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[Page 2]
more than what the colony can consume in one year besides an immense crop of maize now on the ground.
On my excursion to the Hawkesbury where I remained fourteen days and visited most of the settlers from Richmond Hill down to Portland had an extent of not less than forty miles along the banks of the river and most of it is cultivation altho' many of those have assistance from Government and all of them have their wives and children victualld from the public store, yet they say, that they hope Government will be obliged to give fifteen or twenty shillings for their wheat before the year is out, indeed at present the labourer will have his own terms and so will the settler so between the two the price is kept up. I have offered my opinion on this subject to the Governor but without effect or without thanks, some of his advisers are those in his own family and are making rapid fortunes from the very circumstance so much complained of. In hopes that it may be attended to at some further period I shall not alter it till I see some just cause so to do.
You will be surprised of the vast quantity of spirits that has again been imported to this place notwithstanding the pointed orders against it. A certain quantity is absolutely necessary, but when shiploads are allowed to be landed the bad effects