Page:Life and Adventures of William Buckley.djvu/177

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154
LIFE OF BUCKLEY.

to Governor King, for instructions how to proceed, and stating the incapabilities of Port Phillip for the formation of a second colony. In consequence, Lieutenant-Governor Collins received instructions from headquarters, to make a settlement, either at Port Dalrymple, or on the banks of the River Derwent, Van Diemen's Land, which he found the best adapted for the purpose. After due and deliberate consideration, Lieutenant-Governor Collins determined on settling at the latter place; and the whole of the establishment was removed from Port Phillip thither, in two separate drafts, by the Ocean, assisted by a government brig, called the Lady Nelson. The latter vessel was employed upon this service, in consequence of instructions having been received from Governor King, requiring the immediate service of the Calcutta at Port Jackson, in order to assist the Civil and Military Authorities in quelling an insurrection which had broken out there. The first draft, in which was Lieutenant-Governor Collins, left Port Phillip on the 30th January.

"1804.—Port Phillip having thus been abandoned and evacuated, Lieutenant-Governor Collins, in the transport ship Ocean, Captain Matthew, arrived in the River Derwent, Van Diemen's Land, on the 16th of February, when this part of the coast of the island was first formed a British settlement: the colony having been taken possession of and the British colours displayed, by Governor Collins—notwithstanding a small party of soldiers and prisoners had previously left Port Jackson to take a temporary possession, for fear that