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.
