1790-1 OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 8 9 



active in his preparations for the voyage, fhe was foon ready for fea. 

 Her tonnage, however, was trifling, when compared with their necef- 

 fities. Lieutenant Ball was, therefore, directed to procure a fupply 

 of eight months' provifions for himfelf, and to hire a veUel and pur- 

 chafe two hundred thoufand pounds of flour, eighty thoufand pounds 

 of beef, fixty thoufand pounds of pork, and feventy thoufand pounds 

 of rice ; together with fome neceffaries for the hofpital. The expec- 

 tation of this relief was indeed diftant ; but it was more to be de- 

 pended upon than that which might be coming from England. A 

 given time was fixed for the return of the Supply ; but it was im- 

 poflible to fay when a veffel might arrive from Europe. In the mean 

 time, whatever might be their diflrefs, it would be fome alleviation 

 to look on to a certain fixed period when it might be expected to be 

 removed. Lieutenant Ball's paflage lay through the regions of fine 

 weather ; and the hope of every one was fixed upon the little veffel 

 that was to convey him ; yet it was painful to contemplate their ex- 

 igence as depending upon her fafety ; to confider that a rough fea, 

 a hidden rock, or the violence of elemental ftrife, might in one fa- 

 tal moment precipitate them, with the little bark which had all their 

 hopes on board, to the lowed abyfs of mifery. In the well-known, 

 ability and undoubted exertions of her commander, however, under 

 God, all placed their dependence ; and from that principle, when £he 

 failed, inftead of predicting mifchance, they all, with one wifh for 

 her return, fixed and anticipated the period at which it might reafon- 

 ably be expected. 



She failed on the 17th of April, having on board Lieutenant King, 

 the late commandant of Norfolk Ifland, who was charged with the 

 Governor's difpatches for the Secretary of State, and Mr. Miller, 

 the late Commiffary, whofe ill flate of health obliged him to quit the 

 country. Mr. Palmer, the purfer of the Sinus, was appointed in his 

 place. The following was the ftate of the provifions in the {lore at 

 this time : 



n Pork 



