222 HISTORY OF 



being near Prospect-Hill ; which, after much 

 difficulty, they at length reached, at the time 

 they despaired of ever viewing it." 



A muster took place on the 14th of February, 

 in every district of the colony, at which all the 

 labourers, either free men or convicts, were 

 obliged to appear. The next morning the set- 

 tlers were called over, prior to which the Go- 

 vernor informed them, that he had heard much 

 discontent prevailed among them in conse- 

 quence of some grievances which they com- 

 plained of. For^ these, till he was acquainted 

 with the nature of them, he was unable to ap- 

 ply any relief, so he desired they might be made 

 in writing ; and to save trouble, he would 

 direct two gentlemen to collect from the settlers 

 such of their distresses and grievances as they 

 wished to make known ; and assured them, he 

 had, from his own ideas, forwarded a plan to 

 the Secretary of State, which he hoped would 

 be attended to, and benefit them. 



The women and children were then mustered, 

 and proved to form a very considerable part of 

 the settlement. 



As the maize ripened trie natives resumed 

 their depredations ; and on the 19th, the Go- 

 vernor received information from Paramatta, 

 that a man had been murdered near Toongabbe, 

 and three others wounded ; and in a iew days, two 

 others were killed in the same way, by the same 

 natives. From these circumstances it became 

 requisite to send out several well armed parties, 

 and attack them where they could meet them. 



