In The Course
Of The Day The Officer Returned, And Brought Intelligence That The Ships
Were The Boussole And Astrolabe, Sent Out By Order Of The King Of France,
And Under The Command Of Monsieur De Perrouse.
The astonishment of the French
at seeing us, had not equalled that we had experienced, for it appeared,
that
In the course of their voyage they had touched at Kamschatka,
and by that means learnt that our expedition was in contemplation.
They dropped anchor the next morning, just as we had got under weigh
to work out of the Bay, so that for the present nothing more than salutations
could pass between us.
Before I quit Botany Bay, I shall relate the observations we were enabled
to make during our short stay there; as well as those which our subsequent
visits to it from Port Jackson enabled us to complete.
The Bay is very open, and greatly exposed to the fury of the S.E. winds, which,
when they blow, cause a heavy and dangerous swell. It is of prodigious extent,
the principal arm, which takes a S.W. direction, being not less,
including its windings, than twenty four miles from the capes which form
the entrance, according to the report of the French officers,
who took uncommon pains to survey it. At the distance of a league from
the harbour's mouth is a bar, on which at low water, not more than
fifteen feet are to be found. Within this bar, for many miles up the S.W.
arm, is a haven, equal in every respect to any hitherto known, and in which
any number of ships might anchor, secured from all winds. The country around
far exceeds in richness of soil that about Cape Banks and Point Solander,
though unfortunately they resemble each other in one respect,
a scarcity of fresh water.
We found the natives tolerably numerous as we advanced up the river,
and even at the harbour's mouth we had reason to conclude the country
more populous than Mr. Cook thought it. For on the Supply's arrival in the Bay
on the 18th of the month, they were assembled on the beach of the south shore,
to the number of not less than forty persons, shouting and making many
uncouth signs and gestures. This appearance whetted curiosity to its utmost,
but as prudence forbade a few people to venture wantonly among so great
a number, and a party of only six men was observed on the north shore,
the Governor immediately proceeded to land on that side, in order to take
possession of his new territory, and bring about an intercourse between
its old and new masters. The boat in which his Excellency was, rowed up
the harbour, close to the land, for some distance; the Indians keeping pace
with her on the beach. At last an officer in the boat made signs of a want
of water, which it was judged would indicate his wish of landing.
The natives directly comprehended what he wanted, and pointed to a spot
where water could be procured; on which the boat was immediately pushed in,
and a landing took place.
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