i8 4 ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [October, 



certain falary, an increafe of ration, or a greater proportion of 

 cloathing. To tbofe who had no other profpeft but that of paffing 

 their lives in this country, how cheering, how grateful muft have 

 been the hope of returning to their families at no very diftant period, 

 if not prevented by their own mifcondu6t ! 



The Britannia failed on the 24th of G&ober for the Cape of Good 

 Hope ; Mr. Raven taking with him Governor Philip's difpatches for 

 England, in which was contained a fpecific demand for twelve 

 months' provifions for the colony. 



At Sydney and at Parramatta mops were opened for the fale of the 

 articles of private trade brought out in the Royal Admiraj, and a li- 

 cence was given for the fale of porter ; but, under the cover of this, 

 fpirits found their way among the people, and much intoxication 

 was the confequence. Several of the fettlers, breaking out from the 

 reftraint to which they had been fubjetf:, conduced themfelves with 

 the greateft impropriety. The indulgence, which was intended by 

 the Governor for their benefit, was moft mamefully abufed ; and 

 what he fuffered them to purchafe with a view to their future com- 

 fort, was retailed among themfelves at a fcandalous profit ; feveral of 

 the fettlers' houfes being at this time literally nothing elfe but porter- 

 houfes, where rioting and drunkennefs prevailed as long as the means 

 remained. It was much to be regretted, that thefe people were fo 

 blind to their own advantage ; moft of them facrificing to the diffipa- 

 tion of an hour what would have afforded them long comfort and 

 convenience, if referved for refrefliment after the fatigue of the day. 



The only addition made to the weekly ration in confequence of 

 the arrival of the Royal Admiral was an allowance of fix ounces of 

 oil to each perfon; a large quantity having been put on board that 

 {hip, to be iflued in lieu 'of butter ; as an equivalent for which it 

 would certainly have anfwered well, had it arrived in the ftate in 

 which it was reported to have been put on board 5 but it grew rancid 

 on the paffage, and was in general made ufe of to burn, as a fubfti- 

 tute for candle. 9 



