Mr. Palmer received his appointment from his excellency on the 12th of this month, on which day the following was the state of the provisions in the public store, viz

Pork 23,851 pounds,) Which was 26th Aug.—–­4 months 14 days. 
Beef 1,280 pounds,) to serve
Rice 24,455 pounds,) at the 13th Sept.—­5 months 1 day. 
Peas 17 bushels,) ration
Flour 56,884 pounds,) then issued 19th Dec.—–­8 months 7 days. 
Biscuit 1,924 pounds,) until

The duration of the Supply’s voyage was generally expected to be six months; a period at which, if no relief arrived in the mean time from England, we should be found without salt provisions, rice, and peas.

In the above statement three hundred bushels of wheat, which had been produced at Rose Hill, were not included, being reserved for seed.

The governor, from a motive that did him immortal honor, in this season of general distress, gave up three hundred weight of flour which was his excellency’s private property, declaring that he wished not to see any thing more at his table than the ration which was received in common from the public store, without any distinction of persons; and to this resolution he rigidly adhered, wishing that if a convict complained, he might see that want was not unfelt even at Government house.

On the 20th of the month, the following was the ration issued from the public store to each man for seven days, or to seven people for one day:  flour, 21/2 pounds, rice, 2 pounds, pork, 2 pounds.  The peas were all expended.  Was this a ration for a labouring man?  The two pounds of pork, when boiled, from the length of time it had been in store. shrunk away to nothing; and when divided among seven people for their day’s sustenance, barely afforded three or four morsels to each.

The inevitable consequences of this scarcity of provisions ensued; labour stood nearly suspended for want of energy to proceed; and the countenances of the people plainly bespoke the hardships they underwent.  The convicts, however, were employed for the public in the forenoons; and such labour was obtained from them as their situation would allow.  The guard-house on the east side was finished and taken possession of during the month.

There being many among the convicts who availed themselves of this peculiar situation to commit thefts, it became necessary to punish with severity all who were fully convicted before the court of criminal jurisdiction.  One convict was executed for breaking into a house, and several others were sentenced to severe corporal punishments.  Garden robberies were the principal offences committed.  These people had been assembled by the governor, and informed that very severe punishment would follow the conviction of persons guilty of robbing gardens, as a necessary step toward preventing the continuance of such an evil; and he strongly inculcated the absolute necessity that existed for every man to