Transactions of the Colony, from the Beginning of the Year 1790 until the
End of May following.
Our impatience of news from Europe strongly marked the commencement of the
year. We had now been two years in the country, and thirty-two months from
England, in which long period no supplies, except what had been procured at
the Cape of Good Hope by the 'Sirius', had reached us. From intelligence of
our friends and connections we had been entirely cut off, no communication
whatever having passed with our native country since the 13th of May 1787,
the day of our departure from Portsmouth. Famine besides was approaching
with gigantic strides, and gloom and dejection overspread every
countenance. Men abandoned themselves to the most desponding reflections,
and adopted the most extravagant conjectures.
Still we were on the tiptoe of expectation. If thunder broke at a distance,
or a fowling-piece of louder than ordinary report resounded in the woods,
"a gun from a ship" was echoed on every side, and nothing but hurry
and agitation prevailed. For eighteen months after we had landed in the
country, a party of marines used to go weekly to Botany Bay, to see whether
any vessel, ignorant of our removal to Port Jackson, might be arrived
there. But a better plan was now devised, on the suggestion of captain
Hunter. A party of seamen were fixed on a high bluff, called the
South-head, at the entrance of the harbour, on which a flag was ordered to
be hoisted, whenever a ship might appear, which should serve as a direction
to her, and as a signal of approach to us. Every officer stepped forward
to volunteer a service which promised to be so replete with beneficial
consequences. But the zeal and alacrity of captain Hunter, and our brethren
of the 'Sirius', rendered superfluous all assistance or co-operation.
Here on the summit of the hill, every morning from daylight until the sun
sunk, did we sweep the horizon, in hope of seeing a sail. At every fleeting
speck which arose from the bosom of the sea, the heart bounded, and the
telescope was lifted to the eye. If a ship appeared here, we knew she must
be bound to us; for on the shores of this vast ocean (the largest in the
world) we were the only community which possessed the art of navigation,
and languished for intercourse with civilized society.
To say that we were disappointed and shocked, would very inadequately
describe our sensations. But the misery and horror of such a situation
cannot be imparted, even by those who have suffered under it.
March, 1790. Vigorous measures were become indispensable. The governor
therefore, early in February, ordered the 'Sirius' to prepare for a voyage
to China; and a farther retrenchment of our ration, we were given to
understand, would take place on her sailing.
But the 'Sirius' was destined not to reach China. Previously to her
intended departure on that voyage, she was ordered, in concert with the
'Supply', to convey Major Ross, with a large detachment of marines, and
more than two hundred convicts, to Norfolk Island, it being hoped that
such a division of our numbers would increase the means of subsistence, by
diversified exertions. She sailed on the 6th of March. And on the 27th of
the same month, the following order was issued from headquarters.
Parole--Honour.
Counter sign--Example.
The expected supply of provisions not having arrived, makes it necessary
to reduce the present ration. And the commissary is directed to issue, from
the 1st of April, the under-mentioned allowance, to every person in the
settlement without distinction.
Four pounds of flour, two pounds and a half of salt pork, and one pound and
a half of rice, per week.
On the 5th of April news was brought, that the flag on the South-head was
hoisted. Less emotion was created by the news than might be expected. Every
one coldly said to his neighbour, "the 'Sirius' and 'Supply' are returned
from Norfolk Island." To satisfy myself that the flag was really flying, I
went to the observatory, and looked for it through the large astronomical
telescope, when I plainly saw it. But I was immediately convinced that
it was not to announce the arrival of ships from England; for I could see
nobody near the flagstaff except one solitary being, who kept strolling
around, unmoved by what he saw. I well knew how different an effect the
sight of strange ships would produce.
April, 1790. The governor, however, determined to go down the harbour, and
I begged permission to accompany him. Having turned a point about half way
down, we were surprised to see a boat, which was known to belong to the
'Supply', rowing towards us. On nearer approach, I saw captain Ball make
an extraordinary motion with his hand, which too plainly indicated that
something disastrous had happened; and I could not help turning to the
governor, near whom I sat, and saying, "Sir, prepare yourself for bad
news." A few minutes changed doubt into certainty; and to our unspeakable
consternation we learned, that the 'Sirius' had been wrecked on Norfolk
Island, on the 19th of February. Happily, however, Captain Hunter, and
every other person belonging to her, were saved.
Dismay was painted on every countenance, when the tidings were proclaimed
at Sydney. The most distracting apprehensions were entertained All hopes
were now concentred in the little 'Supply'.
At six o'clock in the evening, all the officers of the garrison, both
civil and military, were summoned to meet the governor in council, when
the nature of our situation was fully discussed and an account of
the provisions yet remaining in store laid before the council by the
commissary. This account stated, that on the present ration* the public
stores contained salt meat sufficient to serve until the 2nd of July, flour
until the 20th of August, and rice, or pease in lieu of it, until the 1st
of October.
[*See the ration of the 27th of March, a few pages back.]
Several regulations for the more effectual preservation of gardens,
and other private property, were proposed, and adopted and after some
interchange of opinion, the following ration was decreed to commence
immediately, a vigorous exertion to prolong existence, or the chance of
relief, being all now left to us.
Two pounds of pork, two pounds and a half of flour,
two pounds of rice, or a quart of pease, per week,
to every grown person, and to every child of more
than eighteen months old.
To every child under eighteen months old, the same
quantity of rice and flour, and one pound of pork.**
[**When the age of this provision is recollected, its inadequacy will more
strikingly appear. The pork and rice were brought with us from England. The
pork had been salted between three and four years, and every grain of rice
was a moving body, from the inhabitants lodged within it. We soon left off
boiling the pork, as it had become so old and dry, that it shrunk one half
in its dimensions when so dressed. Our usual method of cooking it was to
cut off the daily morsel, and toast it on a fork before the fire, catching
the drops which fell on a slice of bread, or in a saucer of rice. Our flour
was the remnant of what was brought from the Cape, by the 'Sirius', and was
good. Instead of baking it, the soldiers and convicts used to boil it up
with greens.]
The immediate departure of the 'Supply', for Batavia, was also determined.
Nor did our zeal stop here. The governor being resolved to employ all
the boats, public and private, in procuring fish--which was intended to
be served in lieu of salt meat--all the officers, civil and military,
including the clergyman, and the surgeons of the hospital, made the
voluntary offer, in addition to their other duties, to go alternately every
night in these boats, in order to see that every exertion was made, and
that all the fish which might be caught was deposited with the commissary.
The best marksmen of the marines and convicts were also selected, and put
under the command of a trusty sergeant, with directions to range the
woods in search of kangaroos, which were ordered, when brought in, to be
delivered to the commissary.
And as it was judged that the inevitable fatigues of shooting and fishing
could not be supported on the common ration, a small additional quantity
of flour and pork was appropriated to the use of the game-keepers; and each
fisherman, who had been out during the preceding night had, on his return
in the morning, a pound of uncleaned fish allowed for his breakfast.
On the 17th instant, the 'Supply', captain Ball, sailed for Batavia. We
followed her with anxious eyes until she was no longer visible. Truly did
we say to her "In te omnis domus inclinata recumbit." We were, however,
consoled by reflecting, that every thing which zeal, fortitude, and
seamanship, could produce, was concentred in her commander.
Our bosoms consequently became less perturbed; and all our labour and
attention were turned on one object--the procuring of food. "Pride, pomp,
and circumstance of glorious war" were no more.
The distress of the lower classes for clothes was almost equal to their
other wants. The stores had been long exhausted, and winter was at
hand. Nothing more ludicrous can be conceived than the expedients of
substituting, shifting, and patching, which ingenuity devised, to eke out
wretchedness, and preserve the remains of decency. The superior dexterity
of the women was particularly conspicuous. Many a guard have I seen mount,
in which the number of soldiers without shoes exceeded that which had yet
preserved remnants of leather.
Nor was another part of our domestic economy less whimsical. If a lucky
man, who had knocked down a dinner with his gun, or caught a fish
by angling from the rocks, invited a neighbour to dine with him, the
invitation always ran, "bring your own bread." Even at the governor's
table, this custom was constantly observed. Every man when he sat down
pulled his bread out of his pocket, and laid it by his plate.
The insufficiency of our ration soon diminished our execution of labour.
Both soldiers and convicts pleaded such loss of strength, as to find
themselves unable to perform their accustomed tasks. The hours of public
work were accordingly shortened or, rather, every man was ordered to do as
much as his strength would permit, and every other possible indulgence was
granted.
May, 1790. In proportion, however, as lenity and mitigation were extended
to inability and helplessness, inasmuch was the most rigorous justice
executed on disturbers of the public tranquillity. Persons detected in
robbing gardens, or pilfering provisions, were never screened because, as
every man could possess, by his utmost exertions, but a bare sufficiency to
preserve life*, he who deprived his neighbour of that little, drove him
to desperation. No new laws for the punishment of theft were enacted;
but persons of all descriptions were publicly warned, that the severest
penalties, which the existing law in its greatest latitude would authorise,
should be inflicted on offenders. The following sentence of a court
of justice, of which I was a member, on a convict detected in a garden
stealing potatoes, will illustrate the subject. He was ordered to receive
three hundred lashes immediately, to be chained for six months to two other
criminals, who were thus fettered for former offences, and to have his
allowance of flour stopped for six months. So that during the operation of
the sentence, two pounds of pork, and two pounds of rice (or in lieu of the
latter, a quart of pease) per week, constituted his whole subsistence. Such
was the melancholy length to which we were compelled to stretch our penal
system.
[*Its preservation in some cases was found impracticable. Three or four
instances of persons who perished from want have been related to me. One
only, however, fell within my own observation. I was passing the provision
store, when a man, with a wild haggard countenance, who had just received
his daily pittance to carry home, came out. His faltering gait, and eager
devouring eye, led me to watch him, and he had not proceeded ten steps
before he fell. I ordered him to be carried to the hospital, where, when
he arrived, he was found dead. On opening the body, the cause of death was
pronounced to be inanition.]
Farther to contribute to the detection of villainy, a proclamation,
offering a reward of sixty pounds of flour, more tempting than the ore of
Peru or Potosi, was promised to any one who should apprehend, and bring to
justice, a robber of garden ground.
Our friend Baneelon, during this season of scarcity, was as well taken care
of as our desperate circumstances would allow. We knew not how to keep
him, and yet were unwilling to part with him. Had he penetrated our state,
perhaps he might have given his countrymen such a description of our
diminished numbers, and diminished strength, as would have emboldened
them to become more troublesome. Every expedient was used to keep him in
ignorance. His allowance was regularly received by the governor's servant,
like that of any other person, but the ration of a week was insufficient
to have kept him for a day. The deficiency was supplied by fish whenever
it could be procured, and a little Indian corn, which had been reserved
was ground and appropriated to his use. In spite of all these aids, want of
food has been known to make him furious and often melancholy.
There is reason to believe that he had long meditated his escape, which he
effected in the night of the 3rd instant. About two o'clock in the morning,
he pretended illness, and awaking the servant who lay in the room with him,
begged to go down stairs. The other attended him without suspicion of his
design; and Baneelon no sooner found himself in a backyard, than he nimbly
leaped over a slight paling, and bade us adieu.
The following public order was issued within the date of this chapter, and
is too pleasing a proof that universal depravity did not prevail among the
convicts, to be omitted.
The governor, in consequence of the unremitted good behaviour and
meritorious conduct of John Irving, is pleased to remit the remainder of
the term for which he was sentenced to transportation. He is therefore to
be considered as restored to all those rights and privileges, which had
been suspended in consequence of the sentence of the law. And as such,
he is hereby appointed to act as an assistant to the surgeon at Norfolk
Island.