UNDEB GROSE. 251 brought were sufficient, with those received by the William, ^^ to supply the wants of the colony for twelve months.* On the 8th June the Speedy arrived with further supplies, and the stores were now so well filled that when the Halcyon arrived a little later with a cargo of provisions, spirits, &c., from America, Grose refused to make any purchases. The Abundant goods, however, were sold to the officers. Another American ""pp"®*- vessel, the Hope, which arrived on the 5th July, had to go back with her cargo unsold, except the spirits, which were bought by the officers. After the arrival of the Indispensable and Speedy, Grose suffered no anxiety as to the maintenance of the people. But before that he was in a position to write with con- fidence. In acknowledging the receipt of the supplies brought by the William, he told Dundas, 29th April, 1794, that if a few months' flour were sent the colony would be able in future to supply itself with bread.f The rapid improvement which had taken place in so short : a time in the food-producing power of the colony was attributed by Grose to the energy which the civil and mili- tary officers, especially the latter, had shown in cultivating the land which had been allotted to them. The circum- stances under which the land was granted to these officers merit special mention.
- On the 27th May the weekly ration oonaisted of 8 lb. flour, 7 lb. beef or
4 lb. pork, besides Indian com. t Historieal Beoords, toL ii, p. 20&
