190 HISTORY OF 



to the hospital, from whence, when cured, he 

 made his escape, with an iron ah out his leg. 



The log prison and granary at Sydney were 

 completed during March. The settlers at the 

 Hawkesbury sent round a quantity of grain to 

 repay the store for that lent them, as seed to 

 crop their grounds the last season ; and at the 

 same time sent information that the natives had 

 plundered a settler's house, and then burnt it, 

 as well as a rick of wheat. 

 The public granaries being filled, they closed 

 on the 21st of April, and were declared shut 

 against the receipt of grain, till the following 

 August. The Governor wishing to ascertain the 

 quantity and quality of a tract of land between 

 the Duck and George's River, set out with a 

 party, sending a boat on first with provisions to 

 the Banks of the George's River, from Para- 

 matta; the ground w r as found excellent, and 

 well stored with ponds of fresh water. Proceed- 

 ing nearly to Botany Bay, they saw several 

 parties of natives, and among the rest Pe-mul- 

 wy, who inquired, if the Governor was angry? 

 and was delighted on being told he was not 

 During April a tree was discovered, the bark 

 of which, when soaked in water and well beat, 

 could be spun and used instead of hemp, and 

 was superior to the flax from Norfolk Island, 

 which was particularly fortunate, as the colony 

 was in great want of cordage. 



A criminal court assembled this month, sen- 

 tenced three (who had served the terms for 

 which they were transported), to be now again 



