Invariably Intent On Exploring A Country, From Which Curiosity Promises
So Many Gratifications, His Excellency About This Time Undertook An Expedition
Into The Interior Parts Of The Continent.
His party consisted of
eleven persons, who, after being conveyed by water to the head of the harbour,
proceeded in a westerly direction, to reach a chain of mountains,
which in clear weather are discernible, though at an immense distance,
from some heights near our encampment.
With unwearied industry they continued
to penetrate the country for four days; but at the end of that time,
finding the base of the mountain to be yet at the distance of more than
twenty miles, and provisions growing scarce, it was judged prudent to return,
without having accomplished the end for which the expedition had been
undertaken. To reward their toils, our adventurers had, however, the pleasure
of discovering and traversing an extensive tract of ground, which they
had reason to believe, from the observations they were enabled to make,
capable of producing every thing, which a happy soil and genial climate
can bring forth. In addition to this flattering appearance, the face
of the country is such, as to promise success whenever it shall be cultivated,
the trees being at a considerable distance from each other, and the
intermediate space filled, not with underwood, but a thick rich grass,
growing in the utmost luxuriancy. I must not, however, conceal, that in this
long march, our gentlemen found not a single rivulet, but were under
a necessity of supplying themselves with water from standing pools,
which they met with in the vallies, supposed to be formed by the rains
that fall at particular seasons of the year. Nor had they the good fortune
to see any quadrupeds worth notice, except a few kangaroos.
To their great surprize, they observed indisputable tracks of the natives
having been lately there, though in their whole route none of them were
to be seen; nor any means to be traced, by which they could procure subsistence
so far from the sea shore.
On the 6th of May the 'Supply' sailed for Lord Howe Island, to take on board
turtle for the settlement; but after waiting there several days was obliged
to return without having seen one, owing we apprehended to the advanced season
of the year. Three of the transports also, which were engaged by the
East India Company to proceed to China, to take on board a lading of tea,
sailed about this time for Canton.
The unsuccessful return of the 'Supply' cast a general damp on our spirits,
for by this time fresh provisions were become scarcer than in a blockaded town.
The little live stock, which with so heavy an expense, and through so many
difficulties, we had brought on shore, prudence forbade us to use; and fish,
which on our arrival, and for a short time after had been tolerable plenty,
were become so scarce, as to be rarely seen at the tables of the first
among us. Had it not been for a stray kangaroo, which fortune now and then
threw in our way, we should have been utter strangers to the taste
of fresh food.
Thus situated, the scurvy began its usual ravages, and extended its baneful
influence, more or less, through all descriptions of persons. Unfortunately
the esculent vegetable productions of the country are neither plentiful,
nor tend very effectually to remove this disease. And, the ground we had
turned up and planted with garden seeds, either from the nature of the soil,
or, which is more probable, the lateness of the season, yielded but a scanty
and insufficient supply of what we stood so greatly in need of.
During the period I am describing, few enormous offences were perpetrated
by the convicts. A petty theft was now and then heard of, and a spirit
of refractory sullenness broke out at times in some individuals: one execution
only, however, took place. The sufferer, who was a very young man,
was convicted of a burglary, and met his fate with a hardiness
and insensibility, which the grossest ignorance, and most deplorable
want of feeling, alone could supply.
CHAPTER XIV.
From the Beginning of June, to the Departure of the Ships for Europe.
Hours of festivity, which under happier skies pass away unregarded,
and are soon consigned to oblivion, acquire in this forlorn and distant circle
a superior degree of acceptable importance.
On the anniversary of the King's birthday all the officers not on duty,
both of the garrison and his Majesty's ships, dined with the Governor.
On so joyful an occasion, the first too ever celebrated in our new settlement,
it were needless to say, that loyal conviviality dictated every sentiment,
and inspired every guest. Among other public toasts drank, was,
Prosperity to Sydney Cove, in Cumberland county, now named so by authority.
At day-light in the morning the ships of war had fired twenty-one guns each,
which was repeated at noon, and answered by three vollies from the battalion
of marines.
Nor were the officers alone partakers of the general relaxation.
The four unhappy wretches labouring under sentence of banishment were freed
from their fetters, to rejoin their former society; and three days given
as holidays to every convict in the colony. Hospitality too, which ever
acquires a double relish by being extended, was not forgotten on the
4th of June, when each prisoner, male and female, received an allowance
of grog; and every non-commissioned officer and private soldier had the honor
of drinking prosperity to his royal master, in a pint of porter,
served out at the flag staff, in addition to the customary allowance
of spirits. Bonfires concluded the evening, and I am happy to say,
that excepting a single instance which shall be taken notice of hereafter,
no bad consequence, or unpleasant remembrance, flowed from an indulgence
so amply bestowed.
About this time (June) an accident happened, which I record with much regret.
The whole of our black cattle, consisting of five cows and a bull,
either from not being properly secured, or from the negligence of those
appointed to take care of them, strayed into the woods, and in spite of all
the search we have been able to make, are not yet found.
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