GOVERNMENT SETTLEMENT AT WESTERN PORT 63 



Fly, under the command of Captain Wetherall, E.N., and the brig 

 Dragon sailed out of Sydney Harbour on this mission, conveying 

 a party of twenty soldiers, twenty convicts and a few women, 

 mostly soldiers' wives. The charge of the party was confided to 

 Captain Wright of the " Buffs," aided by Lieutenant Burchell, and 

 Mr. Hovell was attached to the expedition in order that he might 

 point out the desirable country which he believed he had discovered 

 there on his first visit with Mr. Hume. Adverse winds and tem- 

 pestuous weather delayed them for fifteen days on the voyage, and 

 when on the 24th of November they were working their way through 

 the western passage, they were greatly surprised to see a number of 

 men on the beach of Phillip Island, who were certainly not abori- 

 gines, though their European origin was scarcely recognisable under 

 their uncouth seal-skin garments and barbaric surroundings. They 

 proved to be a party of sealers, originally from Tasmania, some of 

 whom had lived on the island for years, had built rude log cabins, 

 grown a little wheat and maize, and secured the companionship 

 of some black lubras from the mainland. The French corvette 

 I' Astrolabe had been in the port only a few weeks before, and had 

 remained six days ; indeed, the Fly must have passed her in the 

 Strait. But the commander informed Governor Darling that his 

 objects were exclusively scientific, and in no way connected with 

 annexation. He took hence with him some sealers who had been 

 deserted by their ship, and who had wearied of the barbaric free- 

 dom they were left to. Captain Wetherall, Captain Wright and 

 Mr. Hovell each furnished the Government at Sydney with volu- 

 minous reports on the place, and their respective proceedings. 



The letter of the commander of the Fly to Governor Darling, 

 dated 27th December, 1826, seems somewhat inconsistent with the 

 unfavourable character of his subsequent report. Probably he was 

 captivated on too slight an acquaintance. He says that the har- 

 bour is easy of access, without any hidden dangers, the anchorage 

 safe and commodious with good holding ground, well sheltered 

 from the wind, and capable of containing any number of ships in 

 perfect security. The soil is in several places described as rich, 

 the grass abundant, and three miles from the entrance he reports 

 an extensive plain of rich meadows which he has every reason to 



