margin of the sea-shore. . . .I found a level of about five acres upon
which I instantly determined to land my people, stores, and provisions.
That every further information respecting the capacious harbour
should forthwith be obtained, Captain Woodriff despatched the first
officer, Lieut. Tuckey, accompanied by Mr. Harris, the Deputy-Surveyor
of the settlement . . .
on a survey of the harbour. . . .
Upon this business they were absent nine days, and I have now the honour to
enclose a copy of the report made to me for your information, by which I
think it will appear that, having before me but a choice of difficulties, I
could not be anywhere better placed than I am."
Captain Woodriff landed a few marines to assist in guarding the stores, but Collins plaintively remarked:
"As the same necessity will exist after the departure of the Calcutta, I must submit to your Excellency whether it would not be expedient to increase my force by a small party from the troops under your command at Port Jackson. As this must in a great measure depend upon what may be your determination respecting my future proceedings, I shall add nothing further on the subject, but that were I to settle in the upper part of the harbour, which is full of natives, I should require four times the force I have now to guard not only the convicts, but perhaps myself, from their attacks. I cannot but suppose that all the disadvantages of Port Phillip are as well known to your Excellency as they are to myself at this moment."
It will be remembered that, amongst the titles of Grose to gratitude, Collins had represented the encouragement shown to the soldiery in Sydney, even in their dissipation. He now desired (separate despatch) to confer favours on the civil officers placed under himself. The Secretary of State had directed him not to issue spirits to the civil officers: he was certain that "it could not be intended by the Secretary of State to make such a distinction between" civil and military officers. On this head Governor King gave him no comfort. Neither to the civil nor the military were spirits "to be issued as a ration." Neither King nor any officer in the settlement could recollect such an indulgence since 1791, "except on their Majesties' birthdays."
Mr. G. P. Harris, the Deputy-Surveyor, made a report on Port Phillip as disparaging as that of Collins, and, as regarded the territory to the west of the port, egregiously misleading.
Knowing that the survey made by Grimes, and sent to England by the Glatton in May 1803, had not been seen by Collins, King sent him a copy of it (26th Nov.) together with Flinders' chart. After receiving the report of Collins, King concluded "that Port Phillip is totally unfit in every
