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.
[*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.]
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.
"When did you make your discovery?"
"On the 27th of July, 1791."
"In what latitude and longitude does it lie?"
"In 42 degrees 15 minutes south by observation, and in 148 1/2 east
by reckoning"
"Is it on the mainland or is it an island?"
"It is an island, distant from the mainland about eight miles."
"Did you anchor?"
"Yes; and found good anchorage in a bay open about six points."
"Did you see any other harbour or bay in the island?"
"None."
"Does the channel between the island and the main appear to afford
good shelter for shipping?"
"Yes, like Spithead."
"Did you find any water on the island?"
"Yes, in plenty."
"Of what size does the island appear to be?"
"It is narrow and long; I cannot say how long. Its breadth is inconsiderable."
"Did you make any observations on the soil?"
"It is sandy; and many places are full of craggy rocks."
"Do you judge the productions which you saw on the island to be similar
to those around Port Jackson?"
"I do not think they differ in any respect."
"Did you see any animals?"
"I saw three kangaroos."
"Did you see any natives, or any marks of them?"
"I saw no natives, but I saw a fire, and several huts like those
at Port Jackson, in one of which lay a spear."
"What name did you give to your discovery?"
"I called it, in honour of my ship, Matilda Bay."
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.
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.
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.
CHAPTER XVI
Transactions of the colony until 18th of December 1791,
when I quitted it, with an Account of its state at that time.
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.
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.
