It had been intended to have thrown some spears at Bennillong at this time, from its having been reported that a woman, when she was dying, had declared she dreamed that Bennillong had killed her.  Her friends, therefore, resolved to call him to an account, taking the business up on the supposition that the woman must have had some cause of complaint against him, or she would not have dreamed of his doing her an injury.  To this accusation Bennillong pleaded not guilty, declaring that he was an entire stranger to the woman, and had never in his life offended her; but there were some who said that he actually wounded this very woman, and had been the cause of her death.

To those gentlemen who were acquainted with the temper and disposition of this savage, there appeared much reason to credit the assertions of his countrymen; for he was now observed to have become so fond of drinking, that, whenever invited by any of the officers to their houses, he was eager to be intoxicated, and in that state was so savage and violent as to be capable of any mischief.  On such occasions he amused himself with annoying the women and insulting the men, who, from fear of offending his white friends, spared those notices of his conduct which he so often merited, and which sooner or later he would certainly meet with.

The court of criminal judicature was assembled once during this month, when three prisoners, one of whom was a seaman belonging to the Britannia, were transported to Norfolk Island for seven years.

The civil court was also assembled, and went through much troublesome and litigious business, the effect of the spirit of trade which every where prevailed.

The Reliance having been cleared of her stores, and being now quite light, was yet found to make as much water as before; and it appeared, upon opening the ceiling, that the leak was in the guardboard streak, abreast of the main-mast, the water rushing in there with great force.

A survey had been held upon her consort, the Supply, after which she was pronounced wholly unfit for further sea service.

The brickmakers, bricklayers, carpenters, and blacksmiths, were all fully and variously employed at this time.  For the latter, a large and convenient shop, capable of working six or seven forges, was erecting at Sydney.  The different works which were in hand went on with a greater spirit and more expedition than could have been expected, when the great want of artificers and labouring people was considered.  Some, though but a few, mechanics had arrived in the last ships.

September.] This month began with a very vexatious circumstance.  A boat named the Cumberland, the largest and best in the colony belonging to government, was, on her passage to the Hawkesbury, whither she was carrying a few stores, taken possession of by a part of the boat’s crew; being at the same time boarded by a small boat from the shore, the people in which seized her and put off to sea, first landing the coxswain and three others, who were unwilling to accompany them, in Pitt Water in Broken Bay.  Those men proceeded overland to Port Jackson, where they gave the first information of this daring and piratical transaction.  Two boats, well manned and armed, were immediately dispatched after them, under the command of Lieutenant Shortland of the Reliance.