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.
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.
[*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!]
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.
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
