thin a harbour about a mile and a quarter broad at its entrance, which
afterwards opens into a basin five miles wide and of considerable length.
They found no fresh water, but as their want of this article was not
urgent, they did not make sufficient researches to pronounce that none
existed there.* They saw, during the short time they stayed, two kangaroos
and many traces of inhabitants. The country at a little distance to the
southward of the harbour is hilly, but that contiguous to the sea is flat.
On comparing what they had found here afterwards, with the native produce
of Port Jackson, they saw no reason to think that they differed in any
respect.

[*Just before I left the country, word was brought by a ship which had put
into Port Jervis, that a large fresh water brook was found there.]

The second discovery was made by Captain Wetherhead, of the 'Matilda'
transport, which was obligingly described to me, as follows, by that
gentleman, on my putting to him the underwritten questions.

"When did you make your discovery?"

"On the 27th of July, 1791."

"In what latitude and longitude does it lie?"

"In 42 degrees 15 minutes south by observation, and in 148 1/2 east by
reckoning"

"Is it on the mainland or is it an island?"

"It is an island, distant from the mainland about eight miles."

"Did you anchor?"

"Yes; and found good anchorage in a bay open about six points."

"Did you see any other harbour or bay in the island?"

"None."

"Does the channel between the island and the main appear to afford good
shelter for shipping?"

"Yes, like Spithead."

"Did you find any water on the island?"

"Yes, in plenty."

"Of what size does the island appear to be?"

"It is narrow and long; I cannot say how long. Its breadth is
inconsiderable."

"Did you make any observations on the soil?"

"It is sandy; and many places are full of craggy rocks."

"Do you judge the productions which you saw on the island to be similar to
those around Port Jackson?"

"I do not think they differ in any respect."

"Did you see any animals?"

"I saw three kangaroos."

"Did you see any natives, or any marks of them?"

"I saw no natives, but I saw a fire, and several huts like those at Port
Jackson, in one of which lay a spear."

"What name did you give to your discovery?"

"I called it, in honour of my ship, Matilda Bay."

November, 1791. A very extraordinary instance of folly stimulated to
desperation occurred