iiS ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [Flbruarv, 



fuddenly occafion fuch a fvvell, that landing would be either dan- 

 gerous or impracticable. 



The people of the Sinus had, during their ftay at Norfolk Ifland, 

 under the direction of Captain Hunter, been moh: ufefully and fuc- 

 cefsfully employed in removing feveral rocks which obstructed the 

 pafiage through the reef; and a correct furvey of the ifland had been 

 made by Lieutenant Bradley, by which many dangers had been dis- 

 covered, that until then had been unknown. 



One hundred and fourteen acres of land had been cleared fince 

 the arrival of the Lieutenant-governor ; but the crops of maize and 

 wheat, which had worn a very promifing appearance, were not only 

 retarded by too dry a feafon, but infefted by myriads of grubs and 

 caterpillars, which deftroyed every thing they touched. 



Two pieces of very coarfe canvas, manufactured at Norfolk Ifland, 

 were lent to Governor Phillip ; but unlefs better could be produced 

 from the looms than thefe fpecimens, little expectation was to be 

 formed of this article ever anfwering even the common culinary pur. 

 pofes to which canvas can be applied. 



Thofe officers who had paffed fome time in both fettlements re- 

 marked, that the air of Norfolk Ifland was fomewhat cooler than that 

 of Sydney; every breeze that blew being, from its infular fituation, 

 felt there. 



Martial law continued in force until the fupplies arrived ; and of 

 the general demeanor of the convicts during that time report fpoke 

 favourably. 



The Lady Juliana, paffing the ifland in her way to China, was the 

 firlt fhip that was feen ; but, to the inexpreflible difappointment 

 and diftrefs of thofe who faw her, as well as to the furprife of all 

 who heard the circumftance, the mailer did not fend a boat on iliore. 

 Nor were they relieved from their anxiety until two days had paffed, 

 when the other fhip arrived. 



This was the fubftance of the information received from Norfolk 

 Ifland. From an exact furvey which had been made,itwascomputed, that 



not 



