In The Dead Of Night The Centinels
On The Eastern Side Of The Cove Were Alarmed By The Voices Of The Indians,
Talking Near Their Posts.
The soldiers on this occasion acted with
their usual firmness, and without creating a disturbance, acquainted
the officer of
The guard with the circumstance, who immediately took
every precaution to prevent an attack, and at the same time gave orders
that no molestation, while they continued peaceable, should be offered them.
From the darkness of the night, and the distance they kept at, it was not easy
to ascertain their number, but from the sound of the voices and other
circumstances, it was calculated at near thirty. To their intentions
in honouring us with this visit (the only one we have had from them
in the last five months) we are strangers, though most probably it was either
with a view to pilfer, or to ascertain in what security we slept,
and the precautions we used in the night. When the bells of the ships
in the harbour struck the hour of the night, and the centinels called out
on their posts "All's well," they observed a dead silence, and continued it
for some minutes, though talking with the greatest earnestness and vociferation
but the moment before. After having remained a considerable time they departed
without interchanging a syllable with our people.
CHAPTER XVII.
Some Thoughts on the Advantages which may arise to the Mother Country
from forming the Colony.
The author of these sheets would subject himself to the charge of presumption,
were he to aim at developing the intentions of Government in forming
this settlement. But without giving offence, or incurring reproach,
he hopes his opinion on the probability of advantage to be drawn from hence
by Great Britain, may be fairly made known.
If only a receptacle for convicts be intended, this place stands unequalled
from the situation, extent, and nature of the country. When viewed
in a commercial light, I fear its insignificance will appear very striking.
The New Zealand hemp, of which so many sanguine expectations were formed,
is not a native of the soil; and Norfolk Island, where we made sure to find
this article, is also without it. So that the scheme of being able to assist
the East Indies with naval stores, in case of a war, must fall to the ground,
both from this deficiency, and the quality of the timber growing here.
Were it indeed possible to transport that of Norfolk Island, its value
would be found very great, but the difficulty, from the surf,
I am well informed, is so insuperable as to forbid the attempt.
Lord Howe Island, discovered by Lieut. Ball, though an inestimable acquisition
to our colony, produces little else than the mountain cabbage tree.
Should a sufficient military force be sent out to those employed in cultivating
the ground, I see no room to doubt, that in the course of a few years,
the country will be able to yield grain enough for the support of its new
possessors. But to effect this, our present limits must be greatly extended,
which will require detachments of troops not to be spared from the present
establishment. And admitting the position, the parent country will still
have to supply us for a much longer time with every other necessary of life.
For after what we have seen, the idea of being soon able to breed cattle
sufficient for our consumption, must appear chimerical and absurd.
From all which it is evident, that should Great Britain neglect to send out
regular supplies, the most fatal consequences will ensue.
Speculators who may feel inclined to try their fortunes here, will do well
to weigh what I have said. If golden dreams of commerce and wealth
flatter their imaginations, disappointment will follow: the remoteness
of situation, productions of the country, and want of connection
with other parts of the world, justify me in the assertion. But to men
of small property, unambitious of trade, and wishing for retirement,
I think the continent of New South Wales not without inducements.
One of this description, with letters of recommendation, and a sufficient
capital (after having provided for his passage hither) to furnish him
with an assortment of tools for clearing land, agricultural and domestic
purposes; possessed also of a few household utensils, a cow, a few sheep
and breeding sows, would, I am of opinion, with proper protection
and encouragement, succeed in obtaining a comfortable livelihood,
were he well assured before he quitted his native country, that a provision
for him until he might be settled, should be secured; and that a grant of land
on his arrival would be allotted him.
That this adventurer, if of a persevering character and competent knowledge,
might in the course of ten years bring matters into such a train as to
render himself comfortable and independent, I think highly probable.
The superfluities of his farm would enable him to purchase European commodities
from the masters of ships, which will arrive on Government account,
sufficient to supply his wants. But beyond this he ought not to reckon,
for admitting that he might meet with success in raising tobacco, rice, indigo,
or vineyards (for which last I think the soil and climate admirably adapted),
the distance of a mart to vend them at, would make the expense
of transportation so excessive, as to cut off all hopes of a reasonable profit;
nor can there be consumers enough here to take them off his hands,
for so great a length of time to come, as I shall not be at the trouble
of computing.
Should then any one, induced by this account, emigrate hither, let him,
before he quits England, provide all his wearing apparel for himself, family,
and servants; his furniture, tools of every kind, and implements of husbandry
(among which a plough need not be included, as we make use of the hoe),
for he will touch at no place where they can be purchased to advantage.
If his sheep and hogs are English also, it will be better.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 23 of 24
Words from 22437 to 23454
of 24415
