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[Page 3]
Extract of a Letter from Geoe Quested, Master of the Ship Speedy on a Whaling Voyage on the East Coast of New Holland to Governor King -
Ship Speedy off Smoaky Cape 25. Septr 1800
A few Days ago having fallen in with the Ship Albion, and Captn Bunker informing me he will be off the Heads of Port Jackson about the 10th Octor: I embrace the opportunity to inform you that we are all well: at my leaving Port Jackson I run to the Northd: as far as the Smoaky Cape and between that & Mount Warning I cruiz'd 'till the middle of August and got nothing, although we saw a Number of Whales, but the Weather was so bad in general that I found enough to do in the Easterly Gales to take care of my Ship; I have since been to Norfolk Island & left it the 1st. of this Month and in coming from Norfolk I got 4 Whales which made me 10 Tuns of Oil & now as the Summer is coming on I have no doubt of getting Oil fast: at Norfolk I receiv'd every assistance from Major Foveau & Mr. Chapman, for which I feel myself much oblig'd, Mr. Chapman had some Pork & several Turkeys to send you, but as I knew not what time I should come to Port Jackson & as they expected the Schooner there every Day, Mr. Chapman thought the Schooner would be the quickest conveyance: there has been a Death among the Officers at Norfolk : Lieutt Lucas -
Perhaps Governor King might wish to know my opinion of a Fishery on this Coast, supposing it