Volume I Part 26 (1/2)

March 1

Bidding adieu to our hospitable friends, we left Port Phillip, and having spent a night at Port Western, stood out fro, and passed over in 12 and 15 fathoms, the patch of discoloured water discovered by Flinders, two miles south of the remarkable round islet, that lies off the western extre our course to the eastward, ere detained by contrary winds for so the islands at the eastern entrance of the Strait All these we found to be considerably out in position, showing the necessity of an accurate survey We were exceedingly delighted when on the 5th ere enabled fairly to turn our back on Bass Strait, that region of storms, which stretched behind us as we receded like a blacksouth-wester soon carried us far away fro to pursue

At noon on the 8th, ere close in with the land in the neighbourhood of Jervis Bay A long line of cliffs fronts the shore; but the highlands recede as in the neighbourhood of Sydney, leaving a low tract of country between them and the sea

PIGEON HOUSE

To the South-West of this bay, we had an excellent view of that singular landmark, which Captain Cook, with his usual felicity in the choice of naeon House It was just open of the south end of soe doain arrived at Sydney; where we re the tis of thelad to find the return ree with the going one, placing the jetty at Williarees 19 minutes 14 seconds west of Fort Macquarie

DROUGHT AT SYDNEY

Everything was still suffering frohts that occasionally visit this colony, but are as yet unknown in Western Australia, where the seasons are certain, although available land is scarce An idea may be formed of the nature of this visitation, when I say, that for so the whole of our absence, and for several months subsequent to our return, not a drop of rain fell The consequence of this was, that the whole country was dried up, and the dust lay on the roads, especially towards Parramatta, at least a foot thick Whoever atteh he had been passing through aa succession of dry seasons, did prodigious injury to the stock, and utterly ruined the wheat crops To add to the distress then occasioned, the people of Tasrain, expecting to e profit But their avidity in this instance over-reached itself Instead of sending to them for corn, the people of Sydney despatched vessels to South Ae, a great deal of money was embarked in the speculation Soon, however, the natural consequence ensued The o came in, the purchasers held back, prices fell, and in lad to dispose of their wheat at a rate far inferior to what it had been shi+pped at I have no doubt that the financial derange out of the country (for all these cargoes were bought with ready money) had much to do with the subsequent depression

I eneral rule, it is the labouring classes that thrive best at Sydney They can in tolerably prosperous times, earn sufficient in three or four days, to support the the remainder of the ti a house; but I aenerality repair to the vast nuet drunk This is evident from the annual revenue derived fro to allons for every individual in the colony

MR USBORNE LEAVES

It caused us extreret that before our departure from Sydney, ere deprived of Mr Usborne's valuable services He was compelled to return home in consequence of the dreadful wound he had received from a musket ball, which, as has already been related, passed through his body

In hireat loss; his presence and society were enerally felt It may easily be conceived indeed that the separation from a friend and messmate under such circumstances, must have cast for a tie of the charts which we sent to England on this occasion

MR CUNNINGHAM

I cannot leave Sydney without alluding to our ham, the Botanist, whose death I have alreadytaken place two h worn out by disease, and evidently on the brink of the grave, the fire of enthusiaslistened as he talked of our projected enterprise; and it ith difficulty that he could be dissuaded fro us His name, which will be remembered by his friends on account of his otten by posterity; for it has become associated with the lands he explored, as well as with the natural productions he described The presence and attention of his valued friend Captain PP King, contributed to soothe his last moments

CHAPTER 110 SYDNEY TO PORT ESSINGTON

Leave Sydney

Gale and Current

Port Stephens

Tahlee

River Karuah

Stroud

Wild Cattle

Incivility of a Settler

River Allyn

Mr Boydell

Cultivation of Tobacco

A clearing Lease

Williaht

Sail from Port Stephens

Breaksea Spit

Discover a Bank

Cape Capricorn

Northumberland Isles

Sandalwood

Cape Upstart

Discover a River

Raised Beach