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[Page 3]
seized welsh poney which used to sell for £6 or 7. Government have got plenty that are not yet broke, and unless they are immediately so done, they will be good for little. Indeed the horses in use, by not being properly broke, are in general very ungain and awkward. Culture is requisite in all things when perfection is wanted. As you wish me to go to the Southern Isle, I shall certainly do so, but must beg leave to examine well the inland parts of the colony first. My object for going in the Lady Nelson, was to know how much the vegetables differed from those in the Colony, but the difference I found trifling. I was away 9 weeks, but only on shore at Jervis's Bay (about 70 miles to the southward of Port Jackson) for 2 or 3 days, and during the remainder we were at Western Port in the new straits. When I am at home I can collect without being noticed by others, but when I belong to a ship, some one or other is sure to be with me and partaking of what I collect.
Whoever told you that 15 s per week would be me a decent maintenance is greatly mistaken. It would do very well after I had got a good stock of everything, but this requires time and expence at the first setting out; for this is a very expensive place, unless a person can buy the necessaries he wants at the first rate, but this cannot be done but in a large wage and that takes up a deal of money. Everything that is necessary, you think is for the preserving of the different articles that I may collect, I hope you will send me; for if such are in the country, there is a deal of time lost to get them. Indeed was I to come here again, I would have as little to do with Government as I possibly could help, for though the promises are very good, yet the fulfilling them is very slow and rare, and if a person expects nothing, he cannot be disappointed. What I have now stated would be found to be the cheapest in the end. I find myself now in great want of shoes, expecting that I should have had some sent from Manchester, as one pair of such, is worth half a dozen that can be procured here. I shall write for some, which I shall order to be directed to Mr Dickson, which I must beg for you to settle and forward.
I am very sorry that I have had reason to write to you such a letter, but too great liberties have been taken with me, but heartily hope that this may be the last, for it not only hurts the passions, but causes an intrusion upon that time, which I ought to apply to another purpose. So I shall conclude, with hoping that you will enjoy a long life, and good health, whereby you may know from futurity, whether I have acted with reason and justice, or been a bigot to the dictates of my own mind and fancy.
I am Sir, with the strictest
Honesty and Truth, your truly
humble and faithful servant,
George Caley
Parramatta, New South Wales,
August 25th 1801