FROM SYDNEY COVE. 501 abnost aJl the seeds we have put in the ground has rotted, and I have no doubt but will, like tiie wood of this vile country when burned or rotten, turn to sand. This latter is a fact that has been proved, and will, I much fear, be fatally felt by some of its present inhabitants; I say the present, because if the Minister has a true and just description given him of it, he will not surely think of sending any more people here. If he does, I shall not scruple to say that he will entail miseiy on all that are sent, and an expense on the mother country that, in the days of her greatest prosperity, she was not equal to, for there is not one No hope of article that can ever be necessary for the use of man, but which ""^ «cpoiii. must be imported into this country. It is very certain that the whole face of it is covered with trees, but not one bit of timber have we yet found that is fit for any other purpose than to make the pot boil. Of the general opinion entertained here of the wretched prospect we have before us, I cannot, I think, give you a more convincing proof than that every person (except the two gentlemen already mentioned, whose sentiments I am perfectly Every one unacquainted with) who came out with a design of remaining JJJ^jJ^"" <» in the country, are now most earnestly wishmg to get away from it. You will, no doubt, see a copy of the return which I am going to send to the Admiralty, as the Governor has requested it for your office. It is a return of that part of the marine detachment Murines that wish to remain in this country, and the purposes for which ^ ^' they wish to stay. I think this return (will) open people's eyes more than a volume writ upon the subject would. There is an effi)rt making for clearing some land for com at the head of this harbour. The party gone and to go are to be under the care and protection of your old friend Campbell, who is to ckmpbeu have two officers and twenty marines with him. His perseverance JJ^J^. and attention to the forwarding the public service in general is too well known to require my saying anything on that head, unless it is to assure you that his abilities, ever since his arrival here, has been constantly employed with the most sedulous atten- tion to the success of this settlement in particular; and was I in a situation that would admit my doing it, I most assuredly would make the Secretary of State acquainted with his worth ; but as that is not the case, I dare say you will think it a justice due to any man — ^much more in the present instance, for your old ac- Old ac- quaintance, whom I am sure you wished to serve. I flatter myself Q^»i°t*°<*- you will have pleasure in representing him as he deserves, and possibly by that means procuring him that for which he has served so long for. Marine Quarters, Sydney Cove, 16 November, 1788. .f^3i^^dGoogle
