Letter received by Banks from Arthur Phillip, 2 July 1788 (Series 37.05) - No. 0006

[Page 5]

I have seen two hundred & twelve Men in a Cove near Botany bay, those who live on the intermediate Sea Coast, I include in the fifteen hundred, for they all occasionally visit the Coast or the Harbours.  The Women are constantly employ'd in fishing & when I was going to Broken bay, three Cannoes came a full Mile from the Coast with one Man & five Women, the unfortunate circumstance of Monsr. La Perouse being obliged to fire on them, & of the bad behaviour of some of the Transports people, has made them avoid us lately more than they did when we first arrived, indeed when I first landed they join'd us here & in Broken bay, without the least hesitation.  They have lately reveng'd the injurys done them, by killing three of the Convicts.

They mark their bodys