Governor Phillip on board, she set sail for Port
Jackson on the 2d of February.

During this month we had heavy gales of wind, with some
intervals of fine weather, and the rain becoming frequent, I
ordered sheds to be built over the saw-pits, that the sawyers
might work without interruption.

Those few amongst the convicts who had been industrious, were
now rewarded for it, as some had raised from one thousand to
fifteen hundred cobs of Indian corn; which, together with the
fish that was procured from time to time, was of great service to
them now that their allowance of salt provisions was reduced. The
remainder of the Indian corn was got in on the 19th.

Richard Phillimore, a convict, had informed me that the term
of his transportation expired on the 16th of January; and having
taken the oath administered on that occasion, he signified a wish
of becoming a settler: as he was a sober, industrious man, I gave
him time to consider of it, and to look out for a situation where
he would like to settle at: he informed me on the 22d, that he
still was desirous of fixing on the island, and had found a spot
where he wished to reside; on which, I sent some labourers to
build him an house, and to clear away a little ground for a
commencement; I also gave him a sow with young, and some poultry,
and he was fully of opinion, that in one year, or two at
farthest, he should be able to support himself, without any
assistance from the settlement.

During the month of March, we had a deal of blowing weather,
and much rain; the wind generally from the south-west. The
labourers were employed in clearing ground for cultivation,
husking and stripping Indian corn, and other necessary work; and
six men were sawing frames for building barracks.

Chapter XV

TRANSACTIONS AT NORFOLK ISLAND AND PORT JACKSON

March 1790 to April 1790

-The arrival of the Sirius and Supply at
Norfolk-Island.--The loss of the Sirius.--Captain Hunter and the
crew saved.--A general meeting of the officers convened.--Sundry
regulations adopted.--Martial-Lawproclaimed.--Lieutenant-Governor
Ross takes thecommand.--Lieutenant King leaves
Norfolk-Island.--Description of Norfolk-Island.--Face of the
country.--Water--Soil--Climate--Timber--Insects--Fish--Seasons--Winds--Coast,
and Bays.--Present state of cultivation.--General behaviour of
the convicts.--Number of inhabitants on the island.--Grain and
live-stock.--Lieutenant King arrives at Port Jackson.--Find