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to be made at the head of the Swan, and one of the soldiers to be sent to Perth for orders; it is scarcely possible that the soldiers could come out to the point of attack within twelve hours—and what is to become in the meantime of the family attacked? When I speak of the necessity of soldiers to protect us, I do not mean that we ourselves are in much personal danger; but our cattle are killed and taken away, if our servants are not continually watching them I have been congratulated on escaping from a spear thrown by the natives through the window.[1] This was a second attack: the first occurred twelve months ago, and I believe that I mentioned it to you. This affair, you will say, has something of personal danger in it.
July 1st.—This has been an unpleasant day (wet), and I have felt lonely. There was a severe frost yesterday morning, such as I did not expect to experience—the ice being half an inch thick in a wooden dish which was outside the house. I fear that it has injured my potatoes.
2nd.—A very lovely day. Walked to Perth, where we had a meeting of the settlers, and great speechifying and discussion; the result of which was, a resolution to request that the Governor would proceed to England as our representative, to state and explain to the home Government many points which could best be represented in a vivâ voce communication. His Excellency obligingly met the general wishes of the assembled settlers.
4th.—Sessions have been held and three persons sentenced to transportation.
5th.—I have this day read part of Mr. Dale's[2] journal of an excursion in the neighbourhood of King George's Sound, and will copy and send it to you if I have time; but it fills upwards of two hundred pages of a journal book. My
