We saw large whales next day, but were not able to lower away our boats; we saw whales every day for a week after, but the weather being so bad, we could not attempt to lower a boat down:  we cruized fifteen days in all, having left our sixty shakes of butts on shore with the Gorgon’s cooper, to set up in our absence, which Captain Parker was so kind as to let us have, and wanting to purchase more casks of Mr. Calvert’s ships, and having no prospect of getting any good weather, I thought it most prudent to come in and refit the ship, and compleat my casks and fill my water, and by that time the weather would be more moderate.

The day after we came in, the Mary-Ann came in off a cruize, having met with very bad weather, shipped a sea, and washed her try-works overboard.  He informed me, he left the Matilda in a harbour to the northward, and that the Salamander had killed a forty barrel whale, and lost her by bad weather.  There is nothing against making a voyage on this coast but the weather, which I expect will be better next month; I think to make another month’s trial of it.

If a voyage can be got upon this coast, it will make it shorter than going to Peru; and the governor has been very attentive in sending greens for refreshment to our crew at different times.  Captain Parker has been kind, and has given me every assistance that lay in his power; he carries our long-boat home, as we cannot sell her here:  he will dispose of her for you, or leave her at Portsmouth:  he will wait upon you on his arrival in London.  Captain Ball, of the Supply, who is the bearer of this letter, has likewise been very kind, and rendered us every service that lay in his power; he will wait upon you likewise.

The colony is all alive, expecting there will be a rendezvous for the fishermen.  We shall be ready to sail on Tuesday the 22d, on a cruize.  The Matilda has since arrived here; she saw the Salamander four days ago:  she had seen more whales, but durst not lower their boats down:  she has been into harbour twice.  We have the pleasure to say, we killed the first four whales on this coast.

I have enclosed you the certificates for the convicts, and receipts for the stores.  Captain Nepean has paid every attention to me, and has been so kind as to let us have a cooper:  he dines with me to-morrow.  I am collecting you some beautiful birds, and land animals, and other curiosities for you.  The ship remains tight and strong, and in good condition.  I will write you by the Gorgon man of war; she sails in about a month or six week’s time.

I am, Sirs,

Your humble servant,

THOMAS MELVILLE.

The Matilda and the Mary-Ann transports returned from their fishing-cruize on the 10th of November.  These vessels had run to the southward in search of seals, and met with very bad weather, but saw no fish.  The Matilda had put into Jervis-Bay, which, according to the master’s account, is a very fine harbour, the anchorage very good, and capable of receiving the largest ships.  These two vessels, after refitting, sailed again to try for fish on this coast.