NEW SOUTH WALES, 
a6t of depredation, a much greater number flood at a c h a p, 
XIV 
fmall diftance with their fpears poized, ready to have u—.^— ^ 
tlirown them if any reliftance had been made. But the 
cockfwain who commanded the fifliing party, very pru- 
dently fuffered them to take away what they chofe, and • ' . 
they parted on good terms. This is the only inftance 
in which thefe people have attempted any unprovoked^ 
a6l of violence, and to this they probably were driven 
by neceliity. Since this tranfadion, an officer has 
always been fent down the harbour with the boat. 
Governor Phillip went out about this time with a 
fmall party, to examine the land between Port Jackfon ■ 
and Broken Bay. Here were found many hundred, 
acres of land, free from timber, and very fit for culti- 
vation. He proceeded as far as Pitt Water, and faw 
feveral of the natives, but none of them chofe to 
approach. When the party returned to the boats near 
the mouth of the harbour, about fixty of thefe people, 
men, women, and children, were affembled there. Some 
hours were pafied with them in a peaceful and very 
friendly manner, but though in all this time they difco- 
vered no uneafinefs, they feemed heft pleafed v/hen 
their vifitors were preparing to depart. This has ahvvays 
been the cafe, fnice it has been known among them . 
that our people intend to remain on the coaft. Many 
-of the women were employed at this time in fifliing, a 
fervice 
