PORT MORNINGTON. 
^67 
Dola said money was little known here, and thatSurat cloth would 
be much more valuable. Unfortunately they chose none but white, 
and we, on the credit of Mr. Bruce, had laid in blue. We asked 
w^hat quantity of white cloth would procure a bullock. He said 
two piecesj which are each worth only a dollar. Had we therefore 
been in possession of this article, we should have purchased every 
thing reasonably. There is not a fisherman on the island, and they 
say, there are no fish near it ; a singular fact, which seems corro- 
borated by the bad success of our people, who have hitherto caught 
only one. Captain Court lost no time in sending Mr. Maxfield 
with the Assaye into the harbour, directing him to begin the 
survey of it, and, for the sake of expedition, allowed Mr. Crawford 
to accompany him. 
January ^7. — Mr. Salt went on board the Assaye to take views, 
Captain Court went on the shore nearest to us to measure a base. I 
was unfortunately confined to the ship by a return of fever, though 
the fit was not very severe. 
January ^^9.— On the 58th and 29th Captain Court and Mr. 
Maxfield were actively employed in completing the survey of the 
harbour, and surrounding land, while Mr. Salt made an accurate 
drawing of the hills ; which, after having from Massowah kept at a 
distance from the coast, here approach the sea, and rising one above 
the other, as they retire inland, form a mass of a most irregular out- 
line. The islands which form the north-eastern side of the harbour, 
and the peninsula which protects it on the north-western side, 
are chiefly of madrapore rocks. The head land, formed by the 
peninsula and islands, is by the natives called Has Akeek ; but they 
use the word generally, without applying it to any particular spot. 
VOL. II. MM 
