*79 1.] OF NEW SOUTH WALES. I4 



fupply, the Governor judged it expedient to fend one tff the trans- 

 ports to Bengal, to procure provifion for the colony; for which -pur- 

 pofe he hired the Atlantic at fifteen (hillings and fixpence per ton 

 per month. 



On the anniverfary of his Majefty's acceffion to the throne, a fa- 

 lute of one-and-twenty guns was fired by the Gorgon ; and at the 

 public dinner given on the occafion at Government-houfe, upwards 

 of fifty officers were aiTembled ; a greater number than had ever be- 

 fore met in that colony. 



On the 26th the Atlantic failed for Norfolk Ifland and Calcutta, 

 for the fir ft of thefe places, (he had on board Lieutenant-Governor 

 King and his family ; a Captain of the New South Wales corps ; an 

 affiftant-furgeon ; the Rev. Mr. Johnfon, who voluntarily vifited Nor- 

 folk Ifland for the purpofe of performing thofe duties of his office 

 which had hitherto been omitted through the want of a minifler to 

 perform them ; twenty-nine fettlers difcharged from the marines ; 

 feveral male and female convicts, and fome few fettlers from that 

 clafs of people. 



The Salamander had returned from Norfolk Ifland, where every 

 perfon and article that (he had on board were fafely landed. By 

 letters received thence, they learned that it was fuppofed there had 

 formerly been inhabitants upon the ifland, feveral (tone hatchets, or 

 rather (tones refembling adzes, and others refembling chiflels, having 

 been found in turning up fome ground in the interior parts, 

 Lieutenant-Governor King had formerly entertained the fame fup- 

 pofition from difcovering the banana tree growing in regular rows. 



The tranquillity of the little town of Sydney was much lefs dis- 

 turbed than it was imagined would have been the cafe, from the 

 great influx of diforderly feamen who were at times let loofe from 

 the tranfports ; this, probably, was owing to the enforcing of the* 

 port-orders, from the firft, with fome degree of feverity. 



The foundation of a new (tore-houfe was begun at Sydney : this, 

 and clearing the tranfports, formed trie -principal labour there. 



6 The 



