879^.] OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 45 * 



The Cornwall was followed by two others, the Eliza from the Cape 

 of Good Hope, and the Sally. 



This circumftance was likely to be attended with fome advantages 

 to the fettlement. The whale-fifhing on the coaft would be effectually 

 tried, and the pofition of fhoals, or the exiftence of harbours or rivers, 

 afcertained. 



Having in a few days refitted their fhips, the three whalers failed 

 upon their fifhing voyages. 



Previous to their departure, the Argo, a fmall American fchooner, 

 arrived, lad from the Ifle of France, having on board a cargo of fait 

 provifions, fome French brandy, and other articles, upon fpeculation ♦ 

 and on the 18th arrived the Britannia whaler from England, with 94 

 female convicts. The cattle that came in the Hunter, and which 

 were fold by auction about the fame time, were not greater objects of 

 conteft than were thefe ladies, the number of women in the fettlements 

 bearing no proportion to the men. 



The weather during July was much colder than common at that 

 feafon ; and in the interior part of the country there was a iharp froft 

 every night. 



The Governor wifhing to have that part of the coaft examined in 

 which a ftrait was fuppofed to exift (between the latitude of 39 0 oo'-S. 

 and the land hitherto deemed the fouthern promontory of New Hol- 

 land, and called Van Diemen's land), refolved on fending Lieutenant 

 Flinders and Mr. Bafs, of the Reliance, on that fervice, in the Nor- 

 folk (a fmall decked boat which had lately been fent from Norfolk 

 Ifland^ ; and gave orders for her being properly fitted for the voyage. 



Early in Auguft a battle took place among the natives, in which 

 Ben-nil-long was very dangeroufly wounded. 



From the knowledge that was daily gained of the inhuman habits 

 and cufloms of thefe people, their being fo thinly fcattered through 

 the country ceafed to be matter of furprife. It was conftantly feen, 

 that from fome trifling caufe or other they were continually living in 

 a ftate of warfare ; to this rnuft be added their brutal treatment of their 



3 m 2 women, 



f 



