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Chelsea Letter
where several little conveniences are wanting. My mind is likewise taken up with a variety of things, and I have some large accounts to write to other correspondents in England, and some also to Norfolk Island. The notice for the brig's sailing is short, and my opportunities for gaining information are not frequent. The occasions that call me to town (h) being only sometimes to draw provisions, which is done weekly. On these occasions I generally dine out; for in our visitings it has long been the custom to put your bread at least in your pocket ; and the usual form of salutation is, "Will you bring your bread, and come and see me?" The Governor too, on whom I always wait when up at Camp, usually detains me to dine with him, &c.
D.S."
Daniel Southwell
(a) Lieut. Governor. See Governor Philip's Account, as printed in 4to.
(b) The Sirius, and the Supply.
(c) The Writer is, (or rather was) one of the Midshipmen on board the Sirius ; when in England, he passed his examination for a Lieutenancy;' and since being at Port Jackson received his appointment of Mate.
(d) This the Writer afterwards mentions to be an error from misinformation ; but has not specified on what spot ; perhaps as yet nameless.
(e) That is, drawn tight.
(f) At China, the place of destination, unless Batavia be found answerable.
(g) To the classick Reader it is needless to point out, by a reference to many beautiful passages, the graphical energy of this paragraph from a young sailor's pen. Every common Reader must feel its pathos ; for it speaks to Men's Hearts and Bosoms. In a former letter (dated 12th July 1788) from the same Hand, about six Months after his arrival at the Colony, is the following descriptive Sketch of the Harbour of Sidney Cove ; which, however, possibly may owe much more of its fancied merit to my fondness for the Writer, than it may find from those of soberer judgement. :Soon after (in January 1788) we had sight of the Harbour, and at 4. P.M. were in the entrance between the N. and S. Heads ; the Ships all standing after us. At length we saw the Supply, seemingly up in the woods amongst the trees, occasioned by the meandring windings of this beautiful harbour ; and before sun set the whole of our fleet were safely anchored near our Consort, in a most commodious reef, now known by the name of Sidney Cove.
(h) Meaning the Camp, the residence of the Governor and Colony.
Gazetteer Jan 5. 1791. + mate of the Sirius
(2) it does not appear that he had been there it is 11 miles from the Camp, the look out or outpost as he calls it where he is Stationed is the S. Point of the Harbor 4 miles from Sidney Cove.
Chelsea Letter
Comment on Note g
"Though the party who had made a prior visit to this place were so warm in their praises, as to draw upon themselves the charge of exaggeration, it must be confessed they did no more than justice to its merits. As a place for shipping it is perfectly land-locked, and has several capital arms furnished with many inlets, coves and bays, where whole fleets might lie in safety, with good water under them, and fine holding ground at the bottom. Indeed nothing can be conceived more picturesque than the appearance of the country while running up this extraordinary haven. The land on all sides is high, and covered with an exuberance of trees : toward the water craggy rocks and vast declivities are every where to be seen: the scene is beautifully heightened by a number of small islands, dispersed here and there, on which, with a little help of the imagination, you discover charming seats and verdant vistos ; superb buildings, grand ruins of stately edifices, &c. which as we passed were visible only at intervals ; the view being every now and then agreeably interrupted by the intervention of some proud eminences, or lost in the labyrinths of the groves, that so abound in this fascinating scenery. The novelty of this picture was still increased by the frequent appearance of the natives, who now and then posting themselves high on the rocks upon some conspicuous over-hanging cliff, would brandish their spears, as though to dispute our passage. There was a something frantick in the manner of these jetty veterans : their menacing gestures being occasionally interrupted by long considerings, and excessive fits of laughter, in which there seemed to be more of agitation, than of those pleasing emotions, that usually excite risibility." &c. &c.
ground. There are several spots laid out for raising vegetables, and these are designed for a public concern. I am sorry to observe that the most useful productions, such as grain, thrive very indifferently ; but they have some spots at a little settlement up the harbour, (2) called Rose Hill, where things thrive tolerably well, but altogether quite inadequate to the purpose of public subsistence. 'Tis true most of the settlers have each a cultivated spot ; but vegetables, if put wholly to it, are but a flimsy diet, and here they are by no means in lavish abundance. The boats, let who will own them, are all sent to fishing for the community ; fish being served out as pork, only in a larger proportion, by way of making the provisions hold out. People are also appointed to go into the woods after Kanguroos ; but this is rather a precarious supply, and seldom turns to much account. But all helps, and if it was less, 'twere worthy the trying for.
"The duty of the people is by the Governor's consideration lessened, in proportion to their stinted allowance, and they have every afternoon to themselves for attending to the main concern, how to subsist. His Excellency has kindly taken into his mess those of the officers who were ship-wrecked ; and his disinterested conduct in sharing the public inconveniences merits every encomium.
"Here, as in every other commonwealth, are enow to reprobate and condemn the publick measures. When times are bad, and replete with misfortunes, it makes men peevishly look where to lay the blame about this, there are various opinions, and the parties which are alternately considered as culpable are as far apart as from hence to England. For my own part, I confess myself incompetent to pronounce upon this head, being perplexed with a variety of conjectures, but able to conclude nothing.
"Early and late do I look with anxious eyes toward the sea ; and at times, when the day was fast setting, and the shadows of the evening stretched out, I have been deceived with some fantastick little cloud, which, as it has condensed or expanded by such a light, for a short time has amused impatient imagination into a momentary idea, that it was a vessel, altering her sail and position, while steering in for the haven ; when, in an instant, it has assumed a form so unlike what the mind was intent upon, or has become so greatly extended, as fully to certify me of its flimsy texture and fleeting existence. (3)
"Surely, our countrymen cannot have altogether forgotten us, or have been vainly led by any silly, sanguine representations from hense, to trust that we could make it out tolerably well without their assistance!
"I must pray you, my dear uncle, to excuse the many defects of this tedious long letter, both in matter, form, &c. It is written in a situation (as you will perceive from whence it is dated)