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[Page 13]
Grass without a Tree.
From the general appearence of the Country it has not rained much for a length of time, the few Gullies which Communicate with the River, and taking off the Water from the Meadows and what falls from the Hills were quite dry, and but little Water remaining in the Lagoons, on the declivity of the Hills the Moisture was Six Inches deep, owing to the heavy dews which the thickness of the Verdure retains. Ther. from 60º to 90º, at Noon and 70º at 8 O'Clock P.M. Clear Weather, Wind from the Eastward light Breezes.
From the report of the Gentlemen who had been further up the River agreeing so well with my own observations, I conceived it unnecessary to persevere in attempting to discover the Source of the River, having already ascertained to a certainty that the Country in general in this Quarter can hardly be equalled either for Agriculture or Pasture Land.
Having effected my object so far in obtaining the general information required of me, I determined on returning, and to make further remarks as we proceeded down towards the Camp at Outer Cove.
On the 5th. We took our departure at 9 O'Clock in the Morning and proceeded down the River, which we found much more difficult than getting up the falls were so rapid as to make our Boats so unmanagable that several times we were in danger of being upset, and the Boats dashed to pieces by the Torrent, my Wherry which is very strong had her Iron Keelband Compleatly torn off Striking a cross the Stream the bottom of the River being nothing but Stones of very erregular figures. At 3 O'Clock in the Afternoon we arrived at the Cataract and found the Lady Nelson where we left her at Anchor.
This day we observed some Fires in the Woods upon the rising ground but have not as yet seen any of the Natives since our first interview with them at Outer Cove. Ther. from 65º to 85º light Breezes from E. to S. E. Clear Weather.
6th. Decr. In the forenoon examined the Country about Two Miles up the River where the Cataracts are. At the joining of the Two runs where they empty themselves into the Main River (which I have named the Taber extending from this to Outer Cove) is a small Valley of good Soil and excellent Verdure but the Hills on the right hand are high and rocky and between them tolerable Soil and every where even amongst the Rocks good Grass.
From what I have seen of this River which I have named the Southesk there appears to be a greater Body of Water in it than, what was considered to be in the Main branch, but the Country round is so Mountainous and the Banks so very Rocky and Steep, that there are but