226 HISTORY OF 



While out he was 1 directed to seek for the 

 wild cattle, and reported that a few miles from 

 the place where they were usually found, he 

 met with the most numerous herd yet seen ; 

 in which he counted 170, and afterwards saw 

 some stragglers. It was highly satisfactory to 

 know that they were safe. 



Those men who carried off the boat of Owen 

 Cavenagh, were heard of again. The end of 

 this month, a report reached Sydney, that a 

 piratical crew infested the harbour of Broken 

 Bay, and the Hawkesbury. The Governor had 

 a letter from these men, in which they pro- 

 fessed to repent of their conduct, and intreated 

 forgiveness. They said, they had been wrecked 

 400 miles to the Northward, when they at last 

 got on shore, saving as much of Cavenagh's 

 boat as enabled them to make a smaller one, 

 and in this they returned, and surrendered 

 themselves, when they were confined for piracy. 

 The wanton destruction of timber had 

 brought forth an order to prohibit the cutting- 

 it down* The practice still continuing, the 

 Francis was sent round to the Hawkesbury, to 

 seize a quantity of timber which had been cut 

 down for private sale. This seizure was of con- 

 sequence at this time, as a brig was building, 

 from 125 to 150 tons burthen, to replace the 

 Supply, which was condemned, and a large 

 boat, the Cumberland, in the room of that 

 taken away by the crew. The colony was now 

 in such want of naval stores, that the ruin of 

 the craft, lately in such good condition, was 



