Transactions of the Colony,from the Beginning of the Year 1790 until the End of May following.
Our impatience of news from Europe strongly marked the commencement of the year.We had now been two years in the country,and thirty-two months from England,in which long period no supplies,except what had been procured at the Cape of Good Hope by the 'Sirius',had reached us.From intelligence of our friends and connections we had been entirely cut off,no communication whatever having passed with our native country since the 13th of May 1787,the day of our departure from Portsmouth.Famine besides was approaching with gigantic strides,and gloom and dejection overspread every countenance.
Men abandoned themselves to the most desponding reflections,and adopted the most extravagant conjectures.
Still we were on the tiptoe of expectation.If thunder broke at a distance,or a fowling-piece of louder than ordinary report resounded in the woods,"a gun from a ship"was echoed on every side,and nothing but hurry and agitation prevailed.For eighteen months after we had landed in the country,a party of marines used to go weekly to Botany Bay,to see whether any vessel,ignorant of our removal to Port Jackson,might be arrived there.But a better plan was now devised,on the suggestion of captain Hunter.A party of seamen were fixed on a high bluff,called the South-head,at the entrance of the harbour,on which a flag was ordered to be hoisted,whenever a ship might appear,which should serve as a direction to her,and as a signal of approach to us.Every officer stepped forward to volunteer a service which promised to be so replete with beneficial consequences.But the zeal and alacrity of captain Hunter,and our brethren of the 'Sirius',rendered superfluous all assistance or co-operation.
Here on the summit of the hill,every morning from daylight until the sun sunk,did we sweep the horizon,in hope of seeing a sail.At every fleeting speck which arose from the bosom of the sea,the heart bounded,and the telescope was lifted to the eye.If a ship appeared here,we knew she must be bound to us;for on the shores of this vast ocean (the largest in the world) we were the only community which possessed the art of navigation,and languished for intercourse with civilized society.
To say that we were disappointed and shocked,would very inadequately describe our sensations.But the misery and horror of such a situation cannot be imparted,even by those who have suffered under it.
March,1790.Vigorous measures were become indispensable.The governor therefore,early in February,ordered the 'Sirius'to prepare for a voyage to China;and a farther retrenchment of our ration,we were given to understand,would take place on her sailing.
But the 'Sirius'was destined not to reach China.Previously to her intended departure on that voyage,she was ordered,in concert with the 'Supply',to convey Major Ross,with a large detachment of marines,and more than two hundred convicts,to Norfolk Island,it being hoped that such a division of our numbers would increase the means of subsistence,by diversified exertions.She sailed on the 6th of March.And on the 27th of the same month,the following order was issued from headquarters.
Parole--Honour.
Counter sign--Example.
The expected supply of provisions not having arrived,makes it necessary to reduce the present ration.
And the commissary is directed to issue,from the 1st of April,the under-mentioned allowance,to every person in the settlement without distinction.
Four pounds of flour,two pounds and a half of salt pork,and one pound and a half of rice,per week.
On the 5th of April news was brought,that the flag on the South-head was hoisted.Less emotion was created by the news than might be expected.
Every one coldly said to his neighbour,"the 'Sirius'and 'Supply'are returned from Norfolk Island."To satisfy myself that the flag was really flying,I went to the observatory,and looked for it through the large astronomical telescope,when I plainly saw it.But I was immediately convinced that it was not to announce the arrival of ships from England;for I could see nobody near the flagstaff except one solitary being,who kept strolling around,unmoved by what he saw.I well knew how different an effect the sight of strange ships would produce.
April,1790.The governor,however,determined to go down the harbour,and I begged permission to accompany him.Having turned a point about half way down,we were surprised to see a boat,which was known to belong to the 'Supply',rowing towards us.On nearer approach,I saw captain Ball make an extraordinary motion with his hand,which too plainly indicated that something disastrous had happened;and I could not help turning to the governor,near whom I sat,and saying,"Sir,prepare yourself for bad news."A few minutes changed doubt into certainty;and to our unspeakable consternation we learned,that the 'Sirius'had been wrecked on Norfolk Island,on the 19th of February.Happily,however,Captain Hunter,and every other person belonging to her,were saved.
Dismay was painted on every countenance,when the tidings were proclaimed at Sydney.The most distracting apprehensions were entertained All hopes were now concentred in the little 'Supply'.
At six o'clock in the evening,all the officers of the garrison,both civil and military,were summoned to meet the governor in council,when the nature of our situation was fully discussed and an account of the provisions yet remaining in store laid before the council by the commissary.This account stated,that on the present ration the public stores contained salt meat sufficient to serve until the 2nd of July,flour until the 20th of August,and rice,or pease in lieu of it,until the 1st of October.
[See the ration of the 27th of March,a few pages back.]
