hed the first, which is about a mile in a north-west direction from the
governor's house. This settlement contains, by admeasurement, 134 acres,
a part of which is planted with maize, very backward, but in general
tolerably good, and beautifully green. Thirteen large huts, built in the
form of a tent, are erected for the convicts who work here; but I could not
learn the number of these last, being unable to find a superintendant or
any person who could give me information. Ponds of water here sufficient to
supply a thousand persons.

Walked on to the second settlement, about two miles farther, through
an uncleared country. Here met Daveney, the person who planned and now
superintends all the operations carried on here. He told me that he
estimated the quantity of cleared ground here at 300 acres. He certainly
over-rates it one-third, by the judgment of every other person. Six weeks
ago this was a forest. It has been cleared, and the wood nearly burnt off
the ground by 500 men, in the before-mentioned period, or rather in thirty
days, for only that number have the convicts worked. He said it was too
late to plant maize, and therefore he should sow turnips, which would help
to meliorate and prepare it for next year. On examining the soil, I thought
it in general light, though in some places loamy to the touch. He means to
try the Rose Hill 'marle' upon it, with which he thinks it will incorporate
well. I hope it will succeed better than the experiment in the governor's
garden. I wished to know whether he had chosen this ground simply from the
conveniency of its situation to Rose Hill, and its easy form for tillage,
and having water, or from any marks which he had thought indicated good
soil. He said that what I had mentioned no doubt weighed with him, and that
he judged the soil to be good, from the limbs of many of the trees growing
on it being covered with moss.

"Are," said I, "your 500 men still complete?"

"No; this day's muster gave only 460. The rest are either sick and removed
to the hospital, or are run away in the woods."

"How much is each labourer's daily task?"

"Seven rods. It was eight, but on their representing to the governor that
it was beyond their strength to execute, he took off one."

Thirteen large huts, similar to those beforementioned, contain all the
people here. To every hut are appointed two men, as hutkeepers, whose only
employment is to watch the huts in working hours to prevent them from