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⟨is⟩ not more eligible at this time, than he had ⟨r⟩eason to expect it could be in the course of ⟨t⟩he three years station; and it is the same with the convicts; and those who have been ⟨a⟩ny ways industrious, have vegetables in plenty. The buildings now carrying on are of brick and stone. The house intended for myself was to consist of only three rooms; but, having a good foundation, has been enlarged, contains six rooms, and is so well built that I presume it will stand for a great number of years. The stores have been ⟨l⟩ately over-run with rats; and they are ⟨e⟩qually numerous in the gardens, where they do considerable damage; and, as the ⟨l⟩oss in the stores could only be known by removing all the provisions, that being done, many casks of flour and rice were found to be damaged, or totally destroyed. The loss in these two articles by the rats, since landing, has been more than 1200 weight.
“No robbery has been committed, for some time; and the convicts, in general, have behaved better than I ever expected. Only two convicts have suffered death last year. Four were executed the first year.
“As near two years have now passed since we first landed in this country, some judgement may be formed of the climate; and I believe a finer or more healthy climate is not to be found in any part of the world. Of 1032 people, who were landed, many of
