te country a good one, or does it lead to one which appearances
indicate to be good? To future adventurers who shall meet with more
encouragement to persevere and discover than I and my fellow wanderer[s]
did, I resign the answer. In the meantime the reader is desired to look
at the remarks on the map (there is no map accompanying this etext), which
were made in the beginning of August 1790, from Pyramid Hill, which bounded
our progress on the southern expedition; when, and when only, this part of
the country has been seen.

It then follows that from Rose Hill to within such a distance of the
Hawkesbury as is protected from its inundations, is the only tract of land
we yet know of, in which cultivation can be carried on for many years
to come. To aim at forming a computation of the distance of time, of the
labour and of the expense, which would attend forming distinct convict
settlements, beyond the bounds I have delineated; or of the difficulty
which would attend a system of communication between such establishments
and Port Jackson, is not intended here.

Until that period shall arrive, the progress of cultivation, when it shall
have once passed Prospect Hill, will probably steal along to the southward,
in preference to the northward, from the superior nature of the country in
that direction, as the remarks inserted in the map will testify.

Such is my statement of a plan which I deem inevitably entailed on the
settlement at Port Jackson. In sketching this outline of it let it not be
objected that I suppose the reader as well acquainted with the respective
names and boundaries of the country as long residence and unwearied
journeying among them, have made the author. To have subjoined perpetual
explanations would have been tedious and disgusting. Familiarity with the
relative positions of a country can neither be imparted, or acquired, but
by constant recurrence to geographic delineations.

On the policy of settling, with convicts only, a country at once so
remote and extensive, I shall offer no remarks. Whenever I have heard this
question agitated, since my return to England, the cry of, "What can we do
with them! Where else can they be sent!" has always silenced me.

Of the soil, opinions have not differed widely. A spot eminently
fruitful has never been discovered. That there are many spots cursed with
everlasting and unconquerable sterility no one who has seen the country
will deny. At the same time I am decide