OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 213 



fifty female criminals, who were guarded by a body of troops con- 

 sisting of two hundred officers and soldiers. About forty of the 

 soldiers were married, and had their wives and children with them. 

 The whole were under the direction of Captain Philips, who held the 

 appointment of governor. 



The expedition, in conformity to the instructions, proceeded in the 

 first instance to Botany Bay. This, to their disappointment, was 

 found an unsafe harbour ; and the country far from suitable for the 

 intended purpose. On exploring the coast, they unexpectedly found, 

 about seven miles to the northward, a capacious and beautiful 

 harbour, which Cook had reported as fit only for boats ; this, which 

 they called Port Jackson, proved to be adapted to the intended 

 purpose, and to it they removed. The people of the colony were 

 landed on the 26th of January, 1788. The Governor delivered an 

 address to his settlers on the 7th of February, strongly recommend- 

 ing marriage to the convicts ; and in consequence of this admonition, 

 fourteen marriages took place the succeeding week. 



In 1790, one of the severe droughts to which the country is liable 

 occurred, and the colony was reduced to great distress for provisions. 

 All the live stock, which had been imported for breeding, was killed 

 off for food, and the inhabitants were reduced to an ear of corn per day. 

 From the exhaustion which prevailed, all labour was suspended. 



In February, 1792, the first lieutenant-governor arrived. " He was 

 also commandant of the New South Wales corps. This corps was 

 specially raised for service in the colony, and was one of the greatest 

 evils under which it suffered for many years. 



In December, 1792, Governor Philips returned to England. 



In September, 1795, Governor Hunter arrived, and assumed the 

 direction of affairs. His administration lasted until 1802. 



During the interregnum between Governors Philips and Hunter, 

 Captain Paterson acted as governor. 



In 1794, the first free settlers arrived in the colony. 



The officers of the New South Wales corps soon became mer- 

 chants, and dealt in all that was issued from the public stores. Rum 

 was the great article of traffic; and an act was passed, that on the 

 arrival of any vessel with stores, an issue of spirits from her cargo 

 should be made to each officer in proportion to his rank. 



The officers also obtained the manifest of every vessel that arrived, 

 selected what they thought proper from her cargo, and afterwards 

 disposed of it to the soldiers, settlers, and convicts, at a large profit. 



vol.. ii. 54 



