OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



253 



As at this time the ftock of fwine in the poffeHion of individuals 

 was rather confiderable, fome faving of the fait provifions, it was 

 thought, might be made by purchafing fufficient to iffue to the mi- 

 litary. A quantity was therefore purchafed by the CommifTary, and 

 ifiued in the proportion of four pounds and a half of frefh meat in- 

 flead of three of fait. 



Both public and private flock appeared to be threatened with de- 

 flru&ion. The fheep and goats in the colony were not numbered far 

 from one thoufand. The cows had increafed that fpecies of ftock by 

 thirteen calves, which were produced in the lad year. The exact 

 number of hogs was not, nor could it well be, afcertained ; it muft, 

 however, have been confiderable, as every induftrious convict had 

 been able to keep one or more breeding fows. All this wore, indeed, 

 the appearance of a refource ; yet what would it all have been (ad- 

 mitting that an equal partition had been made) when diftributed 

 among upwards of three thoufand people ? But an equal partition of 

 private ftock, as moft of this was fuch, could not have been expected. 

 The officers holding this ftock in their own hands would certainly 

 take care to keep it there, and from it would naturally fupply their 

 own people. How far, in an hour of fuch diftrefs, the convicts would 

 have fat quietly down on their return from labouring in the field to 

 their fcanty portion of bread and water, and looked patiently on while 

 others were keeping want and hunger at a diftance by the daily enjoy- 

 ment of a comfortable meal of frefti viands ? was a queflion with 

 many who thought of their fituation. 



Moft happily, however, for all defcriptions of people, they were not 

 at this time to be put to the trial ; for, on the 8th of March, at that 

 critical moment when the doors of the provifion-ftore had clofed,'and 

 the convicts had received their laft allowance which remained, the 

 fignal for a fail was made. A boat was fent down ; but on its return at 

 night they were told that a fhip with Englifh colours flying had ftood 

 into the harbour ; but meeting with a heavy fquall of wind at fouth, 

 in which fhe fplit her fore- top-fail,! was compelled again to put to fea. 



It 



