第1章

WhenitisrecollectedhowmuchhasbeenwrittentodescribetheSettlementofNewSouthWales,itseemsnecessaryifnottoofferanapology,yettoassignareason,foranadditionalpublication.

TheAuthorembarkedinthefleetwhichsailedtofoundtheestablishmentatBotanyBay.HeshortlyafterpublishedaNarrativeoftheProceedingsandStateoftheColony,broughtuptothebeginningofJuly,1788,whichwaswellreceived,andpassedthroughthreeeditions.Thiscouldnotbutinspirebothconfidenceandgratitude;butgratitude,wouldbebadlymanifestedwereheonthepresumptionofformerfavourtolayclaimtopresentindulgence.Heresumesthesubjectinthehumblehopeofcommunicatinginformation,andincreasingknowledge,ofthecountry,whichhedescribes.

HeresidedatPortJacksonnearlyfouryears:fromthe20thofJanuary,1788,untilthe18thofDecember,1791.Toanactiveandcontemplativemind,anewcountryisaninexhaustiblesourceofcuriosityandspeculation.

Itwastheauthor"scustomnotonlytonotedailyoccurrences,andtoinspectandrecordtheprogressionofimprovement;butalso,whennotpreventedbymilitaryduties,topenetratethesurroundingcountryindifferentdirections,inordertoexamineitsnature,andascertainitsrelativegeographicalsituations.

Thegreatestpartoftheworkisinevitablycomposedofthosematerialswhichajournalsupplies;butwhereverreflectionscouldbeintroducedwithoutfastidiousnessandparade,hehasnotscrupledtoindulgethem,incommonwitheveryotherdeviationwhichthestrictnessofnarrativewouldallow.

Whenthispublicationwasnearlyreadyforthepress;andwhenmanyoftheopinionswhichitrecordshadbeendeclared,freshaccountsfromPortJacksonwerereceived.Tothestateofacountry,wheresomanyanxioustryinghoursofhislifehavepassed,theauthorcannotfeelindifferent.

Ifbyanysuddenrevolutionofthelawsofnature;orbyanyfortunatediscoveryofthoseonthespot,ithasreallybecomethatfertileandprosperousland,whichsomerepresentittobe,hebegspermissiontoaddhisvoicetothegeneralcongratulation.Herejoicesatitssuccess:

butitisonlyjusticetohimselfandthosewithwhomheactedtodeclare,thattheyfeelnocauseofreproachthatsocompleteandhappyanalterationdidnottakeplaceatanearlierperiod.

CHAPTERI.

ARetrospectoftheStateoftheColonyofPortJackson,ontheDateofmyformerNarrative,inJuly,1788.

Previoustocommencinganyfartheraccountofthesubject,whichIamabouttotreat,sucharetrospectionofthecircumstancesandsituationofthesettlement,attheconclusionofmyformerNarrative,asshalllayitsstatebeforethereader,seemsnecessary,inordertoconnectthepresentwiththepast.

ThedepartureofthefirstfleetofshipsforEurope,onthe14thofJuly,1788,hadbeenlongimpatientlyexpected;andhadfilleduswithanxiety,tocommunicatetoourfriendsanaccountofoursituation;

describingtheprogressofimprovement,andtheprobabilityofsuccess,orfailure,inourenterprise.Thatmenshouldjudgeveryoppositelyonsodoubtfulandprecariousanevent,willhardlysurprise.

Suchrelationscouldcontainlittlebesidesthesanguinenessofhope,andtheenumerationofhardshipsanddifficulties,whichformeraccountshadnotledustoexpect.SinceourdisembarkationintheprecedingJanuary,theeffortsofeveryonehadbeenunremittinglyexerted,todepositthepublicstoresinastateofshelterandsecurity,andtoerecthabitationsforourselves.Wewereeagertoescapefromtents,whereafoldofcanvas,only,interposedtochecktheverticbeamsofthesuninsummer,andthechillingblastsofthesouthinwinter.Amarkeepitched,inourfinestseason,onanEnglishlawn;oratransientviewofthosegaycamps,nearthemetropolis,whichsomanyremember,naturallydrawsforthcarelessandunmeaningexclamationsofrapture,whichattachideasofpleasureonly,tothispartofasoldier"slife.Butanencampmentamidsttherocksandwildsofanewcountry,aggravatedbythemiseriesofbaddiet,andincessanttoil,willfindfewadmirers.

Norwereourexertionslessunsuccessfulthantheywerelaborious.

Underwretchedcoversofthatchlayourprovisionsandstores,exposedtodestructionfromeveryflashoflightning,andeverysparkoffire.

Afewoftheconvictshadgotintohuts;butalmostalltheofficers,andthewholeofthesoldiery,werestillintents.

Insuchasituation,whereknowledgeofthemechanicartsaffordedthesurestrecommendationtonotice,itmaybeeasilyconceived,thatattentiontotheparadedutyofthetroops,graduallydiminished.

Nowweretobeseenofficersandsoldiersnot"trailingthepuissantpike"

butfellingtheponderousgum-tree,orbreakingthestubbornclod.

Andthough"thebroadfalchiondidnotinaploughshareend"thepossessionofaspade,awheelbarrow,oradunghill,wasmorecovetedthanthemostrefulgentarmsinwhichheroismeverdazzled.Thosehours,whichinothercountriesaredevotedtomartialacquirements,werehereconsumedinthelaboursofthesawpit,theforgeandthequarry*.

[*"TheSwedishprisoners,takenatthebattleofPultowa,weretransportedbytheCzarPetertothemostremotepartsofSiberia,withaviewtocivilizethenativesofthecountry,andteachthemtheartstheSwedespossessed.Inthishopelesssituation,alltracesofdisciplineandsubordination,betweenthedifferentranks,werequicklyobliterated.Thesoldiers,whowerehusbandmenandartificers,foundouttheirsuperiority,andassumedit:

theofficersbecametheirservants."VOLTAIRE.]

Ofthetwoshipsofwar,the"Sirius"and"Supply",thelatterwasincessantlyemployedintransportingtroops,convicts,andstores,toNorfolkIsland;

andthe"Sirius"inpreparingforavoyagetosomeport,whereprovisionsforourusemightbepurchased,theexpectedsupplyfromEnglandnothavingarrived.Itisbutjusticetotheofficersandmenofboththeseshipstoadd,that,onalloccasions,theyfullysharedeveryhardshipandfatiguewiththoseonshore.

Ontheconvictstheburdenfellyetheavier:necessitycompelledustoallottothemthemostslavishandlaboriousemployments.Thoseoperations,whichinothercountriesareperformedbythebrutecreation,werehereeffectedbytheexertionsofmen:butthisoughtnottobeconsideredagrievance;becausetheyhadalwaysbeentaughttoexpectit,astheinevitableconsequenceoftheiroffencesagainstsociety.

Severitywasrarelyexercisedonthem;andjusticewasadministeredwithoutpartialityordiscrimination.Theirrationofprovisions,exceptinbeingdebarredfromanallowanceofspirits,wasequaltothatwhichthemarinesreceived.UnderthesecircumstancesIrecordwithpleasure,thattheybehavedbetterthanhadbeenpredictedofthem——tohaveexpectedsuddenandcompletereformationofconduct,wereromanticandchimerical.

Ourcultivationofthelandwasyetinitsinfancy.WehadhithertotriedonlythecountrycontiguoustoSydney.Herethegovernorhadestablishedagovernment-farm;attheheadofwhichacompetentpersonofhisownhouseholdwasplaced,withconvictstoworkunderhim.Almostthewholeoftheofficerslikewiseacceptedofsmalltractsofground,forthepurposeofraisinggrainandvegetables:butexperienceprovedtous,thatthesoilwouldproduceneitherwithoutmanure;andasthiswasnottobeprocured,ourvigoursoonslackened;andmostofthefarms(amongwhichwastheonebelongingtogovernment)weresuccessivelyabandoned.

Withthenativeswewereverylittlemoreacquaintedthanonourarrivalinthecountry.Ourintercoursewiththemwasneitherfrequentorcordial.

Theyseemedstudiouslytoavoidus,eitherfromfear,jealousy,orhatred.

Whentheymetwithunarmedstragglers,theysometimeskilled,andsometimeswoundedthem.Iconfessthat,incommonwithmanyothers,Iwasinclinedtoattributethisconduct,toaspiritofmalignantlevity.Butafartheracquaintancewiththem,foundedonseveralinstancesoftheirhumanityandgenerosity,whichshallbenoticedintheirproperplaces,hasentirelyreversedmyopinion;andledmetoconclude,thattheunprovokedoutragescommitteduponthem,byunprincipledindividualsamongus,causedtheevilswehadexperienced.Topreventthemfrombeingplunderedoftheirfishing-tackleandweaponsofwar,aproclamationwasissued,forbiddingtheirsaleamongus;butitwasnotattendedwiththegoodeffectwhichwashopedforfromit.

Duringthisperiod,notwithstandingthewantoffreshprovisionsandvegetables,andalmostconstantexposuretothevicissitudesofavariableclimate,diseaserarelyattackedus;andthenumberofdeaths,wastooinconsiderabletodeservemention.

NorfolkIslandhadbeentakenpossessionof,byapartydetachedforthatpurpose,earlyafterourarrival.Fewaccountsofithadyetreachedus.

AndhereIbegleavetoobserve,thatasIcanspeakofthisislandonlyfromtherelationsofothers,neverhavingmyselfbeenthere,Ishallineverypartofthisworkmentionitassparinglyaspossible.

Andthismoreespecially,asitseemsprobable,thatsomeofthosegentlemen,whofromaccurateknowledge,andlongresidenceonit,arequalifiedtowriteitshistory,willobligetheworldwithsuchapublication.

CHAPTERII.

TransactionsoftheColonyfromthesailingoftheFirstFleetinJuly,1788,totheCloseofthatYear.

Itwasimpossibletobeholdwithoutemotionthedepartureoftheships.

OntheirspeedyarrivalinEnglandperhapshingedourfate;byhasteningoursuppliestous.

Onthe20thofJuly,the"Supply"sailedforNorfolkIsland,andreturnedtousonthe26thofAugust;bringingnomaterialnews,exceptthatthesoilwasfoundtosuitgrain,andotherseeds,whichhadbeensowninit,andthataspeciesofflax-plantwasdiscoveredtogrowspontaneouslyontheisland.

AsurveyoftheharbourofPortJacksonwasnowundertaken,inordertocomputethenumberofcanoes,andinhabitants,whichitmightcontain:

sixty-sevencanoes,and147peoplewerecounted.Noestimate,however,ofeventolerableaccuracy,canbedrawnfromsoimperfectadatum;

thoughitwasperhapsthebestinourpowertoacquire.

InJulyandAugust,weexperiencedmoreinclementtempestuousweatherthanhadbeenobservedatanyformerperiodofequalduration.Andyetitdeservestoberemarked,inhonouroftheclimate,that,althoughournumberofpeopleexceeded900,notasingledeathhappenedinthelattermonth.

Thedreadofwantinacountrydestituteofnaturalresourceiseverpeculiarlyterrible.Wehadlongturnedoureyeswithimpatiencetowardsthesea,cheeredbythehopeofseeingsuppliesfromEnglandapproach.

Butnonearriving,onthe2dofOctoberthe"Sirius"sailedfortheCapeofGoodHope,withdirectionstopurchaseprovisionsthere,fortheuseofourgarrison.

Anewsettlement,namedbythegovernorRoseHill,16milesinland,wasestablishedonthe3dofNovember,thesoilherebeingjudgedbetterthanthataroundSydney.Asmallredoubtwasthrownup,andacaptain"sdetachmentpostedinit,toprotecttheconvictswhowereemployedtocultivatetheground.

ThetwolastofthetransportsleftusforEnglandonthe19thofNovember,intendingtomaketheirpassagebyCapeHorn.Therenowremainedwithusonlythe"Supply".Sequesteredandcutoffaswewerefromtherestofcivilizednature,theirabsencecarriedtheeffectofdesolation.

Aboutthistimeaconvict,ofthenameofDaly,washanged,foraburglary:

thisculprit,whowasanotoriousthiefandimpostor,wastheauthorofadiscoveryofagoldmine,afewmonthsbefore:acompositionresemblingoremingledwithearth,whichhepretendedtohavebroughtfromit,heproduced.Afteranumberofattendantcircumstances,tooludicrousandcontemptibletorelate,whichbefellaparty,whoweresentunderhisguidancetoexplorethissecondPeru,heatlastconfessed,thathehadbrokenupanoldpairofbuckles,andmixedthepieceswithsandandstone;andonassayingthecomposition,thebrasswasdetected.

ThefateofthisfellowIshouldnotdeemworthrecording,diditnotleadtothefollowingobservation,thattheutmostcircumspectionisnecessarytopreventimposition,inthosewhogiveaccountsofwhattheyseeinunknowncountries.Wefoundtheconvictsparticularlyhappyinfertilityofinvention,andexaggerateddescriptions.Hencelargefreshwaterrivers,valuableores,andquarriesoflimestone,chalk,andmarble,weredailyproclaimedsoonafterwehadlanded.Atfirstwehearkenedwithaviditytosuchaccounts;butperpetualdisappointmentstaughtustolistenwithcaution,andtobelievefromdemonstrationonly.

Unabatedanimositycontinuedtoprevailbetweenthenativesandus:

nadditiontoformerlosses,asoldierandseveralconvictssuddenlydisappeared,andwereneverafterwardsheardof.Threeconvictswerealsowounded,andonekilledbythem,nearBotanyBay:similartothevindictivespiritwhichMr.CookfoundtoexistamongtheircountrymenatEndeavourRiver,theymorethanonceattemptedtosetfiretocombustiblematter,inordertoannoyus.Earlyonthemorningofthe18thofDecember,wordwasbroughtthattheywereassembledinforce,nearthebrick-kilns,whichstandbutamilefromthetownofSydney.

Theterrorofthosewhobroughtthefirstintelligencemagnifiedthenumbertotwothousand;asecondmessengerdiminishedittofourhundred.

Adetachment,underthecommandofanofficerwasorderedtomarchimmediately,andreconnoitrethem.Theofficersoonreturned,andreported,thataboutfiftyIndianshadappearedatthebrick-kilns;butupontheconvicts,whowereatworkthere,pointingtheirspadesandshovelsatthem,inthemannerofguns,theyhadfledintothewoods.

Tiredofthisstateofpettywarfareandendlessuncertainty,thegovernoratlengthdeterminedtoadoptadecisivemeasure,bycapturingsomeofthem,andretainingthembyforce;whichwesupposedwouldeitherinflametheresttosignalvengeance,inwhichcaseweshouldknowtheworst,andprovideaccordingly:orelseitwouldinduceanintercourse,bythereportwhichourprisonerswouldmakeofthemildnessandindulgencewithwhichweusedthem.Andfarther,itpromisedtounveilthecauseoftheirmysteriousconduct,byputtingusinpossessionoftheirreasonsforharassinganddestroyingourpeople,inthemannerIhaverelated.Boatswereaccordinglyorderedtobegotready,andeverypreparationmade,whichcouldleadtotheattainmentofourobject.

Butasthissubjectdeservestobeparticularlydetailed,Ishall,notwithstandingitsbeingjustwithintheperiodoftimewhichthischapterprofessestocomprise,allotitaseparateplace,inthebeginningofthenext.

NorcanIclosethispartofmyworkwithoutcongratulatingboththereaderandtheauthor.Newmatternowpresentsitself.Aconsiderablepartoftheforegoingchaptershadbeenrelatedbefore,eitherbyothersormyself.

Iwashowever,unavoidablycompelledtoinsertit,inordertopreserveunbrokenthatchainofdetail,andperspicuityofarrangement,atwhichbooksprofessingtoconveyinformationshouldespeciallyaim.

CHAPTERIII.

TransactionsoftheColony,fromtheCommencementoftheYear1789,untiltheEndofMarch.

Pursuanttohisresolution,thegovernoronthe31stofDecembersenttwoboats,underthecommandofLieutenantBallofthe"Supply",andLieutenantGeorgeJohnstonofthemarines,downtheharbour,withdirectionstothoseofficerstoseizeandcarryoffsomeofthenatives.TheboatsproceededtoManlyCove,whereseveralIndianswereseenstandingonthebeach,whowereenticedbycourteousbehaviourandafewpresentstoenterintoconversation.Aproperopportunitybeingpresented,ourpeoplerushedinamongthem,andseizedtwomen:therestfled;butthecriesofthecaptivessoonbroughtthemback,withmanyothers,totheirrescue:andsodesperateweretheirstruggles,that,inspiteofeveryeffortonourside,onlyoneofthemwassecured;theothereffectedhisescape.Theboatsputoffwithoutdelay;andanattackfromtheshoreinstantlycommenced:

theythrewspears,stones,firebrands,andwhateverelsepresenteditself,attheboats;nordidtheyretreat,agreeabletotheirformercustom,untilmanymusquetswerefiredoverthem.

Theprisonerwasnowfastenedbyropestothethwartsoftheboat;andwhenhesawhimselfirretrievablydispartedfromhiscountrymen,setupthemostpiercingandlamentablecriesofdistress.Hisgrief,however,soondiminished:heacceptedandateofsomebroiledfishwhichwasgiventohim,andsullenlysubmittedtohisdestiny.

WhenthenewsofhisarrivalatSydneywasannounced,Iwentwitheveryotherpersontoseehim:heappearedtobeaboutthirtyyearsold,nottall,butrobustlymade;andofacountenancewhich,underhappiercircumstances,Ithoughtwoulddisplaymanlinessandsensibility;hisagitationwasexcessive,andtheclamourouscrowdswhoflockedaroundhimdidnotcontributetolessenit.Curiosityandobservationseemed,nevertheless,nottohavewhollydesertedhim;heshewedtheeffectofnoveltyuponignorance;

hewonderedatallhesaw:thoughbrokenandinterruptedwithdismay,hisvoicewassoftandmusical,whenitsnaturaltonecouldbeheard;

andhereadilypronouncedwithtolerableaccuracythenamesofthingswhichweretaughthim.Toourladieshequicklybecameextraordinarilycourteous,asuresignthathisterrorwaswearingoff.

Everyblandishmentwasusedtosoothehim,andithaditseffect.

Ashewasenteringthegovernor"shouse,someonetouchedasmallbellwhichhungoverthedoor:hestartedwithhorrorandastonishment;

butinamomentafterwasreconciledtothenoise,andlaughedatthecauseofhisperturbation.Whenpictureswereshowntohim,heknewdirectlythosewhichrepresentedthehumanfigure:amongothers,averylargehandsomeprintofherroyalhighnesstheDutchessofCumberlandbeingproduced,hecalledout"woman",anamebywhichwehadjustbeforetaughthimtocallthefemaleconvicts.Platesofbirdsandbeastswerealsolaidbeforehim;

andmanypeoplewereledtobelieve,thatsuchashespokeaboutandpointedtowereknowntohim.Butthismusthavebeenanerroneousconjecture,fortheelephant,rhinoceros,andseveralothers,whichwemusthavediscovereddidtheyexistinthecountry,wereofthenumber.Again,ontheotherhand,thosehedidnotpointout,wereequallyunknowntohim.

Hiscuriosityherebeingsatiated,wetookhimtoalargebrickhouse,whichwasbuildingforthegovernor"sresidence:beingabouttoenter,hecastuphiseyes,andseeingsomepeopleleaningoutofawindowonthefirststory,heexclaimedaloud,andtestifiedthemostextravagantsurprise.Nothingherewasobservedtofixhisattentionsostronglyassometamefowls,whowerefeedingnearhim:ourdogsalsoheparticularlynoticed;butseemedmorefearfulthanfondofthem.

Hedinedataside-tableatthegovernor"s;andateheartilyoffishandducks,whichhefirstcooled.Breadandsaltmeathesmelledat,butwouldnottaste:

allourliquorshetreatedinthesamemanner,andcoulddrinknothingbutwater.Onbeingshownthathewasnottowipehishandsonthechairwhichhesatupon,heusedatowelwhichwasgavetohim,withgreatcleanlinessanddecency.

Intheafternoonhishairwascloselycut,hisheadcombed,andhisbeardshaved;buthewouldnotsubmittotheseoperationsuntilhehadseenthemperformedonanotherperson,whenhereadilyacquiesced.Hishair,asmightbesupposed,wasfilledwithvermin,whosedestructionseemedtoaffordhimgreattriumph;nay,eitherrevenge,orpleasure,promptedhimtoeatthem!butonourexpressingdisgustandabhorrenceheleftitoff.

Tothissucceededhisimmersioninatubofwaterandsoap,wherehewascompletelywashedandscrubbedfromheadtofoot;afterwhichashirt,ajacket,andapairoftrousers,wereputuponhim.SomepartofthisablutionIhadthehonourtoperform,inorderthatImightascertaintherealcolouroftheskinofthesepeople.Myobservationthenwas(andithassincebeenconfirmedinathousandotherinstances)thattheyareasblackasthelightercastoftheAfricannegroes.

Manyunsuccessfulattemptsweremadetolearnhisname;thegovernorthereforecalledhimManly,fromthecoveinwhichhewascaptured:thiscovehadreceiveditsnamefromthemanlyundauntedbehaviourofapartyofnativesseenthere,onourtakingpossessionofthecountry.

Topreventhisescape,ahandcuffwitharopeattachedtoit,wasfastenedaroundhisleftwrist,whichatfirsthighlydelightedhim;hecalledit"bengadee"(orornament),buthisdelightchangedtorageandhatredwhenhediscovereditsuse.Hissupperhecookedhimself:somefishweregiventohimforthispurpose,which,withoutanypreviouspreparationwhatever,hethrewcarelesslyonthefire,andwhentheybecamewarmtookthemup,andfirstrubbedoffthescales,peeledtheoutsidewithhisteeth,andateit;afterwardsheguttedthem,andlayingthemagainonthefire,completedthedressing,andatethem.

Aconvictwasselectedtosleepwithhim,andtoattendhimwhereverhemightgo.Whenhewentwithhiskeeperintohisapartmentheappearedveryrestlessanduneasywhilealightwaskeptin;butonitsextinction,heimmediatelylaydownandcomposedhimself.

Sullennessanddejectionstronglymarkedhiscountenanceonthefollowingmorning;toamusehim,hewastakenaroundthecamp,andtotheobservatory:

castinghiseyestotheoppositeshorefromthepointwherehestood,andseeingthesmokeoffirelightedbyhiscountrymen,helookedearnestlyatit,andsighingdeeplytwoorthreetimes,utteredtheword"gweeun"(fire).

Hislossofspiritshadnot,however,theeffectofimpairinghisappetite;

eightfish,eachweighingaboutapound,constitutedhisbreakfast,whichhedressedasbefore.Whenhehadfinishedhisrepast,heturnedhisbacktothefireinamusingposture,andcreptsoclosetoit,thathisshirtwascaughtbytheflame;luckilyhiskeepersoonextinguishedit;buthewassoterrifiedattheaccident,thathewaswithdifficultypersuadedtoputonasecond.

1st.January,1789.To-daybeingnew-year"s-day,mostoftheofficerswereinvitedtothegovernor"stable:Manlydinedheartilyonfishandroastedpork;hewasseatedonachestnearawindow,outofwhich,whenhehaddoneeating,hewouldhavethrownhisplate,hadhenotbeenprevented:duringdinner-timeabandofmusicplayedinanadjoiningapartment;andaftertheclothwasremoved,oneofthecompanysanginaverysoftandsuperiorstyle;butthepowersofmelodywerelostonManly,whichdisappointedourexpectations,ashehadbeforeshownpleasureandreadinessinimitatingourtunes.Stretchedoutonhischest,andputtinghishatunderhishead,hefellasleep.

Toconvincehiscountrymenthathehadreceivednoinjuryfromus,thegovernortookhiminaboatdowntheharbour,thattheymightseeandconversewithhim:whentheboatarrived,andlayatalittledistancefromthebeach,severalIndianswhohadretiredatherapproach,onseeingManly,returned:hewasgreatlyaffected,andshedtears.

Atlengththeybegantoconverse.Ourignoranceofthelanguagepreventedusfromknowingmuchofwhatpassed;itwas,however,easilyunderstoodthathisfriendsaskedhimwhyhedidnotjumpoverboard,andrejointhem.

Heonlysighed,andpointedtothefetteronhisleg,bywhichhewasbound.

Ingoingdowntheharbourhehaddescribedthenamesbywhichtheydistinguishitsnumerouscreeksandheadlands:hewasnowoftenheardtorepeatthatof"Weerong"(SydneyCove),whichwasdoubtlesstoinformhiscountrymenoftheplaceofhiscaptivity;andperhapsinvitethemtorescuehim.

Bythistimehisgloomwaschasedaway,andhepartedfromhisfriendswithouttestifyingreluctance.Hisvivacityandgoodhumourcontinuedalltheevening,andproducedsogoodaneffectonhisappetite,thatheateforsuppertwokangaroorats,eachofthesizeofamoderaterabbit,andinadditionnotlessthanthreepoundsoffish.

Twodaysafterhewastakenonasimilarexcursion;buttooursurprisethenativeskeptaloof,andwouldneitherapproachtheshore,ordiscoursewiththeircountryman:wecouldgetnoexplanationofthisdifficulty,whichseemedtoaffectusmorethanitdidhim.Uncourteousastheywere,heperformedtothemanactofattentivebenevolence;seeingabasketmadeofbark,usedbythemtocarrywater,heconveyedintoittwohawksandanotherbird,whichthepeopleintheboathadshot,andcarefullycoveringthemover,leftthemasapresenttohisoldfriends.Butindeedthegentlenessandhumanityofhisdispositionfrequentlydisplayedthemselves:

whenourchildren,stimulatedbywantoncuriosity,usedtoflockaroundhim,heneverfailedtofondlethem,and,ifhewereeatingatthetime,constantlyofferedthemthechoicestpartofhisfare.

February,1789.Hisreserve,fromwantofconfidenceinus,continuedgraduallytowearaway:hetoldushisname,andManlygaveplacetoArabanoo.Breadhebegantorelish;andteahedrankwithavidity:

strongliquorshewouldnevertaste,turningfromthemwithdisgustandabhorrence.Ourdogsandcatshadceasedtobeobjectsoffear,andwerebecomehisgreatestpets,andconstantcompanionsattable.

Oneofourchiefamusements,aftertheclothwasremoved,wastomakehimrepeatthenamesofthingsinhislanguage,whichheneverhesitatedtodowiththeutmostalacrity,correctingourpronunciationwhenerroneous.

Muchinformationrelatingtothecustomsandmannersofhiscountrywasalsogainedfromhim:butasthissubjectwillbeseparatelyandamplytreated,Ishallnotanticipatemyselfbypartiallytouchingonithere.

Onthe2ndofFebruarydiedCaptainJohnSheaofthemarines,afteralingeringillness:hewasinterredonthefollowingday,withthecustomarymilitaryhonours,amidsttheregretofallwhoknewhim.

Inconsequenceofhisdecease,appointmentsforthepromotionoftheoldestofficerofeachsubordinaterankweresignedbythemajorcommandantofthemarinebattalion,untilthepleasureofthelordsoftheadmiraltyshouldbenotified.*

[*Theseappointmentswereconfirmedbytheadmiralty.]

Onthe17thofFebruarythe"Supply"againsailedforNorfolkIsland.

Thegovernorwentdowntheharbourinher,andcarriedArabanoowithhim,whowasobservedtogoonboardwithdistrustandreluctance;whenhefoundshewasundersail,everyeffortwastriedwithoutsuccesstoexhilaratehim;

atlength,anopportunitybeingpresented,heplungedoverboard,andstruckoutforthenearestshore:believingthatthosewhowereleftbehindwouldfireathim,heattemptedtodive,atwhichhewasknowntobeveryexpert:

butthiswasattendedwithadifficultywhichhehadnotforeseen:

hisclothesprovedsobuoyant,thathewasunabletogetmorethanhisheadunderwater:aboatwasimmediatelydispatchedafterhim,andpickedhimup,thoughnotwithoutstrugglesandresistanceonhisside.Whenbroughtonboard,heappearedneitherafraidorashamedofwhathehaddone,butsatapart,melancholyanddispirited,andcontinuedsountilhesawthegovernorandhisotherfriendsdescendintoaboat,andheardhimselfcalledupontoaccompanythem:hesprangforward,andhischeerfulnessandalacrityoftemperimmediatelyreturned,andlastedduringtheremainderoftheday.Thedreadofbeingcarriedaway,onanelementofwhoseboundaryhecouldformnoconception,joinedtotheuncertaintyofourintentiontowardshim,unquestionablycausedhimtoactashedid.

OneoftheprincipaleffectswhichwehadsupposedtheseizureandcaptivityofArabanoowouldproduce,seemedyetatasgreatadistanceasever;

thenativesneithermanifestedsignsofincreasedhostilityonhisaccount,orattemptedtoaskanyexplanationofourconductthroughthemediumoftheircountrymanwhowasinourpossession,andwhotheyknewwastreatedwithnofartherharshnessthaninbeingdetainedamongus.Theirforbearanceofopenanddeterminedattackuponcanbeaccountedforonlybyrecollectingtheirknowledgeofournumbers,andtheirdreadofourfire-arms:

thattheywantednotsufficientprovocationtodoso,willappearfromwhatIamabouttorelate.

March,1789.Sixteenconvictslefttheirworkatthebrick-kilnswithoutleave,andmarchedtoBotanyBay,withadesigntoattackthenatives,andtoplunderthemoftheirfishing-tackleandspears:theyhadarmedthemselveswiththeirworkingtoolsandlargeclubs.Whentheyarrivednearthebay,abodyofIndians,whohadprobablyseenthemsetout,andhadpenetratedtheirintentionfromexperience,suddenlyfelluponthem.

Ourheroeswereimmediatelyrouted,andseparatelyendeavouredtoeffecttheirescapebyanymeanswhichwereleft.Intheirflightonewaskilled,andsevenwerewounded,forthemostpartveryseverely:thosewhohadthegoodfortunetooutstriptheircomradesandarriveincamp,firstgavethealarm;andadetachmentofmarines,underanofficer,wasorderedtomarchtotheirrelief.TheofficerarrivedtoolatetorepeltheIndians;

buthebroughtinthebodyofthemanthatwaskilled,andputanendtothepursuit.Thegovernorwasjustlyincensedatwhathadhappened,andinstitutedthemostrigorousscrutinyintothecausewhichhadproducedit.

Atfirsttheconvictswereunanimousinaffirming,thattheywerequietlypickingsweet-tea*,whentheywerewithoutprovocationassaultedbythenatives,withwhomtheyhadnowishtoquarrel.Someofthem,however,moreirresolutethantherest,atlastdisclosedthepurposeforwhichtheexpeditionhadbeenundertaken;andthewholewereorderedtobeseverelyflogged:Arabanoowaspresentattheinflictionofthepunishment;

andwasmadetocomprehendthecauseandthenecessityofit;buthedisplayedontheoccasionsymptomsofdisgustandterroronly.

[*Avegetablecreeperfoundgrowingontherocks,whichyields,oninfusioninhotwater,asweetastringenttaste,whenceitderivesitsname:toitsvirtuesthehealthystateofthesoldieryandconvictsmustbegreatlyattributed.Itwasdrankuniversally.]

Onthe24thinstantthe"Supply"arrivedfromNorfolkIsland,andLordFloweIsland,bringingfromthelatterplacethreeturtles.

Anawfulandterribleexampleofjusticetookplacetowardsthecloseofthismonth,whichIrecordwithregret,butwhichitwouldbedisingenuoustosuppress.Sixmarines,theflowerofourbattalion,werehangedbythepublicexecutioner,onthesentenceofacriminalcourt,composedentirelyoftheirownofficers,forhavingatvarioustimesrobbedthepublicstoresofflour,meat,spirits,tobacco,andmanyotherarticles.

CHAPTERIV.

TransactionsoftheColonyinAprilandMay,1789.

Anextraordinarycalamitywasnowobservedamongthenatives.RepeatedaccountsbroughtbyourboatsoffindingbodiesoftheIndiansinallthecovesandinletsoftheharbour,causedthegentlemenofourhospitaltoprocuresomeofthemforthepurposesofexaminationandanatomy.Oninspection,itappearedthatallthepartieshaddiedanaturaldeath:pustules,similartothoseoccasionedbythesmallpox,werethicklyspreadonthebodies;buthowadisease,towhichourformerobservationshadledustosupposethemstrangers,couldatoncehaveintroduceditself,andhavespreadsowidely,seemedinexplicable.*Whatevermightbethecause,theexistenceofthemaladycouldnolongerbedoubted.IntelligencewasbroughtthatanIndianfamilylaysickinaneighbouringcove:

thegovernor,attendedbyArabanoo,andasurgeon,wentinaboatimmediatelytothespot.Heretheyfoundanoldmanstretchedbeforeafewlightedsticks,andaboyofnineortenyearsoldpouringwateronhishead,fromashellwhichheheldinhishand:nearthemlayafemalechilddead,andalittlefartheroff,itsunfortunatemother:thebodyofthewomanshewedthatfamine,superaddedtodisease,hadoccasionedherdeath:

eruptionscoveredthepoorboyfromheadtofoot;andtheoldmanwassoreduced,thathewaswithdifficultygotintotheboat.Theirsituationrenderedthemincapableofescape,andtheyquietlysubmittedtobeledaway.

Arabanoo,contrarytohisusualcharacter,seemedatfirstunwillingtorenderthemanyassistance;buthisshynesssoonworeoff,andhetreatedthemwiththekindestattention.Norwouldheleavetheplaceuntilhehadburiedthecorpseofthechild:thatofthewomanhedidnotseefromitssituation;andashiscountrymendidnotpointitout,thegovernororderedthatitshouldnotbeshowntohim.Hescoopedagraveinthesandwithhishands,ofnopeculiarityofshape,whichhelinedcompletelywithgrass,andputthebodyintoit,coveringitalsowithgrass;