49 o ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [March, 



In a few days this extraordinary collection of water had found its 

 way to the fea ; and, the river regaining its ufual level, the fettlers 

 fet about new cropping their grounds ; for which purpofe they were 

 fupplied with feed wheat on the government account ; their requeft 

 for bedding and clothing, it was not fo eafy to comply with, from the 

 poverty of the public ftores in thefe articles. 



Among the public works at this time in hand were, the raifmg the 

 walls of the new gaol, laying the upper floor of a windmill, and erect- 

 ing the churches of Sydney and Parramatta. Moft of thefe buildings 

 did not advance fo rapidly as the neceffity for them required, owing 

 to the weaknefs of the public gangs; and, indeed, fcarcely ever had 

 there been a thorough day's labour obtained from them. They 

 never felt themfelves interefted in the effect of their work, knowing 

 that the ration from the (tore, whatever it might be, 7 would be iifued 

 to them, whether they earned it or not ; unlike the labouring man 

 whofe fubfiftence, and that of his family, depend upon his exertions. 

 For the individual who would pay them for their fervices with fpirits, 

 they would labour while they had iirength to lift the hoe or the axe ; 

 but when government required the production of that ftrength, it was 

 not forthcoming ; and it was more to be wondered, that under fuch 

 difadvantages fo much, rather than fo little, had been done. The 

 convicts whofe fervices belonged to the Crown were, by far the greater 

 part, a worthlefs dilfipated fet, who never thought beyond the pre- 

 fent moment ; and they were for ever employed in rendering that 

 moment as eafy to themfelves as their invention could enable them. 



Of the fettlers and their difpofition, much has been already faid. 

 The affiftance and encouragement which from time totinte were given 

 them, they were not found to deferve. The greater part had ori- 

 ginally been convicts; and it is not to be fuppofed, that while they 

 continued in that ftate, their habits were much improved. With 

 thefe habits, then, they became freemen and fettlers ; the effect of 

 which was, to render them infolent and prefuming; and many of 

 them continued a dead weight upon the government, without re- 

 ducing 



