a 
7702. state of New South Wales. 
* What can have become of the Gorgon with major Grose 
and the rest of the troops, baffles all conjectures ; the de- 
tachment under captain Nepean, have been here now eight 
months, in daily expectation of their arrival. I am afraid it 
is our fate to be very unfortunate. 
‘ The new corps seem to-have come out without being 
well acquainted with their situation at this place ; it is 
said they are to pay threepence fer day for their ratian, 
and to have no spirits allowed them; if so, their case is 
pitiable. 4 i 
‘ It is probable government does not intend to continue 
the allowance of spirits any longer, for except a three 
months proportion which has lately been served, there has 
not been any ifsued for eight mcnths past. The soldiers 
feel the want of that article very much, as they live 
but poorly, and have been long accustomed to the use of 
it. : 
* Much cannot be said respecting the natives; their 
wretched manner of life is a proof, among the many others, 
of the wretchednefs of their country. They have lately 
been persuaded to trust themselves amongst us, and their 
desire for food, without being.at the trouble of collecting 
it, has induced them to continue their intercourse. 
‘ Previous however to this connection, his excellency, 
from reposing too great confidence in them, had nearly 
Jost his life by a wound from one of their spears, and his 
game-keeper has since been killed by one of them, at Bo- 
tany Bay. ‘These are, I think, the only accidents that 
have happened lately, and I think it is likely our attention 
to them wili be the means of preventing any happening in 
future. 
* Five convicts, who had previously furnifhed themselves 
with a few provisions and necefsaries, made their escape 
from this place in a small open boat. We apprehend their 
