Unfortunately, our boat was swept away to the westward by the tide, and whilst they were endeavouring to get under the point of the reef again a heavy surf broke on her broad side and overset her.  The anguish I felt at this shocking accident may be more easily conceived than described:  small as our numbers were before, they were now decreased by the loss of Mr. Cunningham, (whom I sincerely cherished as a good young man) the sawyer, and one of the best of the convicts; a seaman belonging to the Supply was also drowned, and another convict narrowly escaped the same sate.  Immediately after this dreadful misfortune the Supply’s jolly-boat landed with three casks of flour, and as the large boat was coming near the shore, I ordered some musquets to be fired, on which she returned on board:  the Supply bore up, and ran to leeward of the island.  At one o’clock, there being scarcely any surf, the jolly-boat went off, and ran to leeward of the island, to get on board the brig.

On the 7th, I was obliged to punish one of the convicts with thirty-six lashes, for stealing a hatch of eggs from under a hen which was sitting on them.

At day-light on the 8th, the Supply anchored in the road, and the landing being good, we received part of the provisions and stores; the remainder were landed on the 10th.

Our new boat being finished, I sent the carpenter and Mr. Waterhouse on board the Supply, in the morning of the 11th, with my letters for the Governor; and soon afterwards she hoisted her colours, and set sail for Port Jackson.

I received from Governor Phillip seventeen queries, which, with my answers to them, are as follow: 

Query 1.  In what time do you think the island will be able to support the people you have with you, independent of supplies from this settlement?

Answer.  From the excellence of the soil, and the present appearances, the island will produce more than a sufficiency of grain in two years:  animal food depends on the supply and breeding of stock; and cloathing on the flax-plant being brought to work.

Q. 2.  Do you wish to have more people sent you, and what number of men and women do you wish to have in addition to those you have already.

Ans.  With twenty more men, and women in proportion exclusive, I should be able to make a little progress in clearing and cultivating the ground.

Q. 3.  In what time do you think the island will be able to maintain the additional number of people you wish to have sent you?

Ans.  I think in two years, but in three at most, as answered by the first question.

Q. 4.  What ground have you in cultivation?

Ans.  Two acres and an half in barley, and one acre in garden ground:  in September I shall have an acre in Indian corn and rice.

Q. 5.  Have you discovered the flax-plant?