he had discovered several islands, which he gave
names to and, after fighting his way against adverse elements and through
unexplored dangers, safely reached his destined port. He had well stored
his little bark with every necessary and conveniency which he judged
we should first want, leaving a cargo of rice and salt provisions to be
brought on by a Dutch snow, which he had hired and freighted for the use of
the settlement. While at Batavia, the 'Supply' had lost many of her people
by sickness, and left several others in the general hospital at that place.

As the arrival of the 'Supply' naturally leads the attention from other
subjects to the state of the colony, I shall here take a review of it by
transcribing a statement drawn from actual observation soon after, exactly
as I find it written in my journal.

Cultivation, on a public scale, has for some time past been given up here,
(Sydney) the crop of last year being so miserable, as to deter from farther
experiment, in consequence of which the government-farm is abandoned,
and the people who were fixed on it have been removed. Necessary public
buildings advance fast; an excellent storehouse of large dimensions, built
of bricks and covered with tiles, is just completed; and another planned
which will shortly be begun. Other buildings, among which I heard the
governor mention an hospital and permanent barracks for the troops, may
also be expected to arise soon. Works of this nature are more expeditiously
performed than heretofore, owing, I apprehend, to the superintendants
lately arrived, who are placed over the convicts and compel them to labour.
The first difficulties of a new country being subdued may also contribute
to this comparative facility.

Vegetables are scarce, although the summer is so far advanced, owing to
want of rain. I do not think that all the showers of the last four months
put together, would make twenty-four hours rain. Our farms, what with this
and a poor soil, are in wretched condition. My winter crop of potatoes,
which I planted in days of despair (March and April last), turned out very
badly when I dug them about two months back. Wheat returned so poorly last
harvest, that very little, besides Indian corn, has been sown this year.
The governor's wound is quite healed, and he feels no inconveniency
whatever from it. With the natives we are hand and glove. They throng the
camp every day, and sometimes by their clamour and importunity for bread