Letter received by Banks from Philip Gidley King, April, 21August 1801 (Series 39.064) - No. 0014

[Page 14]

I employed to core for Coals here, left off he had got down 98 Feet with the boring Rods, altho, he had no present apearance of coming to Coal, yet he was anxious to proceed

This I could not consent to as it required much assistant labour & Coals being found so very plentiful altho farther off I have for the present given up the boring; The first Cargo of Coals brought from the Coal River in a Government vessell I exchanged with the Master of the Cornwallis who goes to Bengal from hence; for [Iron?], which he gave articles at 30 per Cent profit; for our Coals, at Two pounds Five shillings per Chaldron I believe this is the first return ever made from New S Wales how many Chaldron he will take from here I cannot ascertain until he leaves this as he has got several small vessells  belonging to Individuals bringing them round, and as  such a produce ought not to be without some advantage to the Crown I have regulated the Export of that article as expressed in the [indecipherable] printed Notice. Whatever may arise from this branch of our Revenue, [will?] remain unappropriated until I receive commands thereon. However I believe our Exports will be small, except such ships as bring convicts out, may choose to carry them on to India. As our  Colonial vessells i.e. the Porpoise, I hope will be fully employed between this & Otaheite in procuring Pork. There is a Brig belonging to an Individual here loading for the Cape; but as my Instructions prohibit any vessell being kept here belonging to the Colonists she goes with my Certificate &  permission to sell her in to sell her