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CHAPTER XII
PROGRESS OF THE SETTLEMENT—TENCH'S ACCOUNT—ROSE HILL—LAND FOR CONVICT SETTLERS—TOTAL POPULATION—HUNTER'S VOYAGE HOME—AFFAIRS ON NORFOLK ISLAND—KING'S VOYAGE HOME—PHILLIP'S LAST LONG DESPATCH FROM SYDNEY
Phillip's governorship is drawing to a close. How, after four years of his rule, is the little community progressing? Besides finding food for the people, has anything else been done? Are the felons yet showing signs of becoming industrious colonists?
Tench, in December 1791, went to the settlement at Rose Hill with the intention of answering for himself these very important questions. This is what he says:—
'Public buildings here have not greatly multiplied since my last survey. The storehouse and barrack have been long completed; also apartments for the chaplain of the regiment and for the Judge-Advocate, in which last criminal courts, when necessary, are held; but these are petty erections. In a colony
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