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[Page 4]
desire I had of revisiting the head of the River, or where it divides into a NW & SW. branch, here I passd a day in looking over our own former discoverys, I also ascended the Hill which was Nam'd after His Grace of Richmond, and recognis'd several places which I had markd Seven years ago, there has not been any New discovery made in this Neighbourhood with an Account of which you coud be much entertaind. In the NW Branch at the head of this River (which has been Nam'd I believe by Capt. Paterson the Grose) there has been some pieces of a Black Stoney Substance found in its bed, which upon a particular examination proves to be a kind of Coal & burns very well, from this circumstance it woud appear it woud appear that there may be a Considerable quantity of this Substance in the Body of some of the Neighbouring Hills - I know not whether Capt: Paterson may have written to you on this Subject, I think he inform'd me he intended Sending you a Specimen of the Coal, but least any thing shoud have prevented him, I will send by the Gentleman who will have the care of this, a Specimen of that Coal Mark'd, Hawkesbury river, and a piece of another, & I think a better kind, found by my Fishing Boats Crew a little to the Southward of Port Stephens in a small Bay where they had occasion to land, & where they assured me they coud have loaded the Boat, it lay above the Surface in loose pieces, and considerable quantity * If there be much Coal hereabout the Strata cannot be very far from the Surface & therefore easily obtaind if wanted, it appears that it has been long above the earth by its being so much Worne by time. - After hav'g gone thro the different farms on the Banks
* I confess that I am a little doubtfull at present of this last Coal, the fellows are so full of trick & deception that untill I have some further proof of the truth of this Discovery, I shall not give it perfect Credit.