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[Page 17]
16th Decr. Went to lower Head, found the Soil in general good for about One Half Mile from the Flag Staff where is a large Lagoon which Communicates with the Sea on the Northern Shore.
The Water here is largely fit for use, even when the Tide is out, but I am in hopes when it is traced to the upper end it will be found to be better, at all events by sinking I have no doubt of succeeding.
This situation I consider so valuable on Account of its being Convenient for landing Cattle where the Pasture is so excellent that it will be a farther inducement for continuing Outer Cove as a Post, as the Communication by land is easy and not more than Four Miles distant with tolerable Pasture for near a Quarter of a Mile inland from the Beach for great part of the way as far as the Flag Staff.
17th Decr. Examined the West side of Western Arm where the River descovered by Ensign Anderson emptys itself, I have given it the Name of that Officer. Here the Soil is in general Steril but the Trees very lofty, there appears to be more Water in this river than any of the other Two, at the Head of the Arm (where I intend the Principal Settlement to be) but the Marks of frequent Floods make me very doubtful whether it will become worthy of Notice at present, until we descover Ground, either fit for Pasture or Cultivation. The distance between this & McMillons Run is little more than a Mile, and about half way there is also Fresh Water.
On the East side about a Mile from Kents Burn there is good Pasture down to oposite
This day I marked out the Ground for erecting Quarters and had the Prisoners employed in Embarking the Two Wooden Houses and other Stores on board the Lady Nelson and Francis.
I landed near Redbite Point before I returned to the Cove and descovered a very large Bank of Shells on the Beach extending for near ¼ of a Mile, and from three to four feet deep, as the Limestone on burning has not turned out so good as was first expected, and the Shells being much preferable in quality and more convenient for our purpose, I have therefore given up the Idea of using any of the Stone, while Shells are in such abundance, there is