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into the community westward. On his return I was informed, that he had discovered a new river, limestone in great abundance, iron almost pure, and had been 50 miles or better in a western direction. But of all this I have doubts, for I have every reason to believe he has been no farther than myself, & I have not been scarcely half the above distance. The minerals I have not yet seen, but it is probable that they may fall into your hands, whereby the truth will at once be ascertained. The same Gentleman is upon the eve of setting of again with a larger party, & instead of horses, he takes one or two bullocks: he means this time of fixing stations, from which a regular supply is to be forwarded. By what I already know of travelling in this country, gives me room to suspect that this journey will not accomplish the design, however trial will decide. I am so vain as to think, that with another man besides myself & a horse, that I can go farther than what this party will, provided the weather is favourable. I have often lamented that being bred a horseman had been all lost labour in forwarding a pursuit in Natural History, but at length I am undecided, for as a traveller in this country it has given me an advantage over all others. When Mr Barrelier returned I perceived his loss for the want of the like.
I am just upon the point of setting of on a journey, & should have been out at this time, only I am in want of a few articles from the Gov. If the weather is good I shall be out three weeks. I have seen high land, which is about 45 miles South from Prospect Hill. To the eastward of this I suspect Hawkesbury river will be found, & from hence I imagine it source is not far distant. From this place I mean to proceed to the sea shore, which must also be near at hand. If I find out its source in the time I reckon, I shall proceed to the SSW if the land is favorable. If not I shall try a west course. I should have been several journeys before this time this season had I a horse. Through the misfortune of the one that I had dying, chiefly through old age, & Mr Barrelier almost killing one that he had, made the Governor to be shy of granting me another, for when I mentioned the case to him he refused, & said he valued the other at 130 pounds, whether he meant in earnest or not I do not know. But she was not worth above 20 shillings, for she came here in the first fleet, & was said to be aged then. She had been 10 weeks & had not been in the least used. In fact had she been in the hands of Government, they would have killed her long before. At length the Gov. told me (for I was determined not to ask him again) I might look out another. I have now made choice of one that would not fetch above 2 guineas in an English market. For she is very old & broken winded. Government could scarce ever do any good with her, as she was so restive & had got so many bad qualities, but for all this she will suit me as well as the best in the colony.
We have lately had more ships arrived from England, which have altered the ration of grain from the public stores. On the 23rd of last month the rations of grain was 10 lb of wheat, 3 lb of maize in lieu of 3 pints of pease. Since july the 3rd a full ration of pork & beef has been given. When flour is served I believe 8 pounds is to be given. The above is a man's weekly allowance.