ter being
himself once wrecked upon it in the Sirius, and nearly lost with
all his ship's crew; and this circumstance is calculated to deter
vessels from touching at the island in quest of wood and water,
which are both plentiful, but which may be procured in equal
abundance in any of the other islands of the Pacific ocean where
there are fewer rocks and breakers to contend with, and where the
acquiescence of the natives might easily be purchased. In
addition to the above obstacles and inauspicious appearances,
vessels at this place have no anchorage, but are obliged always
to keep under sail; and I have known them to be blown off the
island for several weeks together, with very little provision on
board, whilst a part of the crew have been on shore; and by those
means not only a considerable loss has accrued to the merchants
or owners, but the lives of a number of fellow-creatures have
been exposed to the most imminent danger.

To the existence of these, with other subsequent causes, it
may be attributed that the colony of New South Wales has not made
a more rapid progress towards independence, but has so long hung,
as it were, upon the breast, and derived its sole nourishment
from the food, of the mother country. To raise the settlement
from this state of dependence; to expunge from its early page
that stain which must be affixed to it by remoter ages; to
stimulate its growth, and impel it along the path which leads to
greatness, must be the object, the desire, and the hope, of every
one who feels an interest in its prosperity; and if a long
residence in the colony, a full consciousness of its capacity,
and an unshaken affection for the country, can entitle any one to
a rank amongst the friends of this infant empire, I flatter
myself that my claim must be allowed; and I shall therefore
proceed to suggest those further ideas of improvement which are
founded in a thorough knowledge of the subject from
experience.

To facilitate the rise of New South Wales to a state of
consequence and independence, its interests must be entrusted to
a governor who has no private or mercenary views, and will seek
after nothing but the welfare of the colony; who will thoroughly
support the trust and honour reposed in him, as the
representative of our most gracious Sovereign; who will not
treat, nor suffer others to treat, the officers serving under him
with indignity; who will not study the rapid rise of one man, and
the sudden down