212 ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [April, 



intelligence from their connections, or information of what was doing 

 in the world from which they felt themfelves almoft fevered. On this 

 occafion, however, they were difappointed ; for they foon learned that 

 no fignal had been made, nor a Ship feen to occafion it. But they 

 had been well trained in New South Wales to meet and endure dis- 

 appointment. 



The principal labour in hand at Sydney during the month of May 

 was what the building of the barracks occafioned ; and at the other 

 Settlements the people were chiefly employed in getting into the 

 ground the grain for the enfuing feafon, and in preparing for Sowing 

 the maize. This article having in the late feafon proved very un- 

 profitable, the Lieutenant-Governor determined to fow with wheat as 

 much of the public grounds as he could ; and every fettler who chofe 

 to apply was permitted to draw as much wheat from the public 

 granary as his ground required, proper care being taken to infure its 

 being applied to that ufe. At Toongabbe no addition had been 

 made to the public ground Since Governor Phillip's departure ; but by 

 a Survey made at the latter end of this month it appeared, that the of- 

 ficers to whom lands had been granted, had cultivated and cleared 

 two hundred and thirty-three acres, and had cut down the timber 

 from two hundred and nineteen more. All the Settlers of a different 

 deScription had added Something to their grounds ; and there were 

 many who might be pronounced to be advancing Salt toward the com- 

 fortable Situation of independent farmers. 



The quantity of land granted Since the Governor's departure 

 amounted to one thouSand five hundred and Seventy-five acres, eight 

 hundred and thirty of which lay between the towns of Sydney and of 

 Parramatta, the Lieutenant-Governor wifhing and purpofing to form 

 a chain of farms between thofe Settlements. The advantages to be 

 derived from this communication were, the opening of an extent of 

 country in the neighbourhood of both townmips, and the benefit that 

 would ultimately accrue to the colony at large from the cultivation of 

 a track of as good land as any that had been hitherto opened ; by 



5 i fomty 



