56 HISTORY OF 



a short time, every thing they saw they admired, 

 and on giving each a hatchet, we found they 

 understood th£ use of it. 



It is to be lamented that the orders of the 

 Governor had little effect, for the convicts lost 

 ^p oj^oXtW^y -of' taking all they could find 

 fronj; tl$p natives, which made them resist an 

 attempt Vlwat's crew made to land in one of 

 the ".cotyofj and shortly after a few landed on 

 Garden Island, where a garden was making, and 

 watching their opportunity, ran away with the 

 tools of our men, who then fired at them, and 

 hitting one with small shot, the axe was dropped, 

 but with the rest they escaped. M. de la 

 Perouse likewise was obliged to fire on the na- 

 tives, for annoying his people while on shore. 

 These circumstances attributed to the termina- 

 tion of that intercourse Governor Phillip was 

 so desirous to cultivate. 



Several couples signified their wish to marry, 

 and they were never refused, unless proof was 

 given that either had a husband or wife living 

 on leaving England, and some expecting to 

 have received a portion of liberty for marrying, 

 finding themselves disappointed, wished to be 

 restored to their former state. 



Important as the business was in which the 

 whole colony was engaged, divine service was 

 regularly performed on Sundays, all the con- 

 victs attending, and a detachment of marines 

 with their arms ; and it was with pleasure ob- 

 served, that all behaved with the greatest 

 attention and respect. 



