VOYAGE TO NEW SOUTH WALES.

putting in for the shore, they ran into the woods. Some ofthe gentlemen, however, before they returned on board, ob-tained an interview with them; during which they showedsome distrust, but, upon the whole, were civilly inclined. Theboats sent to haul the seine returned, having had tolerablesuccess. The fish they caught were bream, mullet, largerays, besides many other smaller species.

2 1 st. The governor, Captain Hunter, and the twomasters of the men of war, with a party of marines, set offthis morning, in two rigged long boats, to examine PortJackson, a harbour lying a little to the northward, whichwas discovered by Captain Cook.

23d. The party returned this evening, full of praises onthe extent and excellence of the harbour, as well as thesuperiority of the ground, water, and situation, to that ofBotany Bay ; which, I own, does not, in my opinion, byany means merit the commendations bestowed on it by themuch-lamented Cook, and others, whose names and judg-ments are no less admired and esteemed. During his excel-lency’s absence the lieutenant governor had isiued his ordersto land all the artificers that could be found among the con-victs, and a party of others, to clear the ground for the in-

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1788.

January.