PREFACE. 



To trace from the Origin, the History of 

 any Country, but more particularly the one 

 of so promising an aspect of future importance 

 as that of New South Wales, is an under- 

 taking very interesting, but not often to be 

 accomplished with that degree of certainty, 

 which precludes every idea, of Speculative 

 Fiction, though when capable of being ef- 

 fected, it forms a valuable acquisition to the 

 World. In this situation stands New South 

 Wales. Circumnavigators have fre- 

 quented it, and the Public have been favoured 

 with the Accounts of Individuals who have 

 resided there, but no prior attempt has beeu 

 made to produce a Complete History of 

 the Country itself, from its Discovery, 

 and an Account of its Inhabitants, their 

 Customs, and Manners, accompanied with, 

 an Historical Detail, of the proceedings of the 

 English Colony, from the Foundation to 

 its Present State, 



