'7970 



OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



Shortly after this, thefe people again exhibited themfelves to the 

 notice of the fettlement, but in a very different point of view. On 

 the 31ft, an open boat arrived from the Hawkefbury, with a cargo of 

 Indian corn, having been boarded in her paflage by a party of natives 

 in canoes. AfTuming an appearance of friendfhip, they were fuffered 

 to come into the boat ; when, watching an opportunity, they threw 

 of the mafk and made an attempt to feize the fmall arms. This oc- 

 cafioned a ftruggle, in which the boat's crew prevailed ; but not before 

 fpme of thefe unexpected pirates had paid for their rafhnefs with their 

 lives. This bufinefs led to a difcovery, that a boat belonging to a 

 fettler, which was fuppofed to have been driven out to fea and loft, 

 with her crew and cargo of Indian corn, had actually been taken by 

 the natives, after murdering thofe who were in her. The boat, on 

 fearching, was afterwards found in the polfelfion of fome of thefe 

 people. 



This was fo novel a circumftance, that it could fcarcely be credited; 

 but it was no lefs true ; and there was but little doubt, that the white 

 people who were among them had been the unfeen inftigators of this 

 mifchief. 



In the courfe of October, a ftrong and durable bridge, capable of 

 fuftaining any weight which it might have oecafion to bear, was 

 erected over Duck River, for the convenience of land carriage between 

 the towns of Sydney and Parramatta. 



The wheat every where wore the mod promifing appearance, and 

 the weather had been very favourable for bringing it to maturity. 



Decreafing daily, as did the number of working men in the employ 

 of Government, yet the Governors could not refufe granting certifi- 

 cates to fuch convicls as had ferved their refpeetive times of transpor- 

 tation •> and no lefs than 125 men were at this time certified by him. 

 to be free. Mod of thefe had no other view in obtaining this certiri- 

 catej than as it enabled them to quit the fettlement. 



There 



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