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;
