CHAPTER I

Discovery of New South Wales.—­Arrival of a Colony there from England.—­Obstructions calculated to retard the Progress of the Settlement.—­Departure of Governor Phillip.—­Intervening Governors, until the Arrival of John Hunter, Esq. and his Assumption of the Government.—­Printing Press set up.—­Cattle lost, and Discovery of their Progeny in a wild State.—­Playhouse opened.—­Houses numbered.—­Assessments for the building of a Country Gaol.—­Town Clock at Sidney.—­Natives.—­ Convicts.—­Improvement of the Colony.—­Seditious Dispositions of the Convicts.—­Departure of Governor Hunter.—­His Character and Government.—­Comparison of Stock, etc.—­Governor King assumes the Command of the Settlement—­Table of Specie Vessel laden with Spirits sent away.—­Earthquake.—­Inundation at the Hawkesbury.—­First Criminal for Forgery executed.—­Atlas struck by Lightning.—­Tempests.—­Desertions of the Convicts.—­Newspaper established.—­Murders.—­Singular Execution.—­Lieutenant—­Governor Collins forms a new Settlement.—­Insurrection of the Convicts.—­The Introduction and Progress of Vaccination, and its subsequent Loss.—­Influx of the Sea at Norfolk Island.—­Limits of Counties defined.—­Ship overset in a Tempest.

CHAPTER II

Abstract of General Orders.—­Arrival of Governor Bligh.—­George Barrington.—­Blue Mountains.—­Journey thither.—­New Market at Sydney.—­Vessels seized and carried away by the Convicts.—­Natives.—­Cruelty of the Savages in Bateman’s Bay.—­Arrival of Masters for the Orphan Schools.—­New Storehouse built.—­Murders.

CHAPTER III

Agriculture, etc. 
Price of Provisions and Ration
Trade and Manufactures
Population
Natives
Climate
Natural History
Religion
Morals
Amusements
Military Force
Building:  with Reference to the particular Houses, etc. of the
Individuals

CHAPTER IV

Hints for the Improvement of the Colony

* * * * *

[List of plates
Plan of the Settlements in New South Wales
View of Sydney from the East Side of the Cove
View of Sydney from the East Side of the Cove
View of Sydney from the West Side of the Cove
View of Sydney from the West Side of the Cove]

* * * * *

To
John Hunter, esq. 
Vice-Admiral of the Blue
and late
Captain-general and governor in chief in and over his
majesty’s
colony of new south Wales and its dependencies, etc. etc. etc.

Sir,

During the period of your government, the settlements of New South Wales beheld the sunshine of their prosperity.  The liberal and enlightened measures adopted by you, consolidated the happiness, and increased the security of the colony; and the tears which were shed at your departure were the most grateful tributes which could be paid to your exalted worth.