4 ,6 ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [August, 



prifon yard ; in which alfo was a diftincl: brick building for debtors, 

 fenced off from the felon fide (to ufe an Old Bailey diftin&ion) by a 

 ftrong and high paling. This, inclofing a fpot of ground which had 

 been marked out on the weft fide of the Cove for a fhip yard, land- 

 ing provifions from the tranfports, and completing the granary, had 

 formed the principal labour in which the public gangs were employed 

 during the month, throughout which the weather had been remark- 

 ably dry. 



In the beginning of July, the Francis returned from the wreck of 

 the Sydney Cove, bringing the remainder of her crew, except fix, 

 whom Captain Hamilton, her commander (and the only European 

 belonging to her then alive), had left in charge of that part of her 

 cargo which had been faved. The Eliza long-boat, which failed from 

 the iiland with them, had on board a few Lafcars and fome property ; 

 but having had to encounter a very heavy gale of wind, and not ar- 

 riving with the fchooner, many doubts were entertained of her fafety. 

 Thefe were greatly augmented by a fevere ftorm which came on 

 twelve days after the arrival of the Francis. The wind blew a hur- 

 ricane, doing much mifchief, and the rain fell in torrents. 



The cattle that arrived in the Reliance were landed, and looked ex- 

 tremely well. The two Colonial mips had been employed eight 

 months on this voyage to and from the Cape, and had added 51 cows, 

 3 bulls, a few horfes, and about 90 fheep, to the flock of domeftic 

 cattle in the colony. 



This fpecies of provifions was multiplying largely ; but the fait 

 meat was decreafing fo fart, that it became neceflary to iffue only half 

 the ufual ration of pork. 



Early in Auguft, the Britannia and the Ganges failed on their re- 

 fpective voyages. In the latter went feveral convicts who had become 

 free, and fome of the marine foldiers who had been difcharged from 

 the New South Wales Corps, having completed their fecond engage- 

 ment in that regiment. They had talked of becoming fettlers ; but the 

 reftlefs love of change, prevailed, and they quitted the colony. 



Mr. 



