times the force I have now to guard, not only the convicts, but myself from their attacks/' He did nothing to main- tain possession at Port PhilUp, and Governor King, in Jime 1804, commissioned Lt.-Col» Paterson (Lt.*Gov. at Port Dakymple) to examine whether **a post of occupancy** should he formed at Port Philhp, or at Western Port, to neutralize the schemes of the French. ColUns' affections were elsewhere. He fled to Van Dieroen*s Land, where Bo wen was already established on the bank of the Derwent, easily accessible from the sea. Even there he shrank from the duties of his office. With- out assuming control over Bowmen in compliance with his instructions, he selected a site for his own settlement on the opposite side of the river, at a place he called Sullivan Cove, Desirous as he w^as to jaeld no footing to the French, King nevertheless declined* to multiply contiguous posts of occupation, and in April he directed Collins **to lose no time in taking under your command everyplace and person at and about the Derwent/' Collins delayed. Bowen hesitated* King was peremptory. '" There was/* he said,
- 'no need for tw^o Governors within six miles of each other/'
Bowen*8 general conduct was nevertheless highly commen- ded to the Secretary of State. The name Hobarfe, which King had affixed to the first settlement at Eisdon, was transferred to that formed l)y Collins. CoJhns' disregard of the desires of the Secretary of State that a port in Basses Straits should be occupied, created a special difficulty. Lord Hobart, in a despatch {24th June 1803), had furnished a ludicrous mstance of the dangers which surround ignorance when it affects precision. " After niatiire con !*i deration of all the circumstances,'* . . . *'it appears to be a^lvisable that n part of the establishment now iit Norfolk Isianil should be removed, together with a proportion of the settlers and con 'ct5, to Port Dalryniple, the advantageous position of which, upon tlie southern coa&fc of Van Dienitni^s Land and near the eaRtern entranco of Basses Straits, rcndcfH it in a political view peculiarly oeceesary that a fiettlement ahonld be formed there.' Colonel Paterson was to go to Port Dalrymple, and as an officer of Foveaux's rank would not be required at the diminished settlement at Norfolk Island, Foveaux was to go to Sydney, and there be ranked as Lt,*GoxeiXWiX -raxifct.
