The carpenters had now finished the new store-house:  its dimensions were thirty feet long by eighteen feet wide, and ten feet under the eaves:  the sides were covered with weather boarding, and the roof was shingled.  I ordered the provisions to be brought from my house and from the surgeon’s, and deposited in the new store-house:  the stores were also removed, and lodged there.

The 4th of June, being the anniversary of his Majesty’s birth-day, it was observed as a holiday.  The colours were hoisted at sun-rise:  at noon, the marines and free people drew up under arms, to the right and left of the two three-pounders which were on the parade, in front of my house.  The male convicts were also drawn up on the right, and the females on the left.  Three rounds of the guns and musquetry were fired; after which, the whole party gave three cheers, and were dismissed.

In consideration of the behaviour of the convicts on the day when the hurricane happened, and their general conduct since the discovery of the plot, I was induced to let them partake of the general festivity of the day; and ordered half a pint of rum for each man, and a pint of wine for each woman, for them to drink his Majesty’s health:  the officers dined at my table, and on our drinking the King’s health after dinner, three rounds of the great guns were fired:  in the evening bonfires were lighted up, and the front windows of my house were illuminated with the initials G. R.

When every person was assembled, and before the firing began, I ordered the prisoner, Thomas Watson, who was in confinement for a theft, (and whom I proposed sending to Port Jackson to be tried) to be brought out, and in consideration of the day I forgave him.

The remaining four acres of wheat, which the caterpillars had not totally destroyed, were now shot out again, and had a very promising appearance.

On the 11th, I drilled thirty pints of wheat into sixty roods of ground; and, as I had but little seed left, this was, in my own opinion, disposing of it to the best advantage; especially as it was probable that the increase would be equal to that which had been sown at a broad cast:  I also drilled in eighteen pints of marrow-fat peas.

At day-light in the morning of the 13th, we perceived his Majesty’s armed tender, the Supply, in the road:  the surf at that time ran very high in Sydney-Bay, and there being but little easterly wind, with a strong flood-tide, she could not get to Ball-Bay before three o’clock in the afternoon; when I received my letters from Governor Phillip, who informed me, that he had sent Lieutenant John Cresswell, of the marines, with fourteen privates, to the island; that Mr. Cresswell was to put himself under my command; and that in case of my death, or absence, the government of the island was to devolve on him.  I had also the pleasing satisfaction to find that my conduct was approved of by Governor Phillip.