A Narrative of the Expedition to Botany Bay | Page 5

very much; they varied according to the
dispositions of the writers: but their constant language was, an
apprehension of the impracticability of returning home, the dread of a
sickly passage, and the fearful prospect of a distant and barbarous
country. But this apparent despondency proceeded in few instances
from sentiment. With too many it was, doubtless, an artifice to awaken
compassion, and call forth relief; the correspondence invariably ending
in a petition for money and tobacco. Perhaps a want of the latter, which
is considered a great luxury by its admirers among the lower classes of
life, might be the more severely felt, from their being debarred in all
cases whatever, sickness excepted, the use of spirituous liquors.
It may be thought proper for me to mention, that during our stay at the
Mother Bank, the soldiers and convicts were indiscriminately served
with fresh beef. The former, in addition, had the usual quantity of beer
allowed in the navy, and were at what is called full allowance of all
species of provisions; the latter, at two thirds only.

CHAPTER II
.

From the Departure, to the Arrival of the Fleet at Teneriffe.
Governor Phillip having at length reached Portsmouth, and all things
deemed necessary for the expedition being put on board, at daylight on
the morning of the 13th, the signal to weigh anchor was made in the
Commanding Officer's ship the Sirius. Before six o'clock the whole
fleet were under sail; and, the weather being fine and wind easterly,
proceeded through the Needles with a fresh leading breeze. In addition
to our little armament, the Hyena frigate was ordered to accompany us
a certain distance to the westward, by which means our number was
increased to twelve sail: His Majesty's ships 'Sirius', 'Hyena', and
'Supply', three Victuallers with two years stores and provisions on
board for the Settlement, and six Transports, with troops and convicts.
In the transports were embarked four captains, twelve subalterns,
twenty-four serjeants and corporals, eight drummers, and one hundred
and sixty private marines, making the whole of the military force,
including the Major Commandant and Staff on board the Sirius, to
consist of two hundred and twelve persons, of whom two hundred and
ten were volunteers. The number of convicts was five hundred and
sixty-five men, one hundred and ninety-two women, and eighteen
children; the major part of the prisoners were mechanics and
husbandmen, selected on purpose by order of Government.
By ten o'clock we had got clear of the Isle of Wight, at which time,
having very little pleasure in conversing with my own thoughts, I
strolled down among the convicts, to observe their sentiments at this
juncture. A very few excepted, their countenances indicated a high
degree of satisfaction, though in some, the pang of being severed,
perhaps for ever, from their native land, could not be wholly suppressed;
in general, marks of distress were more perceptible among the men
than the women; for I recollect to have seen but one of those affected
on the occasion, "Some natural tears she dropp'd, but wip'd them soon."
After this the accent of sorrow was no longer heard; more genial skies
and change of scene banished repining and discontent, and introduced
in their stead cheerfulness and acquiescence in a lot, now not to be
altered.
To add to the good disposition which was beginning to manifest itself,
on the morning of the 20th, in consequence of some favorable
representations made by the officers commanding detachments, they

were hailed and told from the Sirius, that in those cases where they
judged it proper, they were at liberty to release the convicts from the
fetters in which they had been hitherto confined. In complying with
these directions, I had great pleasure in being able to extend this
humane order to the whole of those under my charge, without a single
exception. It is hardly necessary for me to say, that the precaution of
ironing the convicts at any time reached to the men only.
In the evening of the same day, the Hyena left us for England, which
afforded an early opportunity of writing to our friends, and easing their
apprehensions by a communication of the favourable accounts it was in
our power to send them.
From this time to the day of our making the land, little occurred worthy
of remark. I cannot, however, help noticing the propriety of employing
the marines on a service which requires activity and exertion at sea, in
preference to other troops. Had a regiment recruited since the war been
sent out, sea-sickness would have incapacitated half the men from
performing the duties immediately and indispensably necessary;
whereas the marines, from being accustomed to serve on board ship,
accommodated themselves with ease to every exigency, and
surmounted every difficulty.
At daybreak, on