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in a body but once, on the 6th of June a party of gentlemen, with their servants & 4 soldiers, walking to Botany Bay, met with a body of 300 of them all armd with spears & [targets?]. However they did not attempt to disturb our small party, but let them quietly pass. On the 4th of June, His Majestys Birth day was kept here. The Sirius & Supply fird 21 cannon each at sun rise, at noon & at sun set. All the officers of the Navy & Army dind with the Governor who then named the adjacent country round Port Jackson the County of Cumberland. On the 22d of Jund at 20 minutes after 4 o clock in the afternoon a shock of an earthquake was felt on board the ships & though the camp. Our surgeon & me were then in the woods about a mile & a half from the camp & were at that time standing still & silent, examining some gum running from a large tree. The shock was an undulation from SW & did not continue I think more than two seconds of time. It was accompanyd by a noise like a distant cannon. The trees shook as if a gale of wind was blowing. The afternoon was remarkably clear & a very light breeze at NNE. I have enjoyd very good health since we left England & I think this climate a very healthy one. There has been but 50 burials since our arrival here & as many marriages, & 26 births. It is [] that some ships will be sent to us next spring. If so I hope I shall hear from you & my friend Knight to whome I have wrote a fuller accouunt of our voyage than I have time to do now. I hope my good mother is well & that your self & sister Eliza are establishd in health & spirits. Perhaps you are still among our worthy friends at Newbury or [D?] & I hope you are because I know you must be happy there. I hope your Laetitia is in good health & happy. I beg you will make my love & prospects to the family. My duty to my mother, love to Eliza Brother, & little niece & respects to our friends at [?] my dear sister &
believe me your ever affectionate brother
D Blackburn
Supply. Sidney Cove
Port Jackson. 12 July 1788