V22 



ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY 



[January? 



the party, the latter fired, and one man was wounded. This circum- 

 ftance was at firft only furmifed, on tracing a quantity of blood from 

 the fpot to the water ; but in a few days afterwards the natives in the 

 town told the name of the wounded man, and added, that he was 

 then dead, and to be found in a cove which they mentioned. On 

 going to the place, a favage, well known in the town fince the inter- 

 courfe between them and the inhabitants had been opened, was found 

 dead, and difpofed of for burning. He had been fhot under the arm, 

 and the furgeon was of opinion that he had bled to death. 



It was much to be regretted, that any neceffity exifted for adopting 

 thefe fanguinary punifhments ; and that they had not been yet able to 

 reconcile thefe people to the deprivation of thofe parts of this harbour 

 occupied by the Englifh ; but while they entertained the idea of the 

 Englifh having difpoffefTed them of their refidences, they mu ft always 

 confider them as enemies ; and upon this principle would make a point 

 of attacking them whenever opportunity and fafety concurred. It was 

 alfo unfortunately found, that the knowledge yet obtained by our 

 people of the language of the country was not fufficient to convey an 

 idea in connected terms. It was likewife believed by fome of the 

 inhabitants of Port Jackfon, that thofe natives who came occafionally 

 into the town, did not defire that any of the other tribes fhould par- 

 ticipate in the enjoyment of the few trifles which they procured. If 

 this were true, it would for a long time retard the general underftanding 

 of the friendly intentions toward them ; and it was not improbable, 

 that they might for the fame reafon reprefent the white people in a 

 very unfavourable light. 



It had been the cuftom to leave the fignal colours during the day 

 at the flag-ftafT on the fouth head; at which place they were feen by 

 fome of the natives, who, watching their opportunity, ran away with 

 them, and they were afterwards feen divided among them in their 

 canoes, and ufed as coverings. 



On the 22d, the Supply failed for Norfolk Ifland, with fome pro- 

 vifions for that fettlement. Lieutenant Ball labouring under a fevere 



illnefsy 



