2 4 6 ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [January, 



On the 25th, the grain from Bengal being expended, and no more 

 Indian corn of the laft year's growth remaining that could be faved, 

 the public were informed, that from that time no other grain than 

 wheat could be iffued ; and accordingly on that day the male convi&s 

 received for their week's fubfiftence three pounds of pork and eight 

 -pounds of wheat ; and one pound more of wheat was iffued to the 

 civil and military. 



In this unprovided Mate of the fettlement, the return of Mr. Bamp- 

 ton with his promifed cargo began to be anxioufly expected. The 

 completion of the Britannia's voyage was alfo looked forward to, as a 

 defirable event, though to be expected at a fomewhat later period ; 

 and every fhower of rain, as it tended to the benefit of the Indian 

 corn then growing, was received as a fort of prefage that at lead the 

 feed-wheat, the hopes of the next feafon, would be fafe. 



Another divifion of fettlers was added to the lift of thofe already 

 eftablimed. Williams and Rufe, having got rid of the money which 

 they had refpecTively received for their farms, were permitted, with 

 fome others, to open ground on the banks of the Hawkefbury, be- 

 ginning with much fpirit, and forming to themfelves very fanguine 

 hopes of fuccefs. At the end of the month they had cleared feveral 

 acres, and were in fome forvvardnefs with a few huts. The natives 

 had not given them any interruption. Thofe people, however, had 

 not been fo quiet in the neighbourhood of Parrarnatta, between which 

 fettlement and Profpecl: Hill fome fettlers had been attacked by a party 

 of armed natives, and ltripped of their provifions. Thefe favages 

 were very defirous of poUeiTing the clothing and provifions of the in- 

 habitants ; and it was noticed, that as the corn ripened, they con~ 

 ftantly drew together round the fettlers' farms, and round the public 

 grounds, for the purpofe of committing depredations. 



On the 1 2th of February the Francis returned from Norfolk Mand. 

 By her the Lieutenant-Governor ftated that his crops had been 

 abundant, and plenty was reigning among all defcriptions of people in 



the 



