we found
the Governor, and the first division of transports. On inquiry, we
heard, that the 'Supply' had arrived on the 18th, and the transports
only the preceding day.

Thus, after a passage of exactly thirty-six weeks from Portsmouth,
we happily effected our arduous undertaking, with such a train
of unexampled blessings as hardly ever attended a fleet in a like
predicament. Of two hundred and twelve marines we lost only one; and of
seven hundred and seventy-five convicts, put on board in England, but
twenty-four perished in our route. To what cause are we to attribute
this unhoped for success? I wish I could answer to the liberal manner in
which Government supplied the expedition. But when the reader is told,
that some of the necessary articles allowed to ships on a common passage
to West Indies, were withheld from us; that portable soup, wheat, and
pickled vegetables were not allowed; and that an inadequate quantity of
essence of malt was the only antiscorbutic supplied, his surprise will
redouble at the result of the voyage. For it must be remembered, that
the people thus sent out were not a ship's company starting with every
advantage of health and good living, which a state of freedom produces;
but the major part a miserable set of convicts, emaciated from
confinement, and in want of cloaths, and almost every convenience to
render so long a passage tolerable. I beg leave, however, to say, that
the provisions served on board were good, and of a much superior quality
to those usually supplied by contract: they were furnished by Mr.
Richards, junior, of Walworth, Surrey.

CHAPTER VIII.

From the Fleet's Arrival at Botany Bay to the Evacuation of it; and
taking Possession of Port Jackson. Interviews with the Natives; and an
Account of the Country about Botany Bay.

We had scarcely bid each other welcome on our arrival, when
an expedition up the Bay was undertaken by the Governor and
Lieutenant-Governor, in order to explore the nature of the country, and
fix on a spot to begin our operations upon. None, however, which could
be deemed very eligible, being discovered, his Excellency proceeded in
a boat to examine the opening, to which Mr. Cook had given the name of
Port Jackson, on an idea that a shelter for shipping within it might
be found. The boat returned on the evening of the 23rd, with such an
account of the harbour and advantages attending the place, that it
was determined the evacuation of Bota