A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson | Page 5

which in other countries are devoted to martial acquirements, were here
consumed in the labours of the sawpit, the forge and the quarry*.
[* "The Swedish prisoners, taken at the battle of Pultowa, were
transported by the Czar Peter to the most remote parts of Siberia, with a
view to civilize the natives of the country, and teach them the arts the
Swedes possessed. In this hopeless situation, all traces of discipline and
subordination, between the different ranks, were quickly obliterated.
The soldiers, who were husbandmen and artificers, found out their
superiority, and assumed it: the officers became their servants."
VOLTAIRE.]
Of the two ships of war, the 'Sirius' and 'Supply', the latter was
incessantly employed in transporting troops, convicts, and stores, to
Norfolk Island; and the 'Sirius' in preparing for a voyage to some port,
where provisions for our use might be purchased, the expected supply
from England not having arrived. It is but justice to the officers and
men of both these ships to add, that, on all occasions, they fully shared
every hardship and fatigue with those on shore.
On the convicts the burden fell yet heavier: necessity compelled us to
allot to them the most slavish and laborious employments. Those
operations, which in other countries are performed by the brute creation,
were here effected by the exertions of men: but this ought not to be
considered a grievance; because they had always been taught to expect
it, as the inevitable consequence of their offences against society.

Severity was rarely exercised on them; and justice was administered
without partiality or discrimination. Their ration of provisions, except
in being debarred from an allowance of spirits, was equal to that which
the marines received. Under these circumstances I record with pleasure,
that they behaved better than had been predicted of them--to have
expected sudden and complete reformation of conduct, were romantic
and chimerical.
Our cultivation of the land was yet in its infancy. We had hitherto tried
only the country contiguous to Sydney. Here the governor had
established a government-farm; at the head of which a competent
person of his own household was placed, with convicts to work under
him. Almost the whole of the officers likewise accepted of small tracts
of ground, for the purpose of raising grain and vegetables: but
experience proved to us, that the soil would produce neither without
manure; and as this was not to be procured, our vigour soon slackened;
and most of the farms (among which was the one belonging to
government) were successively abandoned.
With the natives we were very little more acquainted than on our
arrival in the country. Our intercourse with them was neither frequent
or cordial. They seemed studiously to avoid us, either from fear,
jealousy, or hatred. When they met with unarmed stragglers, they
sometimes killed, and sometimes wounded them. I confess that, in
common with many others, I was inclined to attribute this conduct, to a
spirit of malignant levity. But a farther acquaintance with them,
founded on several instances of their humanity and generosity, which
shall be noticed in their proper places, has entirely reversed my opinion;
and led me to conclude, that the unprovoked outrages committed upon
them, by unprincipled individuals among us, caused the evils we had
experienced. To prevent them from being plundered of their
fishing-tackle and weapons of war, a proclamation was issued,
forbidding their sale among us; but it was not attended with the good
effect which was hoped for from it.
During this period, notwithstanding the want of fresh provisions and
vegetables, and almost constant exposure to the vicissitudes of a
variable climate, disease rarely attacked us; and the number of deaths,
was too inconsiderable to deserve mention.
Norfolk Island had been taken possession of, by a party detached for

that purpose, early after our arrival. Few accounts of it had yet reached
us. And here I beg leave to observe, that as I can speak of this island
only from the relations of others, never having myself been there, I
shall in every part of this work mention it as sparingly as possible. And
this more especially, as it seems probable, that some of those
gentlemen, who from accurate knowledge, and long residence on it, are
qualified to write its history, will oblige the world with such a
publication.

CHAPTER II.

Transactions of the Colony from the sailing of the First Fleet in July,
1788, to the Close of that Year.
It was impossible to behold without emotion the departure of the ships.
On their speedy arrival in England perhaps hinged our fate; by
hastening our supplies to us.
On the 20th of July, the 'Supply' sailed for Norfolk Island, and returned
to us on the 26th of August; bringing no material news, except that the
soil was