the northward, where there appeared to he a good harbour and several islands.'* Lord Bjdney rephed that there could be no objection to PhilUp estabiisbing the principal settle- ment where he thought fit, *'but at the same time jou must understand that you are not allowed to delay the disembarkation of the establishment upon the pretence of seeldog a more eligible place than Botany Bay/' On the 12th March, Phillip wrote: —
- 'I am prepared t<y meet fliiticultiee, and I have only one fear, I fear,
wiy lord, that it may be said hereafter, the oifjcer who took cliarge of ther expedition shouhl have known that it wiis more than probable he lost half the garrison and convicts crowded and victualled in such a manner for ao long a voyage ; and the public, believiog it rested with me, may rmpiite tO' my ij^aorance or inattention what I have never been consulte^l in, and which never coincided with my ideas ; — to avoid which is the purport of this letter, and I flatter myself that your lordship will hereafter point out the situation in which I have Btooff through the whole of this nuBineaa, should it over bo neceaaary.** A glimpse at some of the obstacles encountered i& afforded by a note from Phillip ixrging Under-Secretary Nepean to apply for ** such forms as are issoed for holding Vice-Admiralty Courts/' , . . ** If I apply it is more than probable that I may not succeed/' Nevertheless he fared lietter than he would if Lord Sydney had not been his patron, and Nepean had not been his friend. He pleaded earnestly for a supply of essence of malt or other anti-scor])utie. ** The situation in which the magistrates sent the women on board the LufJi/ Pvnrhtjn stamps them with infamy (the poor creatures were) — almost naked and very filthy/' C)ii the *27th April Philhp received liis formal commission and instriictionsj^^ and on the following day a dormant Lcommission naming Captain J. Hunter as successor in case 'of Philhp' s death or absence. A source of lasting trouble revealed itself amongst the guards of the convicts while the fleet was slowly receiving its heterogeneous freight. Lord Sydney told Phillip (5th '* l>afced 25th AprU.— They enjoined him to procure seeds and live- stock at porta on the way, to discnihiirk at Botany Bay, arid. **aB aoon us circumstances will admit of it, to send a small establish nient *to Norfolk Island/ to secure the same to us, and prevent it beln^ occupied by any other European p^iwer." Norfolk Island waa diacovered by Captain Cook
