314 FEARS OF FAMINE. 1788 9 July. The Gape and Batavia too distant to depend upon. Feara of famine. Dancer of aendlntf provisions in separate ships. Mechanics only should be sent out. The officers and their complaints. little known at the time^ and consequently so dangerous, that even the route by which they should sail was a matter of grave uncertainty among seamen.* With respect to any resources that the Cape of (xood Hope might afford, I hav^ only to observe that daring the strong westerW winds that prevail all the year between that Cape and the southern extremity of this country would render a passage to the Cape very tedious, if attempted to the southward, and little less so if ship go to the northward. Batavia and our own settlements are at a great distance, and when the transports are sailed I shall have only the Sinus to employ on a service of this kind ; and as I should not think myself at liberty to send either to the Cape or to the East Indies, unless in a case of the greatest necessity, it would in all probability then be too late. I mention these ciicumstances just to show the real situation of the colony, and I make no doubt but that supplies will arrive in time, and 07i which alone I depend. The provisions sent to support this colony for two years being put on board three ships was running a veiy great risk, for had they separated and afterwards been lost, the consequence is obvious, for this country at present does not furnish the smallest resource except in fish, and which has lately been so scarce that the natives find great difficulty in supporting themselves. Any accident of this kind will be guarded against, of course, and soldiera or convicts when sent out will be put on board the ships with provisions to serve them for two years after they land ; and in our present situation I hope few convicts will be sent out, for one year at least, except carpenters, masons, and bricklayers, or farmers, who can support themselves and assist in supporting others. Numbers of those now here are a burthen and incapable of any hard labour, and imfortunately we have not proper people to keep those to their labour who are capable of being made useful. Officers decline the least interference with the convicts, unless when they are immediately employed for their (the officers') own conveniency, or when they are called out at the head of their naea
- Hunter's account of the voyage in his Journal, pp. 8^126, shevs tix
difficulties which surrounded the navigation of a ship from Port Jackson in his day. It was a matter of discussion (p. 93) between him and Phillip whether a ship bound for the Cape of Good Hope should sail west or east ; Phillip supported the western route and Hunter the eastern. Digitized by Google
