One-third of the stores and provisions intended for the colony were put on board the transport, the remaining two-thirds were on board the Guardian; none of which it was supposed would ever reach the settlement, the small quantity excepted (seventy-five barrels of flour) which was put on board the transport at the Cape.  The Dutch at that place were profiting by our misfortune, their warehouses being let out at an immense expense to receive such of the provisions and stores as remained on board the Guardian when she got in.

In addition to the above distressing circumstances, we learned that one thousand convicts of both sexes were to sail at the latter end of the last year, and that a corps of foot was raising for the service of this country under the command of a major-commandant, Francis Grose esq. from the 29th foot, of which regiment, he was major.  The transports which sailed hence in May, July, and November 1788 (the Friendship excepted) arrived in England within a very short time of each other; and their arrival relieved the public from anxiety upon our account.

The joy that was diffused by the arrival of the transports was considerably checked by the variety of unpleasant and unwelcome intelligence which she brought.  We learned that our beloved Sovereign had been attacked and for some months afflicted with a dangerous and alarming illness, though now happily recovered.  Our distance from his person had not lessened our attachment, and the day following the receipt of this information being the anniversary of his Majesty’s birth, it was kept with every mark of distinction that was in our power.  The governor pardoned all offenders who were under confinement, or under sentence of corporal punishment; the ration was increased for that day, that every one might rejoice; at the governor’s table, where all the officers of the settlement and garrison were met, many prosperous and happy years were fervently wished to be added to his Majesty’s life; and Wednesday the 9th was appointed for a public thanksgiving on occasion of his recovery.

The Lady Juliana was, by strong westerly winds and bad weather, prevented from reaching the cove until the 6th, when, the weather moderating, she was towed up to the settlement.  The convicts on board her appeared to have been well treated during their long passage, and preparations for landing them were immediately made; but, in the distressed situation of the colony, it was not a little mortifying to find on board the first ship that arrived, a cargo so unnecessary and unprofitable as two hundred and twenty-two females, instead of a cargo of provisions; the supply of provisions on board her was so inconsiderable as to permit only an addition of one pound and a half of flour being made to the weekly ration.  Had the Guardian arrived, perhaps we should never again have been in want.

On the 9th, being the day appointed for returning thanks to Almighty God for his Majesty’s happy restoration to health, the attendance on divine service was very full.  A sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, who took his text from the book of Proverbs, ’By me kings reign.’  The officers were afterwards entertained at the governor’s, when an address on the occasion of the meeting was resolved to be sent to his Majesty.