i;88.] OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 9 



entrance, a harbour capable of affording fecurity for a much larger 

 fleet than would probably ever feek fhelter or fecurity within its li- 

 mits. 



In one of the coves of this noble and capacious harbour, he deter- 

 mined to fix the future feat of his government, it having been found 

 to poffefs a fufficiency of water and foil. Having completed his re- 

 fearch in three days, he returned to Botany Bay, and gave directions 

 for an immediate removal thence ; a circumftance which gave general 

 fatisfa&ion, as nothing had been difcovered in that place which could 

 excite a wifh to pafs another day in it. This removal would have 

 taken place the morning following his return ; but at day-light they 

 were furprifed by the appearance of two ftrange fail in the offing. 

 Various were the conjectures of what nation thefe could be, and 

 whence they had arrived. It was foon known, however, that they were 

 two French mips, Le Bouffole and L'Aftrolabe, under the command 

 of M. de la Peroufe, then on a voyage of difcovery. 



As Captain Hunter, with whom the Governor had left the charge 

 of bringing the Sirius and tranfports round to Port Jackfon (whither 

 he had preceded them in the Supply), was working out when M. dc 

 la Peroufe entered Botany Bay, the two commanders had barely time 

 to exchange civilities ; and it muft naturally have created fome fur- 

 prize in the French to find the Englifih fleet abandoning the harbour 

 at the very time when they were preparing to anchor in it : indeed, 

 M. de la Peroufe afterwards faid, that " until he had looked round 

 him in Botany Bay, he could not divine the caufe of their quitting 

 it ; having expected, from the intelligence given him at Kamfchatka, 

 to have found a town built and a market eftablifhed ; but by what he 

 had already feen of the country he was convinced of the propriety 

 and abfolute neceflity of the meafure. The countrymen of Captain 

 Cook had the gratification of hearing this gentleman pay more than 

 one tribute of applaufe to the accuracy of his nautical obfervations. 



Governor Phillip, with a party of marines and fome artificers, ar- 

 rived in Port Jackfon, and anchored off the mouth of the Cove in- 



c tended 



