Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article626557

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1 correction by kjharris - Show corrections

E'xtràiï of a Letter from

port dalrymple,

« On the night of the 20th of O&ober, at abo'it 70 mileá di (lance from Port Dal- rymple, w¿ experienced a very heavy gale of wmi from elie, fouth. weft, which drove us bade aim )il to Port Jackton. We had loll fig it of the Francis a few hours before the gue commenced ; and until the latter ,end of which the Lady Nelson and Integrity   'kept us company, when ^e loft fight of

both thofe vcifeis. Daring the very heavy^ gale we jfiad the misfortune to lofe part-of our flock, among which were two cows, feveral goats, pigs, and a quantity of poul. try, part of which were waihed overboard, the fea running very high.

' On the 22Í we made Kent's Group, the win J having been more fair ; and there we were fo fortunate as to find the Francis fa fe at anchor.

( On the 201h we' weighed again, and made Port Dalrymple the 3d of November, but did not enter the port till fix in the eve- ning, awaiting the arrival of the Francis, ihe having parted from us that morning ; nor did.ihe arrive until the 2lil, accompanied by the Lady Nelson. At 8 in the evening we moored ihip about four miles within the port ; but at one the next afternoon dragged our anchors in a tremendous fwell, and in fpite of every exertion the veifel touched, but by a fpirited and determined perfever unce we foon had the unfpeakable fatisfaclion to fee her afloat, without damage ; then flipped our anchor, and went higher up a

bout three miles.

' The entrance of the harbour is beauti- fully pleafant, as it piefents a level extend- ing many miles without interruption. The climate appears to vary but little from thal of Port Jackfon ; the harbour abounds in all parts ~ with excellent nih, as well as prodigious numbers of black fvrans and other birds. On the 4th the Integrity ar- rived : and on the loth poifclEon took place with the ufual formalities: His Honor the Lieutenant Oovernor was faluted on going aihore with eleven guns, and a Royal Salute «was fired upon the difplay of the Brithn Flag ; upon which occalion unani- mous joy andfeíílvity prevailed.

4 On the 131h the general debarkation took place ; and on the 14th one of our fmall parties in the bruih was furprifed with the appearance of tne flril body of natives feen ; and they, with a hideous fhout, ex preffed an aftoniihment fcarcely to be con- ceived, at the fight of vifitants fo oppofite to tnemfclves in habit and complexion. About 200 approaching our frnall party with im- petuous fury, they prudently retired, and were Tpurfucd into camp; near Which the

1 natives were prevailed «pon to enter Into a

parley ; figns were made of a friendly Mif pondon 'towards them, and appearing to ga- ther confidence, they accepted trifling pre- fects,- expfeifed extreme furprife at every

objecl that occafionally attracted their at- 4 tention, but their apparent reciprocal'incli- nation to a friendly underilanding-was now and then interrupted by an indignanr clamor which beginning with a fingle individual ran'rapidly through the lines, accompanied with gefliculations menacing and ferocious,

at the jafne'time biting their arms as a token cither of vengeance or defiance. They af- terwards peaceably withdrew, having from us experienced -no other than a courteous and conciliating treatment, but wrcre pofitive in forbidding us to follow them* They have neverthelefsfince given usa convincing" proof that no dependence is atprefent to be repofed^ in'their friendfhip ; and it may in all probability be forne time before kindncfs and liberality may be able to efface the fir ft prejudices of a barbarous people, whofe an- tipathy to ftrangers is general throughout

(-hele Colonies.

c Good health and fpirits prevail without exception ; and if hope or expectation can be founded in a firft appearance, there is every reafon to p red iel: the rapid rife an4

flouriih of Port Dalrymple/

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