LETTERS FROM SYDNEY COVE. 499 Plymouth dock was at this period full of gaiety. Fore-street was almost crowded with the officers of the navy and the army — the former swimming in prize-money — whilst the dillys (hackney- chariots) plying between Dock and Plymouth via StonehoUse, at six-pence each person, or eighteen-pence for the whole, were con- saiiore and tinually not only filled with sailors, but covered with them, all moneyJ*" anxious to expend large sums of money, which had just been paid them in guineas, and which they were frequently seen carrying about the streets in their hats under their arms. A sailor in those days had no idea of saving up anything for the future. His only thought was to get rid of his money, and to such an extent was this desire for squandering it carried, that I recollect being on board the Swiftsure with Captain Phillip when a sailor carrying a pewter pint-pot in his hand nearly full of guineas came to his captain on deck, and begged very earnestly to be allowed to go on shore for the Leave to remainder of the day, in order to expend his prize money. Phillip ^ " ^^ knew the man, and stiffly refused his petition ; the man soon reduced his demand to "one hour on shore, if you please, dear captain, and I promise you most sincerely to have then spent the last guinea." "No," replied Phillip, "I know you will not return but when brought oflf by force," and quickly turned away towards the cabin. The sailor again, hat in hand, followed his commanding officer, begging for leave to go in the boat about to push off to the shore, and assuring the captain he would remain within sight of the officer in charge of the boat ; still he was denied. "Then," exclaimed the wiiat's the tar as he uttered a deep groan, "what's the use of money if a SJJnoy? man can't get leave to spend it ?" and at the same moment he dashed the pot and guineas overboard, and hastened away to the forecastle without uttering another word. LETTERS FROM SYDNEY COVE. Among the papers relating to New South Wales in the Public Record Office is the following letter from Major Ross to IQ'epean : — My dear sir, Camp, Sydney Cove, 10 July, 1788. I know not whether the Secretary of State expects I am to Roas to ^e^rite to him or not, but I suppose rather not, for as I came out ^«p®*" - -without any orders or instructions from your office with respect to the intentions of Government, so I am still ignorant of it, for the Governor has never told me, neither has he ever advised or consulted -with me on the subject ; and I believe eveiybody else are in the Digitized by Google
