d there being but little
easterly wind, with a strong flood-tide, she could not get to
Ball-Bay before three o'clock in the afternoon; when I received
my letters from Governor Phillip, who informed me, that he had
sent Lieutenant John Cresswell, of the marines, with fourteen
privates, to the island; that Mr. Cresswell was to put himself
under my command; and that in case of my death, or absence, the
government of the island was to devolve on him. I had also the
pleasing satisfaction to find that my conduct was approved of by
Governor Phillip.

The surf ran very high on the 14th, until three o'clock in the
afternoon, when Lieutenant Cresswell landed with his detachment
and part of their baggage; but nothing else could be received on
shore until the 17th, when part of the provisions and stores were
landed. As another boat was now become necessary for the use of
the settlement, I wrote to Lieutenant Ball, requesting him to
send his carpenter on shore to build a coble, that being the most
convenient sort of boat for going out and coming into this place.
The carpenter landed in the afternoon, and immediately got to
work in building a boat.

During the 18th, all the provisions were received on shore,
except sixteen casks of flour; but the surf increasing very much
in the evening, I made a signal for the Supply to hoist the coble
in. The sea ran so very high, that no boat could land until the
21st, when we received the remainder of the provisions and
stores; after which, the boats were employed in carrying off
water for the Supply, and planks for Port Jackson.

Two pecks of wheat were drilled into an acre of ground in
Arthur's Vale, on the 24th; and on the next day, one acre and a
quarter was sown with half a bushel of wheat at a broad cast.

We now had very strong gales at south-west, and at nine
o'clock in the morning the Supply passed between Nepean Isle and
Point Hunter. The gale continuing heavy from the south-west, I
sent a person round to the lee side of the island on the 26th, to
look for the Supply; but she could not be seen until day-light in
the morning of the 30th, when she was perceived hull down to the
southward, and working up to the island. By this time the new
boat was in great forwardness, and my own workmen being able to
finish it, I sent the carpenter of the Supply on board; and at
four in the afternoon that vessel made sail for Port Jackson.

Lieutenant Ball had orders to examine a shoal, which was