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of this river, named the Hawkesbury, is from three hundred to eight hundred feet; and it appears, from the foundings we had, to be navigable for the largest merchant-ships, to the foot of Richmond-Hill; but as the water near the head of the river, sometimes rises, after very heavy rains, thirty feet above its common level, it would not be safe for ships to go so far up; but fifteen or twenty miles below Richmond Hill they would lie in fresh water, and perfectly safe. I speak of Richmond-Hill as being the head of the river it there growing very shallow, and dividing into two branches. The high rocky country which forms Broken Bay, is lost as you proceed up the Hawkesbury, had the banks of the river are there covered with timber: the soil is rich light mould; and ⟨judging⟩ from the little we saw of the country, ⟨I⟩ should suppose it good land to a very considerable extent. The other branches of fresh water ⟨are⟩ shoals, but probably run many miles further ⟨into⟩ the country than we could trace them in ⟨our⟩ boats. On these rivers we saw great ⟨numbers⟩ of wild ducks, and some black swans: ⟨and⟩ on the banks of the Hawkesbury several ⟨decoys⟩ were set to catch quails.
Governor Philip had now determined to return by land to Port-Jackson; and as he went; ⟨keeping⟩ near the sea-coast, he discovered a great ⟨number⟩ of natives assembled at the mouth of ⟨a⟩ Cove; the party was within ten yards of them ⟨before⟩ they were perceived, and the Governor ⟨had⟩ hardly time to make his people ⟨knit⟩ before ⟨numbers⟩ appeared in arms. The man who ⟨seemed⟩ to take the lead, made signs for theEnglish
