492 ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [March, 



difappeared, leaving Hacking to fill his boat and effect his retreat un- 

 molefted. The men who had been miffing, fome time after fortunately 

 reached the fettlement^ 



On the 24th, the Nautilus returned from Norfolk Ifland, and with 

 her came in a Spanifh fhip, a prize to two whalers, which they had 

 captured off Cape Blanco on the coaft of Peru. A Court of Vice- 

 Admiralty having been affernbled, me was condemned as a legal prize, 

 and part of her cargo fold by public auction. 



This was a new circumftance in the annals of the fettlement, and 

 wore the appearance of rendering it of more confequence than it had 

 hitherto been. Did it not go to prove, that at fome future period, 

 in the event of a Dutch war, it might become a place of much im- 

 portance, by offering a reception to the prizes of our cruizers, a court 

 whereat they could be condemned, and a market for their cargoes ? 



Two days afterwards the Norfolk returned from Norfolk Ifland, 

 bringing a confirmation of the entire failure of the maize harvefT, 



Every year's experience proved, that that ifland never would be of 

 the utility which might be expected from the very great expence that 

 was incurred on its account. It was probable, that this expence had 

 not been adverted to in England; for all the bills drawn there werefent 

 to New South Wales to be confolidated into bills upon the treafury ; by 

 which means the expences of the principal fettlement appeared to be 

 far more confiderable than in fact they were. The boaft of its con- 

 taining timber, and flax fit for naval purpofes, fufficient to conftruct 

 and equip a navy, falls to the ground, when it is confidered that the 

 whole ifland does not contain a fingle harbour, cove, or inlet, fit to 

 inciter a boat, much lefs a fhip ; but that it is furrounded by a dan- 

 gerous coral reef, which has proved the lofs of one King's fhip, and 

 many lives. Befides, the foil of New South Wales produces timber 

 znd -flax perfectly calculated for all naval purpofes, and in fufficient 

 abundance. If an idea may be hazarded, Van Diemen's Ifland holds 

 out in every refpect a more advantageous fpot for a fettlement, where 



the 



