FROM THE ISLANDS. 311 on its arrival, and for that reason he was authorised to 1788 make necessary purchases on his way out; but for any ^Juiy. further supplies that might be required he was directed to look to ^' the islands adjacent " — that is, any islands in the Pacific Ocean at which live stock might be had. The secret Reaaons for of that singular instruction, apparently, was economy ; inutoad of Sydney being evidently under the impression that barter with the natives would be a much cheaper transaction than buying openly in a Dutch market.* The accounts in Cook's Voyages of the facility with which his ships had been sup- plied at different islands gave rise to that impression ; but his lordship overlooked the material difference, pointed out by Phillip, between taking in provisions for two or three ships and obtaining regular supplies for a colony. Another and still more important point which did not occur to the Minister was the very dangerous character of the navigation Dangrcrous among the islands at that time. The South Pacific Ocean "*^**^ **"* was practically unexplored, and Phillip was naturally re- luctant to send either of his ships on such a perilous cruise. The Lieutenant-Crovemor has about four acres of land in culti- vation ; I have from eight to ten in wheat and barley. The officers "will be able to raise sufficient to support the little live stock they Agricultural have, and which is all that can be expected from them. All the ^"**^* com raised this year and the next will be saved for seed, and, if necessity should oblige us to use it, would be only a few days sup- port for the colony, and from the rats and other vermin the crops are very uncertain. All the provisions we have to depend on until supplies arrive Thatched from England are in two wooden buildings, which are thatched. I am sensible of the risk, but have no remedy. The greatest part of the stock brought from the Cape is dead, and from the inattention of the men who had the care of the cattle, those belonging to Government and two cows belonging to my- J^, ^' self, are lost. As they have been missing three weeks, it is probable they are killed by the natives. All my sheep are dead, and a few only remain of those purchased for Government.
- Phillip's Instmctiona ; post, p. 485.
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