The Albion was cleared during this month of the provisions which she brought out for the colony, and prepared to proceed upon her fishing voyage.

The Buffalo was also getting ready to go to the Cape of Good Hope for cattle.

CHAPTER XIX

The governor visits the settlers upon George’s river
The Norfolk sloop returns from an excursion to the northward
Account of her proceedings
Enters Shoal Bay
Particulars respecting it
Description of a palm-nut tree
Enters Glass-House Bay
Lieutenant Flinders meets some natives
Has an interview with them
Particulars
Point Skirmish
Proceeds to a river in Glass-House Bay

August.] In the beginning of this month the governor spent some days in an excursion from Prospect-Hill to the settlement which he had established on the banks of George’s river.  Having before examined the country between Parramatta and that river, he now traced it in another direction, and had the gratification of finding it equally favourable to cultivation with what he had before observed.  The distance from the hill was about five miles, over excellent ground, well adapted both for cultivation and pasturage, and equal to any on the banks of the Nile of New South Wales.  The settlers whom he had placed there were all doing well, had not any complaints to make, and had not been molested lately by the natives.  On quitting them he proceeded down the river to Botany Bay, and thence walked overland to Sydney, between which places there was nothing but barren and uneven ground, but every where covered with the most beautiful flowering heath.

Shortly after his return, the Norfolk sloop came in from the northward, having been absent about six weeks upon a particular service, the following account of which is taken from the Journal of Lieutenant Flinders, which he delivered to the governor after his arrival.

The governor being very desirous of gaining some information respecting the coast to the Northward of Port Jackson, particularly of two large openings marked by Captain Cook, the Northernmost of which he named Hervey Bay, and appeared to lie about the latitude of 24 degrees 36 minutes south, he directed Lieutenant Flinders, who had been employed before with Mr. Bass in the circumnavigation of Van Diemen’s Island, to proceed in the Norfolk sloop to the northward, and examine them with as much accuracy as the limited time of six weeks would admit.  He was also directed, if on his return he should find that he had some time to spare, to enter Hunter’s river, there to make what observations he could relative to its extent, the quantity of coal to be found there, and the nature of the country.

The vessel was manned with volunteers from the two king’s ships, and Lieutenant Flinders was accompanied by Bong-ree, a native of the north side of Broken Bay, who had been noted for his good disposition, and open and manly conduct.  To guard against accidents, they were supplied with provisions for eleven weeks, and on this service they sailed on the 8th of the last month, July, and proceeded to the Northward.