lfS9 Letter from Captain Baudin, &fc. 



sure the safely of navigation. The reasons which prevented 

 me from undertaking this labour the first time I sailed alon^ 

 that coast, are known to you bv the letter which I addressed 

 to the minister of the marine a short time before 1 left 

 Timor. The northern coast of New Holland and the Gulf 

 of Carpentaria will terminate our labours; but I am afraid 

 that so extensive an undertakino; will refjuire more time 

 than the provisions we have laid in here will admit. 



I have seen not without admiration the immense esta- 

 blishments formed here by the English during the twelve 

 years they have been settled at Port Jackson. Though they 

 began with great means, and expended a great deal of mo- 

 ney, it is still difficult to conceive how they could so soon 

 attain to that state of opulence and splendour in which they 

 are at present. Nature indeed has done every thing for 

 them in the beauty and safety of the port where their esta- 

 blishment is situated ; but the quality of the surrounding 

 land obliged them to penetrate to the interior of the country, 

 till they found a soil proper for the different kinds of culti- 

 vation, which produce an abundant supply for their subsist- 

 ence, and for the consumption of the European vessels which 

 visit that coast for the whale fishery and for other purposes. 

 Resides brigs, sloops, and middle-sised vessels, built in the 

 ' new colony, and belonging to different individuals, we found 

 on our arrival in this port nine large vessels from England 

 and two Americans. Some of them are to return by China; 

 the rest will be employed in fishing for spermaceti whales. 

 The advantage arising from this kind of speculation will add 

 a considerable increase to the British shippins:, if the fishery 

 continues to be successful. It is carried on in general on 

 the coasts and in the environs of New Zealand. 



The present population of Port Jackson, and other places 

 occupied by the English, amounts to 6000 persons, employed 

 chiefly in agriculture. All the fruit-trees of Europe have be- 

 come naturalized, but they have not all been attended with 

 equal success. Among this number are the apple-, cherr\'-, 

 and almond-tree. All kinds of pulse, without exception, 

 thrive, are well tasted, and abundant m the proper season. 

 The vine, which during the first yeara afforded great hopes, 

 has degenerated so much that it is doubled whether it will 

 maintam itself. The cause of this unexpected degeneration 

 is not well known : it is, however, ascribed to the scorching 

 drought of the north-east wind, the effects of which are 

 pernicious. 



The natives settled in the neighbourhood of Port Jackson 

 have retired to ttSe interior part of the country in propor- 

 tion 



