’ 
98 state of New South Wales. May 16- 
‘ Besides, the necefsity of clearing the island for the 
maintenance of its inhabitants, precludes a polsibility of 
applying more of the timber than now stands to any pub- 
lic purpose, or of cultivating a sufficient quantity of the 
flag plant to be of any service. 
‘ But to what purpose retain a spot situated in the 
middle of the ocean, and at such a distance from England, 
when it is seldom pofsible for any vefsel to approach it in 
safety, from the dreadful surf which in general lafhes its 
fhore ; where there is no kind of fhelter for even a boat, 
nor any place of anchorage to be depended upon; and 
in fine, whose utmost extent does not exceed five miles 
in length and three in breadth ? 
© In addition to the wreck of the Sirius, and former lofses 
which have happened there, a boat, unloading oe of the 
transports, with seven people, was destroyed in the pre- 
sence of the inhabitants, who had it notin their power to 
give them any afsistance, although within a few yards of the 
spot—so suddenly did the surf get up. 
* Three years have elapsed, in January last, since our ar- 
rival in this country, and saving a chance meal, the chief 
of our diet has been salt meat, and that sometimes in very 
reduced quantities. 
“© The state we were in when the dispatches went from 
this place in the Supply, sternly threatens us again ; there 
being no more than seven months provision now in store, 
at the present allowance, which must, in the course of a 
month, if no fhip’ arrive, be reduced to two-thirds, and 
fhortly after that to one half, (or perhaps lefs,) if no re- 
hef appear. 
‘ We have little to look to from our granaries ; and the 
ive stock, which consists of goats, pigs, and poultry, are: 
so degenerate, and few in number, from want of food, 
that the whole would not afford the colony two days. sub~ 
sistence, 
