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[Page 2]
In many respects half a crown in England may be said to be adequate to one pound here. If it is said the people in England are overburthened with taxes; and on the contrary taxes are unknown to the inhabitants of New South Wales. To this I answer, that if they have no taxes imposed on them, they are debarred from obtaining the common necessaries of Life; and of all the inhabitants on the surface of the globe; who live under a regular government, they may be deemed the most miserable and wretched. Nay, many savages I think may be said to have the advantage over them. By what I now say, I beg not to be understood as alluding to all the inhabitants, but only to about two thirds or three fourths of them.
I am inclined to think you expected me to return with Gov. King, by not having heard from you on the arrival of Gov. Bligh; and not receiving any paper according to expectation, had I proposed returning in the Buffalo on Gov. King's first proposal, the length of the delay would have in a great measure ruined me. But when Gov. King was just on the eve of Departure, and telling him that I could add but little more than what I was already possessed of, he even then told me, that if I would say I would return, there should be a passage provided for me knowing that I could not get myself in readiness, and the ship being much thronged, it was not vital for me to decline it; and which happened lucky to me by so doing, in what I shall relate hereafter. But I told him, that three months would complete all my desiderata. This I should suppose he has communicated to you. At any rate, I hope some opportunity will offer ere long, whereby I may get out of this wretched place. It is true there are many things yet to discover in the more inland parts, but this cannot be effected without undergoing a deal of fatigue, and occurring a considerable expence.
By what I have just alluded to in proving fortunate in remaining, is the discovery of a Cataract, whose fall of water is twenty yards perpendicular. As I have made no map of my route, I shall write to Gov. King concerning it, from whom you will learn the particulars, as I conceive, his knowledge respecting the map of the Colony is far greater than any other person's. I should also suspect Governor Bligh will inform you