WHITENS JOURNAL OF A 
5th. A ftorehoufe has been begun, for the purpofe 
of receiving the ftores and provifions of the three tranfports 
bound to China. On a mufter of the convi6ls this morning, 
fome were found to be mifTing, and fuppofed to have gone 
to Botany Bay, in hopes of being received on board the 
French fhips ; which are faid to be fliort of hands, and made 
more fo by the lofs they had recently fuftained, as before 
mentioned. 
yth. The governor's commiffion, and that for eftablifli- 
ing a criminal court of judicature, admiralty court, &c. 
were read. After this was done the troops under arms fired 
three volleys ; when his excellency thanked the foldiers for 
their fteady and good condud ; which Major Rofs caufed to 
be inferted in the general order book. The governor then 
addreffed the convids in a fhort fpeech, extremely well 
adapted to the people he had to govern, and who were then 
before him. Among many circumftances that would tend 
to their future happinefs and comfort, he recommended 
marriage ; affuring them that an indifcriminate and illegal 
intercourfe would be punifhed with the greateft feverity 
and rigour. Honefty, obedience, and induftry, he told 
them, would make their fituation comfortable; whereas 
a contrary 
