and the barbarity of their conduct
+admits of no extenuation; for I have separately examined the
+sergeant, of whose veracity I have the highest opinion, and the
+two convicts; and their story is short, simple, and alike. I have
+in vain tried to stimulate Baneelon, Colbee, and the other
+natives who live among us, to bring in the aggressor. Yesterday,
+indeed, they promised me to do it, and actually went away as if
+bent on such a design; but Baneelon, instead of directing his
+steps to Botany Bay, crossed the harbour in his canoe, in order
+to draw the foreteeth of some of the young men; and Colbee, in
+the room of fulfilling his engagement, is loitering about the
+lookout house. Nay, so far from wishing even to describe
+faithfully the person of the man who has thrown the spear, they
+pretended that he has a distorted foot, which is a palpable
+falsehood. So that we have our efforts only to depend upon; and I
+am resolved to execute the prisoners who may be brought in, in
+the most public and exemplary manner, in the presence of as many
+of their countrymen as can be collected, after having explained
+the cause of such a punishment; and my fixed determination to
+repeat it, whenever any future breach of good conduct on their
+side shall render it necessary."</p>
+
+<p>Here the governor stopped, and addressing himself to me, said
+if I could propose any alteration of the orders under which I was
+to act, he would patiently listen to me. Encouraged by this
+condescension, I begged leave to offer for consideration whether,
+instead of destroying ten persons, the capture of six would not
+better answer all the purposes for which the expedition was to be
+undertaken; as out of this number, a part might be set aside for
+retaliation; and the rest, at a proper time, liberated, after
+having seen the fate of their comrades and being made sensible of
+the cause of their own detention.</p>
+
+<p>This scheme, his Excellency was pleased instantly to adopt,
+adding, "if six cannot be taken, let this number be shot. Should
+you, however, find it practicable to take so many, I will hang
+two and send the rest to Norfolk Island for a certain period,
+which will cause their countrymen to believe that we have
+dispatched them secretly." The order was accordingly altered to
+its present form; and I took my leave to prepare, after being
+again cautioned not to deceive by holding signals of amity.</p>
+
+<p>At four o'clock on the morning of the 14th we marched The
+detachment consisted, besides myself, of Captain Hill of the New
+South Wales Corps, Lieutenants Poulder and Dawes, of the marines,
+Mr. Worgan and Mr. Lowes, surgeons, three sergeants, three
+corporals, and forty private soldiers, provided with three days
+provisions, ropes to bind our prisoners with, and hatchets and
+bags to cut off and contain the heads of the slain. By nine
+o'clock this terrific procession reached the peninsula at the
+head of Botany Bay, but after having walked in various directions
+until four o'clock in the afternoon, without seeing a native, we
+halted for the night.</p>
+
+<p>At daylight on the following morning our search recommenced.
+We marched in an easterly direction, intending to fall in with
+the south-west arm of the bay, about three miles above its mouth,
+which we determined to scour, and thence passing along the head
+of the peninsula, to proceed to the north arm, and complete our
+Search. However, by a mistake of our guides, at half past seven
+o'clock instead of finding ourselves on the south-west arm, we
+came suddenly upon the sea shore, at the head of the peninsula,
+about midway between the two arms. Here we saw five Indians on
+the beach, whom we attempted to surround; but they penetrated our
+design, and before we could get near enough to effect our
+purpose, ran off. We pursued; but a contest between heavy-armed
+Europeans, fettered by ligatures, and naked unencumbered Indians,
+was too unequal to last long. They darted into the wood and
+disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>The alarm being given, we were sensible that no hope of
+success remained, but by a rapid movement to a little village (if
+five huts deserve the name) which we knew stood on the nearest
+point of the north arm, where possibly someone unapprised of our
+approach, might yet be found. Thither we hastened; but before we
+could reach it three canoes, filled with Indians, were seen
+paddling over in the utmost hurry and trepidation, to the
+opposite shore, where universal alarm prevailed. All we could now
+do was to search the huts for weapons of war: but we found
+nothing except fish gigs, which we left untouched.</p>
+
+<p>On our return to our baggage (which we had left behind under a
+small guard near the place where the pursuit had begun) we
+observed a native fishing in shallow water not higher than his
+waist, at the distance of 300 yards from the land. In such a
+situation it would not have been easily practicable either to
+shoot, or seize him. I therefore determined to pass without
+noticing him, as he seemed either from consciousness of his own
+security, or from some other cause, quite unintimidated at our
+appearance. At length he called to several of us by name, and in
+spite of our formidable array, drew nearer with unbounded
+confidence. Surprised at his behaviour I ordered a halt, that he
+might overtake us, fully resolved, whoever he might be, that he
+should be suffered to come to us and leave us uninjured.
+Presently we found it to be our friend Colbee; and he joined us
+at once with his wonted familiarity and unconcern. We asked him
+where Pimelwi was, and found that he perfectly comprehended the
+nature of our errand, for he described him to have fled to the
+southward; and to be at such a distance, as had we known the
+account to be true, would have prevented our going in search of
+him, without a fresh supply of provisions.</p>
+
+<p>When we arrived at our baggage, Colbee sat down, ate, drank,
+and slept with us, from ten o'clock until past noon. We asked him
+several questions about Sydney, which he had left on the
+preceding day*; and he told us he had been present at an
+operation performed at the hospital, where Mr. White had cut off
+a woman's leg. The agony and cries of the poor sufferer he
+depicted in a most lively manner.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*He had it seems visited the governor about
+noon, after having gained information from Nanbaree of our march,
+and for what purpose it was undertaken. This he did not scruple
+to tell to the governor; proclaiming at the same time, a
+resolution of going to Botany Bay, which his excellency
+endeavoured to dissuade him from by every argument he could
+devise: a blanket, a hatchet, a jacket, or aught else he would
+ask for, was offered to him in vain, if he would not go. At last
+it was determined to try to eat him down, by setting before him
+his favourite food, of which it was hoped he would feed so
+voraciously, as to render him incapable of executing his
+intention. A large dish of fish was accordingly set before him.
+But after devouring a light horseman, and at least five pounds of
+beef and bread, even until the sight of food became disgusting to
+him, he set out on his journey with such lightness and gaiety, as
+plainly shewed him to be a stranger to the horrors of
+indigestion.]</p>
+
+<p>At one o'clock we renewed our march, and at three halted near
+a freshwater swamp, where we resolved to remain until morning:
+that is, after a day of severe fatigue, to pass a night of
+restless inquietude, when weariness is denied repose by swarms of
+mosquitoes and sandflies, which in the summer months bite and
+sting the traveller, without measure or intermission.</p>
+
+<p>Next morning we bent our steps homeward; and, after wading
+breast-high through two arms of the sea, as broad as the Thames
+at Westminster, were glad to find ourselves at Sydney, between
+one and two o'clock in the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>The few remarks which I was able to make on the country
+through which we had passed, were such as will not tempt
+adventurers to visit it on the score of pleasure or advantage.
+The soil of every part of the peninsula, which we had traversed,
+is shallow and sandy, and its productions meagre and wretched.
+When forced to quit the sand, we were condemned to drag through
+morasses, or to clamber over rocks, unrefreshed by streams, and
+unmarked by diversity. Of the soil I brought away several
+specimens.</p>
+
+<p>Our first expedition having so totally failed, the governor
+resolved to try the fate of a second; and the 'painful
+pre-eminence' again devolved on me.</p>
+
+<p>The orders under which I was commanded to act differing in no
+respect from the last, I resolved to try once more to surprise
+the village beforementioned. And in order to deceive the natives,
+and prevent them from again frustrating our design by
+promulgating it, we feigned that our preparations were directed
+against Broken Bay; and that the man who had wounded the governor
+was the object of punishment. It was now also determined, being
+full moon, that our operations should be carried on in the night,
+both for the sake of secrecy, and for avoiding the extreme heat
+of the day.</p>
+
+<p>A little before sun-set on the evening of the 22nd, we
+marched. Lieutenant Abbot, and ensign Prentice, of the New South
+Wales corps, were the two officers under my command, and with
+three sergeants, three corporals, and thirty privates, completed
+the detachment.</p>
+
+<p>We proceeded directly to the fords of the north arm of Botany
+Bay, which we had crossed in our last expedition, on the banks of
+which we were compelled to wait until a quarter past two in the
+morning, for the ebb of the tide. As these passing-places consist
+only of narrow slips of ground, on each side of which are
+dangerous holes; and as fording rivers in the night is at all
+times an unpleasant task, I determined before we entered the
+water, to disburthen the men as much as possible; that in case of
+stepping wrong every one might be as ready, as circumstances
+would admit, to recover himself. The firelock and cartouche-box
+were all that we carried, the latter tied fast on the top of the
+head, to prevent it from being wetted. The knapsacks, etc. I left
+in charge of a sergeant and six men, who from their low stature
+and other causes, were most likely to impede our march, the
+success of which I knew hinged on our ability, by a rapid
+movement, to surprise the village before daybreak.</p>
+
+<p>The two rivers were crossed without any material accident: and
+in pursuit of my resolution, I ordered the guides to conduct us
+by the nearest route, without heeding difficulty, or impediment
+of road. Having continued to push along the river-bank very
+briskly for three quarters of an hour, we were suddenly stopped
+by a creek, about sixty yards wide, which extended to our right,
+and appeared dry from the tide being out: I asked if it could be
+passed, or whether it would be better to wheel round the head of
+it. Our guides answered that it was bad to cross, but might be
+got over, which would save us more than a quarter of a mile.
+Knowing the value of time, I directly bade them to push through,
+and every one began to follow as well as he could. They who were
+foremost had not, however, got above half over when the
+difficulty of progress was sensibly experienced. We were
+immersed, nearly to the waist in mud, so thick and tenacious,
+that it was not without the most vigorous exertion of every
+muscle of the body, that the legs could be disengaged. When we
+had reached the middle, our distress became not only more
+pressing, but serious, and each succeeding step, buried us
+deeper. At length a sergeant of grenadiers stuck fast, and
+declared himself incapable of moving either forward or backward;
+and just after, Ensign Prentice and I felt ourselves in a similar
+predicament, close together. 'I find it impossible to move; I am
+sinking;' resounded on every side. What to do I knew not: every
+moment brought increase of perplexity, and augmented danger, as
+those who could not proceed kept gradually subsiding. From our
+misfortunes, however, those in the rear profited. Warned by what
+they saw and heard, they inclined to the right towards the head
+of the creek, and thereby contrived to pass over.</p>
+
+<p>Our distress would have terminated fatally, had not a soldier
+cried out to those on shore to cut boughs of trees*, and throw
+them to us--a lucky thought, which certainly saved many of us
+from perishing miserably; and even with this assistance, had we
+been burdened by our knapsacks, we could not have emerged; for it
+employed us near half an hour to disentangle some of our number.
+The sergeant of grenadiers in particular, was sunk to his
+breast-bone, and so firmly fixed in that the efforts of many men
+were required to extricate him, which was effected in the moment
+after I had ordered one of the ropes, destined to bind the
+captive Indians, to be fastened under his arms.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*I had often read of this contrivance to
+facilitate the passage of a morass. But I confess, that in my
+confusion I had entirely forgotten it, and probably should have
+continued to do so until too late to be of use.]</p>
+
+<p>Having congratulated each other on our escape from this
+'Serbonian Bog,' and wiped our arms (half of which were rendered
+unserviceable by the mud) we once more pushed forward to our
+object, within a few hundred yards of which we found ourselves
+about half an hour before sunrise. Here I formed the detachment
+into three divisions, and having enjoined the most perfect
+silence, in order, if possible, to deceive Indian vigilance, each
+division was directed to take a different route, so as to meet at
+the village at the same moment.</p>
+
+<p>We rushed rapidly on, and nothing could succeed more exactly
+than the arrival of the several detachments. To our astonishment,
+however, we found not a single native at the huts; nor was a
+canoe to be seen on any part of the bay. I was at first inclined
+to attribute this to our arriving half an hour too late, from the
+numberless impediments we had encountered. But on closer
+examination, there appeared room to believe, that many days had
+elapsed since an Indian had been on the spot, as no mark of fresh
+fires, or fish bones, was to be found.</p>
+
+<p>Disappointed and fatigued, we would willingly have profited by
+the advantage of being near water, and have halted to refresh.
+But on consultation, it was found, that unless we reached in an
+hour the rivers we had so lately passed, it would be impossible,
+on account of the tide, to cross to our baggage, in which case we
+should be without food until evening. We therefore pushed back,
+and by dint of alternately running and walking, arrived at the
+fords, time enough to pass with ease and safety. So excessive,
+however, had been our efforts, and so laborious our progress,
+that several of the soldiers, in the course of the last two
+miles, gave up, and confessed themselves unable to proceed
+farther. All that I could do for these poor fellows, was to order
+their comrades to carry their muskets, and to leave with them a
+small party of those men who were least exhausted, to assist them
+and hurry them on. In three quarters of an hour after we had
+crossed the water, they arrived at it, just time enough to effect
+a passage.</p>
+
+<p>The necessity of repose, joined to the succeeding heat of the
+day, induced us to prolong our halt until four o'clock in the
+afternoon, when we recommenced our operations on the opposite
+side of the north arm to that we had acted upon in the morning.
+Our march ended at sunset, without our seeing a single native. We
+had passed through the country which the discoverers of Botany
+Bay extol as 'some of the finest meadows in the world*.' These
+meadows, instead of grass, are covered with high coarse rushes,
+growing in a rotten spongy bog, into which we were plunged
+knee-deep at every step.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*The words which are quoted may be found in Mr.
+Cook's first voyage, and form part of his description of Botany
+Bay. It has often fallen to my lot to traverse these fabled
+plains; and many a bitter execration have I heard poured on those
+travellers, who could so faithlessly relate what they saw.]</p>
+
+<p>Our final effort was made at half past one o'clock next
+morning; and after four hours toil, ended as those preceding it
+had done, in disappointment and vexation. At nine o'clock we
+returned to Sydney, to report our fruitless peregrination.</p>
+
+<p>But if we could not retaliate on the murderer of M'Entire, we
+found no difficulty in punishing offences committed within our
+own observation. Two natives, about this time, were detected in
+robbing a potato garden. When seen, they ran away, and a sergeant
+and a party of soldiers were dispatched in pursuit of them.
+Unluckily it was dark when they overtook them, with some women at
+a fire; and the ardour of the soldiers transported them so far
+that, instead of capturing the offenders, they fired in among
+them. The women were taken, but the two men escaped.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day, blood was traced from the fireplace to
+the sea-side, where it seemed probable that those who had lost
+it, had embarked. The natives were observed to become immediately
+shy; but an exact knowledge of the mischief which had been
+committed, was not gained until the end of two days, when they
+said that a man of the name of Bangai (who was known to be one of
+the pilferers) was wounded and dead. Imeerawanyee, however,
+whispered that though he was wounded, he was not dead. A hope now
+existed that his life might be saved; and Mr. White, taking
+Imeerawanyee, Nanbaree, and a woman with him, set out for the
+spot where he was reported to be. But on their reaching it, they
+were told by some people who were there that the man was dead,
+and that the corpse was deposited in a bay about a mile off.
+Thither they accordingly repaired, and found it as described,
+covered--except one leg, which seemed to be designedly left
+bare--with green boughs and a fire burning near it. Those who had
+performed the funeral obsequies seemed to have been particularly
+solicitous for the protection of the face, which was covered with
+a thick branch, interwoven with grass and fern so as to form a
+complete screen. Around the neck was a strip of the bark of which
+they make fishing lines, and a young strait stick growing near
+was stripped of its bark and bent down so as to form an arch over
+the body, in which position it was confined by a forked branch
+stuck into the earth.</p>
+
+<p>On examining the corpse, it was found to be warm. Through the
+shoulder had passed a musquet ball, which had divided the
+subclavian artery and caused death by loss of blood. No mark of
+any remedy having been applied could be discovered. Possibly the
+nature of the wound, which even among us would baffle cure
+without amputation of the arm at the shoulder, was deemed so
+fatal, that they despaired of success, and therefore left it to
+itself. Had Mr. White found the man alive, there is little room
+to think that he could have been of any use to him; for that an
+Indian would submit to so formidable and alarming an operation
+seems hardly probable.</p>
+
+<p>None of the natives who had come in the boat would touch the
+body, or even go near it, saying, the mawn would come; that is
+literally, 'the spirit of the deceased would seize them'. Of the
+people who died among us, they had expressed no such
+apprehension. But how far the difference of a natural death, and
+one effected by violence, may operate on their fears to induce
+superstition; and why those who had performed the rites of
+sepulture should not experience similar fears and reluctance, I
+leave to be determined. Certain it is (as I shall insist upon
+more hereafter), that they believe the spirit of the dead not to
+be extinct with the body.</p>
+
+<p>Baneelon took an odd method of revenging the death of his
+countryman. At the head of several of his tribe, he robbed one of
+the private boats of fish, threatening the people, who were
+unarmed, that in case they resisted he would spear them. On being
+taxed by the governor with this outrage, he at first stoutly
+denied it; but on being confronted with the people who were in
+the boat, he changed his language, and, without deigning even to
+palliate his offence, burst into fury and demanded who had killed
+Bangai.</p>
+
+<a name="13"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER XIII.</h3>
+
+<h4>The Transactions of the Colony continued to the End of May,
+1791.</h4>
+
+<p>December, 1790. The Dutch snow from Batavia arrived on the
+17th of the month, after a passage of twelve weeks, in which she
+had lost sixteen of her people. But death, to a man who has
+resided at Batavia, is too familiar an object to excite either
+terror or regret. All the people of the 'Supply' who were left
+there sick, except one midshipman, had also perished in that
+fatal climate.</p>
+
+<p>The cargo of the snow consisted chiefly of rice, with a small
+quantity of beef, pork, and flour.</p>
+
+<p>A letter was received by this vessel, written by the Shebander
+at Batavia, to governor Phillip, acquainting him that war had
+commenced between England and Spain. As this letter was written
+in the Dutch language we did not find it easy of translation. It
+filled us, however, with anxious perturbation, and with wishes as
+impotent, as they were eager, in the cause of our country. Though
+far beyond the din of arms, we longed to contribute to her glory,
+and to share in her triumphs.</p>
+
+<p>Placed out of the reach of attack, both by remoteness and
+insignificancy, our only dread lay lest those supplies intended
+for our consumption should be captured. Not, however, to be found
+totally unprovided in case an enemy should appear, a battery was
+planned near the entrance of Sydney Cove, and other formidable
+preparations set on foot.</p>
+
+<p>The commencement of the year 1791, though marked by no
+circumstances particularly favourable, beamed far less
+inauspicious than that of 1790 had done.</p>
+
+<p>January, 1791. No circumstance, however apparently trivial,
+which can tend to throw light on a new country, either in respect
+of its present situation, or its future promise, should pass
+unregarded. On the 24th of January, two bunches of grapes were
+cut in the governor's garden, from cuttings of vines brought
+three years before from the Cape of Good Hope. The bunches were
+handsome, the fruit of a moderate size, but well filled out and
+the flavour high and delicious.</p>
+
+<p>The first step after unloading the Dutch snow was to dispatch
+the 'Supply' to Norfolk Island for captain Hunter, and the crew
+of the 'Sirius' who had remained there ever since the loss of
+that ship. It had always been the governor's wish to hire the
+Dutchman, for the purpose of transporting them to England. But
+the frantic extravagant behaviour of the master of her, for a
+long time frustrated the conclusion of a contract. He was so
+totally lost to a sense of reason and propriety, as to ask eleven
+pounds per ton, monthly, for her use, until she should arrive
+from England, at Batavia. This was treated with proper contempt;
+and he was at last induced to accept twenty shillings a ton, per
+month (rating her at three hundred tons) until she should arrive
+in England--being about the twenty-fifth part of his original
+demand. And even at this price she was, perhaps, the dearest
+vessel ever hired on a similar service, being totally destitute
+of every accommodation and every good quality which could promise
+to render so long a voyage either comfortable or expeditious.</p>
+
+<p>February, 1791. On the 26th, Captain Hunter, his officers and
+ship's company joined us; and on the 28th of March the snow
+sailed with them for England, intending to make a northern
+passage by Timor and Batavia, the season being too far advanced
+to render the southern route by Cape Horn practicable*.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*They did not arrive in England until April,
+1792.]</p>
+
+<p>Six days previous to the departure of captain Hunter, the
+indefatigable 'Supply' again sailed for Norfolk Island, carrying
+thither captain Hill and a detachment of the New South Wales
+corps. A little native boy named Bondel, who had long
+particularly attached himself to captain Hill, accompanied him,
+at his own earnest request. His father had been killed in battle
+and his mother bitten in two by a shark: so that he was an
+orphan, dependant on the humanity of his tribe for protection*.
+His disappearance seemed to make no impression on the rest of his
+countrymen, who were apprized of his resolution to go. On the
+return of the 'Supply' they inquired eagerly for him, and on
+being told that the place he was gone to afforded plenty of birds
+and other good fare, innumerable volunteers presented themselves
+to follow him, so great was their confidence in us and so little
+hold of them had the amor patriae.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*I am of opinion that such protection is always
+extended to children who may be left destitute.]</p>
+
+<p>March, 1791. The snow had but just sailed, when a very daring
+manoeuvre was carried into execution, with complete success, by a
+set of convicts, eleven in number, including a woman, wife of one
+of the party, and two little children. They seized the governor's
+cutter and putting into her a seine, fishing-lines, and hooks,
+firearms, a quadrant, compass, and some provisions, boldly pushed
+out to sea, determined to brave every danger and combat every
+hardship, rather than remain longer in a captive state. Most of
+these people had been brought out in the first fleet, and the
+terms of transportation of some of them were expired. Among them
+were a fisherman, a carpenter, and some competent navigators, so
+that little doubt was entertained that a scheme so admirably
+planned would be adequately executed*. When their elopement was
+discovered, a pursuit was ordered by the governor. But the
+fugitives had made too good an use of the intermediate time to be
+even seen by their pursuers. After the escape of Captain Bligh,
+which was well known to us, no length of passage or hazard of
+navigation seemed above human accomplishment. However to prevent
+future attempts of a like nature, the governor directed that
+boats only of stated dimensions should be built. Indeed an order
+of this sort had been issued on the escape of the first party,
+and it was now repeated with additional restrictions.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*It was my fate to fall in again with part of
+this little band of adventurers. In March 1792, when I arrived in
+the Gorgon, at the Cape of Good Hope, six of these people,
+including the woman and one child, were put on board of us to be
+carried to England. Four had died, and one had jumped overboard
+at Batavia. The particulars of their voyage were briefly as
+follows. They coasted the shore of New Holland, putting
+occasionally into different harbours which they found in going
+along. One of these harbours, in the latitude of 30 degrees
+south, they described to be of superior excellence and capacity.
+Here they hauled their bark ashore, paid her seams with tallow,
+and repaired her. But it was with difficulty they could keep off
+the attacks of the Indians. These people continued to harras them
+so much that they quitted the mainland and retreated to a small
+island in the harbour, where they completed their design. Between
+the latitude of 26 degrees and 27 degrees, they were driven by a
+current 30 leagues from the shore, among some islands, where they
+found plenty of large turtles. Soon after they closed again with
+the continent, when the boat got entangled in the surf and was
+driven on shore, and they had all well nigh perished. They passed
+rough the straits of Endeavour and, beyond the gulf of
+Carpentaria, found a large freshwater river, which they entered,
+and filled from it their empty casks.</p>
+
+<p>Until they reached the gulf of Carpentaria, they saw no
+natives or canoes differing from those about Port Jackson. But
+now they were chased by large canoes, jitted with sails and
+fighting stages, and capable of holding thirty men each. They
+escaped by dint of rowing to windward. On the 5th of June 1791
+they reached Timor, and pretended that they had belonged to a
+ship which, on her passage from Port Jackson to India, had
+foundered; and that they only had escaped. The Dutch received
+them with kindness and treated them with hospitality. But their
+behaviour giving rise to suspicion, they were watched; and one of
+them at last, in a moment of intoxication, betrayed the secret.
+They were immediately secured and committed to prison. Soon after
+Captain Edwards of the Pandora, who had been wrecked near
+Endeavour straits, arrived at Timor, and they were delivered up
+to him, by which means they became passengers in the Gorgon.</p>
+
+<p>I confess that I never looked at these people without pity and
+astonishment. They had miscarried in a heroic struggle for
+liberty after having combated every hardship and conquered every
+difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>The woman, and one of the men, had gone out to Port Jackson in
+the ship which had transported me thither. They had both of them
+been always distinguished for good behaviour. And I could not but
+reflect with admiration at the strange combination of
+circumstances which had again brought us together, to baffle
+human foresight and confound human speculation.]</p>
+
+<p>April, 1791. Notwithstanding the supplies which had recently
+arrived from Batavia, short allowance was again proclaimed on the
+2nd of April, on which day we were reduced to the following
+ration:</p>
+
+<p>Three pounds of rice, three pounds of flour and three pounds
+of pork per week.</p>
+
+<p>It was singularly unfortunate that these retrenchments should
+always happen when the gardens were most destitute of vegetables.
+A long drought had nearly exhausted them. The hardships which we
+in consequence suffered were great, but not comparable to what
+had been formerly experienced. Besides, now we made sure of ships
+arriving soon to dispel our distress. Whereas, heretofore, from
+having never heard from England, the hearts of men sunk and many
+had begun to doubt whether it had not been resolved to try how
+long misery might be endured with resignation.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding the incompetency of so diminished a pittance,
+the daily task of the soldier and convict continued unaltered. I
+never contemplated the labours of these men without finding
+abundant cause of reflection on the miseries which our nature can
+overcome. Let me for a moment quit the cold track of narrative.
+Let me not fritter away by servile adaptation those reflections
+and the feelings they gave birth to. Let me transcribe them fresh
+as they arose, ardent and generous, though hopeless and romantic.
+I every day see wretches pale with disease and wasted with
+famine, struggle against the horror's of their situation. How
+striking is the effect of subordination; how dreadful is the fear
+of punishment! The allotted task is still performed, even on the
+present reduced subsistence. The blacksmith sweats at the sultry
+forge, the sawyer labours pent-up in his pit and the husbandman
+turns up the sterile glebe. Shall I again hear arguments
+multiplied to violate truth, and insult humanity! Shall I again
+be told that the sufferings of the wretched Africans are
+indispensable for the culture of our sugar colonies; that white
+men are incapable of sustaining the heat of the climate! I have
+been in the West Indies. I have lived there. I know that it is a
+rare instance for the mercury in the thermometer to mount there
+above 90 degrees; and here I scarcely pass a week in summer
+without seeing it rise to 100 degrees; sometimes to 105; nay,
+beyond even that burning altitude.</p>
+
+<p>But toil cannot be long supported without adequate
+refreshment. The first step in every community which wishes to
+preserve honesty should be to set the people above want. The
+throes of hunger will ever prove too powerful for integrity to
+withstand. Hence arose a repetition of petty delinquencies, which
+no vigilance could detect, and no justice reach. Gardens were
+plundered, provisions pilfered, and the Indian corn stolen from
+the fields where it grew for public use. Various were the
+measures adopted to check this depredatory spirit. Criminal
+courts, either from the tediousness of their process, or from the
+frequent escape of culprits from their decision, were seldomer
+convened than formerly. The governor ordered convict offenders
+either to be chained together or to wear singly a large iron
+collar with two spikes projecting from it, which effectually
+hindered the party from concealing it under his shirt; and thus
+shackled, they were compelled to perform their quota of work.</p>
+
+<p>May, 1791. Had their marauding career terminated here,
+humanity would have been anxious to plead in their defence; but
+the natives continued to complain of being robbed of spears and
+fishing tackle. A convict was at length taken in the fact of
+stealing fishing-tackle from Daringa, the wife of Colbee. The
+governor ordered that he should be severely flogged in the
+presence of as many natives as could be assembled, to whom the
+cause of punishment should be explained. Many of them, of both
+sexes, accordingly attended. Arabanoo's aversion to a similar
+sight has been noticed; and if the behaviour of those now
+collected be found to correspond with it, it is, I think, fair to
+conclude that these people are not of a sanguinary and implacable
+temper. Quick indeed of resentment, but not unforgiving of
+injury. There was not one of them that did not testify strong
+abhorrence of the punishment and equal sympathy with the
+sufferer. The women were particularly affected; Daringa shed
+tears, and Barangaroo, kindling into anger, snatched a stick and
+menaced the executioner. The conduct of these women, on this
+occasion, was exactly descriptive of their characters. The former
+was ever meek and feminine, the latter fierce and
+unsubmissive.</p>
+
+<p>On the first of May, many allotments of ground were parcelled
+out by the governor to convicts whose periods of transportation
+were expired, and who voluntarily offered to become settlers in
+the country. The terms on which they settled, and their progress
+in agriculture, will be hereafter set forth.</p>
+
+<a name="14"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER XIV.</h3>
+
+<h4>Travelling Diaries in New South Wales.</h4>
+
+<p>From among my numerous travelling journals into the interior
+parts of the country, I select the following to present to the
+reader, as equally important in their object, and more amusing in
+their detail, than any other.</p>
+
+<p>In April 1791 an expedition was undertaken, in order to
+ascertain whether or not the Hawkesbury and the Nepean, were the
+same river. With this view, we proposed to fall in a little above
+Richmond Hill*, and trace down to it; and if the weather should
+prove fine to cross at the ford, and go a short distance
+westward, then to repass the river and trace it upward until we
+should either arrive at some spot which we knew to be the Nepean,
+or should determine by its course that the Hawkesbury was a
+different stream.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Look at the map for the situation of this place
+(Unfortunately, there is no map accompanying this etext.
+Ed.)]</p>
+
+<p>Our party was strong and numerous. It consisted of twenty-one
+persons, viz. the governor, Mr. Collins and his servant, Mr.
+White, Mr. Dawes, the author, three gamekeepers, two sergeants,
+eight privates, and our friends Colbee and Boladeree. These two
+last were volunteers on the occasion, on being assured that we
+should not stay out many days and that we should carry plenty of
+provisions. Baneelon wished to go, but his wife would not permit
+it. Colbee on the other hand, would listen to no objections. He
+only stipulated (with great care and consideration) that, during
+his absence, his wife and child should remain at Sydney under our
+protection, and be supplied with provisions.</p>
+
+<p>But before we set out, let me describe our equipment, and try
+to convey to those who have rolled along on turnpike roads only,
+an account of those preparations which are required in traversing
+the wilderness. Every man (the governor excepted) carried his own
+knapsack, which contained provisions for ten days. If to this be
+added a gun, a blanket, and a canteen, the weight will fall
+nothing short of forty pounds. Slung to the knapsack are the
+cooking kettle and the hatchet, with which the wood to kindle the
+nightly fire and build the nightly hut is to be cut down. Garbed
+to drag through morasses, tear through thickets, ford rivers and
+scale rocks, our autumnal heroes, who annually seek the hills in
+pursuit of grouse and black game, afford but an imperfect
+representation of the picture.</p>
+
+<p>Thus encumbered, the march begins at sunrise, and with
+occasional halts continues until about an hour and a half before
+sunset. It is necessary to stop thus early to prepare for passing
+the night, for toil here ends not with the march. Instead of the
+cheering blaze, the welcoming landlord, and the long bill of
+fare, the traveller has now to collect his fuel, to erect his
+wigwam, to fetch water, and to broil his morsel of salt pork. Let
+him then lie down, and if it be summer, try whether the effect of
+fatigue is sufficiently powerful to overcome the bites and stings
+of the myriads of sandflies and mosquitoes which buzz around
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Monday, April 11, 1791. At twenty minutes before seven
+o'clock, we started from the governor's house at Rose Hill and
+steered* for a short time nearly in a north-east direction, after
+which we turned to north 34 degrees west, and steadily pursued
+that course until a quarter before four o'clock, when we halted
+for the night. The country for the first two miles, while we
+walked to the northeast, was good, full of grass and without rock
+or underwood. Afterwards it grew very bad, being full of steep,
+barren rocks, over which we were compelled to clamber for seven
+miles, when it changed to a plain country apparently very
+sterile, and with very little grass in it, which rendered walking
+easy. Our fatigue in the morning had, however, been so oppressive
+that one of the party knocked up. And had not a soldier, as
+strong as a pack-horse, undertaken to carry his knapsack in
+addition to his own, we must either have sent him back, or have
+stopped at a place for the night which did not afford water. Our
+two natives carried each his pack, but its weight was
+inconsiderable, most of their provisions being in the knapsacks
+of the soldiers and gamekeepers. We expected to have derived from
+them much information relating to the country, as no one doubted
+that they were acquainted with every part of it between the sea
+coast and the river Hawkesbury. We hoped also to have witnessed
+their manner of living in the woods, and the resources they rely
+upon in their journeys. Nothing, however, of this sort had yet
+occurred, except their examining some trees to see if they could
+discover on the bark any marks of the claws of squirrels and
+opossums, which they said would show whether any of those animals
+were hidden among the leaves and branches. They walked stoutly,
+appeared but little fatigued, and maintained their spirits
+admirably, laughing to excess when any of us either tripped or
+stumbled, misfortunes which much seldomer fell to their lot than
+to ours.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Our method, on these expeditions, was to steer
+by compass, noting the different courses as we proceeded; and
+counting the number of paces, of which two thousand two hundred,
+on good ground, were allowed to be a mile. At night when we
+halted, all these courses were separately cast up, and worked by
+a traverse table, in the manner a ship's reckoning is kept, so
+that by observing this precaution, we always knew exactly where
+we were, and how far from home; an unspeakable advantage in a new
+country, where one hill, and one tree, is so like another that
+fatal wanderings would ensue without it. This arduous task was
+always allotted to Mr. Dawes who, from habit and superior skill,
+performed it almost without a stop, or an interruption of
+conversation: to any other man, on such terms, it would have been
+impracticable.]</p>
+
+<p>At a very short distance from Rose Hill, we found that they
+were in a country unknown to them, so that the farther they went
+the more dependent on us they became, being absolute strangers
+inland. To convey to their understandings the intention of our
+journey was impossible. For, perhaps, no words could unfold to an
+Indian the motives of curiosity which induce men to encounter
+labour, fatigue and pain, when they might remain in repose at
+home, with a sufficiency of food. We asked Colbee the name of the
+people who live inland, and he called them Boorooberongal; and
+said they were bad, whence we conjectured that they sometimes war
+with those on the sea coast, by whom they were undoubtedly driven
+up the country from the fishing ground, that it might not be
+overstocked; the weaker here, as in every other country, giving
+way to the stronger.</p>
+
+<p>We asked how they lived. He said, on birds and animals, having
+no fish. Their laziness appeared strongly when we halted, for
+they refused to draw water or to cleave wood to make a fire; but
+as soon as it was kindled (having first well stuffed themselves),
+they lay down before it and fell asleep. About an hour after
+sunset, as we were chatting by the fire side and preparing to go
+to rest, we heard voices at a little distance in the wood. Our
+natives caught the sound instantaneously and, bidding us be
+silent, listened attentively to the quarter whence it had
+proceeded. In a few minutes we heard the voices plainly; and,
+wishing exceedingly to open a communication with this tribe, we
+begged our natives to call to them, and bid them to come to us,
+to assure them of good treatment, and that they should have
+something given them to eat. Colbee no longer hesitated, but gave
+them the signal of invitation, in a loud hollow cry. After some
+whooping and shouting on both sides, a man with a lighted stick
+in his hand advanced near enough to converse with us. The first
+words which we could distinctly understand were, 'I am Colbee, of
+the tribe of Cadigal.' The stranger replied, 'I am Bereewan, of
+the tribe of Boorooberongal.' Boladeree informed him also of his
+name and that we were white men and friends, who would give him
+something to eat. Still he seemed irresolute. Colbee therefore
+advanced to him, took him by the hand and led him to us. By the
+light of the moon, we were introduced to this gentleman, all our
+names being repeated in form by our two masters of the
+ceremonies, who said that we were Englishmen and 'budyeeree'
+(good), that we came from the sea coast, and that we were
+travelling inland.</p>
+
+<p>Bereewan seemed to be a man about thirty years old, differing
+in no respect from his countrymen with whom we were acquainted.
+He came to us unarmed, having left his spears at a little
+distance. After a long conversation with his countrymen, and
+having received some provisions, he departed highly
+satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>Tuesday, April 12th, 1791. Started this morning at half past
+six o'clock, and in two hours reached the river. The whole of the
+country we passed was poor, and the soil within a mile of the
+river changed to a coarse deep sand, which I have invariably
+found to compose its banks in every part without exception that I
+ever saw. The stream at this place is about 350 feet wide; the
+water pure and excellent to the taste. The banks are about twenty
+feet high and covered with trees, many of which had been
+evidently bent by the force of the current in the direction which
+it runs, and some of them contained rubbish and drift wood in
+their branches at least forty-five feet above the level of the
+stream. We saw many ducks, and killed one, which Colbee swam for.
+No new production among the shrubs growing here was found. we
+were acquainted with them all. Our natives had evidently never
+seen this river before. They stared at it with surprise, and
+talked to each other. Their total ignorance of the country, and
+of the direction in which they had walked, appeared when they
+were asked which way Rose Hill lay; for they pointed almost
+oppositely to it. Of our compass they had taken early notice, and
+had talked much to each other about it. They comprehended its
+use, and called it 'naamoro,' literally, "to see the way"; a more
+significant or expressive term cannot be found.</p>
+
+<p>Supposing ourselves to be higher on the stream than Richmond
+Hill, we agreed to trace downward, or to the right hand. In
+tracing, we kept as close to the bank of the river as the
+innumerable impediments to walking which grow upon it would
+allow. We found the country low and swampy; came to a native
+fireplace, at which were some small fish-bones; soon after we saw
+a native, but he ran away immediately. Having walked nearly three
+miles we were stopped by a creek which we could neither ford, or
+fall a tree across. We were therefore obliged to coast it, in
+hope to find a passing place or to reach its head. At four
+o'clock we halted for the night on the bank of the creek. Our
+natives continued to hold out stoutly. The hindrances to walking
+by the river side which plagued and entangled us so much, seemed
+not to be heeded by them, and they wound through them with case;
+but to us they were intolerably tiresome. Our perplexities
+afforded them an inexhaustible fund of merriment and derision:
+Did the sufferer, stung at once with nettles and ridicule, and
+shaken nigh to death by his fall, use any angry expression to
+them, they retorted in a moment, by calling him by every
+opprobrious name* which their language affords.</p>
+
+<p>Boladeree destroyed a native hut today very wantonly before we
+could prevent him. On being asked why he did so, he answered that
+the inhabitants inland were bad; though no longer since than last
+night, when Bereewan had departed, they were loud in their
+praise. But now they had reverted to their first opinion; so
+fickle and transient are their motives of love and hatred.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Their general favourite term of reproach is
+'goninpatta', which signifies 'an eater of human excrement'. Our
+language would admit a very concise and familiar translation.
+They have, besides this, innumerable others which they often
+salute their enemies with.]</p>
+
+<p>Wednesday, April 13th, 1791. We did not set out this morning
+until past seven o'clock, when we continued to trace the creek.
+The country which we passed through yesterday was good and
+desirable to what was now presented to us. It was in general high
+and universally rocky. 'Toiling our uncouth way', we mounted a
+hill, and surveyed the contiguous country. To the northward and
+eastward, the ground was still higher than that we were upon; but
+in a south-west direction we saw about four miles. The view
+consisted of nothing but trees growing on precipices; not an acre
+of it could be cultivated. Saw a tree on fire here, and several
+other vestiges of the natives. To comprehend the reasons which
+induce an Indian to perform many of the offices of life is
+difficult; to pronounce that which could lead him to wander
+amidst these dreary wilds baffles penetration. About two o'clock
+we reached the head of the creek, passed it and scrambled with
+infinite toil and difficulty to the top of a neighbouring
+mountain, whence we saw the adjacent country in almost every
+direction, for many miles. I record with regret that this
+extended view presented not a single gleam of change which could
+encourage hope or stimulate industry, to attempt its culture. We
+had, however, the satisfaction to discover plainly the object of
+our pursuit, Richmond Hill, distant about eight miles, in a
+contrary direction from what we had been proceeding upon. It was
+readily known to those who had been up the Hawkesbury in the
+boats, by a remarkable cleft or notch which distinguishes it. It
+was now determined that we should go back to the head of the
+creek and pass the night there; and in the morning cut across the
+country to that part of the river which we had first hit upon
+yesterday, and thence to trace upward, or to the left. But before
+I descend, I must not forget to relate that to this pile of
+desolation on which, like the fallen angel on the top of
+Niphates, we stood contemplating our nether Eden, His Excellency
+was pleased to give the name of Tench's Prospect Mount.</p>
+
+<p>Our fatigue to-day had been excessive; but our two sable
+companions seemed rather enlivened than exhausted by it. We had
+no sooner halted and given them something to eat than they began
+to play ten thousand tricks and gambols. They imitated the
+leaping of the kangaroo; sang, danced, poised the spear and met
+in mock encounter. But their principal source of merriment was
+again derived from our misfortunes, in tumbling amidst nettles,
+and sliding down precipices, which they mimicked with inimitable
+drollery. They had become, however, very urgent in their
+inquiries about the time of our return, nd we pacified them as
+well as we could by saying it would be soon, but avoided naming
+how many days.</p>
+
+<p>Their method of testifying dislike to any place is singular:
+they point to the spot they are upon, and all around it, crying
+'weeree, weeree' (bad) and immediately after mention the name of
+any other place to which they are attached (Rose Hill or Sydney
+for instance), adding to it 'budyeree, budyeree' (good). Nor was
+their preference in the present case the result of caprice, for
+they assigned very substantial reasons for such predilection: "At
+Rose Hill," said they, "are potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins,
+turnips, fish and wine; here are nothing but rocks and water."
+These comparisons constantly ended with the question of "Where's
+Rose Hill? Where?" on which they would throw up their hands and
+utter a sound to denote distance, which it is impossible to
+convey an idea of upon paper.</p>
+
+<p>Thursday, April 14th, 1791. We started early and reached the
+river in about two hours and a half. The intermediate country,
+except for the last half mile, was a continued bed of stones,
+which were in some places so thick and close together that they
+looked like a pavement formed by art. When we got off the stones,
+we came upon the coarse river sand beforementioned.</p>
+
+<p>Here we began to trace upward. We had not proceeded far when
+we saw several canoes on the river. Our natives made us
+immediately lie down among the reeds, while they gave their
+countrymen the signal of approach. After much calling, finding
+that they did not come, we continued our progress until it was
+again interrupted by a creek, over which we threw a tree and
+passed upon it. While this was doing, a native, from his canoe,
+entered into conversation with us, and immediately after paddled
+to us with a frankness and confidence which surprised every one.
+He was a man of middle age, with an open cheerful countenance,
+marked with the small pox, and distinguished by a nose of
+uncommon magnitude and dignity. He seemed to be neither
+astonished or terrified at our appearance and number. Two stone
+hatchets, and two spears he took from his canoe, and presented to
+the governor, who in return for his courteous generosity, gave
+him two of our hatchets and some bread, which was new to him, for
+he knew not its use, but kept looking at it, until Colbee shewed
+him what to do, when he eat it without hesitation. We pursued our
+course, and to accommodate us, our new acquaintance pointed out a
+path and walked at the head of us. A canoe, also with a man and a
+boy in it, kept gently paddling up abreast of us. We halted for
+the night at our usual hour, on the bank of the river.
+Immediately that we had stopped, our friend (who had already told
+us his name) Gombeeree, introduced the man and the boy from the
+canoe to us. The former was named Yellomundee, the latter
+Deeimba. The ease with which these people behaved among strangers
+was as conspicuous, as unexpected. They seated themselves at our
+fire, partook of our biscuit and pork, drank from our canteens,
+and heard our guns going off around them without betraying any
+symptom of fear, distrust or surprise. On the opposite bank of
+the river they had left their wives and several children, with
+whom they frequently discoursed; and we observed that these last
+manifested neither suspicion or uneasiness of our designs towards
+their friends.</p>
+
+<p>Having refreshed ourselves, we found leisure to enter into
+conversation with them. It could not be expected that they should
+differ materially from the tribes with whom we were acquainted.
+The same manners and pursuits, the same amusements, the same
+levity and fickleness, undoubtedly characterised them. What we
+were able to learn from them was that they depend but little on
+fish, as the river yields only mullets, and that their principal
+support is derived from small animals which they kill, and some
+roots (a species of wild yam chiefly) which they dig out of the
+earth. If we rightly understood them, each man possesses two
+wives. Whence can arise this superabundance of females? Neither
+of the men had suffered the extraction of a front tooth. We were
+eager to know whether or not this custom obtained among them. But
+neither Colbee nor Boladeree would put the question for us; and
+on the contrary, showed every desire to wave the subject. The
+uneasiness which they testified, whenever we renewed it, rather
+served to confirm a suspicion which we had long entertained, that
+this is a mark of subjection imposed by the tribe of Cameragal,
+(who are certainly the most powerful community in the country) on
+the weaker tribes around them. Whether the women cut off a joint
+of one of the little fingers, like those on the sea coast, we had
+no opportunity of observing. These are petty remarks. But one
+variety struck us more forcibly. Although our natives and the
+strangers conversed on a par and understood each other perfectly,
+yet they spoke different dialects of the same language; many of
+the most common and necessary words used in life bearing no
+similitude, and others being slightly different.</p>
+
+<pre>
+------------------------------------------------------------
+English     Name on the sea coast     Name at the Hawkesbury
+------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The Moon           Yeneeda                Condoen
+The Ear            Gooree                 Benna
+The Forehead       Nullo                  Narran
+The Belly          Barang                 Bindee
+The Navel          Muneero                Boombong
+The Buttocks       Boong                  Baylee
+The Neck           Calang                 Ganga
+The Thigh          Tara                   Dara
+The Hair           Deewara                Keewara
+-------------------------------------------------------------
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<p>That these diversities arise from want of intercourse with the
+people on the coast can hardly be imagined, as the distance
+inland is but thirty-eight miles; and from Rose Hill not more
+than twenty, where the dialect of the sea coast is spoken. It
+deserves notice that all the different terms seemed to be
+familiar to both parties, though each in speaking preferred its
+own*.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*How easily people, unused to speak the same
+language, mistake each other, everyone knows. We had lived almost
+three years at Port Jackson (for more than half of which period
+natives had resided with us) before we knew that the word
+'beeal', signified 'no', and not 'good', in which latter sense we
+had always used it without suspecting that we were wrong; and
+even without being corrected by those with whom we talked daily.
+The cause of our error was this. The epithet 'weeree', signifying
+'bad', we knew; and as the use of this word and its opposite
+afford the most simple form of denoting consent or disapprobation
+to uninstructed Indians, in order to find out their word for
+'good', when Arabanoo was first brought among us, we used
+jokingly to say that any thing, which he liked was 'weeree', in
+order to provoke him to tell us that it was good. When we said
+'weeree', he answered 'beeal', which we translated and adopted
+for 'good'; whereas he meant no more than simply to deny our
+inference, and say 'no'--it is not bad. After this, it cannot be
+thought extraordinary that the little vocabulary inserted in Mr.
+Cook's account of this part of the world should appear
+defective-- even were we not to take in the great probability of
+the dialects at Endeavour River and Van Diemen's land differing
+from that spoken at Port Jackson. And it remains to be proved
+that the animal called here 'patagaram' is not there called
+'kangaroo'.]</p>
+
+<p>Stretched out at ease before our fire, all sides continued to
+chat and entertain each other. Gombeeree shewed us the mark of a
+wound which he had received in his side from a spear. It was
+large, appeared to have passed to a considerable depth, and must
+certainly have been attended with imminent danger. By whom it had
+been inflicted, and on what occasion, he explained to Colbee; and
+afterwards (as we understood) he entered into a detail of the
+wars, and, as effects lead to causes, probably of the gallantries
+of the district, for the word which signifies a woman was often
+repeated. Colbee, in return for his communication, informed him
+who we were; of our numbers at Sydney and Rose Hill, of the
+stores we possessed and, above all, of the good things which were
+to be found among us, enumerating potatoes, cabbages, turnips,
+pumpkins, and many other names which were perfectly
+unintelligible to the person who heard them, but which he
+nevertheless listened to with profound attention.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the relation given by Gombeeree, of the cure of his
+wound, now gave rise to the following superstitious ceremony.
+While they were talking, Colbee turned suddenly round and asked
+for some water. I gave him a cupful, which he presented with
+great seriousness to Yellomundee, as I supposed to drink. This
+last indeed took the cup and filled his mouth with water, but
+instead of swallowing it, threw his head into Colbee's bosom,
+spit the water upon him and, immediately after, began to suck
+strongly at his breast, just below the nipple. I concluded that
+the man was sick; and called to the governor to observe the
+strange place which he had chosen to exonerate his stomach. The
+silent attention observed by the other natives, however, soon
+convinced us that something more than merely the accommodation of
+Yellomundee, was intended. The ceremony was again performed; and,
+after having sucked the part for a considerable time, the
+operator pretended to receive something in his mouth, which was
+drawn from the breast. With this he retired a few paces, put his
+hand to his lips and threw into the river a stone, which I had
+observed him to pick up slily, and secrete. When he returned to
+the fireside, Colbee assured us that he had received signal
+benefit from the operation; and that this second Machaon had
+extracted from his breast two splinters of a spear by which he
+had been formerly wounded. We examined the part, but it was
+smooth and whole, so that to the force of imagination alone must
+be imputed both the wound and its cure. Colbee himself seemed
+nevertheless firmly persuaded that he had received relief, and
+assured us that Yellomundee was a 'caradyee', or 'Doctor of
+renown'. And Boladeree added that not only he but all the rest of
+his tribe were 'caradyee' of especial note and skill.</p>
+
+<p>The Doctors remained with us all night, sleeping before the
+fire in the fullness of good faith and security. The little boy
+slept in his father's arms, and we observed that whenever the man
+was inclined to shift his position, he first put over the child,
+with great care, and then turned round to him.</p>
+
+<p>Friday, April 15th, 1791. The return of light aroused us to
+the repetition of toil. Our friends breakfasted with us, and
+previous to starting Gombeeree gave a specimen of their manner of
+climbing trees in quest of animals. He asked for a hatchet and
+one of ours was offered to him, but he preferred one of their own
+making. With this tool he cut a small notch in the tree he
+intended to climb, about two feet and a half above the ground, in
+which he fixed the great toe of his left foot, and sprung
+upwards, at the same time embracing the tree with his left arm.
+In an instant he had cut a second notch for his right toe on the
+other side of the tree into which he sprung, and thus,
+alternately cutting on each side, he mounted to the height of
+twenty feet in nearly as short a space as if he had ascended by a
+ladder, although the bark of the tree was quite smooth and
+slippery and the trunk four feet in diameter and perfectly
+strait. To us it was a matter of astonishment, but to him it was
+sport; for while employed thus he kept talking to those below and
+laughing immoderately. He descended with as much ease and agility
+as he had raised himself. Even our natives allowed that he was a
+capital performer, against whom they dared not to enter the
+lists; for as they subsist chiefly by fishing they are less
+expert at climbing on the coast than those who daily practice
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after they bade us adieu, in unabated friendship and good
+humour. Colbee and Boladeree parted from them with a slight nod
+of the head, the usual salutation of the country; and we shook
+them by the hand, which they returned lustily.</p>
+
+<p>At the time we started the tide was flowing up the river, a
+decisive proof that we were below Richmond Hill. We had continued
+our march but a short time when we were again stopped by a creek,
+which baffled all our endeavours to cross it, and seemed to
+predict that the object of our attainment, though but a very few
+miles distant, would take us yet a considerable time to reach,
+which threw a damp on our hopes. We traced the creek until four
+o'clock, when we halted for the night. The country, on both
+sides, we thought in general unpromising; but it is certainly
+very superior to that which we had seen on the former creek. In
+many places it might be cultivated, provided the inundations of
+the stream can be repelled.</p>
+
+<p>In passing along we shot some ducks, which Boladeree refused
+to swim for when requested, and told us in a surly tone that they
+swam for what was killed, and had the trouble of fetching it
+ashore, only for the white men to eat it. This reproof was, I
+fear, too justly founded; for of the few ducks we had been so
+fortunate as to procure, little had fallen to their share except
+the offals, and now and then a half-picked bone. True, indeed,
+all the crows and hawks which had been shot were given to them;
+but they plainly told us that the taste of ducks was more
+agreeable to their palates, and begged they might hereafter
+partake of them. We observed that they were thoroughly sick of
+the journey, and wished heartily for its conclusion: the
+exclamation of "Where's Rose Hill, where?" was incessantly
+repeated, with many inquiries about when we should return to
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Saturday April 16th, 1791. It was this morning resolved to
+abandon our pursuit and to return home; at hearing of which our
+natives expressed great joy. We started early; and reached Rose
+Hill about three o'clock, just as a boat was about to be sent
+down to Sydney. Colbee and Boladeree would not wait for us until
+the following morning, but insisted on going down immediately to
+communicate to Baneelon and the rest of their countrymen the
+novelties they had seen.</p>
+
+<p>The country we passed through was, for the most part, very
+indifferent, according to our universal opinion. It is in general
+badly watered. For eight miles and a half on one line we did not
+find a drop of water.</p>
+
+<p>RICHMOND HILL</p>
+
+<p>Having eluded our last search, Mr. Dawes and myself,
+accompanied by a sergeant of marines and a private soldier,
+determined on another attempt, to ascertain whether it lay on the
+Hawkesbury or Nepean. We set out on this expedition on the 24th
+of May, 1791; and having reached the opposite side of the mouth
+of the creek which had in our last journey prevented our
+progress, we proceeded from there up to Richmond Hill by the
+river side; mounted it; slept at its foot; and on the following
+day penetrated some miles westward or inland of it until we were
+stopped by a mountainous country, which our scarcity of
+provisions, joined to the terror of a river at our back, whose
+sudden rising is almost beyond computation, hindered us from
+exploring. To the elevation which bounded our research we gave
+the name of Knight Hill, in honour of the trusty sergeant who had
+been the faithful indefatigable companion of all our travels.</p>
+
+<p>This excursion completely settled the long contested point
+about the Hawkesbury and Nepean. We found them to be one river.
+Without knowing it, Mr. Dawes and myself had passed Richmond Hill
+almost a year before (in August 1790), and from there walked on
+the bank of the river to the spot where my discovery of the
+Nepean happened, in June 1789. Our ignorance arose from having
+never before seen the hill, and from the erroneous position
+assigned to it by those who had been in the boats up the
+river.</p>
+
+<p>Except the behaviour of some natives whom we met on the river,
+which it would be ingratitude to pass in silence, nothing
+particularly worthy of notice occurred on this expedition.</p>
+
+<p>When we had reached within two miles of Richmond Hill, we
+heard a native call. We directly answered him and conversed
+across the river for some time. At length he launched his canoe
+and crossed to us without distrust or hesitation. We had never
+seen him before; but he appeared to know our friend Gombeeree, of
+whom he often spoke. He said his name was Deedora. He presented
+us with two spears and a throwing-stick, and in return we gave
+him some bread and beef. Finding that our route lay up the river,
+he offered to accompany us and, getting into his canoe, paddled
+up abreast of us. When we arrived at Richmond Hill it became
+necessary to cross the river; but the question was, how this
+should be effected? Deedora immediately offered his canoe. We
+accepted of it and, Mr. Dawes and the soldier putting their
+clothes into it, pushed it before them, and by alternately wading
+and swimming, soon passed. On the opposite shore sat several
+natives, to whom Deedora called, by which precaution the arrival
+of the strangers produced no alarm. On the contrary, they
+received them with every mark of benevolence. Deedora, in the
+meanwhile, sat talking with the sergeant and me. Soon after,
+another native, named Morunga, brought back the canoe, and now
+came our turn to cross. The sergeant (from a foolish trick which
+had been played upon him when he was a boy) was excessively
+timorous of water, and could not swim. Morunga offered to conduct
+him, and they got into the canoe together; but, his fears
+returning, he jumped out and refused to proceed. I endeavoured to
+animate him, and Morunga ridiculed his apprehensions, making
+signs of the ease and dispatch with which he would land him; but
+he resolved to paddle over by himself, which, by dint of good
+management and keeping his position very steadily, he performed.
+It was now become necessary to bring over the canoe a third time
+for my accommodation, which was instantly done, and I entered it
+with Deedora. But, like the sergeant, I was so disordered at
+seeing the water within a hair's breadth of the level of our
+skiff (which brought to my remembrance a former disaster I had
+experienced on this river) that I jumped out, about knee-deep,
+and determined to swim over, which I effected. My clothes, half
+our knapsacks, and three of our guns yet remained to be
+transported across. These I recommended to the care of our grim
+ferrymen, who instantaneously loaded their boat with them and
+delivered them on the opposite bank, without damage or
+diminution.</p>
+
+<p>During this long trial of their patience and courtesy--in the
+latter part of which I was entirely in their power, from their
+having possession of our arms--they had manifested no ungenerous
+sign of taking advantage of the helplessness and dependance of
+our situation; no rude curiosity to pry into the packages with
+which they were entrusted; or no sordid desire to possess the
+contents of them; although among them were articles exposed to
+view, of which it afterwards appeared they knew the use, and
+longed for the benefit. Let the banks of those rivers, "known to
+song", let him whose travels have lain among polished nations
+produce me a brighter example of disinterested urbanity than was
+shown by these denizens of a barbarous clime to a set of
+destitute wanderers on the side of the Hawkesbury.</p>
+
+<p>On the top of Richmond Hill we shot a hawk, which fell in a
+tree. Deedora offered to climb for it and we lent him a hatchet,
+the effect of which delighted him so much that he begged for it.
+As it was required to chop wood for our evening fire, it could
+not be conveniently spared; but we promised him that if he would
+visit us on the following morning, it should be given to him. Not
+a murmur was heard; no suspicion of our insincerity; no mention
+of benefits conferred; no reproach of ingratitude. His good
+humour and cheerfulness were not clouded for a moment. Punctual
+to our appointment, he came to us at daylight next morning and
+the hatchet was given to him, the only token of gratitude and
+respect in our power to bestow. Neither of these men had lost his
+front tooth.</p>
+
+<p>THE LAST EXPEDITION</p>
+
+<p>Which I ever undertook in the country I am describing was in
+July 1791, when Mr. Dawes and myself went in search of a large
+river which was said to exist a few miles to the southward of
+Rose Hill. We went to the place described, and found this second
+Nile or Ganges to be nothing but a saltwater creek communicating
+with Botany Bay, on whose banks we passed a miserable night from
+want of a drop of water to quench our thirst, for as we believed
+that we were going to a river we thought it needless to march
+with full canteens.</p>
+
+<p>On this expedition we carried with us a thermometer which (in
+unison with our feelings) shewed so extraordinary a degree of
+cold for the latitude of the place that I think myself bound to
+transcribe it.</p>
+
+<p>Monday, 18th July 1791. The sun arose in unclouded splendor
+and presented to our sight a novel and picturesque view. The
+contiguous country as white as if covered with snow, contrasted
+with the foliage of trees flourishing in the verdure of tropical
+luxuriancy*. Even the exhalation which steamed from the lake
+beneath contributed to heighten the beauty of the scene. Wind
+SSW. Thermorneter at sunrise 25degrees. The following night was
+still colder. At sunset the thermometer stood at 45 degrees; at a
+quarter before four in the morning, it was at 26degrees; at a
+quarter before six at 24 degrees; at a quarter before seven, at
+23 degrees; at seven o'clock, 22.7 degrees; at sunrise, 23
+degrees, after which it continued gradually to mount, and between
+one and two o'clock, stood at 59.6 degrees in the shade. Wind
+SSW. The horizon perfectly clear all day, not the smallest speck
+to be seen. Nothing but demonstration could have convinced me
+that so severe a degree of cold ever existed in this low
+latitude. Drops of water on a tin pot, not altogether out of the
+influence of the fire, were frozen into solid ice in less than
+twelve minutes. Part of a leg of kangaroo which we had roasted
+for supper was frozen quite hard, all the juices of it being
+converted into ice. On those ponds which were near the surface of
+the earth, the covering of ice was very thick; but on those which
+were lower down it was found to be less so, in proportion to
+their depression; and wherever the water was twelve feet below
+the surface (which happened to be the case close to us) it was
+uncongealed. It remains to be observed that the cold of both
+these nights, at Rose Hill and Sydney, was judged to be greater
+than had ever before been felt.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*All the trees of New South Wales, may I
+apprehend, be termed evergreen. For after such weather as this
+journal records, I did not observe either that the leaves had
+dropped off, or that they had assumed that sickly autumnal tint,
+which marks English trees in corresponding circumstances.]</p>
+
+<a name="15"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER XV.</h3>
+
+<h4>Transactions of the Colony to the end of November, 1791.</h4>
+
+<p>The extreme dryness of the preceding summer has been noticed.
+It had operated so far in the beginning of June that we dreaded a
+want of water for common consumption most of the little
+reservoirs in the neighbourhood of Sydney being dried up. The
+small stream near the town was so nearly exhausted (being only
+the drain of a morass) that a ship could not have watered at it,
+and the 'Supply' was preparing to sink casks in a swamp when rain
+fell and banished our apprehensions.</p>
+
+<p>June, 1791. On the second instant, the name of the settlement,
+at the head of the harbour (Rose Hill) was changed, by order of
+the governor, to that of Parramatta, the native name of it. As
+Rose Hill has, however, occurred so often in this book, I beg
+leave, to avoid confusion, still to continue the appellation in
+all future mention of it.</p>
+
+<p>Our travelling friend Boladeree, who makes so conspicuous a
+figure in the last chapter, about this time committed an offence
+which we were obliged to notice. He threw a spear at a convict in
+the woods, and wounded him. The truth was, some mischievous
+person belonging to us had wantonly destroyed his canoe, and he
+revenged the injury on the first of our people whom he met
+unarmed. He now seemed to think the matter adjusted; and probably
+such is the custom they observe in their own society in similar
+cases. Hearing, however, that an order was issued to seize him,
+or in case that could not be effected, to shoot him, he prudently
+dropped all connection with us and was for a long time not
+seen.</p>
+
+<p>But if they sometimes injured us, to compensate they were
+often of signal benefit to those who needed their assistance: two
+instances of which had recently occurred. A boat was overset in
+the harbour Baneelon and some other natives, who saw the accident
+happen, immediately plunged in, and saved all the people. When
+they had brought them on shore, they undressed them, kindled a
+fire and dried their clothes, gave them fish to eat and conducted
+them to Sydney.</p>
+
+<p>The other instance was of a soldier lost in the woods, when he
+met a party of natives. He at first knew not whether to flee from
+them, or to implore their assistance. Seeing among them one whom
+he knew, he determined to communicate his distress to him and to
+rely on his generosity. The Indian told him that he had wandered
+a long way from home, but that he would conduct him thither, on
+the single condition of his delivering up a gun which he held in
+his hand, promising to carry it for him and to restore it to him
+at parting. The soldier felt little inclination to surrender his
+arms, by which he would be put entirely in their power. But
+seeing no alternative, he at last consented; on which the whole
+party laid down their spears and faithfully escorted him to the
+nearest part of the settlement, where the gun was given up, and
+they took their leave without asking for any remuneration, or
+even seeming to expect it.</p>
+
+<p>The distressful state of the colony for provisions continued
+gradually to augment until the 9th of July, when the Mary Anne
+transport arrived from England. This ship had sailed from the
+Downs so lately as the 25th of February, having been only four
+months and twelve days on her passage. She brought out convicts,
+by contract, at a specific sum for each person. But to
+demonstrate the effect of humanity and justice, of 144 female
+convicts embarked on board only three had died, and the rest were
+landed in perfect health, all loud in praise of their conductor.
+The master's name was Munro; and his ship, after fulfilling her
+engagement with government, was bound on the southern fishery.
+The reader must not conclude that I sacrifice to dull detail,
+when he finds such benevolent conduct minutely narrated. The
+advocates of humanity are not yet become too numerous: but those
+who practise its divine precepts, however humble and unnoticed be
+their station, ought not to sink into obscurity, unrecorded and
+unpraised, with the vile monsters who deride misery and fatten on
+calamity.</p>
+
+<p>July, 1791. If, however, the good people of this ship
+delighted us with their benevolence, here gratification ended. I
+was of a party who had rowed in a boat six miles out to sea,
+beyond the harbour's mouth, to meet them; and what was our
+disappointment, on getting aboard, to find that they had not
+brought a letter (a few official ones for the governor excepted)
+to any person in the colony! Nor had they a single newspaper or
+magazine in their possession; nor could they conceive that any
+person wished to hear news; being as ignorant of everything which
+had passed in Europe for the last two years as ourselves, at the
+distance of half the circle. "No war--the fleet's dismantled,"
+was the whole that we could learn. When I asked whether a new
+parliament had been called, they stared at me in stupid wonder,
+not seeming to comprehend that such a body either suffered
+renovation or needed it.</p>
+
+<p>"Have the French settled their government?"</p>
+
+<p>"As to that matter I can't say; I never heard; but, damn them,
+they were ready enough to join the Spaniards against us."</p>
+
+<p>"Are Russia and Turkey at peace?"</p>
+
+<p>"That you see does not lie in my way; I have heard talk about
+it, but don't remember what passed."</p>
+
+<p>"For heaven's sake, why did you not bring out a bundle of
+newspapers? You might have procured a file at any coffee house,
+which would have amused you, and instructed us?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, really, I never thought about the matter until we were
+off the Cape of Good Hope, when we spoke a man of war, who asked
+us the same question, and then I wished I had."</p>
+
+<p>To have prosecuted inquiry farther would have only served to
+increase disappointment and chagrin. We therefore quitted the
+ship, wondering and lamenting that so large a portion of plain
+undisguised honesty should be so totally unconnected with a
+common share of intelligence, and acquaintance with the feelings
+and habits of other men.</p>
+
+<p>By the governor's letters we learned that a large fleet of
+transports, with convicts on board, and His Majesty's ship
+Gorgon, (Captain Parker) might soon be expected to arrive. The
+following intelligence which they contained, was also made
+public.</p>
+
+<p>That such convicts as had served their period of
+transportation, were not to be compelled to remain in the colony;
+but that no temptation should be offered to induce them to quit
+it, as there existed but too much reason to believe, that they
+would return to former practices; that those who might choose to
+settle in the country should have portions of land, subject to
+stipulated restrictions, and a portion of provisions assigned to
+them on signifying their inclinations; and that it was expected,
+that those convicts who might be possessed of means to transport
+themselves from the country, would leave it free of all
+incumbrances of a public nature.</p>
+
+<p>The rest of the fleet continued to drop in, in this and the
+two succeeding months. The state of the convicts whom they
+brought out, though infinitely preferable to what the fleet of
+last year had landed, was not unexceptionable. Three of the ships
+had naval agents on board to control them. Consequently, if
+complaint had existed there, it would have been immediately
+redressed. Exclusive of these, the 'Salamander', (Captain
+Nichols) who, of 155 men lost only five; and the 'William and
+Anne' (Captain Buncker) who of 187 men lost only seven, I find
+most worthy of honourable mention. In the list of convicts
+brought out was Barrington, of famous memory.</p>
+
+<p>Two of these ships also added to our geographic knowledge of
+the country. The 'Atlantic', under the direction of Lieutenant
+Bowen, a naval agent, ran into a harbour between Van Diemen's
+land, and Port Jackson, in latitude 35 degrees 12 minutes south,
+longitude 151 degrees east, to which, in honour of Sir John
+Jervis, Knight of the Bath, Mr. Bowen gave the name of Port
+Jervis. Here was found good anchoring ground with a fine depth of
+water, within a harbour about a mile and a quarter broad at its
+entrance, which afterwards opens into a basin five miles wide and
+of considerable length. They found no fresh water, but as their
+want of this article was not urgent, they did not make sufficient
+researches to pronounce that none existed there.* They saw,
+during the short time they stayed, two kangaroos and many traces
+of inhabitants. The country at a little distance to the southward
+of the harbour is hilly, but that contiguous to the sea is flat.
+On comparing what they had found here afterwards, with the native
+produce of Port Jackson, they saw no reason to think that they
+differed in any respect.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Just before I left the country, word was
+brought by a ship which had put into Port Jervis, that a large
+fresh water brook was found there.]</p>
+
+<p>The second discovery was made by Captain Wetherhead, of the
+'Matilda' transport, which was obligingly described to me, as
+follows, by that gentleman, on my putting to him the underwritten
+questions.</p>
+
+<p>"When did you make your discovery?"</p>
+
+<p>"On the 27th of July, 1791."</p>
+
+<p>"In what latitude and longitude does it lie?"</p>
+
+<p>"In 42 degrees 15 minutes south by observation, and in 148 1/2
+east by reckoning"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it on the mainland or is it an island?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is an island, distant from the mainland about eight
+miles."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you anchor?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and found good anchorage in a bay open about six
+points."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see any other harbour or bay in the island?"</p>
+
+<p>"None."</p>
+
+<p>"Does the channel between the island and the main appear to
+afford good shelter for shipping?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, like Spithead."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you find any water on the island?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, in plenty."</p>
+
+<p>"Of what size does the island appear to be?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is narrow and long; I cannot say how long. Its breadth is
+inconsiderable."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you make any observations on the soil?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is sandy; and many places are full of craggy rocks."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you judge the productions which you saw on the island to
+be similar to those around Port Jackson?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think they differ in any respect."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see any animals?"</p>
+
+<p>"I saw three kangaroos."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you see any natives, or any marks of them?"</p>
+
+<p>"I saw no natives, but I saw a fire, and several huts like
+those at Port Jackson, in one of which lay a spear."</p>
+
+<p>"What name did you give to your discovery?"</p>
+
+<p>"I called it, in honour of my ship, Matilda Bay."</p>
+
+<p>November, 1791. A very extraordinary instance of folly
+stimulated to desperation occurred in the beginning of this month
+among the convicts at Rose Hill. Twenty men and a pregnant woman,
+part of those who had arrived in the last fleet, suddenly
+disappeared with their clothes, working tools, bedding, and their
+provisions, for the ensuing week, which had been just issued to
+them. The first intelligence heard of them, was from some convict
+settlers, who said they had seen them pass, and had enquired
+whither they were bound. To which they had received for answer,
+"to China." The extravagance and infatuation of such an attempt
+was explained to them by the settlers; but neither derision, nor
+demonstration could avert them from pursuing their purpose. It
+was observed by those who brought in the account that they had
+general idea enough of the point of the compass in which China
+lies from Port Jackson, to keep in a northerly direction.</p>
+
+<p>An officer with a detachment of troops, was sent in pursuit of
+them; but after a harassing march returned without success. In
+the course of a week the greatest part of them were either
+brought back by different parties who had fallen in with them, or
+were driven in by famine. Upon being questioned about the cause
+of their elopement, those whom hunger had forced back, did not
+hesitate to confess that they had been so grossly deceived as to
+believe that China might easily be reached, being not more than
+100 miles distant, and separated only by a river. The others,
+however, ashamed of the merriment excited at their expense, said
+that their reason for running away was on account of being
+overworked and harshly treated, and that they preferred a
+solitary and precarious existence in the woods to a return to the
+misery they were compelled to undergo. One or two of the party
+had certainly perished by the hands of the natives, who had also
+wounded several others.</p>
+
+<p>I trust that no man would feel more reluctant than myself to
+cast an illiberal national reflection, particularly on a people
+whom I regard in an aggregate sense as brethren and
+fellow-citizens; and among whom, I have the honour to number many
+of the most cordial and endearing intimacies which a life passed
+on service could generate. But it is certain that all these
+people were Irish.</p>
+
+<a name="16"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER XVI</h3>
+
+<h4>Transactions of the colony until 18th of December 1791, when
+I quitted it, with an Account of its state at that time.</h4>
+
+<p>The Gorgon had arrived on the 21st of September, and the hour
+of departure to England, for the marine battalion, drew nigh. If
+I be allowed to speak from my own feelings on the occasion, I
+will not say that we contemplated its approach with mingled
+sensations: we hailed it with rapture and exultation.</p>
+
+<p>The 'Supply', ever the harbinger of welcome and glad tidings,
+proclaimed by her own departure, that ours was at hand. On the
+26th of November she sailed for England. It was impossible to
+view our separation with insensibility: the little ship which had
+so often agitated our hopes and fears, which from long
+acquaintance we had learned to regard as part of ourselves, whose
+doors of hospitality had been ever thrown open to relieve our
+accumulated wants, and chase our solitary gloom!</p>
+
+<p>In consequence of the offers made to the non-commissioned
+officers and privates of the marine battalion to remain in the
+country as settlers or to enter into the New South Wales corps,
+three corporals, one drummer and 59 privates accepted of grants
+of land, to settle at Norfolk Island and Rose Hill. Of these men,
+several were undoubtedly possessed of sufficient skill and
+industry, by the assistance of the pay which was due to them from
+the date of their embarkation, in the beginning of the year 1787,
+to the day on which they were discharged, to set out with
+reasonable hopes of being able to procure a maintenance. But the
+only apparent reason to which the behaviour of a majority of them
+could be ascribed was from infatuated affection to female
+convicts, whose characters and habits of life, I am sorry to say,
+promise from a connection neither honour nor tranquillity.</p>
+
+<p>The narrative part of this work will, I conceive, be best
+brought to a termination by a description of the existing state
+of the colony, as taken by myself a few days previous to my
+embarkation in the Gorgon, to sail for England.</p>
+
+<p>December 2nd, 1791. Went up to Rose Hill. Public buildings
+here have not greatly multiplied since my last survey. The
+storehouse and barrack have been long completed; also apartments
+for the chaplain of the regiment, and for the judge-advocate, in
+which last, criminal courts, when necessary, are held; but these
+are petty erections. In a colony which contains only a few
+hundred hovels built of twigs and mud, we feel consequential
+enough already to talk of a treasury, an admiralty, a public
+library and many other similar edifices, which are to form part
+of a magnificent square. The great road from near the landing
+place to the governor's house is finished, and a very noble one
+it is, being of great breadth, and a mile long, in a strait line.
+In many places it is carried over gullies of considerable depth,
+which have been filled up with trunks of trees covered with
+earth. All the sawyers, carpenters and blacksmiths will soon be
+concentred under the direction of a very adequate person of the
+governor's household. This plan is already so far advanced as to
+contain nine covered sawpits, which change of weather cannot
+disturb the operations of, an excellent workshed for the
+carpenters and a large new shop for the blacksmiths. It certainly
+promises to be of great public benefit. A new hospital has been
+talked of for the last two years, but is not yet begun. Two long
+sheds, built in the form of a tent and thatched, are however
+finished, and capable of holding 200 patients. The sick list of
+today contains 382 names. Rose Hill is less healthy than it used
+to be. The prevailing disorder is a dysentery, which often
+terminates fatally. There was lately one very violent putrid
+fever which, by timely removal of the patient, was prevented from
+spreading. Twenty-five men and two children died here in the
+month of November.</p>
+
+<p>When at the hospital I saw and conversed with some of the
+'Chinese travellers'; four of them lay here, wounded by the
+natives. I asked these men if they really supposed it possible to
+reach China. They answered that they were certainly made to
+believe (they knew not how) that at a considerable distance to
+northward existed a large river, which separated this country
+from the back part of China; and that when it should be crossed
+(which was practicable) they would find themselves among a
+copper-coloured people, who would receive and treat them kindly.
+They added, that on the third day of their elopement, one of the
+party died of fatigue; another they saw butchered by the natives
+who, finding them unarmed, attacked them and put them to flight.
+This happened near Broken Bay, which harbour stopped their
+progress to the northward and forced them to turn to the right
+hand, by which means they soon after found themselves on the sea
+shore, where they wandered about in a destitute condition,
+picking up shellfish to allay hunger. Deeming the farther
+prosecution of their scheme impracticable, several of them agreed
+to return to Rose Hill, which with difficulty they accomplished,
+arriving almost famished. On their road back they met six fresh
+adventurers sallying forth to join them, to whom they related
+what had passed and persuaded them to relinquish their intention.
+There are at this time not less than thirty-eight convict men
+missing, who live in the woods by day, and at night enter the
+different farms and plunder for subsistence.</p>
+
+<p>December 3rd, 1791. Began my survey of the cultivated land
+belonging to the public. The harvest has commenced. They are
+reaping both wheat and barley. The field between the barrack and
+the governor's house contains wheat and maize, both very bad, but
+the former particularly so. In passing through the main street I
+was pleased to observe the gardens of the convicts look better
+than I had expected to find them. The vegetables in general are
+but mean, but the stalks of maize, with which they are
+interspersed, appear green and flourishing. The semicircular
+hill, which sweeps from the overseer of the cattle's house to the
+governor's house, is planted with maize, which, I am told, is the
+best here. It certainly looks in most parts very good-- stout
+thick stalks with large spreading leaves--but I am surprised to
+find it so backward. It is at least a month later than that in
+the gardens at Sydney. Behind the maize is a field of wheat,
+which looks tolerably for this part of the world. It will, I
+reckon, yield about twelve bushels an acre. Continued my walk and
+looked at a little patch of wheat in the governor's garden, which
+was sown in drills, the ground being first mixed with a clay
+which its discoverers pretended was marle. Whatever it be, this
+experiment bespeaks not much in favour of its enriching
+qualities; for the corn looks miserably, and is far exceeded by
+some neighbouring spots on which no such advantage has been
+bestowed. Went round the crescent at the bottom of the garden,
+which certainly in beauty of form and situation is unrivalled in
+New South Wales. Here are eight thousand vines planted, all of
+which in another season are expected to bear grapes. Besides the
+vines are several small fruit trees, which were brought in the
+Gorgon from the Cape, and look lively; on one of them are half a
+dozen apples as big as nutmegs. Although the soil of the crescent
+be poor, its aspect and circular figure, so advantageous for
+receiving and retaining the rays of the sun, eminently fit it for
+a vineyard. Passed the rivulet and looked at the corn land on its
+northern side. On the western side of Clarke's* house the wheat
+and maize are bad, but on the eastern side is a field supposed to
+be the best in the colony. I thought it of good height, and the
+ears well filled, but it is far from thick.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Dod, who is mentioned in my former journal of
+this place, had died some months ago. And Mr. Clarke, who was put
+in his room, is one of the superintendants, sent out by
+government, on a salary of forty pounds per annum. He was bred to
+husbandry, under his father at Lewes in Sussex; and is, I
+conceive, competent to his office of principal conductor of the
+agriculture of Rose Hill.]</p>
+
+<p>While I was looking at it, Clarke came up. I told him I
+thought he would reap fifteen or sixteen bushels an acre; he
+seemed to think seventeen or eighteen. I have now inspected all
+the European corn. A man of so little experience of these matters
+as myself cannot speak with much confidence. Perhaps the produce
+may average ten bushels an acre, or twelve at the outside.
+Allowance should, however, be made in estimating the quality of
+the soil, for the space occupied by roots of trees, for
+inadequate culture, and in some measure to want of rain. Less has
+fallen than was wished, but this spring was by no means so dry as
+the last. I find that the wheat grown at Rose Hill last year
+weighed fifty-seven pounds and a half per bushel. My next visit
+was to the cattle, which consists of two stallions, six mares,
+and two colts; besides sixteen cows, two cow-calves, and one
+bull-calf, which were brought out by the Gorgon. Two bulls which
+were on board died on the passage, so that on the young gentleman
+just mentioned depends the stocking of the colony.</p>
+
+<p>The period of the inhabitants of New South Wales being
+supplied with animal food of their own raising is too remote for
+a prudent man to calculate. The cattle look in good condition,
+and I was surprised to hear that neither corn nor fodder is given
+to them. The enclosures in which they are confined furnish hardly
+a blade of grass at present. There are people appointed to tend
+them who have been used to this way of life, and who seem to
+execute it very well.</p>
+
+<p>Sunday, December 4th, 1791. Divine service is now performed
+here every Sunday, either by the chaplain of the settlement or
+the chaplain of the regiment. I went to church today. Several
+hundred convicts were present, the majority of whom I thought
+looked the most miserable beings in the shape of humanity I ever
+beheld. They appeared to be worn down with fatigue.</p>
+
+<p>December, 5th. Made excursions this day to view the public
+settlements. Reached the first, which is about a mile in a
+north-west direction from the governor's house. This settlement
+contains, by admeasurement, 134 acres, a part of which is planted
+with maize, very backward, but in general tolerably good, and
+beautifully green. Thirteen large huts, built in the form of a
+tent, are erected for the convicts who work here; but I could not
+learn the number of these last, being unable to find a
+superintendant or any person who could give me information. Ponds
+of water here sufficient to supply a thousand persons.</p>
+
+<p>Walked on to the second settlement, about two miles farther,
+through an uncleared country. Here met Daveney, the person who
+planned and now superintends all the operations carried on here.
+He told me that he estimated the quantity of cleared ground here
+at 300 acres. He certainly over-rates it one-third, by the
+judgment of every other person. Six weeks ago this was a forest.
+it has been cleared, and the wood nearly burnt off the ground by
+500 men, in the before-mentioned period, or rather in thirty
+days, for only that number have the convicts worked. He said it
+was too late to plant maize, and therefore he should sow turnips,
+which would help to meliorate and prepare it for next year. On
+examining the soil, I thought it in general light, though in some
+places loamy to the touch. He means to try the Rose Hill 'marle'
+upon it, with which he thinks it will incorporate well. I hope it
+will succeed better than the experiment in the governor's garden.
+I wished to know whether he had chosen this ground simply from
+the conveniency of its situation to Rose Hill, and its easy form
+for tillage, and having water, or from any marks which he had
+thought indicated good soil. He said that what I had mentioned no
+doubt weighed with him, and that he judged the soil to be good,
+from the limbs of many of the trees growing on it being covered
+with moss.</p>
+
+<p>"Are," said I, "your 500 men still complete?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; this day's muster gave only 460. The rest are either sick
+and removed to the hospital, or are run away in the woods."</p>
+
+<p>"How much is each labourer's daily task?"</p>
+
+<p>"Seven rods. It was eight, but on their representing to the
+governor that it was beyond their strength to execute, he took
+off one."</p>
+
+<p>Thirteen large huts, similar to those beforementioned, contain
+all the people here. To every hut are appointed two men, as
+hutkeepers, whose only employment is to watch the huts in working
+hours to prevent them from being robbed. This has somewhat
+checked depredations, and those endless complaints of the
+convicts that they could not work because they had nothing to
+eat, their allowance being stolen. The working hours at this
+season (summer) are from five o'clock in the morning until ten;
+rest from ten to two; return to work at two; and continue till
+sunset. This surely cannot be called very severe toil; but on the
+other hand must be remembered the inadequacy of a ration of salt
+provisions, with few vegetables, and unassisted by any liquor but
+water.</p>
+
+<p>Here finished my remarks on every thing of a public nature at
+Rose Hill. But having sufficient time, I determined to visit all
+the private settlers to inspect their labours, and learn from
+them their schemes, their hopes and expectations.</p>
+
+<p>In pursuance of my resolution, I crossed the country to
+Prospect Hill, at the bottom of which live the following thirteen
+convicts, who have accepted allotments of ground, and are become
+settlers.</p>
+
+<pre>
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Men's names.                      |  Trades. | Number of     | Number of acres
+                                  |          | acres in each | in cultivation.
+                                  |          | allotment.    |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+John Silverthorne                   Weaver       40                 1 3/4
+Thomas Martin                         "          40                 1 1/2
+John Nichols                        Gardener     40                 2
+William Butler*, and his wife       Seaman       50 )
+---- Lisk*                          Watchmaker   40 )               4
+William Parish, wife, and a child   Seaman       60                 2 3/4
+William Kilby, and his wife         Husbandman   60                 1 1/4
+Edward Pugh, wife, and two children Carpenter    70                 2 1/2
+Samuel Griffith
+John Herbertt**
+James Castle
+Joseph Marlow***
+John Williams, and his wife
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="note">[*In partnership.[Butler and Lisk]</p>
+
+<p class="note">[**Not out of his time; but allowed to work here
+at his leisure hours, as he has declared his intention of
+settling.]</p>
+
+<p class="note">[***In a similar predicament with Herbert.]</p>
+
+<p>The terms on which these allotments have been granted are:
+that the estates shall be fully ceded for ever to all who shall
+continue to cultivate for five years, or more; that they shall be
+free of all taxes for the first ten years; but after that period
+to pay an annual quit-rent of one shilling. The penalty on
+non-performance of any of these articles is forfeiture of the
+estate, and all the labour which may have been bestowed upon it.
+These people are to receive provisions, (the same quantity as the
+working convicts), clothes, and medicinal assistance, for
+eighteen months from the day on which they settled.</p>
+
+<p>To clear and cultivate the land, a hatchet, a tomahawk, two
+hoes, a spade and a shovel, are given to each person, whether man
+or woman; and a certain number of cross-cut saws among the whole.
+To stock their farms, two sow pigs were promised to each settler,
+but they almost all say they have not yet received any, of which
+they complain loudly. They all received grain to sow and plant
+for the first year. They settled here in July and August last.
+Most of them were obliged to build their own houses; and wretched
+hovels three-fourths of them are. Should any of them fall sick,
+the rest are bound to assist the sick person two days in a month,
+provided the sickness lasts not longer than two months; four days
+labour in each year, from every person, being all that he is
+entitled to. To give protection to this settlement, a corporal
+and two soldiers are encamped in the centre of the farms, as the
+natives once attacked the settlers and burnt one of their houses.
+These guards are, however, inevitably at such a distance from
+some of the farms as to be unable to afford them any assistance
+in case of another attack.</p>
+
+<p>With all these people I conversed and inspected their labours.
+Some I found tranquil and determined to persevere, provided
+encouragement should be given. Others were in a state of
+despondency, and predicted that they should starve unless the
+period of eighteen months during which they are to be clothed and
+fed, should be extended to three years. Their cultivation is yet
+in its infancy, and therefore opinions should not be hastily
+formed of what it may arrive at, with moderate skill and
+industry. They have at present little in the ground besides
+maize, and that looks not very promising. Some small patches of
+wheat which I saw are miserable indeed. The greatest part of the
+land I think but indifferent, being light and stoney. Of the
+thirteen farms ten are unprovided with water; and at some of them
+they are obliged to fetch this necessary article from the
+distance of a mile and a half. All the settlers complain sadly of
+being frequently robbed by the runaway convicts, who plunder them
+incessantly.</p>
+
+<p>December 6th. Visited the settlements to the northward of the
+rivulet. The nearest of them lies about a mile due north of Mr.
+Clarke's house. Here are only the undernamed five settlers.</p>
+
+<pre>
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Men's names.                      |  Trades. | Number of     | Number of acres
+                                  |          | acres in each | in cultivation.
+                                  |          | allotment.    |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Thomas Brown*, wife, and child       ---           60 )
+William Bradbury*                    ---           30 )              3 1/2
+William Mold*                        ---           30 )
+Simon Burne, and wife               Hosier         50                3
+----Parr, and wife              Merchant's clerk   50                3 1/2
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="note">[*These three cultivate in partnership.(Brown,
+Bradbury, Mold.)]</p>
+
+<p>These settlers are placed on the same footing in every respect
+which concerns their tenure and the assistance to be granted to
+them as those at Prospect Hill. Near them is water. Parr and
+Burne are men of great industry. They have both good houses which
+they hired people to build for them. Parr told me that he had
+expended thirteen guineas on his land, which nevertheless he does
+not seem pleased with. Of the three poor fellows who work in
+partnership, one (Bradbury) is run away. This man had been
+allowed to settle, on a belief, from his own assurance, that his
+term of transportation was expired; but it was afterwards
+discovered that he had been cast for life. Hereupon he grew
+desperate, and declared he would rather perish at once than
+remain as a convict. He disappeared a week ago and has never
+since been heard of. Were I compelled to settle in New South
+Wales, I should fix my residence here, both from the appearance
+of the soil, and its proximity to Rose Hill. A corporal and two
+privates are encamped here to guard this settlement, as at
+Prospect.</p>
+
+<p>Proceeded to the settlement called the Ponds, a name which I
+suppose it derived from several ponds of water which are near the
+farms. Here reside the fourteen following settlers.</p>
+
+<pre>
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Men's names.                      |  Trades. | Number of     | Number of acres
+                                  |          | acres in each | in cultivation.
+                                  |          | allotment.    |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Thomas Kelly                      Servant             30          1 1/2
+William Hubbard, and wife         Plasterer           50          2 1/4
+Curtis Brand, and wife            Carpenter           50          3
+John Ramsay, and wife             Seaman              50          3 1/2
+William Field                     ---                 30          2 1/2
+John Richards*                    Stone-cutter        30 )        4 1/2
+John Summers*                     Husbandman          30 )
+----Varnell                       ---                 30          1
+Anthony Rope**, and wife, and
+two children                      Bricklayer          70          1
+Joseph Bishop, and wife           None                50          1 1/2
+Mathew Everingham, and wife       Attorney's clerk    50          2
+John Anderson, and wife           ---                 50          2
+Edward Elliot***                  Husbandman          30 )        2
+Joseph Marshall***                Weaver              30 )
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="note">[*They (Richards and Summers) cultivate in
+partnership.]</p>
+
+<p class="note">[**A convict who means to settle here; and is
+permitted to work in his leisure hours.]</p>
+
+<p class="note">[***They (Elliot and Marshall) cultivate in
+partnership.]</p>
+
+<p>The Prospect Hill terms of settlement extend to this place. My
+private remarks were not many. Some spots which I passed over I
+thought desirable, particularly Ramsay's farm; and he deserves a
+good spot, for he is a civil, sober, industrious man. Besides his
+corn land, he has a well laid out little garden, in which I found
+him and his wife busily at work. He praised her industry to me;
+and said he did not doubt of succeeding. It is not often seen
+that sailors make good farmers; but this man I think bids fair to
+contradict the observation. The gentleman of no trade (his own
+words to me) will, I apprehend, at the conclusion of the time
+when victualling from the store is to cease, have the honour of
+returning to drag a timber or brick cart for his maintenance. The
+little maize he has planted is done in so slovenly a style as to
+promise a very poor crop. He who looks forward to eat grapes from
+his own vine, and to sit under the shade of his own fig-tree,
+must labour in every country. He must exert more than ordinary
+activity. The attorney's clerk I also thought out of his
+province. I dare believe that he finds cultivating his own land
+not half so easy a task as he formerly found that of stringing
+together volumes of tautology to encumber, or convey away, that
+of his neighbour. Hubbard's farm, and Kelly's also, deserve
+regard, from being better managed than most of the others. The
+people here complain sadly of a destructive grub which destroys
+the young plants of maize. Many of the settlers have been obliged
+to plant twice, nay thrice, on the same land, from the
+depredations of these reptiles. There is the same guard here as
+at the other settlements.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing now remains for inspection but the farms on the river
+side.</p>
+
+<p>December 7th. Went to Scheffer's farm. I found him at home,
+conversed with him, and walked with him over all his cultivated
+ground. He had 140 acres granted to him, fourteen of which are in
+cultivation, twelve in maize, one in wheat and one in vines and
+tobacco. He has besides twenty-three acres on which the trees are
+cut down but not burnt off the land. He resigned his appointment
+and began his farm last May, and had at first five convicts to
+assist him; he has now four. All his maize, except three acres,
+is mean. This he thinks may be attributed to three causes: a
+middling soil; too dry a spring; and from the ground not being
+sufficiently pulverized before the seed was put into it. The
+wheat is thin and poor: he does not reckon its produce at more
+than eight or nine bushels. His vines, 900 in number, are
+flourishing, and will, he supposes, bear fruit next year. His
+tobacco plants are not very luxuriant: to these two last articles
+he means principally to direct his exertions. He says (and truly)
+that they will always be saleable and profitable. On one of the
+boundaries of his land is plenty of water. A very good brick
+house is nearly completed for his use, by the governor; and in
+the meantime he lives in a very decent one, which was built for
+him on his settling here. He is to be supplied with provisions
+from the public store, and with medical assistance for eighteen
+months, reckoning from last May. At the expiration of this period
+he is bound to support himself and the four convicts are to be
+withdrawn. But if he shall then, or at any future period, declare
+himself able to maintain a moderate number of these people for
+their labour, they will be assigned to him.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Scheffer is a man of industry and respectable character.
+He came out to this country as superintendant of convicts, at a
+salary of forty pounds per annum, and brought with him a daughter
+of twelve years old. He is by birth a Hessian, and served in
+America, in a corps of Yaghers, with the rank of lieutenant. He
+never was professionally, in any part of life, a farmer, but he
+told me, that his father owned a small estate on the banks of the
+Rhine, on which he resided, and that he had always been fond of
+looking at and assisting in his labours, particularly in the
+vineyard. In walking along, he more than once shook his head and
+made some mortifying observations on the soil of his present
+domain, compared with the banks of his native stream. He assured
+me that (exclusive of the sacrifice of his salary) he has
+expended more than forty pounds in advancing his ground to the
+state in which I saw it. Of the probability of success in his
+undertaking, he spoke with moderation and good sense. Sometimes
+he said he had almost despaired, and had often balanced about
+relinquishing it; but had as often been checked by recollecting
+that hardly any difficulty can arise which vigour and
+perseverance will not overcome. I asked him what was the tenure
+on which he held his estate. He offered to show the written
+document, saying that it was exactly the same as Ruse's. I
+therefore declined to trouble him, and took my leave with wishes
+for his success and prosperity.</p>
+
+<p>Near Mr. Scheffer's farm is a small patch of land cleared by
+Lieutenant Townson of the New South Wales corps, about two acres
+of which are in maize and wheat, both looking very bad.</p>
+
+<p>Proceeded to the farm of Mr. Arndell, one of the assistant
+surgeons. This gentleman has six acres in cultivation as follows:
+rather more than four in maize, one in wheat, and the remainder
+in oats and barley. The wheat looks tolerably good, rather thin
+but of a good height, and the ears well filled. His farming
+servant guesses the produce will be twelve bushels,* and I do not
+think he over-rates it. The maize he guesses at thirty bushels,
+which from appearances it may yield, but not more. The oats and
+barley are not contemptible. This ground has been turned up but
+once The aspect of it is nearly south, on a declivity of the
+river, or arm of the sea, on which Rose Hill stands. It was
+cleared of wood about nine months ago, and sown this year for the
+first time.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*I have received a letter from Port Jackson,
+dated in April 1792, which states that the crop of wheat turned
+out fifteen bushels, and the maize rather more than forty
+bushels.]</p>
+
+<p>December 8th. Went this morning to the farm of Christopher
+Magee, a convict settler, nearly opposite to that of Mr.
+Scheffen. The situation of this farm is very eligible, provided
+the river in floods does not inundate it, which I think doubtful.
+This man was bred to husbandry, and lived eight years in America;
+he has no less than eight acres in cultivation, five and a half
+in maize, one in wheat, and one and a half in tobacco. From the
+wheat he does not expect more than ten bushels, but he is
+extravagant enough to rate the produce of maize at 100 bushels
+(perhaps he may get fifty); on tobacco he means to go largely
+hereafter. He began to clear this ground in April, but did not
+settle until last July. I asked by what means he had been able to
+accomplish so much? He answered, "By industry, and by hiring all
+the convicts I could get to work in their leisure hours, besides
+some little assistance which the governor has occasionally thrown
+in." His greatest impediment is want of water, being obliged to
+fetch all he uses more than half a mile. He sunk a well, and
+found water, but it was brackish and not fit to drink. If this
+man shall continue in habits of industry and sobriety, I think
+him sure of succeeding.</p>
+
+<p>Reached Ruse's farm,* and begged to look at his grant, the
+material part of which runs thus: "A lot of thirty acres, to be
+called Experiment Farm; the said lot to be holden, free of all
+taxes, quit-rents, &amp;c. for ten years, provided that the
+occupier, his heirs or assigns, shall reside within the same, and
+proceed to the improvement thereof; reserving, however, for the
+use of the crown, all timber now growing, or which hereafter
+shall grow, fit for naval purposes. At the expiration of ten
+years, an annual quit-rent of one shilling shall be paid by the
+occupier in acknowledgment."</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*See the state of this farm in my former Rose
+Hill journal of November 1790, thirteen months before.]</p>
+
+<p>Ruse now lives in a comfortable brick house, built for him by
+the governor. He has eleven acres and a half in cultivation, and
+several more which have been cleared by convicts in their leisure
+hours, on condition of receiving the first year's crop. He means
+to cultivate little besides maize; wheat is so much less
+productive. Of the culture of vineyards and tobacco he is
+ignorant; and, with great good sense, he declared that he would
+not quit the path he knew, for an uncertainty. His livestock
+consists of four breeding sows and thirty fowls. He has been
+taken from the store (that is, has supplied himself with
+provisions) for some months past; and his wife is to be taken off
+at Christmas, at which time, if he deems himself able to maintain
+a convict labourer, one is to be given to him.</p>
+
+<p>Crossed the river in a boat to Robert Webb's farm. This man
+was one of the seamen of the 'Sirius', and has taken, in
+conjunction with his brother (also a seaman of the same ship) a
+grant of sixty acres, on the same terms as Ruse, save that the
+annual quit-rent is to commence at the expiration of five years,
+instead of ten. The brother is gone to England to receive the
+wages due to them both for their services, which money is to be
+expended by him in whatever he judges will be most conducive to
+the success of their plan. Webb expects to do well; talks as a
+man should talk who has just set out on a doubtful enterprise
+which he is bound to pursue. He is sanguine in hope, and looks
+only at the bright side of the prospect. He has received great
+encouragement and assistance from the governor. He has five acres
+cleared and planted with maize, which looks thriving, and
+promises to yield a decent crop. His house and a small one
+adjoining for pigs and poultry were built for him by the
+governor, who also gave him two sows and seven fowls, to which he
+adds a little stock of his own acquiring.</p>
+
+<p>Near Webb is placed William Read, another seaman of the
+'Sirius', on the same terms, and to whom equal encouragement has
+been granted.</p>
+
+<p>My survey of Rose Hill is now closed. I have inspected every
+piece of ground in cultivation here, both public and private, and
+have written from actual examination only.</p>
+
+<p>But before I bade adieu to Rose Hill, in all probability for
+the last time of my life, it struck me that there yet remained
+one object of consideration not to be slighted: Barrington had
+been in the settlement between two and three months, and I had
+not seen him.</p>
+
+<p>I saw him with curiosity. He is tall, approaching to six feet,
+slender, and his gait and manner, bespeak liveliness and
+activity. Of that elegance and fashion, with which my imagination
+had decked him (I know not why), I could distinguish no trace.
+Great allowance should, however, be made for depression and
+unavoidable deficiency of dress. His face is thoughtful and
+intelligent; to a strong cast of countenance he adds a
+penetrating eye, and a prominent forehead. His whole demeanour is
+humble, not servile. Both on his passage from England, and since
+his arrival here, his conduct has been irreproachable. He is
+appointed high-constable of the settlement of Rose Hill, a post
+of some respectability, and certainly one of importance to those
+who live here. His knowledge of men, particularly of that part of
+them into whose morals, manners and behaviour he is ordered
+especially to inspect, eminently fit him for the office.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot quit him without bearing my testimony that his
+talents promise to be directed in future to make reparation to
+society for the offences he has heretofore committed against
+it.</p>
+
+<p>The number of persons of all descriptions at Rose Hill at this
+period will be seen in the following return.</p>
+
+<p>A return of the number of persons at Rose Hill, 3rd of
+December 1791</p>
+
+<pre>
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Quality.             |Men.|Women.|                Children
+                     |    |      |  of 10 years  | of 2 years  | under 2 years
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Convicts*             1336   133         0              9             17
+Troops                  94     9         1              5              2
+Civil Department         7     0         0              0              0
+Seamen Settlers          3     0         0              0              0
+Free Persons             0     7         2              1              2
+Total number of
+persons               1440   149         3             15             21
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="note">[*The convicts who are become settlers, are
+included in this number.]</p>
+
+<p>Of my Sydney journal, I find no part sufficiently interesting
+to be worth extraction. This place had long been considered only
+as a depot for stores. It exhibited nothing but a few old
+scattered huts and some sterile gardens. Cultivation of the
+ground was abandoned, and all our strength transferred to Rose
+Hill. Sydney, nevertheless, continued to be the place of the
+governor's residence, and consequently the headquarters of the
+colony. No public building of note, except a storehouse, had been
+erected since my last statement. The barracks, so long talked of,
+so long promised, for the accommodation and discipline of the
+troops, were not even begun when I left the country; and instead
+of a new hospital, the old one was patched up and, with the
+assistance of one brought ready-framed from England, served to
+contain the sick.</p>
+
+<p>The employment of the male convicts here, as at Rose Hill, was
+the public labour. Of the women, the majority were compelled to
+make shirts, trousers and other necessary parts of dress for the
+men, from materials delivered to them from the stores, into which
+they returned every Saturday night the produce of their labour, a
+stipulated weekly task being assigned to them. In a more early
+stage, government sent out all articles of clothing ready made;
+but, by adopting the present judicious plan, not only a public
+saving is effected, but employment of a suitable nature created
+for those who would otherwise consume leisure in idle pursuits
+only.</p>
+
+<p>On the 26th of November 1791, the number of persons, of all
+descriptions, at Sydney, was 1259, to which, if 1628 at Rose Hill
+and 1172 at Norfolk Island be added, the total number of persons
+in New South Wales and its dependency will be found to amount to
+4059.*</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*A very considerable addition to this number has
+been made since I quitted the settlement, by fresh troops and
+convicts sent thither from England.]</p>
+
+<p>On the 13th of December 1791, the marine battalion embarked on
+board His Majesty's ship Gorgon, and on the 18th sailed for
+England.</p>
+
+<a name="17"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER XVII.</h3>
+
+<h4>Miscellaneous Remarks on the country. On its vegetable
+productions. On its climate. On its animal productions. On its
+natives, etc.</h4>
+
+<p>The journals contained in the body of this publication,
+illustrated by the map which accompanies it (unfortunately, there
+is no map accompanying this etext), are, I conceive, so
+descriptive of every part of the country known to us, that little
+remains to be added beyond a few general observations.</p>
+
+<p>The first impression made on a stranger is certainly
+favourable. He sees gently swelling hills connected by vales
+which possess every beauty that verdure of trees, and form,
+simply considered in itself, can produce; but he looks in vain
+for those murmuring rills and refreshing springs which fructify
+and embellish more happy lands. Nothing like those tributary
+streams which feed rivers in other countries are here seen; for
+when I speak of the stream at Sydney, I mean only the drain of a
+morass; and the river at Rose Hill is a creek of the harbour,
+which above high water mark would not in England be called even a
+brook. Whence the Hawkesbury, the only fresh water river known to
+exist in the country, derives its supplies, would puzzle a
+transient observer. He sees nothing but torpid unmeaning ponds
+(often stagnant and always still, unless agitated by heavy rains)
+which communicate with it. Doubtless the springs which arise in
+Carmarthen mountains may be said to constitute its source. To
+cultivate its banks within many miles of the bed of the stream
+(except on some elevated detached spots) will be found
+impracticable, unless some method be devised of erecting a mound,
+sufficient to repel the encroachments of a torrent which
+sometimes rises fifty feet above its ordinary level, inundating
+the surrounding country in every direction.</p>
+
+<p>The country between the Hawkesbury and Rose Hill is that which
+I have hitherto spoken of. When the river is crossed, this
+prospect soon gives place to a very different one. The green
+vales and moderate hills disappear at the distance of about three
+miles from the river side, and from Knight Hill, and Mount
+Twiss,* the limits which terminate our researches, nothing but
+precipices, wilds and deserts, are to be seen. Even these steeps
+fail to produce streams. The difficulty of penetrating this
+country, joined to the dread of a sudden rise of the Hawkesbury,
+forbidding all return, has hitherto prevented our reaching
+Carmarthen mountains.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Look at the Map. (There is no map accompanying
+this etext)]</p>
+
+<p>Let the reader now cast his eye on the relative situation of
+Port Jackson. He will see it cut off from communication with the
+northward by Broken Bay, and with the southward by Botany Bay;
+and what is worse, the whole space of intervening country yet
+explored, (except a narrow strip called the Kangaroo Ground) in
+both directions, is so bad as to preclude cultivation.</p>
+
+<p>The course of the Hawkesbury will next attract his attention.
+To the southward of every part of Botany Bay we have traced this
+river; but how much farther in that line it extends we know not.
+Hence its channel takes a northerly direction, and finishes its
+course in Broken Bay, running at the back of Port Jackson in such
+a manner as to form the latter into a peninsula.</p>
+
+<p>The principal question then remaining is, what is the distance
+between the head of Botany Bay and the part of the Hawkesbury
+nearest to it? And is the intermediate country a good one, or
+does it lead to one which appearances indicate to be good? To
+future adventurers who shall meet with more encouragement to
+persevere and discover than I and my fellow wanderer[s] did, I
+resign the answer. In the meantime the reader is desired to look
+at the remarks on the map (there is no map accompanying this
+etext), which were made in the beginning of August 1790, from
+Pyramid Hill, which bounded our progress on the southern
+expedition; when, and when only, this part of the country has
+been seen.</p>
+
+<p>It then follows that from Rose Hill to within such a distance
+of the Hawkesbury as is protected from its inundations, is the
+only tract of land we yet know of, in which cultivation can be
+carried on for many years to come. To aim at forming a
+computation of the distance of time, of the labour and of the
+expense, which would attend forming distinct convict settlements,
+beyond the bounds I have delineated; or of the difficulty which
+would attend a system of communication between such
+establishments and Port Jackson, is not intended here.</p>
+
+<p>Until that period shall arrive, the progress of cultivation,
+when it shall have once passed Prospect Hill, will probably steal
+along to the southward, in preference to the northward, from the
+superior nature of the country in that direction, as the remarks
+inserted in the map will testify.</p>
+
+<p>Such is my statement of a plan which I deem inevitably
+entailed on the settlement at Port Jackson. In sketching this
+outline of it let it not be objected that I suppose the reader as
+well acquainted with the respective names and boundaries of the
+country as long residence and unwearied journeying among them,
+have made the author. To have subjoined perpetual explanations
+would have been tedious and disgusting. Familiarity with the
+relative positions of a country can neither be imparted, or
+acquired, but by constant recurrence to geographic
+delineations.</p>
+
+<p>On the policy of settling, with convicts only, a country at
+once so remote and extensive, I shall offer no remarks. Whenever
+I have heard this question agitated, since my return to England,
+the cry of, "What can we do with them! Where else can they be
+sent!" has always silenced me.</p>
+
+<p>Of the soil, opinions have not differed widely. A spot
+eminently fruitful has never been discovered. That there are many
+spots cursed with everlasting and unconquerable sterility no one
+who has seen the country will deny. At the same time I am
+decidedly of opinion that many large tracts of land between Rose
+Hill and the Hawkesbury, even now, are of a nature sufficiently
+favourable to produce moderate crops of whatever may be sown in
+them. And provided a sufficient number of cattle* be imported to
+afford manure for dressing the ground, no doubt can exist that
+subsistence for a limited number of inhabitants may be drawn from
+it. To imperfect husbandry, and dry seasons, must indubitably be
+attributed part of the deficiency of former years. Hitherto all
+our endeavours to derive advantage from mixing the different
+soils have proved fruitless, though possibly only from want of
+skill on our side.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*In my former narrative I have particularly
+noticed the sudden disappearance of the cattle, which we had
+brought with us into the country. Not a trace of them has ever
+since been observed. Their fate is a riddle, so difficult of
+solution that I shall not attempt it. Surely had they strayed
+inland, in some of our numerous excursions, marks of them must
+have been found. It is equally impossible to believe that either
+the convicts or natives killed and ate them, without some sign of
+detection ensuing.]</p>
+
+<p>The spontaneous productions of the soil will be soon
+recounted. Every part of the country is a forest: of the quality
+of the wood take the following instance. The 'Supply' wanted wood
+for a mast, and more than forty of the choicest young trees were
+cut down before as much wood as would make it could be procured,
+the trees being either rotten at the heart or riven by the gum
+which abounds in them. This gum runs not always in a longitudinal
+direction in the body of the tree, but is found in it in circles,
+like a scroll. There is however, a species of light wood which is
+found excellent for boat building, but it is scarce and hardly
+ever found of large size.</p>
+
+<p>To find limestone many of our researches were directed. But
+after repeated assays with fire and chemical preparations on all
+the different sorts of stone to be picked up, it is still a
+desideratum. Nor did my experiments with a magnet induce me to
+think that any of the stones I tried contained iron. I have,
+however, heard other people report very differently on this
+head.</p>
+
+<p>The list of esculent vegetables, and wild fruits is too
+contemptible to deserve notice, if the 'sweet tea' whose virtues
+have been already recorded, and the common orchis root be
+excepted. That species of palm tree which produces the mountain
+cabbage is also found in most of the freshwater swamps, within
+six or seven miles of the coast. But is rarely seen farther
+inland. Even the banks of the Hawkesbury are unprovided with it.
+The inner part of the trunk of this tree was greedily eaten by
+our hogs, and formed their principal support. The grass, as has
+been remarked in former publications, does not overspread the
+land in a continued sward, but arises in small detached tufts,
+growing every way about three inches apart, the intermediate
+space being bare; though the heads of the grass are often so
+luxuriant as to hide all deficiency on the surface. The rare and
+beautiful flowering shrubs, which abound in every part, deserve
+the highest admiration and panegyric.</p>
+
+<p>Of the vegetable productions transplanted from other climes,
+maize flourishes beyond any other grain. And as it affords a
+strong and nutritive article of food, its propagation will, I
+think, altogether supersede that of wheat and barley.</p>
+
+<p>Horticulture has been attended in some places with tolerable
+success. At Rose Hill I have seen gardens which, without the
+assistance of manure, have continued for a short time to produce
+well grown vegetables. But at Sydney, without constantly dressing
+the ground, it was in vain to expect them; and with it a supply
+of common vegetables might be procured by diligence in all
+seasons. Vines of every sort seem to flourish. Melons, cucumbers
+and pumpkins run with unbounded luxuriancy, and I am convinced
+that the grapes of New South Wales will, in a few years, equal
+those of any other country. 'That their juice will probably
+hereafter furnish an indispensable article of luxury at European
+tables', has already been predicted in the vehemence of
+speculation. Other fruits are yet in their infancy; but oranges,
+lemons and figs, (of which last indeed I have eaten very good
+ones) will, I dare believe, in a few years become plentiful.
+Apples and the fruits of colder climes also promise to gratify
+expectation. The banana-tree has been introduced from Norfolk
+Island, where it grows spontaneously.</p>
+
+<p>Nor will this surprise, if the genial influence of the climate
+be considered. Placed in a latitude where the beams of the sun in
+the dreariest season are sufficiently powerful for many hours of
+the day to dispense warmth and nutrition, the progress of
+vegetation never is at a stand. The different temperatures of
+Rose Hill and Sydney in winter, though only twelve miles apart,
+afford, however, curious matter of speculation. Of a well
+attested instance of ice being seen at the latter place, I never
+heard. At the former place its production is common, and once a
+few flakes of snow fell. The difference can be accounted for only
+by supposing that the woods stop the warm vapours of the sea from
+reaching Rose Hill, which is at the distance of sixteen miles
+inland; whereas Sydney is but four.* Again, the heats of summer
+are more violent at the former place than at the latter, and the
+variations incomparably quicker. The thermometer has been known
+to alter at Rose Hill, in the course of nine hours, more than 50
+degrees; standing a little before sunrise at 50 degrees, and
+between one and two at more than 100 degrees. To convey an idea
+of the climate in summer, I shall transcribe from my
+meteorological journal, accounts of two particular days which
+were the hottest we ever suffered under at Sydney.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Look at the journal which describes the
+expedition in search of the river, said to exist to the southward
+of Rose Hill. At the time we felt that extraordinary degree of
+cold were not more than six miles south west of Rose Hill, and
+about nineteen miles from the the sea coast. When I mentioned
+this circumstance to colonel Gordon, at the Cape of Good Hope, he
+wondered at it; and owned, that, in his excursions into the
+interior parts of Africa, he had never experienced anything to
+match it: he attributed its production to large beds of nitre,
+which he said must exist in the neighbourhood.]</p>
+
+<p>December 27th 1790. Wind NNW; it felt like the blast of a
+heated oven, and in proportion as it increased the heat was found
+to be more intense, the sky hazy, the sun gleaming through at
+intervals.</p>
+
+<p>At 9 a.m. 85 degrees At noon 104 Half past twelve 107 1/2 From
+one p.m. until 20 minutes past two 108 1/2 At 20 minutes past two
+109 At Sunset 89 At 11 p.m. 78 1/2</p>
+
+<p>[By a large Thermometer made by Ramsden, and graduated on
+Fahrenheit's scale.]</p>
+
+<p>December 28th.</p>
+
+<p>At 8 a.m. 86 10 a.m. 93 11 a.m. 101 At noon 103 1/2 Half an
+hour past noon 104 1/2 At one p.m. 102 At 5 p.m. 73 At sunset 69
+1/2</p>
+
+<p>[At a quarter past one, it stood at only 89 degrees, having,
+from a sudden shift of wind, fallen 13 degrees in 15
+minutes.]</p>
+
+<p>My observations on this extreme heat, succeeded by so rapid a
+change, were that of all animals, man seemed to bear it best. Our
+dogs, pigs and fowls, lay panting in the shade, or were rushing
+into the water. I remarked that a hen belonging to me, which had
+sat for a fortnight, frequently quitted her eggs, and shewed
+great uneasiness, but never remained from them many minutes at
+one absence; taught by instinct that the wonderful power in the
+animal body of generating cold in air heated beyond a certain
+degree, was best calculated for the production of her young. The
+gardens suffered considerably. All the plants which had not taken
+deep root were withered by the power of the sun. No lasting ill
+effects, however, arose to the human constitution. A temporary
+sickness at the stomach, accompanied with lassitude and headache,
+attacked many, but they were removed generally in twenty-four
+hours by an emetic, followed by an anodyne. During the time it
+lasted, we invariably found that the house was cooler than the
+open air, and that in proportion as the wind was excluded, was
+comfort augmented.</p>
+
+<p>But even this heat was judged to be far exceeded in the latter
+end of the following February, when the north-west wind again set
+in, and blew with great violence for three days. At Sydney, it
+fell short by one degree of what I have just recorded: but at
+Rose Hill, it was allowed, by every person, to surpass all that
+they had before felt, either there or in any other part of the
+world. Unluckily they had no thermometer to ascertain its precise
+height. It must, however, have been intense, from the effects it
+produced. An immense flight of bats driven before the wind,
+covered all the trees around the settlement, whence they every
+moment dropped dead or in a dying state, unable longer to endure
+the burning state of the atmosphere. Nor did the 'perroquettes',
+though tropical birds, bear it better. The ground was strewn with
+them in the same condition as the bats.</p>
+
+<p>Were I asked the cause of this intolerable heat, I should not
+hesitate to pronounce that it was occasioned by the wind blowing
+over immense deserts, which, I doubt not, exist in a north-west
+direction from Port Jackson, and not from fires kindled by the
+natives. This remark I feel necessary, as there were methods used
+by some persons in the colony, both for estimating the degree of
+heat and for ascertaining the cause of its production, which I
+deem equally unfair and unphilosophical. The thermometer, whence
+my observations were constantly made, was hung in the open air in
+a southern aspect, never reached by the rays of the sun, at the
+distance of several feet above the ground.</p>
+
+<p>My other remarks on the climate will be short. It is
+changeable beyond any other I ever heard of; but no phenomena
+sufficiently accurate to reckon upon, are found to indicate the
+approach of alteration. Indeed, for the first eighteen months
+that we lived in the country, changes were supposed to take place
+more commonly at the quartering of the moon than at other times.
+But lunar empire afterwards lost its credit. For the last two
+years and a half of our residing at Port Jackson, its influence
+was unperceived. Three days together seldom passed without a
+necessity occurring for lighting a fire in an evening. A 'habit
+d'ete', or a 'habit de demi saison', would be in the highest
+degree absurd. Clouds, storms and sunshine pass in rapid
+succession. Of rain, we found in general not a sufficiency, but
+torrents of water sometimes fall. Thunder storms, in summer, are
+common and very tremendous, but they have ceased to alarm, from
+rarely causing mischief. Sometimes they happen in winter. I have
+often seen large hailstones fall. Frequent strong breezes from
+the westward purge the air. These are almost invariably attended
+with a hard clear sky. The easterly winds, by setting in from the
+sea, bring thick weather and rain, except in summer, when they
+become regular sea-breezes. The 'aurora australis' is sometimes
+seen, but is not distinguished by superior brilliancy.</p>
+
+<p>To sum up: notwithstanding the inconveniences which I have
+enumerated, I will venture to assert in few words, that no
+climate hitherto known is more generally salubrious*, or affords
+more days on which those pleasures which depend on the state of
+the atmosphere can be enjoyed, than that of New South Wales. The
+winter season is particularly delightful.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*To this cause, I ascribe the great number of
+births which happened, considering the age and other
+circumstances, of many of the mothers. Women who certainly would
+never have bred in any other climate here produced as fine
+children as ever were born.]</p>
+
+<p>The leading animal production is well known to be the
+kangaroo. The natural history of this animal will, probably, be
+written from observations made upon it in England, as several
+living ones of both sexes, have been brought home. Until such an
+account shall appear, probably the following desultory
+observation may prove acceptable.</p>
+
+<p>The genus in which the kangaroo is to be classed I leave to
+better naturalists than myself to determine. How it copulates,
+those who pretend to have seen disagree in their accounts: nor do
+we know how long the period of gestation lasts. Prolific it
+cannot be termed, bringing forth only one at a birth, which the
+dam carries in her pouch wherever she goes until the young one be
+enabled to provide for itself; and even then, in the moment of
+alarm, she will stop to receive and protect it. We have killed
+she-kangaroos whose pouches contained young ones completely
+covered with fur and of more than fifteen pounds weight, which
+had ceased to suck and afterwards were reared by us. In what
+space of time it reaches such a growth as to be abandoned
+entirely by the mother, we are ignorant. It is born blind,
+totally bald, the orifice of the ear closed and only just the
+centre of the mouth open, but a black score, denoting what is
+hereafter to form the dimension of the mouth, is marked very
+distinctly on each side of the opening. At its birth, the
+kangaroo (notwithstanding it weighs when full grown 200 pounds)
+is not so large as a half-grown mouse. I brought some with me to
+England even less, which I took from the pouches of the old ones.
+This phenomenon is so striking and so contrary to the general
+laws of nature, that an opinion has been started that the animal
+is brought forth not by the pudenda, but descends from the belly
+into the pouch by one of the teats, which are there deposited. On
+this difficulty as I can throw no light, I shall hazard no
+conjecture. It may, however, be necessary to observe that the
+teats are several inches long and capable of great dilatation.
+And here I beg leave to correct an error which crept into my
+former publication wherein I asserted that, "the teats of the
+kangaroo never exceed two in number." They sometimes, though
+rarely, amount to four. There is great reason to believe that
+they are slow of growth and live many years. This animal has a
+clavicle, or collar-bone, similar to that of the human body. The
+general colour of the kangaroo is very like that of the ass, but
+varieties exist. Its shape and figure are well known by the
+plates which have been given of it. The elegance of the ear is
+particularly deserving of admiration. This far exceeds the ear of
+the hare in quickness of sense and is so flexible as to admit of
+being turned by the animal nearly quite round the head, doubtless
+for the purpose of informing the creature of the approach of its
+enemies, as it is of a timid nature, and poorly furnished with
+means of defence; though when compelled to resist, it tears
+furiously with its forepaws, and strikes forward very hard with
+its hind legs. Notwithstanding its unfavourable conformation for
+such a purpose, its swims strongly; but never takes to the water
+unless so hard pressed by its pursuers as to be left without all
+other refuge. The noise they make is a faint bleat, querulous,
+but not easy to describe. They are sociable animals and unite in
+droves, sometimes to the number of fifty or sixty together; when
+they are seen playful and feeding on grass, which alone forms
+their food. At such time they move gently about like all other
+quadrupeds, on all fours; but at the slightest noise they spring
+up on their hind legs and sit erect, listening to what it may
+proceed from, and if it increases they bound off on those legs
+only, the fore ones at the same time being carried close to the
+breast like the paws of a monkey; and the tail stretched out,
+acts as a rudder on a ship. In drinking, the kangaroo laps. It is
+remarkable that they are never found in a fat state, being
+invariably lean. Of the flesh we always eat with avidity, but in
+Europe it would not be reckoned a delicacy. A rank flavour forms
+the principal objection to it. The tail is accounted the most
+delicious part, when stewed.</p>
+
+<p>Hitherto I have spoken only of the large, or grey kangaroo, to
+which the natives give the name of 'patagaran'.* But there are
+(besides the kangaroo-rat) two other sorts. One of them we called
+the red kangaroo, from the colour of its fur, which is like that
+of a hare, and sometimes is mingled with a large portion of
+black: the natives call it 'bagaray'. It rarely attains to more
+than forty pounds weight. The third sort is very rare, and in the
+formation of its head resembles the opossum. The kangaroo-rat is
+a small animal, never reaching, at its utmost growth, more than
+fourteen or fifteen pounds, and its usual size is not above seven
+or eight pounds. It joins to the head and bristles of a rat the
+leading distinctions of a kangaroo, by running when pursued on
+its hind legs only, and the female having a pouch. Unlike the
+kangaroo, who appears to have no fixed place of residence, this
+little animal constructs for itself a nest of grass, on the
+ground, of a circular figure, about ten inches in diameter, with
+a hole on one side for the creature to enter at; the inside being
+lined with a finer sort of grass, very soft and downy. But its
+manner of carrying the materials with which it builds the nest is
+the greatest curiosity: by entwining its tail (which, like that
+of all the kangaroo tribe, is long, flexible and muscular) around
+whatever it wants to remove, and thus dragging along the load
+behind it. This animal is good to eat; but whether it be more
+prolific at a birth than the kangaroo, I know not.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*kangaroo was a name unknown to them for any
+animal, until we introduced it. When I showed Colbee the cows
+brought out in the Gorgon, he asked me if they were
+kangaroos.]</p>
+
+<p>The Indians sometimes kill the kangaroo; but their greatest
+destroyer is the wild dog,* who feeds on them. Immediately on
+hearing or seeing this formidable enemy, the kangaroo flies to
+the thickest cover, in which, if he can involve himself, he
+generally escapes. In running to the cover, they always, if
+possible, keep in paths of their own forming, to avoid the high
+grass and stumps of trees which might be sticking up among it to
+wound them and impede their course.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*I once found in the woods the greatest part of
+a kangaroo just killed by the dogs, which afforded to three of us
+a most welcome repast. Marks of its turns and struggles on the
+ground were very visible. This happened in the evening, and the
+dogs probably had seen us approach and had run away. At daylight
+next morning they saluted us with most dreadful howling for the
+loss of their prey.]</p>
+
+<p>Our methods of killing them were but two; either we shot them,
+or hunted them with greyhounds. We were never able to ensnare
+them. Those sportsmen who relied on the gun seldom met with
+success, unless they slept near covers, into which the kangaroos
+were wont to retire at night, and watched with great caution and
+vigilance when the game, in the morning, sallied forth to feed.
+They were, however, sometimes stolen in upon in the day-time and
+that fascination of the eye, which has been by some authors so
+much insisted upon, so far acts on the kangaroo that if he fixes
+his eye upon any one, and no other object move at the same time,
+he will often continue motionless, in stupid gaze, while the
+sportsman advances with measured step, towards him, until within
+reach of his gun. The greyhounds for a long time were incapable
+of taking them; but with a brace of dogs, if not near cover a
+kangaroo almost always falls, since the greyhounds have acquired
+by practice the proper method of fastening upon them.
+Nevertheless the dogs are often miserably torn by them. The rough
+wiry greyhound suffers least in the conflict, and is most prized
+by the hunters.</p>
+
+<p>Other quadrupeds, besides the wild dog, consist only of the
+flying squirrel, of three kinds of opossums and some minute
+animals, usually marked by the distinction which so peculiarly
+characterizes the opossum tribe. The rats, soon after our
+landing, became not only numerous but formidable, from the
+destruction they occasioned in the stores. Latterly they had
+almost disappeared, though to account for their absence were not
+easy. The first time Colbee saw a monkey, he called 'wurra' (a
+rat); but on examining its paws he exclaimed with astonishment
+and affright, 'mulla' (a man).</p>
+
+<p>At the head of the birds the cassowary or emu, stands
+conspicuous. The print of it which has already been given to the
+public is so accurate for the most part, that it would be
+malignant criticism in a work of this kind to point out a few
+trifling defects.</p>
+
+<p>Here again naturalists must look forward to that information
+which longer and more intimate knowledge of the feathered tribe
+than I can supply, shall appear. I have nevertheless had the good
+fortune to see what was never seen but once, in the country I am
+describing, by Europeans--a hatch, or flock, of young cassowaries
+with the old bird. I counted ten, but others said there were
+twelve. We came suddenly upon them, and they ran up a hill
+exactly like a flock of turkeys, but so fast that we could not
+get a shot at them. The largest cassowary ever killed in the
+settlement, weighed ninety-four pounds. Three young ones, which
+had been by accident separated from the dam, were once taken and
+presented to the governor. They were not larger than so many
+pullets, although at first sight they appeared to be so from the
+length of their necks and legs. They were very beautifully
+striped, and from their tender state were judged to be not more
+than three or four days old. They lived only a few days.</p>
+
+<p>A single egg, the production of a cassowary, was picked up in
+a desert place, dropped on the sand, without covering or
+protection of any kind. Its form was nearly a perfect ellipsis;
+and the colour of the shell a dark green, full of little indents
+on its surface. It measured eleven inches and a half in
+circumference, five inches and a quarter in height, and weighed a
+pound and a quarter. Afterwards we had the good fortune to take a
+nest. It was found by a soldier in a sequestered solitary
+situation, made in a patch of lofty fern about three feet in
+diameter, rather of an oblong shape and composed of dry leaves
+and tops of fern stalks, very inartificially put together. The
+hollow in which lay the eggs, twelve in number, seemed made
+solely by the pressure of the bird. The eggs were regularly
+placed in the following position.</p>
+
+<blockquote>O<br>
+O O O<br>
+O O O O O<br>
+O O O</blockquote>
+
+<p>The soldier, instead of greedily plundering his prize,
+communicated the discovery to an officer, who immediately set out
+for the spot. When they had arrived there they continued for a
+long time to search in vain for their object, and the soldier was
+just about to be stigmatized with ignorance, credulity or
+imposture, when suddenly up started the old bird and the treasure
+was found at their feet.</p>
+
+<p>The food of the cassowary is either grass, or a yellow
+bell-flower growing in the swamps. It deserves remark, that the
+natives deny the cassowary to be a bird, because it does not
+fly.</p>
+
+<p>Of other birds the varieties are very numerous. Of the parrot
+tribe alone I could, while I am writing, count up from memory
+fourteen different sorts. Hawks are very numerous, so are quails.
+A single snipe has been shot. Ducks, geese and other aquatic
+birds are often seen in large flocks, but are universally so shy,
+that it is found difficult to shoot them. Some of the smaller
+birds are very beautiful, but they are not remarkable for either
+sweetness, or variety of notes. To one of them, not bigger than a
+tomtit, we have given the name of coach-whip, from its note
+exactly resembling the smack of a whip. The country, I am of
+opinion, would abound with birds did not the natives, by
+perpetually setting fire to the grass and bushes, destroy the
+greater part of the nests; a cause which also contributes to
+render small quadrupeds scarce. They are besides ravenously fond
+of eggs and eat them wherever they find them. They call the roe
+of a fish and a bird's egg by one name.</p>
+
+<p>So much has been said of the abundance in which fish are found
+in the harbours of New South Wales that it looks like detraction
+to oppose a contradiction. Some share of knowledge may, however,
+be supposed to belong to experience. Many a night have I toiled
+(in the times of distress) on the public service, from four
+o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock next morning,
+hauling the seine in every part of the harbour of Port Jackson:
+and after a circuit of many miles and between twenty and thirty
+hauls, seldom more than a hundred pounds of fish were taken.
+However, it sometimes happens that a glut enters the harbour, and
+for a few days they sufficiently abound. But the universal voice
+of all professed fishermen is that they never fished in a country
+where success was so precarious and uncertain.</p>
+
+<p>I shall not pretend to enumerate the variety of fish which are
+found. They are seen from a whale to a gudgeon. In the
+intermediate classes may be reckoned sharks of a monstrous size,
+skait, rock-cod, grey-mullet, bream, horse-mackarel, now and then
+a sole and john dory, and innumerable others unknown in Europe,
+many of which are extremely delicious, and many highly beautiful.
+At the top of the list, as an article of food, stands a fish,
+which we named light-horseman. The relish of this excellent fish
+was increased by our natives, who pointed out to us its
+delicacies. No epicure in England could pick a head with more
+glee and dexterity than they do that of a light-horseman.</p>
+
+<p>Reptiles in the swamps and covers are numerous. Of snakes
+there are two or three sorts: but whether the bite of any of them
+be mortal, or even venomous, is somewhat doubtful. I know but of
+one well attested instance of a bite being received from a snake.
+A soldier was bitten so as to draw blood, and the wound healed as
+a simple incision usually does without shewing any symptom of
+malignity. A dog was reported to be bitten by a snake, and the
+animal swelled and died in great agony. But I will by no means
+affirm that the cause of his death was fairly ascertained. It is,
+however, certain that the natives show, on all occasions, the
+utmost horror of the snake, and will not eat it, although they
+esteem lizards, goannas, and many other reptiles delicious fare.
+On this occasion they always observe that if the snake bites
+them, they become lame, but whether by this they mean temporary
+or lasting lameness I do not pretend to determine. I have often
+eaten snakes and always found them palatable and nutritive,
+though it was difficult to stew them to a tender state.</p>
+
+<p>Summer here, as in all other countries, brings with it a long
+list of insects. In the neighborhood of rivers and morasses,
+mosquitoes and sandflies are never wanting at any season, but at
+Sydney they are seldom numerous or troublesome. The most nauseous
+and destructive of all the insects is a fly which blows not eggs
+but large living maggots, and if the body of the fly be opened it
+is found full of them. Of ants there are several sorts, one of
+which bites very severely. The white ant is sometimes seen.
+Spiders are large and numerous. Their webs are not only the
+strongest, but the finest, and most silky I ever felt. I have
+often thought their labour might be turned to advantage. It has,
+I believe, been proved that spiders, were it not for their
+quarrelsome disposition which irritates them to attack and
+destroy each other, might be employed more profitably than
+silk-worms.</p>
+
+<p>The hardiness of some of the insects deserves to be mentioned.
+A beetle was immersed in proof spirits for four hours, and when
+taken out crawled away almost immediately. It was a second time
+immersed, and continued in a glass of rum for a day and a night,
+at the expiration of which period it still showed symptoms of
+life. Perhaps, however, what I from ignorance deem wonderful is
+common.</p>
+
+<hr>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p>The last but the most important production yet remains to be
+considered. Whether plodding in London, reeking with human blood
+in Paris or wandering amidst the solitary wilds of New South
+Wales--Man is ever an object of interest, curiosity and
+reflection.</p>
+
+<p>The natives around Port Jackson are in person rather more
+diminutive and slighter made, especially about the thighs and
+legs, than the Europeans. It is doubtful whether their society
+contained a person of six feet high. The tallest I ever measured,
+reached five feet eleven inches, and men of his height were
+rarely seen. Baneelon, who towered above the majority of his
+countrymen, stood barely five feet eight inches high. His other
+principal dimensions were as follows:</p>
+
+<p>Girth of the Chest. 2 feet 10 inches Girth of the Belly. 2
+feet 6 1/2 inches Girth of the Thigh. 18 1/8 inches Girth of the
+Leg at the Calf. 12 1/8 inches Girth of the Leg at the Small. 10
+inches Girth of arm half way between the shoulder and elbow. 9
+inches</p>
+
+<p>Instances of natural deformity are scarce, nor did we ever see
+one of them left-handed. They are, indeed, nearly ambidexter; but
+the sword, the spear and the fish-gig are always used with the
+right hand. Their muscular force is not great; but the pliancy of
+their limbs renders them very active. "Give to civilized man all
+his machines, and he is superior to the savage; but without
+these, how inferior is he found on opposition, even more so than
+the savage in the first instance." These are the words of
+Rousseau, and like many more of his positions must be received
+with limitation. Were an unarmed Englishman and an unarmed New
+Hollander to engage, the latter, I think, would fall.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Cook seems inclined to believe the covering of their heads
+to be wool. But this is erroneous. It is certainly hair, which
+when regularly combed becomes soon nearly as flexible and docile
+as our own. Their teeth are not so white and good as those
+generally found in Indian nations, except in the children, but
+the inferiority originates in themselves. They bite sticks,
+stones, shells and all other hard substances, indiscriminately
+with them, which quickly destroys the enamel and gives them a
+jagged and uneven appearance. A high forehead, with prominent
+overhanging eyebrows, is their leading characteristic, and when
+it does not operate to destroy all openness of countenance gives
+an air of resolute dignity to the aspect, which recommends, in
+spite of a true negro nose, thick lips, and a wide mouth. The
+prominent shin bone, so invariably found in the Africans, is not,
+however, seen. But in another particular they are more alike. The
+rank offensive smell which disgusts so much in the negro,
+prevails strongly among them when they are in their native state,
+but it wears off in those who have resided with us and have been
+taught habits of cleanliness. Their hands and feet are small*,
+especially the former.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*I mentioned this, among other circumstances, to
+colonel Gordon when I was at the Cape, and he told me that it
+indicated poverty and inadequacy of living. He instanced to me
+the Hottentots and Caffres. The former fare poorly, and have
+small hands and feet. The Caffres, their neighbours, live
+plenteously and have very large ones. This remark cannot be
+applied to civilized nations, where so many factitious causes
+operate.]</p>
+
+<p>Their eyes are full, black and piercing, but the almost
+perpetual strain in which the optic nerve is kept, by looking out
+for prey, renders their sight weak at an earlier age than we in
+general find ours affected. These large black eyes are
+universally shaded by the long thick sweepy eyelash, so much
+prized in appreciating beauty, that, perhaps hardly any face is
+so homely which this aid cannot in some degree render
+interesting; and hardly any so lovely which, without it, bears
+not some trace of insipidity. Their tone of voice is loud, but
+not harsh. I have in some of them found it very pleasing.</p>
+
+<p>Longevity, I think, is seldom attained by them. Unceasing
+agitation wears out the animal frame and is unfriendly to length
+of days. We have seen them grey with age, but not old; perhaps
+never beyond sixty years. But it may be said, the American
+Indian, in his undebauched state, lives to an advanced period.
+True, but he has his seasons of repose. He reaps his little
+harvest of maize and continues in idleness while it lasts. He
+kills the roebuck or the moose-deer, which maintains him and his
+family for many days, during which cessation the muscles regain
+their spring and fit him for fresh toils. Whereas every sun
+awakes the native of New South Wales (unless a whale be thrown
+upon the coast) to a renewal of labour, to provide subsistence
+for the present day.</p>
+
+<p>The women are proportionally smaller than the men. I never
+measured but two of them, who were both, I think, about the
+medium height. One of them, a sister of Baneelon, stood exactly
+five feet two inches high. The other, named Gooreedeeana, was
+shorter by a quarter of an inch.</p>
+
+<p>But I cannot break from Gooreedeeana so abruptly. She belonged
+to the tribe of Cameragal, and rarely came among us. One day,
+however, she entered my house to complain of hunger. She excelled
+in beauty all their females I ever saw. Her age about eighteen,
+the firmness, the symmetry and the luxuriancy of her bosom might
+have tempted painting to copy its charms. Her mouth was small and
+her teeth, though exposed to all the destructive purposes to
+which they apply them, were white, sound and unbroken. Her
+countenance, though marked by some of the characteristics of her
+native land, was distinguished by a softness and sensibility
+unequalled in the rest of her countrywomen, and I was willing to
+believe that these traits indicated the disposition of her mind.
+I had never before seen this elegant timid female, of whom I had
+often heard; but the interest I took in her led me to question
+her about her husband and family. She answered me by repeating a
+name which I have now forgotten, and told me she had no children.
+I was seized with a strong propensity to learn whether the
+attractions of Gooreedeeana were sufficiently powerful to secure
+her from the brutal violence with which the women are treated,
+and as I found my question either ill understood or reluctantly
+answered, I proceeded to examine her head, the part on which the
+husband's vengeance generally alights. With grief I found it
+covered by contusions and mangled by scars. The poor creature,
+grown by this time more confident from perceiving that I pitied
+her, pointed out a wound just above her left knee which she told
+me was received from a spear, thrown at her by a man who had
+lately dragged her by force from her home to gratify his lust. I
+afterwards observed that this wound had caused a slight lameness
+and that she limped in walking. I could only compassionate her
+wrongs and sympathize in her misfortunes. To alleviate her
+present sense of them, when she took her leave I gave her,
+however, all the bread and salt pork which my little stock
+afforded.</p>
+
+<p>After this I never saw her but once, when I happened to be
+near the harbour's mouth in a boat, with captain Ball. We met her
+in a canoe with several more of her sex. She was painted for a
+ball, with broad stripes of white earth, from head to foot, so
+that she no longer looked like the same Gooreedeeana. We offered
+her several presents, all of which she readily accepted; but
+finding our eagerness and solicitude to inspect her, she managed
+her canoe with such address as to elude our too near approach,
+and acted the coquet to admiration.</p>
+
+<p>To return from this digression to my subject, I have only
+farther to observe that the estimation of female beauty among the
+natives (the men at least) is in this country the same as in most
+others. Were a New Hollander to portray his mistress, he would
+draw her the 'Venus aux belles fesses'. Whenever Baneelon
+described to us his favourite fair, he always painted her in
+this, and another particular, as eminently luxuriant.</p>
+
+<p>Unsatisfied, however, with natural beauty (like the people of
+all other countries) they strive by adscititious embellishments
+to heighten attraction, and often with as little success. Hence
+the naked savage of New South Wales pierces the septum of his
+nose, through which he runs a stick or a bone, and scarifies his
+body, the charms of which increase in proportion to the number
+and magnitude of seams by which it is distinguished. The
+operation is performed by making two longitudinal incisions with
+a sharpened shell, and afterwards pinching up with the nails the
+intermediate space of skin and flesh, which thereby becomes
+considerably elevated and forms a prominence as thick as a man's
+finger. No doubt but pain must be severely felt until the wound
+be healed. But the love of ornament defies weaker considerations,
+and no English beau can bear more stoutly the extraction of his
+teeth to make room for a fresh set from a chimney sweeper, or a
+fair one suffer her tender ears to be perforated, with more
+heroism than the grisly nymphs on the banks of Port Jackson,
+submit their sable shoulders to the remorseless lancet.</p>
+
+<p>That these scarifications are intended solely to increase
+personal allurement I will not, however, positively affirm.
+Similar, perhaps, to the cause of an excision of part of the
+little finger of the left hand in the women, and of a front tooth
+in the men;* or probably after all our conjectures, superstitious
+ceremonies by which they hope either to avert evil or to
+propagate good, are intended. The colours with which they besmear
+the bodies of both sexes possibly date from the same common
+origin. White paint is strictly appropriate to the dance. Red
+seems to be used on numberless occasions, and is considered as a
+colour of less consequence. It may be remarked that they
+translate the epithet white when they speak of us, not by the
+name which they assign to this white earth, but by that with
+which they distinguish the palms of their hands.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*It is to be observed that neither of these
+ceremonies is universal, but nearly so. Why there should exist
+exemptions I cannot resolve. The manner of executing them is as
+follows. The finger is taken off by means of a ligature
+(generally a sinew of a kangaroo) tied so tight as to stop the
+circulation of the blood, which induces mortification and the
+part drops off. I remember to have seen Colbee's child, when
+about a month old, on whom this operation had been just performed
+by her mother. The little wretch seemed in pain, and her hand was
+greatly swelled. But this was deemed too trifling a consideration
+to deserve regard in a case of so much importance.</p>
+
+<p>The tooth intended to be taken out is loosened by the gum
+being scarified on both sides with a sharp shell. The end of a
+stick is then applied to the tooth, which is struck gently
+several times with a stone, until it becomes easily moveable,
+when the 'coup de grace' is given by a smart stroke.
+Notwithstanding these precautions, I have seen a considerable
+degree of swelling and inflammation follow the extraction.
+Imeerawanyee, I remember, suffered severely. But he boasted the
+firmness and hardihood with which he had endured it. It is seldom
+performed on those who are under sixteen years old.]</p>
+
+<p>As this leads to an important subject I shall at once discuss
+it. "Have these people any religion: any knowledge of, or belief
+in a deity?-- any conception of the immortality of the soul?" are
+questions which have been often put to me since my arrival in
+England: I shall endeavour to answer them with candour and
+seriousness.</p>
+
+<p>Until belief be enlightened by revelation and chastened by
+reason, religion and superstition, are terms of equal import. One
+of our earliest impressions is the consciousness of a superior
+power. The various forms under which this impression has
+manifested itself are objects of the most curious
+speculation.</p>
+
+<p>The native of New South Wales believes that particular aspects
+and appearances of the heavenly bodies predict good or evil
+consequences to himself and his friends. He oftentimes calls the
+sun and moon 'weeree,' that is, malignant, pernicious. Should he
+see the leading fixed stars (many of which he can call by name)
+obscured by vapours, he sometimes disregards the omen, and
+sometimes draws from it the most dreary conclusions. I remember
+Abaroo running into a room where a company was assembled, and
+uttering frightful exclamations of impending mischiefs about to
+light on her and her countrymen. When questioned on the cause of
+such agitation she went to the door and pointed to the skies,
+saying that whenever the stars wore that appearance, misfortunes
+to the natives always followed. The night was cloudy and the air
+disturbed by meteors. I have heard many more of them testify
+similar apprehensions.</p>
+
+<p>However involved in darkness and disfigured by error such a
+belief be, no one will, I presume, deny that it conveys a direct
+implication of superior agency; of a power independent of and
+uncontrolled by those who are the objects of its vengeance. But
+proof stops not here. When they hear the thunder roll and view
+the livid glare, they flee them not, but rush out and deprecate
+destruction. They have a dance and a song appropriated to this
+awful occasion, which consist of the wildest and most uncouth
+noises and gestures. Would they act such a ceremony did they not
+conceive that either the thunder itself, or he who directs the
+thunder, might be propitiated by its performance? That a living
+intellectual principle exists, capable of comprehending their
+petition and of either granting or denying it? They never address
+prayers to bodies which they know to be inanimate, either to
+implore their protection or avert their wrath. When the gum-tree
+in a tempest nods over them; or the rock overhanging the cavern
+in which they sleep threatens by its fall to crush them, they
+calculate (as far as their knowledge extends) on physical
+principles, like other men, the nearness and magnitude of the
+danger, and flee it accordingly. And yet there is reason to
+believe that from accidents of this nature they suffer more than
+from lightning. Baneelon once showed us a cave, the top of which
+had fallen in and buried under its ruins, seven people who were
+sleeping under it.</p>
+
+<p>To descend; is not even the ridiculous superstition of Colbee
+related in one of our journies to the Hawkesbury? And again the
+following instance. Abaroo was sick. To cure her, one of her own
+sex slightly cut her on the forehead, in a perpendicular
+direction with an oyster shell, so as just to fetch blood. She
+then put one end of a string to the wound and, beginning to sing,
+held the other end to her own gums, which she rubbed until they
+bled copiously. This blood she contended was the blood of the
+patient, flowing through the string, and that she would thereby
+soon recover. Abaroo became well, and firmly believed that she
+owed her cure to the treatment she had received. Are not these, I
+say, links, subordinate ones indeed, of the same golden chain? He
+who believes in magic confesses supernatural agency, and a belief
+of this sort extends farther in many persons than they are
+willing to allow. There have lived men so inconsistent with their
+own principles as to deny the existence of a God, who have
+nevertheless turned pale at the tricks of a mountebank.</p>
+
+<p>But not to multiply arguments on a subject where demonstration
+(at least to me) is incontestable, I shall close by expressing my
+firm belief that the Indians of New South Wales acknowledge the
+existence of a superintending deity. Of their ideas of the origin
+and duration of his existence; of his power and capacity; of his
+benignity or maleficence; or of their own emanation from him, I
+pretend not to speak. I have often, in common with others, tried
+to gain information from them on this head; but we were always
+repulsed by obstacles which we could neither pass by or surmount.
+Mr. Dawes attempted to teach Abaroo some of our notions of
+religion, and hoped that she would thereby be induced to
+communicate hers in return. But her levity and love of play in a
+great measure defeated his efforts, although every thing he did
+learn from her served to confirm what is here advanced. It may be
+remarked, that when they attended at church with us (which was a
+common practice) they always preserved profound silence and
+decency, as if conscious that some religious ceremony on our side
+was performing.</p>
+
+<p>The question of, whether they believe in the immortality of
+the soul will take up very little time to answer. They are
+universally fearful of spirits.* They call a spirit 'mawn'. They
+often scruple to approach a corpse, saying that the 'mawn' will
+seize them and that it fastens upon them in the night when
+asleep.** When asked where their deceased friends are they always
+point to the skies. To believe in after existence is to confess
+the immortality of some part of being. To enquire whether they
+assign a 'limited' period to such future state would be
+superfluous. This is one of the subtleties of speculation which a
+savage may be supposed not to have considered, without
+impeachment either of his sagacity or happiness.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[* "It is remarkable," says Cicero, "that there
+is no nation, whether barbarous or civilized, that does not
+believe in the existence of spirits".]</p>
+
+<p class="note">[**As they often eat to satiety, even to produce
+sickness, may not this be the effect of an overloaded stomach:
+the nightmare?]</p>
+
+<p>Their manner of interring the dead has been amply described.
+It is certain that instead of burying they sometimes burn the
+corpse; but the cause of distinction we know not. A dead body,
+covered by a canoe, at whose side a sword and shield were placed
+in state, was once discovered. All that we could learn about this
+important personage was that he was a 'Gweeagal' (one of the
+tribe of Gweea) and a celebrated warrior.</p>
+
+<p>To appreciate their general powers of mind is difficult.
+Ignorance, prejudice, the force of habit, continually interfere
+to prevent dispassionate judgment. I have heard men so
+unreasonable as to exclaim at the stupidity of these people for
+not comprehending what a small share of reflection would have
+taught them they ought not to have expected. And others again I
+have heard so sanguine in their admiration as to extol for proofs
+of elevated genius what the commonest abilities were capable of
+executing.</p>
+
+<p>If they be considered as a nation whose general advancement
+and acquisitions are to be weighed, they certainly rank very low,
+even in the scale of savages. They may perhaps dispute the right
+of precedence with the Hottentots or the shivering tribes who
+inhabit the shores of Magellan. But how inferior do they show
+when compared with the subtle African; the patient watchful
+American; or the elegant timid islander of the South Seas. Though
+suffering from the vicissitudes of their climate, strangers to
+clothing, though feeling the sharpness of hunger and knowing the
+precariousness of supply from that element on whose stores they
+principally depend, ignorant of cultivating the earth--a less
+enlightened state we shall exclaim can hardly exist.</p>
+
+<p>But if from general view we descend to particular inspection,
+and examine individually the persons who compose this community,
+they will certainly rise in estimation. In the narrative part of
+this work, I have endeavoured rather to detail information than
+to deduce conclusions, leaving to the reader the exercise of his
+own judgment. The behaviour of Arabanoo, of Baneelon, of Colbee
+and many others is copiously described, and assuredly he who
+shall make just allowance for uninstructed nature will hardly
+accuse any of those persons of stupidity or deficiency of
+apprehension.</p>
+
+<p>To offer my own opinion on the subject, I do not hesitate to
+declare that the natives of New South Wales possess a
+considerable portion of that acumen, or sharpness of intellect,
+which bespeaks genius. All savages hate toil and place happiness
+in inaction, and neither the arts of civilized life can be
+practised or the advantages of it felt without application and
+labour. Hence they resist knowledge and the adoption of manners
+and customs differing from their own. The progress of reason is
+not only slow, but mechanical. "De toutes les Instructions
+propres a l'homme, celle qu'il acquiert le plus tard, et le plus
+difficilement, est la raison meme." The tranquil indifference and
+uninquiring eye with which they surveyed our works of art have
+often, in my hearing, been stigmatized as proofs of stupidity,
+and want of reflection. But surely we should discriminate between
+ignorance and defect of understanding. The truth was, they often
+neither comprehended the design nor conceived the utility of such
+works, but on subjects in any degree familiarised to their ideas,
+they generally testified not only acuteness of discernment but a
+large portion of good sense. I have always thought that the
+distinctions they shewed in their estimate of us, on first
+entering into our society, strongly displayed the latter quality:
+when they were led into our respective houses, at once to be
+astonished and awed by our superiority, their attention was
+directly turned to objects with which they were acquainted. They
+passed without rapture or emotion our numerous artifices and
+contrivances, but when they saw a collection of weapons of war or
+of the skins of animals and birds, they never failed to exclaim,
+and to confer with each other on the subject. The master of that
+house became the object of their regard, as they concluded he
+must be either a renowned warrior, or an expert hunter. Our
+surgeons grew into their esteem from a like cause. In a very
+early stage of intercourse, several natives were present at the
+amputation of a leg. When they first penetrated the intention of
+the operator, they were confounded, not believing it possible
+that such an operation could be performed without loss of life,
+and they called aloud to him to desist; but when they saw the
+torrent of blood stopped, the vessels taken up and the stump
+dressed, their horror and alarm yielded to astonishment and
+admiration, which they expressed by the loudest tokens. If these
+instances bespeak not nature and good sense, I have yet to learn
+the meaning of the terms.</p>
+
+<p>If it be asked why the same intelligent spirit which led them
+to contemplate and applaud the success of the sportsman and the
+skill of the surgeon, did not equally excite them to meditate on
+the labours of the builder and the ploughman, I can only answer
+that what we see in its remote cause is always more feebly felt
+than that which presents to our immediate grasp both its origin
+and effect.</p>
+
+<p>Their leading good and bad qualities I shall concisely touch
+upon. Of their intrepidity no doubt can exist. Their levity,
+their fickleness, their passionate extravagance of character,
+cannot be defended. They are indeed sudden and quick in quarrel;
+but if their resentment be easily roused, their thirst of revenge
+is not implacable. Their honesty, when tempted by novelty, is not
+unimpeachable, but in their own society there is good reason to
+believe that few breaches of it occur. It were well if similar
+praise could be given to their veracity: but truth they neither
+prize nor practice. When they wish to deceive they scruple not to
+utter the grossest and most hardened lies.* Their attachment and
+gratitude to those among us whom they have professed to love have
+always remained inviolable, unless effaced by resentment, from
+sudden provocation: then, like all other Indians, the impulse of
+the moment is alone regarded by them.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*This may serve to account for the
+contradictions of many of their accounts to us.]</p>
+
+<p>Some of their manufactures display ingenuity, when the rude
+tools with which they work, and their celerity of execution are
+considered. The canoes, fish-gigs, swords, shields, spears,
+throwing sticks, clubs, and hatchets, are made by the men. To the
+women are committed the fishing-lines, hooks and nets. As very
+ample collections of all these articles are to be found in many
+museums in England, I shall only briefly describe the way in
+which the most remarkable of them are made. The fish-gigs and
+spears are commonly (but not universally) made of the long spiral
+shoot which arises from the top of the yellow gum-tree, and bears
+the flower. The former have several prongs, barbed with the bone
+of kangaroo. The latter are sometimes barbed with the same
+substance, or with the prickle of the sting-ray, or with stone or
+hardened gum, and sometimes simply pointed. Dexterity in throwing
+and parrying the spear is considered as the highest acquirement.
+The children of both sexes practice from the time that they are
+able to throw a rush; their first essay. It forms their constant
+recreation. They afterwards heave at each other with pointed
+twigs. He who acts on the defensive holds a piece of new soft
+bark in the left hand, to represent a shield, in which he
+receives the darts of the assailant, the points sticking in it.
+Now commences his turn. He extracts the twigs and darts them back
+at the first thrower, who catches them similarly. In warding off
+the spear they never present their front, but always turn their
+side, their head at the same time just clear of the shield, to
+watch the flight of the weapon; and the body covered. If a spear
+drop from them when thus engaged, they do not stoop to pick it
+up, but hook it between the toes and so lift it until it meet the
+hand. Thus the eye is never diverted from its object, the foe. If
+they wish to break a spear or any wooden substance, they lay it
+not across the thigh or the body, but upon the head, and press
+down the ends until it snap. Their shields are of two sorts. That
+called 'illemon' is nothing but a piece of bark with a handle
+fixed in the inside of it. The other, dug out of solid wood, is
+called 'aragoon', and is made as follows, with great labour. On
+the bark of a tree they mark the size of the shield, then dig the
+outline as deep as possible in the wood with hatchets, and lastly
+flake it off as thick as they can, by driving in wedges. The
+sword is a large heavy piece of wood, shaped like a sabre, and
+capable of inflicting a mortal wound. In using it they do not
+strike with the convex side, but with the concave one, and strive
+to hook in their antagonists so as to have them under their
+blows. The fishing-lines are made of the bark of a shrub. The
+women roll shreds of this on the inside of the thigh, so as to
+twist it together, carefully inserting the ends of every fresh
+piece into the last made. They are not as strong as lines of
+equal size formed of hemp. The fish-hooks are chopped with a
+stone out of a particular shell, and afterwards rubbed until they
+become smooth. They are very much curved, and not barbed.
+Considering the quickness with which they are finished, the
+excellence of the work, if it be inspected, is admirable. In all
+these manufactures the sole of the foot is used both by men and
+women as a work-board. They chop a piece of wood, or aught else
+upon it, even with an iron tool, without hurting themselves. It
+is indeed nearly as hard as the hoof of an ox.</p>
+
+<p>Their method of procuring fire is this. They take a reed and
+shave one side of the surface flat. In this they make a small
+incision to reach the pith, and introducing a stick, purposely
+blunted at the end, into it, turn it round between the hands (as
+chocolate is milled) as swiftly as possible, until flame be
+produced. As this operation is not only laborious, but the effect
+tedious, they frequently relieve each other at the exercise. And
+to avoid being often reduced to the necessity of putting it in
+practice, they always, if possible, carry a lighted stick with
+them, whether in their canoes or moving from place to place on
+land.</p>
+
+<p>Their treatment of wounds must not be omitted. A doctor is,
+with them, a person of importance and esteem, but his province
+seems rather to charm away occult diseases than to act the
+surgeon's part, which, as a subordinate science, is exercised
+indiscriminately. Their excellent habit of body*, the effect of
+drinking water only, speedily heals wounds without an exterior
+application which with us would take weeks or months to close.
+They are, nevertheless, sadly tormented by a cutaneous eruption,
+but we never found it contagious. After receiving a contusion, if
+the part swell they fasten a ligature very tightly above it, so
+as to stop all circulation. Whether to this application, or to
+their undebauched habit, it be attributable, I know not, but it
+is certain that a disabled limb among them is rarely seen,
+although violent inflammations from bruises, which in us would
+bring on a gangrene, daily happen. If they get burned, either
+from rolling into the fire when asleep, or from the flame
+catching the grass on which they lie (both of which are common
+accidents) they cover the part with a thin paste of kneaded clay,
+which excludes the air and adheres to the wound until it be
+cured, and the eschar falls off.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Their native hardiness of constitution is
+great. I saw a woman on the day she was brought to bed, carry her
+new-born infant from Botany Bay to Port Jackson, a distance of
+six miles, and afterwards light a fire and dress fish.]</p>
+
+<p>Their form of government, and the detail of domestic life, yet
+remain untold. The former cannot occupy much space. Without
+distinctions of rank, except those which youth and vigour confer,
+theirs is strictly a system of 'equality' attended with only one
+inconvenience--the strong triumph over the weak. Whether any laws
+exist among them for the punishment of offences committed against
+society; or whether the injured party in all cases seeks for
+relief in private revenge, I will not positively affirm; though I
+am strongly inclined to believe that only the latter method
+prevails. I have already said that they are divided into tribes;
+but what constitutes the right of being enrolled in a tribe, or
+where exclusion begins and ends, I am ignorant. The tribe of
+Cameragal is of all the most numerous and powerful. Their
+superiority probably arose from possessing the best fishing
+ground, and perhaps from their having suffered less from the
+ravages of the smallpox.</p>
+
+<p>In the domestic detail there may be novelty, but variety is
+unattainable. One day must be very like another in the life of a
+savage. Summoned by the calls of hunger and the returning light,
+he starts from his beloved indolence, and snatching up the
+remaining brand of his fire, hastens with his wife to the strand
+to commence their daily task. In general the canoe is assigned to
+her, into which she puts the fire and pushes off into deep water,
+to fish with hook and line, this being the province of the women.
+If she have a child at the breast, she takes it with her. And
+thus in her skiff, a piece of bark tied at both ends with vines,
+and the edge of it but just above the surface of the water, she
+pushes out regardless of the elements, if they be but commonly
+agitated. While she paddles to the fishing-bank, and while
+employed there, the child is placed on her shoulders, entwining
+its little legs around her neck and closely grasping her hair
+with its hands. To its first cries she remains insensible, as she
+believes them to arise only from the inconvenience of a
+situation, to which she knows it must be inured. But if its
+plaints continue, and she supposes it to be in want of food, she
+ceases her fishing and clasps it to her breast. An European
+spectator is struck with horror and astonishment at their
+perilous situation, but accidents seldom happen. The management
+of the canoe alone appears a work of unsurmountable difficulty,
+its breadth is so inadequate to its length. The Indians, aware of
+its ticklish formation, practise from infancy to move in it
+without risk. Use only could reconcile them to the painful
+position in which they sit in it. They drop in the middle of the
+canoe upon their knees, and resting the buttocks on the heels,
+extend the knees to the sides, against which they press strongly,
+so as to form a poise sufficient to retain the body in its
+situation, and relieve the weight which would otherwise fall
+wholly upon the toes. Either in this position or cautiously
+moving in the centre of the vessel, the mother tends her child,
+keeps up her fire (which is laid on a small patch of earth),
+paddles her boat, broils fish and provides in part the
+subsistence of the day. Their favourite bait for fish is a
+cockle.</p>
+
+<p>The husband in the mean time warily moves to some rock, over
+which he can peep into unruffled water to look for fish. For this
+purpose he always chooses a weather shore, and the various
+windings of the numerous creeks and indents always afford one.
+Silent and watchful, he chews a cockle and spits it into the
+water. Allured by the bait, the fish appear from beneath the
+rock. He prepares his fish-gig, and pointing it downward, moves
+it gently towards the object, always trying to approach it as
+near as possible to the fish before the stroke be given. At last
+he deems himself sufficiently advanced and plunges it at his
+prey. If he has hit his mark, he continues his efforts and
+endeavours to transpierce it or so to entangle the barbs in the
+flesh as to prevent its escape. When he finds it secure he drops
+the instrument, and the fish, fastened on the prongs, rises to
+the surface, floated by the buoyancy of the staff. Nothing now
+remains to be done but to haul it to him, with either a long
+stick or another fish-gig (for an Indian, if he can help it,
+never goes into the water on these occasions) to disengage it,
+and to look out for fresh sport.</p>
+
+<p>But sometimes the fish have either deserted the rocks for
+deeper water, or are too shy to suffer approach. He then launches
+his canoe, and leaving the shore behind, watches the rise of prey
+out of the water, and darts his gig at them to the distance of
+many yards. Large fish he seldom procures by this method; but
+among shoals of mullets, which are either pursued by enemies, or
+leap at objects on the surface, he is often successful. Baneelon
+has been seen to kill more than twenty fish by this method in an
+afternoon. The women sometimes use the gig, and always carry one
+in each canoe to strike large fish which may be hooked and
+thereby facilitate the capture. But generally speaking, this
+instrument is appropriate to the men, who are never seen fishing
+with the line, and would indeed consider it as a degradation of
+their pre-eminence.</p>
+
+<p>When prevented by tempestuous weather or any other cause, from
+fishing, these people suffer severely. They have then no resource
+but to pick up shellfish, which may happen to cling to the rocks,
+and be cast on the beach, to hunt particular reptiles and small
+animals, which are scarce, to dig fern root in the swamps or to
+gather a few berries, destitute of flavour and nutrition, which
+the woods afford. To alleviate the sensation of hunger, they tie
+a ligature tightly around the belly, as I have often seen our
+soldiers do from the same cause.</p>
+
+<p>Let us, however, suppose them successful in procuring fish.
+The wife returns to land with her booty, and the husband quitting
+the rock joins his stock to hers; and they repair either to some
+neighbouring cavern or to their hut. This last is composed of
+pieces of bark, very rudely piled together, in shape as like a
+soldier's tent as any known image to which I can compare it: too
+low to admit the lord of it to stand upright, but long and wide
+enough to admit three or four persons to lie under it. "Here
+shelters himself a being, born with all those powers which
+education expands, and all those sensations which culture
+refines." With a lighted stick brought from the canoe they now
+kindle a small fire at the mouth of the hut and prepare to dress
+their meal. They begin by throwing the fish exactly in the state
+in which it came from the water, on the fire. When it has become
+a little warmed they take it off, rub away the scales, and then
+peal off with their teeth the surface, which they find done and
+eat. Now, and not before, they gut it; but if the fish be a
+mullet or any other which has a fatty substance about the
+intestines, they carefully guard that part and esteem it a
+delicacy. The cooking is now completed by the remaining part
+being laid on the fire until it be sufficiently done. A bird, a
+lizard, a rat, or any other animal, they treat in the same
+manner. The feathers of the one and the fur of the other, they
+thus get rid of.*</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*They broil indiscriminately all substances
+which they eat. Though they boil water in small quantities in
+oyster shells for particular purposes, they never conceived it
+possible until shown by us, to dress meat by this method, having
+no vessel capable of containing a fish or a bird which would
+stand fire. Two of them once stole twelve pounds of rice and
+carried it off. They knew how we cooked it, and by way of putting
+it in practice they spread the rice on the ground before a fire,
+and as it grew hot continued to throw water on it. Their
+ingenuity was however very ill rewarded, for the rice became so
+mingled with the dirt and sand on which it was laid, that even
+they could not eat it, and the whole was spoiled.]</p>
+
+<p>Unless summoned away by irresistable necessity, sleep always
+follows the repast. They would gladly prolong it until the
+following day; but the canoe wants repair, the fish-gig must be
+barbed afresh, new lines must be twisted, and new hooks chopped
+out. they depart to their respective tasks, which end only with
+the light.</p>
+
+<p>Such is the general life of an Indian. But even he has his
+hours of relaxation, in seasons of success, when fish abounds.
+Wanton with plenty, he now meditates an attack upon the chastity
+of some neighbouring fair one; and watching his opportunity he
+seizes her and drags her away to complete his purpose. The signal
+of war is lighted; her lover, her father, her brothers, her
+tribe, assemble, and vow revenge on the spoiler. He tells his
+story to his tribe. They judge the case to be a common one and
+agree to support him. Battle ensues; they discharge their spears
+at each other, and legs and arms are transpierced. When the
+spears are expended the combatants close and every species of
+violence is practiced. They seize their antagonist and snap like
+enraged dogs, they wield the sword and club, the bone shatters
+beneath their fall and they drop the prey of unsparing
+vengeance.</p>
+
+<p>Too justly, as my observations teach me has Hobbes defined a
+state of nature to be a state of war. In the method of waging it
+among these people, one thing should not, however, escape notice.
+Unlike all other Indians, they never carry on operations in the
+night, or seek to destroy by ambush and surprise. Their ardent
+fearless character, seeks fair and open combat only.</p>
+
+<p>But enmity has its moments of pause. Then they assemble to
+sing and dance. We always found their songs disagreeable from
+their monotony. They are numerous, and vary both in measure and
+time. They have songs of war, of hunting, of fishing, for the
+rise and set of the sun, for rain, for thunder and for many other
+occasions. One of these songs, which may be termed a speaking
+pantomime, recites the courtship between the sexes and is
+accompanied with acting highly expressive. I once heard and saw
+Nanbaree and Abaroo perform it. After a few preparatory motions
+she gently sunk on the ground, as if in a fainting fit. Nanbaree
+applying his mouth to her ear, began to whisper in it, and baring
+her bosom, breathed on it several times. At length, the period of
+the swoon having expired, with returning animation she gradually
+raised herself. She now began to relate what she had seen in her
+vision, mentioning several of her countrymen by name, whom we
+knew to be dead; mixed with other strange incoherent matter,
+equally new and inexplicable, though all tending to one leading
+point--the sacrifice of her charms to her lover.</p>
+
+<p>At their dances I have often been present; but I confess
+myself unable to convey in description an accurate account of
+them. Like their songs, they are conceived to represent the
+progress of the passions and the occupations of life. Full of
+seeming confusion, yet regular and systematic, their wild
+gesticulations, and frantic distortions of body are calculated
+rather to terrify, than delight, a spectator. These dances
+consist of short parts, or acts, accompanied with frequent
+vociferations, and a kind of hissing, or whizzing noise. They
+commonly end with a loud rapid shout, and after a short respite
+are renewed. While the dance lasts, one of them (usually a person
+of note and estimation) beats time with a stick on a wooden
+instrument held in the left hand, accompanying the music with his
+voice; and the dancers sometimes sing in concert.</p>
+
+<p>I have already mentioned that white is the colour appropriated
+to the dance, but the style of painting is left to every one's
+fancy. Some are streaked with waving lines from head to foot;
+others marked by broad cross-bars, on the breast, back, and
+thighs, or encircled with spiral lines, or regularly striped like
+a zebra. Of these ornaments, the face never wants its share, and
+it is hard to conceive any thing in the shape of humanity more
+hideous and terrific than they appear to a stranger--seen,
+perhaps, through the livid gleam of a fire, the eyes surrounded
+by large white circles, in contrast with the black ground, the
+hair stuck full of pieces of bone and in the hand a grasped club,
+which they occasionally brandish with the greatest fierceness and
+agility. Some dances are performed by men only, some by women
+only, and in others the sexes mingle. In one of them I have seen
+the men drop on their hands and knees and kiss the earth with the
+greatest fervor, between the kisses looking up to Heaven. They
+also frequently throw up their arms, exactly in the manner in
+which the dancers of the Friendly Islands are depicted in one of
+the plates of Mr. Cook's last voyage.</p>
+
+<p>Courtship here, as in other countries, is generally promoted
+by this exercise, where every one tries to recommend himself to
+attention and applause. Dancing not only proves an incentive, but
+offers an opportunity in its intervals. The first advances are
+made by the men, who strive to render themselves agreeable to
+their favourites by presents of fishing-tackle and other articles
+which they know will prove acceptable. Generally speaking, a man
+has but one wife, but infidelity on the side of the husband, with
+the unmarried girls, is very frequent. For the most part,
+perhaps, they intermarry in their respective tribes. This rule is
+not, however, constantly observed, and there is reason to think
+that a more than ordinary share of courtship and presents, on the
+part of the man, is required in this case. Such difficulty seldom
+operates to extinguish desire, and nothing is more common than
+for the unsuccessful suitor to ravish by force that which he
+cannot accomplish by entreaty. I do not believe that very near
+connections by blood ever cohabit. We knew of no instance of
+it.</p>
+
+<p>But indeed the women are in all respects treated with savage
+barbarity Condemned not only to carry the children but all other
+burthens, they meet in return for submission only with blows,
+kicks and every other mark of brutality. When an Indian is
+provoked by a woman, he either spears her or knocks her down on
+the spot. On this occasion he always strikes on the head, using
+indiscriminately a hatchet, a club or any other weapon which may
+chance to be in his hand. The heads of the women are always
+consequently seen in the state which I found that of
+Gooreedeeana. Colbee, who was certainly, in other respects a good
+tempered merry fellow, made no scruple of treating Daringa, who
+was a gentle creature, thus. Baneelon did the same to Barangaroo,
+but she was a scold and a vixen, and nobody pitied her. It must
+nevertheless be confessed that the women often artfully study to
+irritate and inflame the passions of the men, although sensible
+that the consequence will alight on themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Many a matrimonial scene of this sort have I witnessed. Lady
+Mary Wortley Montague, in her sprightly letters from Turkey,
+longs for some of the advocates for passive obedience and
+unconditional submission then existing in England to be present
+at the sights exhibited in a despotic government. A thousand
+times, in like manner, have I wished that those European
+philosophers whose closet speculations exalt a state of nature
+above a state of civilization, could survey the phantom which
+their heated imaginations have raised. Possibly they might then
+learn that a state of nature is, of all others, least adapted to
+promote the happiness of a being capable of sublime research and
+unending ratiocination. That a savage roaming for prey amidst his
+native deserts is a creature deformed by all those passions which
+afflict and degrade our nature, unsoftened by the influence of
+religion, philosophy and legal restriction: and that the more men
+unite their talents, the more closely the bands of society are
+drawn and civilization advanced, inasmuch is human felicity
+augmented, and man fitted for his unalienable station in the
+universe.</p>
+
+<p>Of the language of New South Wales I once hoped to have
+subjoined to this work such an exposition as should have
+attracted public notice, and have excited public esteem. But the
+abrupt departure of Mr. Dawes, who, stimulated equally by
+curiosity and philanthropy, had hardly set foot on his native
+country when he again quitted it to encounter new perils in the
+service of the Sierra Leona company, precludes me from executing
+this part of my original intention, in which he had promised to
+co-operate with me; and in which he had advanced his researches
+beyond the reach of competition. The few remarks which I can
+offer shall be concisely detailed.</p>
+
+<p>We were at first inclined to stigmatised this language as
+harsh and barbarous in its sounds. Their combinations of words in
+the manner they utter them, frequently convey such an effect. But
+if not only their proper names of men and places, but many of
+their phrases and a majority of their words, be simply and
+unconnectedly considered, they will be found to abound with
+vowels and to produce sounds sometimes mellifluous and sometimes
+sonorous. What ear can object to the names of Colbee, (pronounced
+exactly as Colby is with us) Bereewan, Bondel, Imeerawanyee,
+Deedora, Wolarawaree, or Baneelon, among the men; or to
+Wereeweea, Gooreedeeana, Milba*, or Matilba, among the women.
+Parramatta, Gweea, Cameera, Cadi, and Memel, are names of places.
+The tribes derive their appellations from the places they
+inhabit. Thus Cemeeragal, means the men who reside in the bay of
+Cameera; Cedigal, those who reside in the bay of Cadi; and so of
+the others. The women of the tribe are denoted by adding 'eean'
+to any of the foregoing words. A Cadigaleean imports a woman
+living at Cadi, or of the tribe of Cadigal. These words, as the
+reader will observe, are accented either on the first syllable or
+the penultima. In general, however, they are partial to the
+emphasis being laid as near the beginning of the word as
+possible.</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Mrs. Johnson, wife of the chaplain of the
+settlement, was so pleased with this name that she christened her
+little girl, born in Port Jackson, Milba Maria Johnson.]</p>
+
+<p>Of compound words they seem fond. Two very striking ones
+appear in the journal to the Hawkesbury. Their translations of
+our words into their language are always apposite, comprehensive,
+and drawn from images familiar to them. A gun, for instance, they
+call 'gooroobeera', that is, a stick of fire. Sometimes also, by
+a licence of language, they call those who carry guns by the same
+name. But the appellation by which they generally distinguished
+us was that of 'bereewolgal', meaning men come from afar. When
+they salute any one they call him 'dameeli', or namesake, a term
+which not only implies courtesy and good-will, but a certain
+degree of affection in the speaker. An interchange of names with
+any one is also a symbol of friendship. Each person has several
+names; one of which, there is reason to believe, is always
+derived from the first fish or animal which the child, in
+accompanying its father to the chase or a fishing, may chance to
+kill.</p>
+
+<p>Not only their combinations, but some of their simple sounds,
+were difficult of pronunciation to mouths purely English.
+Diphthongs often occur. One of the most common is that of 'ae',
+or perhaps, 'ai', pronounced not unlike those letters in the
+French verb 'hair', to hate. The letter 'y' frequently follows
+'d' in the same syllable. Thus the word which signifies a woman
+is 'dyin'; although the structure of our language requires us to
+spell it 'deein'.</p>
+
+<p>But if they sometimes put us to difficulty, many of our words
+were to them unutterable. The letters 's' and 'v' they never
+could pronounce. The latter became invariably 'w', and the former
+mocked all their efforts, which in the instance of Baneelon has
+been noticed; and a more unfortunate defect in learning our
+language could not easily be pointed out.</p>
+
+<p>They use the ellipsis in speaking very freely; always omitting
+as many words as they possibly can, consistent with being
+understood. They inflect both their nouns and verbs regularly;
+and denote the cases of the former and the tenses of the latter,
+not like the English by auxiliary words, but like the Latins by
+change of termination. Their nouns, whether substantive or
+adjective, seem to admit of no plural. I have heard Mr. Dawes
+hint his belief of their using a dual number, similar to the
+Greeks, but I confess that I never could remark aught to confirm
+it. The method by which they answer a question that they cannot
+resolve is similar to what we sometimes use. Let for example the
+following question be put: 'Waw Colbee yagoono?'--Where is Colbee
+to-day? 'Waw, baw!'--Where, indeed! would be the reply. They use
+a direct and positive negative, but express the affirmative by a
+nod of the head or an inclination of the body.</p>
+
+<p>Opinions have greatly differed, whether or not their language
+be copious. In one particular it is notoriously defective. They
+cannot count with precision more than four. However as far as
+ten, by holding up the fingers, they can both comprehend others
+and explain themselves. Beyond four every number is called great;
+and should it happen to be very large, great great, which is an
+Italian idiom also. This occasions their computations of time and
+space to be very confused and incorrect. Of the former they have
+no measure but the visible diurnal motion of the sun or the
+monthly revolution of the moon.</p>
+
+<p>To conclude the history of a people for whom I cannot but feel
+some share of affection. Let those who have been born in more
+favoured lands and who have profited by more enlightened systems,
+compassionate, but not despise their destitute and obscure
+situation. Children of the same omniscient paternal care, let
+them recollect that by the fortuitous advantage of birth alone
+they possess superiority: that untaught, unaccommodated man is
+the same in Pall Mall as in the wilderness of New South Wales.
+And ultimately let them hope and trust that the progress of
+reason and the splendor of revelation will in their proper and
+allotted season be permitted to illumine and transfuse into these
+desert regions, knowledge, virtue and happiness.</p>
+
+<a name="18"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER XVIII.</h3>
+
+<h4>Observations on the Convicts.</h4>
+
+<p>A short account of that class of men for whose disposal and
+advantage the colony was principally, if not totally, founded,
+seems necessary.</p>
+
+<p>If it be recollected how large a body of these people are now
+congregated in the settlement of Port Jackson and at Norfolk
+Island, it will, I think, not only excite surprise but afford
+satisfaction, to learn, that in a period of four years few crimes
+of a deep dye or of a hardened nature have been perpetrated.
+Murder and unnatural sins rank not hitherto in the catalogue of
+their enormities, and one suicide only has been committed.</p>
+
+<p>To the honour of the female part of our community let it be
+recorded that only one woman has suffered capital punishment. On
+her condemnation she pleaded pregnancy, and a jury of venerable
+matrons was impanneled on the spot, to examine and pronounce her
+state, which the forewoman, a grave personage between sixty and
+seventy years old, did, by this short address to the court;
+'Gentlemen! she is as much with child as I am.' Sentence was
+accordingly passed, and she was executed.</p>
+
+<p>Besides the instance of Irving, two other male convicts,
+William Bloodsworth, of Kingston upon Thames, and John Arscott,
+of Truro, in Cornwall, were both emancipated for their good
+conduct, in the years 1790 and 1791. Several men whose terms of
+transportation had expired, and against whom no legal impediment
+existed to prevent their departure, have been permitted to enter
+in merchant ships wanting hands: and as my Rose Hill journals
+testify, many others have had grants of land assigned to them,
+and are become settlers in the country.</p>
+
+<p>In so numerous a community many persons of perverted genius
+and of mechanical ingenuity could not but be assembled. Let me
+produce the following example. Frazer was an iron manufacturer,
+bred at Sheffield, of whose abilities as a workman we had
+witnessed many proofs. The governor had written to England for a
+set of locks to be sent out for the security of the public
+stores, which were to be so constructed as to be incapable of
+being picked. On their arrival his excellency sent for Frazer and
+bade him examine them telling him at the same time that they
+could not be picked. Frazer laughed and asked for a crooked nail
+only, to open them all. A nail was brought, and in an instant he
+verified his assertion. Astonished at his dexterity, a gentleman
+present determined to put it to farther proof. He was sent for in
+a hurry, some days after, to the hospital, where a lock of still
+superior intricacy and expense to the others had been provided.
+He was told that the key was lost and that the lock must be
+immediately picked. He examined it attentively, remarked that it
+was the production of a workman, and demanded ten minutes to make
+an instrument 'to speak with it.' Without carrying the lock with
+him, he went directly to his shop, and at the expiration of his
+term returned, applied his instrument, and open flew the lock.
+But it was not only in this part of his business that he
+excelled: he executed every branch of it in superior style. Had
+not his villainy been still more notorious than his skill, he
+would have proved an invaluable possession to a new country. He
+had passed through innumerable scenes in life, and had played
+many parts. When too lazy to work at his trade he had turned
+thief in fifty different shapes, was a receiver of stolen goods,
+a soldier and a travelling conjurer. He once confessed to me that
+he had made a set of tools, for a gang of coiners, every man of
+whom was hanged.</p>
+
+<p>Were the nature of the subject worthy of farther illustration,
+many similar proofs of misapplied talents might be adduced.</p>
+
+<p>Their love of the marvellous has been recorded in an early
+part of this work. The imposture of the gold finder, however
+prominent and glaring, nevertheless contributed to awaken
+attention and to create merriment. He enjoyed the reputation of a
+discoverer, until experiment detected the imposition. But others
+were less successful to acquire even momentary admiration. The
+execution of forgery seems to demand at least neatness of
+imitation and dexterity of address. On arrival of the first fleet
+of ships from England, several convicts brought out
+recommendatory letters from different friends. Of these some were
+genuine, and many owed their birth to the ingenuity of the
+bearers. But these last were all such bungling performances as to
+produce only instant detection and succeeding contempt. One of
+them addressed to the governor, with the name of Baron Hotham
+affixed to it, began 'Honored Sir!'</p>
+
+<p>A leading distinction, which marked the convicts on their
+outset in the colony, was an use of what is called the 'flash',
+or 'kiddy' language. In some of our early courts of justice an
+interpreter was frequently necessary to translate the deposition
+of the witness and the defence of the prisoner. This language has
+many dialects. The sly dexterity of the pickpocket, the brutal
+ferocity of the footpad, the more elevated career of the
+highwayman and the deadly purpose of the midnight ruffian is each
+strictly appropriate in the terms which distinguish and
+characterize it. I have ever been of opinion that an abolition of
+this unnatural jargon would open the path to reformation. And my
+observations on these people have constantly instructed me that
+indulgence in this infatuating cant is more deeply associated
+with depravity and continuance in vice than is generally
+supposed. I recollect hardly one instance of a return to honest
+pursuits, and habits of industry, where this miserable perversion
+of our noblest and peculiar faculty was not previously
+conquered.</p>
+
+<p>Those persons to whom the inspection and management of our
+numerous and extensive prisons in England are committed will
+perform a service to society by attending to the foregoing
+observation. Let us always keep in view, that punishment, when
+not directed to promote reformation, is arbitrary, and
+unauthorised.</p>
+
+<a name="19"></a>
+<hr>
+<h3>CHAPTER XIX.</h3>
+
+<h4>Facts relating to the probability of establishing a whale
+fishery on the coast of New South Wales, with Thoughts on the
+same.</h4>
+
+<p>In every former part of this publication I have studiously
+avoided mentioning a whale fishery, as the information relating
+to it will, I conceive, be more acceptably received in this form,
+by those to whom it is addressed, than if mingled with other
+matter.</p>
+
+<p>Previous to entering on this detail, it must be observed that
+several of the last fleet of ships which had arrived from England
+with convicts, were fitted out with implements for whale fishing,
+and were intended to sail for the coast of Brazil to pursue the
+fishery, immediately on having landed the convicts.</p>
+
+<p>On the 14th of October, 1791, the 'Britannia', Captain
+Melville, one of these ships, arrived at Sydney. In her passage
+between Van Diemen's Land and Port Jackson, the master reported
+that he had seen a large shoal of spermaceti whales. His words
+were, 'I saw more whales at one time around my ship than in the
+whole of six years which I have fished on the coast of
+Brazil.'</p>
+
+<p>This intelligence was no sooner communicated than all the
+whalers were eager to push to sea. Melville himself was among the
+most early; and on the 10th of November, returned to Port
+Jackson, more confident of success than before. He assured me
+that in the fourteen days which he had been out, he had seen more
+spermaced whales than in all his former life. They amounted, he
+said to many thousands, most of them of enormous magnitude; and
+had he not met with bad weather he could have killed as many as
+he pleased. Seven he did kill, but owing to the stormy agitated
+state of the water, he could not get any of them aboard. In one
+however, which in a momentary interval of calm, was killed and
+secured by a ship in company, he shared. The oil and head matter
+of this fish, he extolled as of an extraordinary fine quality. He
+was of opinion the former would fetch ten pounds per ton more in
+London than that procured on the Brazil coast. He had not gone
+farther south than 37 degrees; and described the latitude of 35
+degrees to be the place where the whales most abounded, just on
+the edge of soundings, which here extends about fifteen leagues
+from the shore; though perhaps, on other parts of the coast the
+bank will be found to run hardly so far off.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day (November 11th) the 'Mary Anne', Captain
+Munro, another of the whalers, returned into port, after having
+been out sixteen days. She had gone as far south as 41 degrees
+but saw not a whale, and had met with tremendously bad weather,
+in which she had shipped a sea that had set her boiling coppers
+afloat and had nearly carried them overboard.</p>
+
+<p>November 22d. The 'William and Anne', Captain Buncker,
+returned after having been more than three weeks out, and putting
+into Broken Bay. This is the ship that had killed the fish in
+which Melville shared. Buncker had met with no farther success,
+owing, he said, entirely, to gales of wind; for he had seen
+several immense shoals and was of opinion that he should have
+secured fifty tons of oil, had the weather been tolerably
+moderate. I asked him whether he thought the whales he had seen
+were fish of passage. "No," he answered, "they were going on every
+point of the compass, and were evidently on feeding ground, which
+I saw no reason to doubt that they frequent." Melville afterwards
+confirmed to me this observation. December 3rd, the 'Mary Anne'
+and 'Matilda' again returned. The former had gone to the
+southward, and off Port Jervis had fallen in with two shoals of
+whales, nine of which were killed, but owing to bad weather, part
+of five only were got on board. As much, the master computed, as
+would yield thirty barrels of oil. He said the whales were the
+least shy of any he had ever seen, "not having been cut up". The
+latter had gone to the northward, and had seen no whales but a
+few fin-backs.</p>
+
+<p>On the 5th of December, both these ships sailed again; and on
+the 16th and 17th of the month (just before the author sailed for
+England) they and the 'Britannia' and 'William and Anne' returned
+to Port Jackson without success having experienced a continuation
+of the bad weather and seen very few fish. They all said that
+their intention was to give the coast one more trial, and if it
+miscarried to quit it and steer to the northward in search of
+less tempestuous seas.</p>
+
+<p>The only remark which I have to offer to adventurers on the
+above subject, is not to suffer discouragement by concluding that
+bad weather only is to be found on the coast of New South Wales,
+where the whales have hitherto been seen. Tempests happen
+sometimes there, as in other seas, but let them feel assured that
+there are in every month of the year many days in which the whale
+fishery may be safely carried on. The evidence of the abundance
+in which spermaceti whales are sometimes seen is
+incontrovertible: that which speaks to their being 'not fish of
+passage' is at least respectable and hitherto uncontradicted. The
+prospect merits attention--may it stimulate to enterprise.</p>
+
+<p>The two discoveries of Port Jervis and Matilda Bay (which are
+to be found in the foregoing sheets) may yet be wanting in the
+maps of the coast. My account of their geographic situation,
+except possibly in the exact longitude of the latter (a point not
+very material) may be safely depended upon. A knowledge of Oyster
+Bay, discovered and laid down by the 'Mercury' store-ship, in the
+year 1789, would also be desirable. But this I am incapable of
+furnishing.</p>
+
+<p>Here terminates my subject. Content with the humble province
+of detailing facts and connecting events by undisturbed
+narration, I leave to others the task of anticipating glorious,
+or gloomy, consequences, from the establishment of a colony,
+which unquestionably demands serious investigation, ere either
+its prosecution or abandonment be determined.</p>
+
+<p>But doubtless not only those who planned, but those who have
+been delegated to execute, an enterprise of such magnitude, have
+deeply revolved, that "great national expense does not imply the
+necessity of national suffering. While revenue is employed with
+success to some valuable end, the profits of every adventure
+being more than sufficient to repay its costs, the public should
+gain, and its resources should continue to multiply. But an
+expense whether sustained at home or abroad; whether a waste of
+the present, or an anticipation of the future, revenue, if it
+bring no adequate return, is to be reckoned among the causes of
+national ruin."*</p>
+
+<p class="note">[*Ferguson's Essay on the History of Civil
+Society.]</p>
+
+<h3>�</h3>
+
+<hr>
+<h3>THE END</h3>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Complete Account of the Settlement
+at Port Jackson, by Watkin Tench
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SETTLEMENT AT PORT JACKSON ***
+
+***** This file should be named 3534-h.htm or 3534-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/3/3534/
+
+Produced by Col Choat and Stuart Kidd
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
+
author	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-15 05:21:45 -0700
committer	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-15 05:21:45 -0700
commit	c6ffb3b6585fcbe7da480e46dc7b201add95d46e (patch)
tree	3d3a80d1ab1829f9aaf2f7cd7f676c6ae59dfb9e /3534-h