C H A P . X X I I.
T f tE "RELIANCE SAIL S FOR NORFOLK-ISLAND, AND THE W A LK ER A R R
IV E S WITH L IEU T EN AN T -CO LO N E L PATERSON FROM EN G LAN D .----
D ISPA TCH E S R EC E IV ED .— ORDERS R E SP EC T IN G BR EAD . — T R A N SA C TIO
NS.— REGU LA T ION S .— STORM OF WIN D .— DEC EM B ER .— THE B R I T
A N N IA W H A L E R SAIL S FOR EN G LAN D .— S E T T LE R S D IS SAT ISFIED .—
A SPANISH P R IZ E A R R IV E S .— TH E M A R TH A FROM CAPE B A R R EN
ISLAN D .— A CR IM IN AL COURT H E LD .— W HEAT CONTINUED A T THE
FORMER P R IC E .— GAOL BU RN T A T P A R R AM A T T A .— -HARVEST BEGUN.
— L IV E STOCK.
November.] O N the 2d o f the month, Iris Majefty’s (hip the Reliance
failed with the relief o f the military on duty at Norfolk-Ifland ;
and in the afternoon o f the following day the fhip Walker anchored
in the Cove from England. On board o f this fhip were Lieutenant-
Colonel Paterfon, and Captain Abbot, o f the New South Wales
corps.
Difpatches were at this time received, whereby the governor,
being directed to caufe a regifter to be kept of all' (hips entering
inwards and clearing outwards of the harbour, he ‘ appointed
Richard Atkins, Efq. to that fervice ; and it became an article in
the port orders which were delivered to the matters o f fliips upon
their arrival, that they were not upon any account to break bulk,
or attempt to land any article whatever, until fuch time as an account
o f the fhip, her commander, cargo, &c. had been laid before
the governor. It was at the fame time fignified, that no boat,
or any perfon whomfoever, except the pilot, fuch officer as might
be feat by the governor, and the perfon appointed to fill up the regifter,
fhould ever board ftrange fhips entering the port, until
the above information had been regularly and fully obtained. It
1 1 wag
was conjectured, that this meafure of regiftering fhips was preparatory
to the eftablifhment o f duties and a cuftom-houfe.
B y the Walker four iron twelve pounders were received, and
information that copper coinage to the amount o f 550I. was in the
Porpoife, whofe arrival might be daily looked for. The circulation
of this money would be attended with the mod comfortable
accommodation to the people in their various dealings with each
other ; and it might be fo marked, as to prevent any inducement
to take it out o f the colony. I f it fhould ever be found convenient
by government to order a filver coinage for the ufe of the
feulement, i f it was fixed at not more than half or two thirds o f
the intrinfic Talue o f what it might pafs for, fo as- to render the
lofs confiderable to any one attempting to carry it away, it would
be felt as a confiderable advantage, and would effectually prevent
the forgeries to which a paper currency was liable.
With the Walker came in the Britannia from her laft fuccefsful
cruize, having now completed her cargo o f oil. The Walker was
defigned for the whale fifhery.
A complaint having been made by fome o f the inhabitants o f
the town o f Sydney refpeCting the quality o f that very neceffary article,
the bread that was delivered to them, the governor directed a.
meeting o f officers to affemble for the purpofe o f inveftigating i t }.
when it appeared, that the bakers received the wheat as it was-
iffued, engaging to give in lieu a certain quantity o f bread ; but,,
not having, ftipulated as to the quality, returned a loaf in which there:
was fo much more chaff and bran, than flour, that the convicts
feelingly, and not unaptly, termed them fcrubbing brufhes. Thu
bakers were heard, and foeh directions given as were neceflary to remove
the evil complained of.
The arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel Paterfon: had introduced fome
alterations and regulations in the corps o f which he had. now taken
the command. Among others, his Majefty having been gracioufly
plealed to augment the pay o f the non-commiffioned officers,,
drum