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[Page 3]
Soon after Gov. Hunter left here the colony begun to wear a different aspect & I may safely say for this long time has exhibited a sense of distress. It is not to say the scanty pittance that the stores allowed in weight, but the badness of the article. Wheat frequently devoured by weevils, oversown with a species of Lolium, whose noxious effects was severely felt by many people. Maize generally mouldy. As hand mills are chiefly in use, after a man had cleansed his grain, together with the toll taken at the above, greatly shortened his allowance. At night the generality of prisoners lay down as they rise, without a rag to cover them, except what they wear in the day. We have had for a long time very dry weather. Vegetables very scarce. Wheat in general burned up for want of moisture. The colony is far to young for to depend upon its own produce, or at least for its stores to be so empty as what they have been of late. You are likely to hear some unpleasant news between the Gov. & the Col. Little did I think I ever suspect such a circumstance would have taken place. I have a deal to communicate to you about my travels, other matters in natural history &c. I shall endeavour to remit as much as possible by the first opportunity, but I am afraid I shall not have so time as can be wished, owing to this likely to be done in that time when I can collect the most.
I am as I ever hope to be
your truly & faithful humble Sert
George Caley
Parramatta N.S. Wales
November 1st 1802
PS. Since I wrote to you by the Speedy (by whom I sent you some packages) I have had from Gov. King, a three pound note, for which I gave him 3 receipts. A bag of veges for which he has accounted, amounting to six pounds. At the same time he wished me to give him an account of all the monies I had had from him since I had been here, for to vend from. I have given him at times so many receipts, that if the whole are presented you will be puzzled to make out. But as he wished for them I always gave him just as he wanted. The total amount that I have had from him since I have been here, is sixty three pounds twelve shillings and five pence. I have not received letter or parcel from you since the Investigator arrived. Among the ships that have lately arrived is the Buffalo. I must beg thy favor of you to tell Mr Dickson to send me out some paper, & thus I will send some duplicates. The little that I have got of my own, I dare not part with, for I now find it so useful in drying specimens, by being interleaved with brown paper.