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.
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.
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