FROM SYDNEY COVE. 503 The following letter from an officer of marines to Sir Joseph 1788 Banks forms part of the collection of documents relating to the colony which came into the possession of Lord Braboume : — Having experienced a long though favourable voyage from Eng- l£uid, we arrived at Botany Bay on the 20th of January last, where we expected to lay a foundation for a colony, but I am sorry to say the country for several miles round the bay does not afford a spot large enough for a cabbage garden, fit for cultivation. The bay Botmy Bay. itself is beautiful and capacious, but open to the south-east winds, which prevail there at a certain season. It is surrounded with rocks, sandhills, and swamps, all which are covered as thick as you can possibly imagine with trees and underwood. You may easily suppose our disappointment was great in having our sanguine hopes so soon frustrated. However, during our dilemma, his excellency the Governor explored the coast to the northward, and in a few days returned with the pleasing account of having discovered the The flnost finest harbour in the world, viz., Port Jackson, so named by Captain uJe^worii? Cook. On the following morning we quitted Botany Bay with pleasure, and anchored in Sidney Cove, Port Jackson, in the even- ing of the same day. Port Jackson is without doubt the finest harbour in the known woi'ld. It extends from 15 to 20 miles into the country, forming beautiful bays and coves on every side, with deep water every- Sydney where for ships of any burden. Sidney Cove, which is the seat ^^®" of government, is 5 miles within the entrance of the harbour. The country all round the harbour is similar to that of Botany Bay, only more rocky, some few spots excepted, which may admit of cultivation with a deal of labour. The soil is in general sandy, and no freshwater river or spring has as yet been discovered ; still fresh water is found in many places, which is only the overflowing of swamps, consequently cannot be very wholesome. It has on our arrival here, and still does occa.sion many complaints, such as dysentery and worms. The climate is fine and temperate, and cuinate. seems to be considerably influenced by the moon, as we have a deal of thunder and lightning at every change of that planet, besides torrents of rain. The lightning has done some damage by killing all the sheep belonging to the Lieutenant-Governor and others. We have had a great deal of rain in the months of June, July, and part of August, which seem to constitute the rainy season here. The country, as far as we know, produces few quadrupeds. The Native largest is the kangaroo ; they make use of their hind legs only in *^™**»' jumping or escaping from their enemies. The female carries and nurses its young in the pouch under its belly. The opossum is next in size ; they are easily tamed, and eat anything. There are flying squirrels — a spotted animal of the cat kind, but larger bodied —-extremely destructive to fowls; and three sorts of rats — the Digitized by Google
