the provisions still remaining on board
three transports, and on these works the carpenters of the _Sirius_ are
employed. I have before pointed out the great labour in clearing the
ground as one cause of our slow progress.

Your Lordship will, I hope, excuse the confused manner in which I have
in this letter given an account of what has passed since I left the Cape
of Good Hope. It has been written at different times, and my situation
at present does not permit me to begin so long a letter again, the
canvas house I am under being neither wind nor waterproof.

I have, etc.,
A. PHILLIP.

EARLY DIFFICULTIES

+Source.+--Historical Records of Australia. Vol. I, pp. 45-51

The young colony was threatened by many dangers, but Governor
Phillip with untiring energy and skill averted them, and with
unusual foresight prophesied the future greatness of the country.

GOVERNOR PHILLIP TO UNDER-SECRETARY NEPEAN

Sydney Cove, _July 9th, 1788._

My Dear Sir,

You will see by my letters to Lord Sydney that this colony must for some
years depend on supplies from England.

The _Sirius_ will be sent to the northward for live stock as soon as we
can spare her carpenters; and from what Monsieur la Perouse said to
Captain Hunter, one of the Isles des Navigateurs is the most likely to
furnish us with what we want. But though these Islands supply two or
three ships very abundantly, they will afford but very little towards
the support of this colony, the situation of which I have particularly
pointed out in my letter to Lord Sydney, and which I shall recapitulate
in this, as the ship by which I now write may arrive before either of
those that have my despatches on board.

The Lieutenant-Governor has about four acres of land in cultivation. I
have from eight to ten in wheat and barley. The officers will be able to
raise sufficient to support the little live stock they have, and which
is all that can be expected from them. All the corn raised this year and
the next will be saved for seed, and if necessity should oblige us to
use it, it would be only a few days' support for the colony; and from
the rats and other vermin the crops are very uncertain.

This country is subject to very heavy storms of thunder and lightning,
several trees having been set on fire, and some sheep and dogs killed in
the camp since we landed.

All the provisions we have to depend on until supplies arrive from
England are in two woode