J797-] OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 4 o 5 



It appeared by the books in which were entered the certificates 

 granted to the convicts who had again become free people, that there 

 were at this time not lefs than 600 men off the ftore ; forming a vaft" 

 deduction of labouring people from the public ftrength, and adding a 

 great many chances againft the fafety of public and private property, 

 as well as perfonal fecurity. 



Among other thefts committed during March was part of the fails 

 belonging to the mill. Nothing could have more forcibly marked the 

 inherent depravity of fome of thefe mifcreants ; for this machine was 

 necefTary to the comfort of thofe very incorrigible vagabonds who 

 had thus for a time prevented its being of ufe to themfelves or 

 others. While the Governor was endeavouring to guard againft 

 the injuries that might be done by thefe depredators, and fuch as thefe, 

 the fettlers found themfelves obliged to affemble for the purpofe of 

 repelling the attacks made upon them by the natives. The peo- 

 ple at the Northern Farm had been repeatedly plundered of their pro- 

 vifions and cloathing by a large body of lavages, who had alfo 

 recently killed a man and a woman. Esafperated at fuch cruel 

 and wanton conduct:, they armed themfelves, and, after purfuing them 

 a whole night, came up with a party of more than a hundred, who, 

 on difcovering that their purfuers were armed, fled ; leaving behind 

 them a quantity of Indian corn, fome mufket balls, and other things 

 which they had plundered. They continued to follow, and traced 

 them as far as the outfkirts of Parramatta. Being fatigued with their 

 march, they entered the town, and in about an hour after were fol- 

 lowed by a large body of natives, headed by Pe-mul-wy, a riotous 

 and troublefome favage. Thefe were known by the fettlers to be the 

 fame who had fo frequently annoyed them ; and they intended, if 

 poflible, to feize upon Pe-mul-wy ; who, in a great rage, threatened to 

 fpear the firft man that dared to approach him, and actually did throw 

 a fpear at one of the foldiers. The conflict was now begun ; a mufket 

 was levelled at the principal, which feverely wounded him.. Many 

 fpears were then thrown, and one man was ft ruck, in the arm ; upon. 



which.- 



