_The Buffalo being ready for Sea, I receive an Intimation from
Mr. Marsden, that the late Governor has obtained a Remission of
my unexpired Time, and consents to take me home as his Clerk.—I
wait on his Excellency accordingly, and receive orders to go on
board.—We set sail._
The process of fitting out and victualling the Buffalo, with other
causes, delayed the Governor’s departure for some weeks after the
appointed time. At length I received, about the first of February, in a
note from Mr. Marsden, (who with his family, had removed to Sydney, in
readiness for embarkation,) the agreeable tidings that Governor King had
consented to take me on board the Buffalo, in the capacity of his private
clerk, and had obtained the sanction of Governor Bligh for my departure
from the colony. Mr. Marsden concluded with advising me to wait on
Governor King without delay, for the purpose of receiving his commands. I
immediately hastened to Sydney, and waited on his Excellency; who after
some conversation, told me that the Buffalo’s complement being already
full, it was not in his power to put me on the ship’s books[45], but
that he would give me a passage, and himself supply me with provisions.
He then inquired if I was incumbered with any debts; and, on my answering
that I owed to individuals about twenty pounds, and to Government, for
various articles from the stores, about fifteen pounds, his Excellency
advised me to take measures for settling these accompts, and, having so
done, to repair on board with the least possible delay. I now returned
to Parramatta, (having first given the usual notice of my departure
for publication in the Sydney Gazette,) and applied with diligence to
the settlement of my affairs. I was not displeased at the Governor’s
intimation respecting not putting me on the Buffalo’s books, because, had
he so done, it being war time, I might have found a difficulty in getting
clear of her on our arrival in England: on the other hand, by going home
as a passenger, although I should forego the advantage of pay, for the
time occupied in our voyage, yet I should be at liberty to quit the ship
the moment we anchored. I was not altogether so easy with respect to my
debts, as I feared my utmost means were inadequate to their liquidation.
’Tis true, I had a watch, some good clothes, and other effects, which
altogether might suffice to discharge my private debts, but then I should
much distress myself by the deprival of these useful articles. As to
my Government debt, I had a secret hope that the generosity of Governor
King (which was often conspicuous when his privy purse was not encroached
upon,) would induce him to assist me in surmounting that difficulty.
I lost not a moment in settling my business at Parramatta, and returning
to Sydney with all my worldly goods, I waited on my principal creditor,
with whom I managed to square the yards on tolerably easy terms. I was
obliged, however, to dispose of nearly all my personal effects, before
I could satisfy the private demands upon me, retaining only a very
limited stock of indispensable articles for my voyage, and one genteel
suit of clothes for the purpose of attiring myself on quitting the ship,
together with an English half-guinea to bear my expenses from Portsmouth
to London. Having taken these measures, I embarked with my chest and
bedding on the 5th of February, Governor King and Mr. Marsden with their
respective families, being already on board. His Excellency hearing of my
arrival, sent for me to his cabin, and questioned me on the subject of my
debts. I informed him, that I had discharged every claim upon me, except
the sum I owed to the Crown, and confessed my inability to liquidate that
account, without some extension of his Excellency’s kind assistance. The
Governor after some moments’ reflection, wrote a short memorandum, which
he ordered me to take to Mr. Commissary Palmer, to whom it was addressed.
I accordingly went on shore, and proceeding to the Commissary’s office,
delivered the note, which Mr. Palmer having read, handed to one of his
clerks, directing him to comply with the tenor of it, which was to the
following effect:—“James Vaux (the bearer) having behaved well in the
different situations of store-keeper’s, secretary’s, and magistrate’s
clerk, I think the small sum he stands indebted to Government ought
to be remitted him.” (Signed) “P. G. K.” The clerk having turned to
my account in the ledger, gave me credit therein, to the amount of my
debt, by an item worded as follows:—“By remuneration for services as
clerk, _&c._” This point being adjusted, I now found myself perfectly
disembarrassed, and free to depart the country. With a joyful heart, I
took leave of my old acquaintances and fellow-clerks, with some of whom
I spent a convivial evening, and the next day I finally embarked, all
things being now in readiness, and the ship only waiting the auspicious
breeze. On the 10th of February, 1807, was the happy day. At an early
hour the ship was crowded with visiters, comprising most of the principal
officers of the colony, with their ladies and friends, as well as many
respectable inhabitants, all anxious to testify their heartfelt respect
towards a departing Governor, whose general conduct had gained him
universal esteem, and who had, during a government of six years, united
the tenderness of a parent with the authority of a chief. The vessel
was surrounded with boats, some of which brought various friends of the
ship’s company, passengers, _&c._, who came to take a last farewell;
others contained spectators of both sexes, attracted by curiosity to
witness the interesting scene, as well as to shew their loyalty and good
wishes by joining in the parting cheers, with which the air resounded
as we cleared the heads of the harbour, to which distance most of the
boats accompanied us. About three o’clock P. M. the breeze freshening,
we quickly gained a good offing, and by half past four a sudden squall,
attended with rain and mist, obscured from us all view of the land, which
we beheld no more.