26 



ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY 



[[April-, 



the utmoft which could have been procured would have made but a 

 very trifling and temporary change in the diet of thofe afflicted with 

 the diforder. 



On the 6th, divine fervice was performed in the new ftorehoufe, 

 which was covered in, but not iufnciently completed to admit provi- 

 fions. One hundred feet by twenty-five were the dimenfions of this 

 building, which was conftructed with great ftrength ; yet the mind 

 was always pained when viewing its reedy combuftible covering, re- 

 membering the livid flames that had been feen to moot over every 

 part of this Cove : but no other materials could be found to anfwer 

 the purpofe of thatch, and every precaution was taken to guard 

 againft accidental fire. 



An elderly woman, a convict, having been detected in ftealing a 

 flat iron, hung herfelf to the ridge-pole of her tent, but was fortunately 

 discovered in time to preferve her life. What feeling could tempt her 

 to this rafh action it would be difficult to guefs, as her being a convict 

 too plainly proved that fhe could furvive the lofs of character. Several 

 other thefts were committed by thefe people ; yet it was in general re- 

 marked, that on the whole they conducted themfelves with more 

 propriety than could have been expected from their former lives* To 

 prevent, however, if poffible, the commiflion of offences fo prejudicial 

 to the welfare of the colony, the Governor fignified to them his fixed 

 refolve, that condemnation of any one for robbing the huts or ftores 

 mould be immediately followed by execution. Much of their irre- 

 gularity was, perhaps, to be afcribed to the intercourfe that fubfifted, 

 in fpite of punifhment, between them and the feamen from the mips 

 of war and the tranfports, who at leaft one day in the week found 

 means to get on fhore with fpirits. 



His Excellency, defirous of acquiring a knowledge of the country 

 about the feat of government, and profiting by the coolnefs of the 

 weather, made during the month feveral excurfions ; in one of which 

 having obferved a range of mountains to the weftward, and hoping 

 that a river might be found to take its courfe in their neighbourhood, 



he 



