i792.] OF NEW SOUTH WALES. i6 7 



It required fomething more than common application to adapt re- 

 medies to the various irregularities which from time to time grew up 

 in the fettlement ; and fomething more than common ingenuity to 

 counteract the artifices of thofe whole meditations were hourly di- 

 rected to fchemes of evafion or depredation. 



The natives had not lately given any interruption by ads of hos- 

 tility. Several of their young people continued to refide among the 

 fettlers ; and the different houfes in the town were frequently vifited 

 by their relations : but very little information that could be depended 

 upon refpecting their manners and cuftoms was obtained through this 

 intereourfe ; and it was obferyed, that they converfed with the white 

 people in a mutilated and incorrect language, formed entirely on the 

 imperfect knowledge and improper application, by the latter, of the 

 native's words. 



The mortality in the month of April had been extremely great. Dif- 

 tr effing as it was, however, to fee the poor wretches daily dropping into 

 the grave, it was- far more afflicting to obferve the countenances and 

 emaciated perfons of many who remained, foon to follow their mifer- 

 able companions. Every fiep was taken that could be devifed to fave 

 them; a fifhery was eftabliftied at the fouth-head, exclusively for the 

 ufe of the nek. The different people who were employed by indi- 

 viduals to kill game were given up for the ufe of the hofpitai ; and, 

 to ftimulate them to exertion, a reward was offered according to their 

 fuccefs. 



The weakeft of the convicts were excufed from all kinds of hard ; 

 labour ; but it was not hard labour that deftroyed them ; it was am 

 entire want of ftrength in the conftitution, and which nothing but, 

 proper nourifhment could repair. 



This dreadful mortality was confined chiefly to the convicts who 

 had arrived in the laft year; of one hundred and twenty-two 

 male convicts who came out in the Queen tranfport from Ireland, , 

 fifty only were living at the beginning of May. The robberies , 

 which were every day and night committed were alfo nearly confined: 



to 



