From the Fleet's Arrival at Botany Bay to the Evacuation of it;
and taking Possession of Port Jackson.
Interviews with the Natives;
and an Account of the Country about Botany Bay.
We had scarcely bid each other welcome on our arrival, when an expedition
up the Bay was undertaken by the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor,
in order to explore the nature of the country, and fix on a spot to begin
our operations upon. None, however, which could be deemed very eligible,
being discovered, his Excellency proceeded in a boat to examine the opening,
to which Mr. Cook had given the name of Port Jackson, on an idea that
a shelter for shipping within it might be found. The boat returned
on the evening of the 23rd, with such an account of the harbour and advantages
attending the place, that it was determined the evacuation of Botany Bay
should commence the next morning.
In consequence of this decision, the few seamen and marines who had been landed
from the squadron, were instantly reimbarked, and every preparation made
to bid adieu to a port which had so long been the subject of our conversation;
which but three days before we had entered with so many sentiments
of satisfaction; and in which, as we had believed, so many of our future hours
were to be passed. The thoughts of removal banished sleep, so that I rose
at the first dawn of the morning. But judge of my surprize on hearing from
a serjeant, who ran down almost breathless to the cabin where I was dressing,
that a ship was seen off the harbour's mouth.
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