30 ■ A VOYAGE TO 
CHAP. The rank p;rafs under the trees, unfortunately proved 
xm. 
» fatal to all the fheep purchafed by Governor Phillip, on 
his own and on the public account. Thofe which pri- 
vate individuals kept clofe to their own tents, and fed 
; entirely there, were preierved. Hogs and poultry not 
only thrive but increafe very faft; black cattle will 
doubtlefs fucceed as well, and it will be eafy in future 
to fecure them from flraying. The horfes have not 
met with any accident. 
The laft difpatches from Governor Phillip bring an 
account of his having fent a fmall detachment up to 
that ground at the uj^per end of Port Jackfon, which 
he difcovered in one of his excurfions to be fo highly 
fit for cultivation. This party confifted of a captain, 
two lieutenants of marines, with twenty-five non-com- 
mifiioned officers and privates : about fifty convi(fts 
were added as labourers. This fpot is very pleafant, 
and has been named by the Governor, Rofe-hill. The 
flax-plant, which was feen at the firft arrival of our 
people, has not been found fince in any great abun- 
dance. A moll ample fupply of this valuable article 
may, however, always be obtained from Norfolk Ifland. 
Governor Phillip, when he judged the feeds to be ripe, 
ordered them to be coUeded, but at that time very few 
of the plants were found, and not any in the places 
where the greateft quantity had been feen. It is thought 
s that 
