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1797- OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 409 



On the 2 1 ft, as much wheat as the public granaries at Sydney, 

 Parramatta, and the Hawkefbury, could contain, having been receiv- 

 ed, they were clofed until the month of Auguft following, 



Toward the latter end of the month, the Governor, accompanied 

 by fome gentlemen of the fettlement, fet off from Tarramatta, on an 

 excurfion, in which he meant to obtain fome knowledge of the ground 

 between Duck River and George's River, with refped both to its 

 quality and quantity. This trad was walked over, and much excel- 

 lent land was found, well provided with frefli water in chains of 

 large deep ponds. On this ground fome of the marine corps, having 

 completed their fervice, were defirous of being fettled. Thence the 

 Governor and his party proceeded down the river, and flopped at a 

 point near Botany Bay, where they met with feveral parties of natives, 

 among whom was Pe-mul-wy, who, having perfedly recovered from 

 his wounds, had efcaped from the hofpital with an iron about his leg. 

 He few and fpoke with one of the gentlemen of the party ; enquiring 

 of him if the Governor was angry, and feemed pleafed at being told 

 that he was not; notwithstanding which, there could be but little 

 doubt that his favage brutal difpofition would manifeft itfelf whenever 

 excited by the appearance of an unarmed man. 



During the month of April, a tree was for the firft time obferved 

 growing on the banks of the Hawkefbury, the bark of which, when 

 foaked in water, and beaten, was found to be as good as hemp for cor- 

 dage ; fpinning eafily, and being remarkably ftrong. Th is tree grew 

 from fifty to feventy feet high ; its diameter was from the fmalleft 

 fize to a foot, and it appeared to be of quick growth. This was rather 

 a fortunate difcovery ; for every kind of cordage belonging to the fet- 

 tlement was wholly expended. 



Much rain had fallen during the month ; and on the morning of the 

 27th a heavy fquall of wind came on, which, for want of proper care 

 on the part of thofe at the wind-mill, fet it a-going in fo violent a man- 

 ner, that while flying round with great velocity, a running ftone was 



3 g broken 



