1790.] OF NEW SOUTH WALES. n 3 



and Rofe Hill ; and between thirty and forty were fent as a con- 

 ciliating prefent to Bennillong and his party on the North more. 



Thefe circumflances, and the vifit to the natives, in which it was 

 endeavoured to convince them that no animofity was retained on ac- 

 count of the late accident, nor refentment harboured againrt any but 

 the actual perpetrator of the fact, created a variety in the converfation 

 of the day ; and thofe who were defirous of acquiring the language 

 were glad of the opportunity which the recently-opened intercourfe 

 feemed to promife them. 



In the night of the 26th, a defertion of an extraordinary nature 

 took place. Five male convids conveyed themfelves, in a fmall flat 

 boat called a punt, from Rofe Hill, undifcovered. .They here ex- 

 changed the punt for a boat, though very fmall and weak, with a 

 maft and fail, with which they got out of the harbour. On fending 

 to Rofe Hill, people were found who could give an account of their 

 intentions and proceedings, and who knew that they purpofed fleer- 

 ing for Otaheite, having each taken provifions for one week, their 

 clothes and bedding, three iron pots, and fome other utenfils of that 

 nature. They had all come out in the lad fleet, and took this method 

 of fpeedily accomplishing their fentences of tranfportation, which were 

 for the term of their natural lives. A boat was fent in fearch, buf. 

 returned without difcovering the lead trace of them. They, no doubt, 

 had puttied directly out upon that ocean which, from the wretched 

 ftate of the boat wherein they trufted themfelves, muft have proved 

 their grave. 



The Governor purpofing to erect a capacious ftorehoufe and a range 

 of barracks at Role Hill, a convict, who underftood the bufmefs of 

 brick-making, was fent up for the purpofe of manufacturing a quan- 

 tity fufficient for thofe buildings ; a vein of clay having been found 

 which it was fuppofed would burn into good bricks. A very conve- 

 nient wharf and landing-place were made at that fettlement, and 

 twenty- feven huts were in great forwardnefs at the end of the 

 month. 



o_ Very 



