In the evening of the 27th, the ship Marquis Cornwallis arrived from the Cape of Good Hope, with a cargo of cattle on government account, consisting of 158 cows and 20 bulls, exclusive of a few on private account.  When they were landed, a few appeared weakly; but, in general, they were in as good health as any that had been before landed, after a voyage of such extent; and would certainly prove a vast acquisition to the colony; part of the cows being a mixed breed between the Cape and English cattle, and the whole appearing to be under the age of two years and a half.

With the Marquis Cornwallis arrived the Indispensable, a southern whaler, commanded by Mr. Wilkinson, who had twice before visited the settlement; but he sailed again immediately.

In this month the foundation of a stone building intended for a church was laid at Sydney.  It was to be 150 feet in length, and 52 in breadth.  Preparations were making for a similar building at Parramatta, which was to be of smaller dimensions than this at Sydney.

The weather proved much too dry and sultry for the harvest.  Some rain fell toward the latter end of the month; but it was greatly feared that it came too late to be of much benefit to the wheat or maize.

November.] Twice had the criminal court of judicature lately met for the trial of various offenders; one of whom, being clearly convicted of wilful perjury, stood in the pillory pursuant to his sentence.

Instead of living peaceably and pleasantly at the governor’s house, as he certainly might always have done, Bennillong preferred the rude and dangerous society of his own countrymen, visiting the settlement only when induced by the recollection of the comforts which he could no where else obtain.  Word was now brought in, of his having been again severely wounded in a contest with some of the natives.  This man had lately received and recovered of several wounds, any one of which would have been sufficient to have destroyed a European.  But these people in general owed their existence more to their good habit of body (living free from the use of spirituous liquors and the luxuries of the table) than to any other cause.  Unless this be admitted, it will be difficult to account for their surviving the desperate wounds which they have been often known to receive.

An instance of the fatal effects of misguided conduct, and a too late sense of criminality, occurred in the tragical end of Nathaniel Franklyn, the governor’s steward.  This man, whom he brought from England, had the whole care and management of the governor’s domestic concerns entrusted to him.  He had been repeatedly cautioned by his master against the many artful and designing acquaintances which he had formed in the town, and was pointedly desired to be aware of not suffering himself to be influenced by their opinions.  It was proved that he had not had fortitude enough to withstand their solicitations, but had consented to rob the governor to a very considerable amount, abusing the confidence he had placed in him, and making use of his name in a most iniquitous manner.  Of the infamy of his conduct he was at last sensible, and, retiring into the shrubbery in the garden of the governor’s house, shot himself through the head.