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[Page 9]
Earth at low water mark under which there may be Coal, but until it's ascertained I have my doubts, this with many other probabilities must remain uninvestigated till a future period when we are more advanced in this infant Settlement the prosperity of which will entirely depend on the encouragement and support given by Government in the begining of our operations. If my health permits my Personal endeavours shall not be wanting and should any circumstance occasion my removal I shall feel a satisfaction in having the honor of forming the Settlement, and should my Opinion of the Country be attended to, I have no doubt of its becoming an object worthy of notice.
I have sent the Governor a Journal of the Weather and requested he will compare it with that of Sydney and send his remarks to you.
The only Quadropeds I have as yet seen are three Species of Kangaro. The largest of which weighed one hundred and fourteen Pounds after it was skined and dressed fit for Cutting up, from the account of the People who go in search of them they inform me there are many much larger, - of the smaller sort we catch many every day, - one Species in general about Forty pounds, and the third kind is nearly the Colour of a Fox and does not exceed Twenty Pounds, besides these are Kangro Ratts , Bandy coots, Opossums, and wild Cats nearly the same as those at Port Jackson. Birds and Black Swans in vast Numbers, wild Ducks several kinds, a large Bird which I think is new from the very strong smell it has of Musk they have here named it the Musk Duck, these Birds do not Fly and from their general habit I rather think that they burrow in the Banks of Creeks and Rivers, where the [they] are generally found. I have sent Mrs. Paterson the skin of one to be forwarded to you, I should have sent it in Spirits but that Article is very scarce in this part of the World, however I am in hopes when I get a supply, I shall be able to send you some of the New Animals of this Country as well as some plants which cannot be sent in a perfect state except in Spirits.
The Birds here particularly that of the Parrot kind are different from those in the Vicinity of Sydney and many