Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, I am commanded to convey to you their Lordships’ approbation of your conduct, and their satisfaction at your report of the good conduct of the two midshipmen under your orders.
“It is their Lordships’ directions that you should continue the survey, until you shall have completed the whole of the west coast of New Holland, so that your survey shall unite with that of Captain Flinders.
“Their Lordships are aware that a vessel of such small tonnage as the Mermaid is inconvenient for such extensive work; but they trust that the Governor of the colony will do everything in his power towards fitting and storing her, and removing, as far as his means may extend, the inconveniencies of the vessel.
Between the period of Lieutenant King’s return from Van Diemen’s Land and the second week of March, 1819, he was prevented from making any preparation for his second voyage to the north coast by an unusual continuance of the heavy rains incident to that season; which caused three floods on the Hawkesbury and Nepean rivers, and did considerable damage to the ripening crops. This unfavorable weather so retarded the equipment of the Mermaid, that it was the middle of April before she was ready for sea; even then she was not able to complete her crew; but at length she sailed from Port Jackson on the 8th of May.
“As it was my intention,” says Lieutenant King, “to take the northerly passage through Torres Strait, I proposed, in my way up the east coast, to examine Port Macquarie; and in order that the governor might be informed of the result of our proceedings as soon as possible. Lieutenant Oxley, R.N., the surveyor-general of the colony, accompanied me in the Lady Nelson, colonial brig. * * * * * *. In consequence of the report made by Lieutenant Oxley to the governor, upon the result of the expedition, an establishment has been since formed at this harbour, which, at present, is used only as a penal settlement: hitherto, no settlers have been permitted to take their grants at Port Macquarie; but, when this is allowed, it will, from the superiority of its climate, and the great extent of fine country in the interior, become a very important and valuable dependency of the colony of New South Wales.
“July 24th, at 3-30 p.m., Bligh’s Turtle Island was seen, for which we steered; but, attracted by the flattering appearance of an opening in Newcastle Bay, we hauled in to examine it. As we stood towards it, the soundings were very regular until we were within the projecting points of the coast, when the quality of the bottom changed from mud to sand;
