483 



ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY 



[March, 



But from fcenes fo difgraceful to human nature the mind feels re- 

 lieved, even though compelled to turn to thofe of calamity. Yet, 

 before we proceed, it is but juflice to thofe in power to obferve, that, 

 were it not evident that certain punifhment awaited the conviction 

 of offenders, it might he fuppofed that a relaxation of the civil au- 

 thority had begotten impunity ; but far otherwife was the fact : the 

 police was vigilant, the magistrates active, and the Governor, ever 

 anxious to fupport them, with ineeffant diligence endeavoured to efta* 

 blifh good order and morality in the fettlement. But fuch was the 

 depravity of thefe people, from the habitual practice of vice, that they 

 were become alike fearlefs of the punifhments of this world, or of that 

 which is to come. 



The great drought and exceffive heat had affected the water. Such 

 ponds as ftill retained any were reduced fo very low, that mofl of 

 them were become brackifh, and fcarcely drinkable. From this cir- 

 cumftance, it was conjectured, that the earth contained a large portion 

 of fait ; for the ponds even on the high grounds were not frefh. The 

 woods between Sydney and Parramatta were completely on fire, the 

 trees being burnt to the tops ; and every blade of grafs was deftroyed. 



The entrance of March was accompanied by two or three days rain, 

 which greatly refrefhed the gardens that were almofl wholly burnt up, 

 and every where revived the perilling vegetation. At the Hawkef- 

 bury, however, an accident occurred, which, although not io ruinous 

 to the colony at large as the drought, proved mofl deftructive to the 

 fettlers in that diftrict. This river fuddenly, and in the courfe of a 

 very few hours, fwelled to the height of fifty feet above its common 

 level, and with fuch rapidity and power as to carry every thing before 

 it. The government-houfe, which had been erected at the firft fet- 

 tling of that part of the country, was fwept away, with a quantity 

 of provifions which had been depofited in it. Many of the inhabi- 

 tants were taken off from the ridges of their houfes, by a few boats 

 which they fortunately had among them, juft in time to fave their 

 lives ; for mofl of the dwellings were inundated, and the whole coun- 

 try 



