the harbour the alarm in the country was
general. We were again at war with England. They regarded our second
ship,* (* Note 30: Le Naturaliste.) which had been separated from us and
compelled to seek shelter at Port Jackson, as a French ship of war. At
the name the Irish commenced to flock together. Everywhere they raised
their bowed foreheads, bent under an iron rule; and, if their mistake had
not been so rapidly dispelled, a general rising would have taken place
amongst them. One or two were put to death on that occasion, and several
were deported to Norfolk Island. In any case, that formidable portion of
the population will always compel the English to maintain many troops
upon this continent, until, at all events, time and inter-marriage shall
have cicatrized the recent wounds of the poor Irish and softened their
resentment.

The Government, however, appears to feel that considerably larger forces
are required than are now available. At the time of our departure the
regiment forming the garrison at Port Jackson did not number more than
800. But some were being continually removed to India, and to replace
them 5000 men were expected. The news of the war must have led to the
changing of these dispositions, because the troops, which were to have
been transported on warships, were drawn from Europe, and probably the
English Government will have been careful not to despatch so considerable
a force to New Holland in the critical situation in which it now finds
itself. Moreover, General, do not believe that so many troops are
indispensable to the security of the coasts of New Holland, but rather
consider the advantages that the English nation is likely to draw from
its establishments in that part of the world. The climate of India,
inimical to newcomers from Europe, is still more so to these British
regiments, drawn from the frosty counties of the north of England and
from the icy realms of Scotland. A considerable loss of men results from
their almost immediate transportation to the burning plains of India.
Forced to look after a population which has little affinity with its
immense possessions in both hemispheres, England has always set an
example of great sacrifices for all that can tend to the conservation of
the health of its people. The new colony of Port Jackson will serve in
the future as a depot for troops destined for India. Actually the whole
of the territory occupied up to the present is extremely salubrious. N