i; 88 -] OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 2 ; 



ments which had been fent out by the Board of Longitude, for the 

 purpofe of obferving the comet which was expected to be feen about 

 the end of this year. The conftru&ion of this building was placed 

 under the direction of Lieutenant Dawes of the marines, who, ha- 

 ving made this branch of fcience his particular ftudy, was appointed 

 by that Board to make aftronomical obfervations in this country. 



Governor Phillip, having been preffed for time when he fir ft vifited 

 this harbour, had not thoroughly examined it. The completion of 

 that neceffary bufinefs was left to Captain Hunter, who, with the 

 fir ft lieutenant of the Sirius, early in the month of February made an 

 accurate furvey. It was found to be far more extenfive to the weft- 

 ward than had been imagined ; and Captain Hunter defcribed the 

 country as wearing a much more favourable afpeet toward the head, 

 or upper part, than it did immediately about the fettlement. He faw 

 feveral parties of the natives, and, treating them conftantly with good 

 humour, they always left him with friendly impreffions. 



It was natural to fuppofe, that the curiofity of thefe people would 

 be attracted by obferving, that^ inftead of quitting, their vifitors were 

 occupied in works that indicated an intention of remaining in their 

 country ; but during the firft fix weeks, only two came near them. 

 Thefe men ftrolled into the camp one evening, and remained in it 

 for about half an hour. They appeared to admire whatever they faw, 

 and, after receiving each a hatchet (of the ufe of which the eldeft 

 inftantly and curioufly fhewed his knowledge, by turning up his foot 

 and fharpening a piece of wood on the fole with the hatchet), took 

 their leave, apparently well pleafed with their reception. The fifhing- 

 boats alfo frequently reported their having been vifited by many of 

 thefe people when hauling the feine ; at which labour they often a'f- 

 fifted with cheerfulnefs, and in return were generally rewarded with 

 part of the fifh taken. 



Every precaution was ufed to guard again ft a breach of tliis friendly 

 and defirable intercourfe, by ftrictly prohibiting every perfon from de- 

 priving them of their fpears, fizgigs, gum, or other articles, which it 



vol. in. d was 



