Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

William Waterhouse - papers, 1782-1803 (letters received by William Waterhouse from his son Henry Waterhouse)
MLMSS 6544

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Sidney Cove Port Jackson New South Wales
July the 11th 1788

Dear Father -

We sail'd from the Cape of Good Hope the 13th of November with a Ship compleatly full with, Stock, Grains etc for the Settlement, in going out of Table Bay pass'd the Kent of London Whaler going to St Helena Bay; we had continully foul Winds untill the 24.
On the 25 Captain Phillip with four other officers went on board the Supply to make the best of their way for Botany Bay; and the Alexander Scarbrough & Friendship where to follow as fast as possible under the care of Mr. Shortland the Agent, the remainder where to proceed on with us;
On the 25 of December there where a number of Pindeada Pettrell & Albatross Birds about the Ship & a Seal swam under the stern, on the 27 six Whales were playing about the Ship one of which the Ship rubb'd against it appear'd to be very old its Nose was cover'd with Barnacles, at the same time two swallows where flying about the Ship;
On the 30th of December & 1 of January 1788 it blew a very heavy Gale, on the 2nd it blew so hard that we could not set any sail on the 3rd it abated without any damage to the Ships or parting company; on the 8th January saw Van Diemans Land; it is remarkable that since the Supply left us we have not had one days foul wind & have made a passage hardly to be credited;
The land from here has a most barren appearance most of the Hills having Snow on them only some few spots having Trees on & those seemingly not in a very flourishing state though this is one of the Summer months The Thermometer here was 63.7 the Barometer 29.92 Water expended 41 Tons remains 71;
Died on the passage two Cows & three Calvs that where calv'd on the passage as we where standing into Adventure Bay where taken aback & oblig'd to stand out to Sea, at Night saw a number of Fires along the Coast & a very large one on Tasmans Head;
On the 9th Lost sight of the Land, their was a vast quantity of Birds about the Ship of the Gull kind, some of the Duck, & the Bird which Cap. Cook calls Motacilla Cyanea which has a most beautifull azure Head & Neck it follow'd us out to sea & seem'd not at all at a loss which shews it has some means of subsistence at Sea;
on the 10th we had a most severe Squall of Wind Rain Thunder & Lightning which damag'd some of the Ships but not materially;
on the 19th Anchor'd in Botany Bay found the Supply & three Transports there the Supply arriv'd the 19th & the Transports about 12 hours before us without any accident or seeing each other;
Most of the Ships Company where sent on shore to clear the ground, the Governor & several officers went to the Northward to examine a bay they return'd & inform'd us they had been to Port Jackson & had found it to be a most excellent Harbour & good soil; got every thing on board & where prepairing to go round in the Ships when we perciev'd two Ships in the offing standing into the Bay sent an Officer on board to conduct them in found them to be the Bonsoul Commanded by Mon de la Perouse & the Astrolabe Commanded by Mon Clonard two French Frigates thirty months from Europe last from Kamschatka.
They had lost 19 men the greater part of which where officers on the NW Coast of America, They had touch'd at the different Islands in the Passage, they lay some time at the Navigators mention'd by Mon Bougainvill in his voyages, at one of which Mona they had twelve Men & a Boy kill'd by the Nativs the Ships where then in the offing & the Boats where on shore compleating their Water which they had finish'd which they had finish'd & where going off when the Nativs from the Bushes threw upwards of two thousand stones & they where aim'd so well that all who where killed or Wounded was on the head, the greatest part of the twelve where officers one of which was Monr de Langle the former Captain of the Astrolabe, they likewise lost two Long Boats their & two when they lost their people on the Coast of America.
They where come to Botany Bay to refit their ships & build fresh Boats

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At Noon turn'd out to Sea & after a short run anchor'ed as did all the Convoy in a Cove about six mile up the Harbour where the English Colours where display'd & at sun set his Majestys health & success to the Settlement was drank by the Governor principle Officers & many of the private Men;
on the 28th I was sent with Capt Hunter the 1st Lieut & Master to survey the Harbour which we compleated by the 6 of February found it run about thirteen mile in nearly a West direction & is allow'd to be the best harbour known in the World about this time it Thundered & lighten'd excessivly hard in one night it shiver'd a large tree near the Camp & kill'd six sheep two lambs & two pigs;
on the 7th the Governors Commision & the Commision for establishing the Laws & Court of Judicature was read by the Judge Advocate of the Settlement when the Governor addrest the Convicts in a most excellent speech giving them every promis that could encourge them, I went on the 10th with Mr King & other officers to Botany Bay; where we where very kindly entertain'd by Mon de la Prouse & slept one night on board the Bonsoul
On the 14 of Feby Mr King sail'd on board the Supply with Mr Cunningham & Mr Jamison the first Masters Mate & the last Surgeons Mate & four men belonging to the Sirius with ten Covict Men & six do Weomen for Norfolk Island with Hogs, sheep, Goats, Poultry, seeds etc and every necessary for the Cultivation of Land where the Governor means to make a settlemen for the sake of the Pine tree one of which they measur'd that was blown down 172 feet long 100 with out a branch & 9 feet Diameter, on the 20th of March Mr Ball return'd having landed Mr King safe & had fell in with an Island before unknown it lays in about the Lat. 31°.35'S & Longitude 159° E they found on it a quantity of Turtle twenty of which he brought away with him with Pidgeons, & Fouls like guinea fouls who where so tame as to suffer themselvs to by taken by the People with their hands
Mr Ball nam'd this Lord Hows Island; I went with the Governor & other Officers to Broken Bay which we found to be a most excellent Harbour on our return found the French Frigate where sail'd;
on the 6 of May the Supply sail'd for Lord Hows Island & the Lady Penrhyn Scarborough & Charlotte for China on the 26th the Supply return'd having been only at Lord Hows Island but did not see a single Turtle we suppose the Weather to have been too cold, the three ships that where going to China lay there two Days & then proceeded on their voyage; on the 15th of May the foundation stone of the Governors House was laid with an Incription to the following purpose on copper buried with it the date of the Governors arrival in this Country also the date of the laying the foundation stone;
Two Convicts that where just recovering from a fit of sickness went into the wood to pick some herbs for tea the next day one of them return'd wounded in the back with a lance by the Nativs, part of which was sticking his back when he came in; he said the Nativs had Wounded & beat & carri'd away his companion, the next day a Jacket Shirt & hat was found near the place where the Convict had been attack'd & we suppose they have either kill'd or carri'd the other Convict away with them, that they are are not Cannibals we are well assur'd from having seen piles of ashes in where human bones half Burnt & some not at all they like wise refuse any thing raw but will eat it when broil'd so that we cannot concieve any reason why they should carry him away if dead unless it is to honour him with their funeral ceremones
On the 27th two of our Men were tried by a Criminal Court of Judicature for attempting to murder a man that was on shore with them taking care of the Sirius's garden when each where sentenced to recieve 500 lashes on shore, one of which at the first flogging recid 400 & the other 100 when the surgeon orderd them on board till their backs wher well then to recieve the remainder of their punishment; on the 3rd of June got the ship in order, on the 4th hoisted a flag at each Mast head & fired as did the Supply 21 Guns at sun rise the same at 1 oclock & the same

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at Sun Set, the Transports made up the same number between them [indecipherable] one oclock, the Governor this day gave a Publick dinner at which where all the Officers of the Garrison, The Captain Lieutenants & three Midshipmen, one of wich I had the honor to be;
We went on shore at twelve oclock where the whole Battalion where assembled fir'd three Volleys & gave three cheers as did the Convicts who this day where allow'd liquor: At two oclock we where all assembled & had a most excellent dinner, after it was over the following Publick healths where drank with three Cheers & the band playing God save the King, - The King - The Queen & Royal Family - The Prince of Wales - Prince William Henry - His Majestys Ministers - The Cumberland Family - the Governor then said he meant to name the County which he call'd the County of Cumberland which was drank - the Governor then went out & his health was drank likewise with three Cheers the healths & toasts then circulated briskly & most did honor to the day, we supp'd at 9 & went on board at 11, the Convicts had made a most amazing fire & the day was concluded on all sids with great festivity, though I am affraid alarm'd the Nativs most terribly;
This day the Governor gave a free pardon to all offenders. Since that time two Convicts has been murder'd by the Nativs but we suppose the Convicts to have been the aggressors. They frequently come alongside the ship but we have not been able to persuade them to come in; they have not the least dress their only ornaments are a bone which is run through between the two Nostrils & their Bodys besmear'd with pipe clay & a kind of paint they get which they rub in their beards they have likewise large punctures or ridges some in curv'd & some in curv'd lines in different parts of their Bodys the Men likwise have lost one of the foreteeth of the upper jaw and the Weomen the first joint of the little fingure on the left hand, for what reason no person can tell as we saw it in all ages, they are in general well proportion'd the men more so than the Weomen though their Belly is rather protubrant;
They have different kinds of spears, one with four prongs, pointed with bone or fish teeth the use of this seems to be chiefly for striking fish which they are very dexterous at which seems to be their only food the others are of one prong barb'd for a foot up with the fish teeth & as sharp as a needle which renders it impossible if once enter'd to get out without cutting the flesh this & the Club is the only war weapon we have seen them have unless you call their stone axes so, with these & a small net in which they carry their fishing lines which seems to be made of the stringy part of the inside of the Cabbage Palm tree & is equall to our fishing lines & a small vesel in the shape of a Canoe in which they carry their water seems to be the whole of their houshold furniture their Huts which we have seen are the most wretched you ever heard off, being composs'd of sticks cross'd & cover'd with Bark or Grass about the size of a common hogs sty but not so good;
The Sea here abounds with fish which are the sharke, snapper, Jew fish, Rays, bream, soles Leather Jackets, Nurses, flounders, Gurnards, Mackerel, Mullet & various others I believe not known in Europe;
The Birds we have seen are the Amew, The Busterd, Crane, Coockatoo, snipe, Loryquet, parrot, Paroquets, Eagles, Hawks, Crows, & a variaty of small Birds altogether I believe unknown in Europe.
The animals we have but a very imperfect knowledge of those we have seen are the Kangooroo, Oppossum, rachoon, flying squirrel & curious kind of Bat one of the Kangooroos that has been shot wheigh'd 140 lb they are most excellent eating
The Soil here is tolerably good they have found a Clay that makes most excellent Bricks; The Ground here abounds with trees though I am not Botanist enough to distinguish any great variaty;
The Tree call'd Sanguis Draconia from its emiting a quantity of red liquid Gum seems to me to be the predominant both from its size & number

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one of which I measur'd 27 feet in circumference, this Tree at first sight has a most curious appearance seeming to be entirly strip'd of its bark even to its smallest branches which increases your opinion on approaching the Tree by seeing a quantity of thin Bark scater'd all round the tree which on a nearer view you find to be a thin skin which probaly peels off every Year;
on cutting the Tree you find a bark near two Inches thick The next to this seems to be a degenerated Pine, for which the Nativs are much indebted to Nature, as it is their Dock Yards & affords them defence from the bark of this Tree they make their Canoes & Shields which they do by cutting the bark with their stone axes as long as they mean their Canoes to be which are in general twelve feet long, the Sun opens the part cut they then forse sticks in every day untill the Bark seperates from the Tree, they then sew it together at each end & stop it with Gum.
the Canoes are kept extended by sticks & to prevent their opening[?] too far they have a piece of line fasten'd to each Gunwhale they put a stone in the middle on which they have a constant fire in which they dress their fish as soon as caught they have two paddles one in each hand with these they make their Canoes go amazingly swift in these wretched vesels I have seen five people including Children
There is another Tree though small that bears a flower as does the other two though small & leaves a seed behind like the top of a pine;
Those are the only ones that I think can be call'd Trees, except the Cabbage Palm which Tree produces a most excellent Cabbage & is peculiarly servisable in building temporary houses as it is soft & easily work'd up but they are known in almost every part of Europe.
Their is a most amazing quantity of shrubs here, the first of which, & I think the next most servisable to the Nativs, is the Grass Tree which bears a stalk on the top resembling a Bullrush & produces a quantity of fine yellow Gum not unlike Gamboge which is got by diging round the root in lumps of different shaps & sizes & is very servisable to the Nativs as it is with this Gum they fasten the Bullrushes together to make their spears & stop any holes in their Canoes or water vesels as water will not disolve it it is remarkable that this Tree is allways burnt to a cinder on the outside and we can assign no other reason than that when the Sun is so hot as to extract the gum from the Tree it may heat it to such a degree as to burn the outside where it runs down as the heart of the Tree is perfectly sound & good & the top is allways green;
The next to this I think is a shrub that bears a small leaf one of which I think answers every purpose of a glass of pepper mint water there is nubers of others I believe unknown in Europe the seeds of which I mean to preserve in a propper season there is one lately found out which grows like broom in England without a leaf & bears a quantity of berrys about the size of currants of a most excellent acid, equal to lemon juce it happen'd most fortunatly for us its quality being found out so soon as it was as a number of men where then very ill with the Scurvy upwards of twenty not able to do their duty who now, with these berrys & the great attention of the Surgeons on board are recovering very fast.
Of the vegetables only two I think can be call'd of the exculent kind one of which resembles a broad bean & the other a kind of spinage there may be many other and without doubt their is whose good quallitys have not yet been found out
there are different kinds of vines one bears a berry which tasts exactly like a grape, & another like the raspberry: Of the herbs their is great quantitys, There is Sage, Parsley, Indian Tea, & sweet Tea so called from its tasting like spanish liquorish.
There are various other sort whose quallitys are not yet found out; Most of the Culinary plants seems to have degenerat'd here we suppose it to be owing to its being an improper season when the seed was sown,
The plants that where brought from Rio de Janeiro the Cape of Good Hope etc thrive here & look very luxuriantly the Flax seed grows here likewise but very thinly only on some few spots

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having any on; I am sorry to inform you that on the 4th of June the Bull & Cows stray'd away & allthough some Hundreds of people have been looking after them they have not yet been heard of;
The Town now begins to cut a figure a number of Wooden Houses are built & the Governors & Lieut Governors Stone Houses are allmost built likewise the Hospital & Store houses;
At a little distance from the Town their is a farm for the Cultivation of Seed & Cattle for the Publick, there is a number of private Farms & Gardens about there is likewise a brick field & kiln at which some Thousands of excellent Bricks have been made at present while the Transports are here we are under such restrictions concerning the Nativs that I have not be able to collect any of their Weapons or any thing else but I am affraid I have tir'd you with this long & unconnect'd letter but I must beg you will excuse any errors that may attract your Eye please to give my duty to their Royal Highnesses & Lady Elizabeth I waited on the Governor to know if he had any commands for Her Royal Highness he told me he should write himself from
Your Ever Dutifull Son
H Waterhouse

NB. I cannot conclude without telling you that I am under greater obligations to Mr King than I can possably express I am at present very happy & I believe respected by all the Officers I have now an opportunity of making myself Master of every thing that can be usefull to me in my proffession
I have allready made myself Master of surveying & have so far renderd myself of service as to be sent on shore wherever the Astronomical Instruments goes; & it is my utmost endeavours to deserve the kind recomendation her Roya Highness gave of me their has one Lieut been made since our arrival There two Transports are to remain behind for some time underneath is the number of people Dead since our arrival

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Sirius Table Bay Cape of Good Hope Feb: 20 - 1789

Dear Father

As I mentioned to you in my last letter by the Alexander I have been to Norfolk Island & was witness of a most shocking scene. We had a good deal of difficulty in landing as the Island is surrounded by a Reef of Coral Rock, it was likewise the Winter time when we where there it was compleated at last though not without great risk to leeward of the Island when I was sent with a Midshipman from the Supply across the Island to the place where they had form'd the Settlement that being the weather side we found every body well & the little Colony in a very flourishing state the next day the Midn return'd to the Supply as it was found impracticable at that time to land any thing at the proper landing place.
It had been their custom in fine weather to launch their boat & go without the reef to fish but on one very fine day as they where returning a sudden surf rose & oversett the Boat by which they lost one man this made them cautious about landing but one morning the weather looking fine it was agreed the Masters Mate myself & four Men should go off to the Supply but finding as the tide rose the surf rose we did not go but made the Signal that landing was dangerous to the Supply however they not observing it sent their boats but by the time they[?] approach'd the shore the surf rose to a most tremendous height but a person without cannot immediatly see it & as they seem'd to persist in comming in Mr King thought it most prudent to launch his boat & send her to lay in the smooth water within the reef to render assistance to the Supplys boat in case of an accident
accordingly Mr Cunningham with four Men went into the boat after I parted with him on the beach he was in high spirits after telling him I did not mean to go with him he told me he saw he should have to save some of the Supplys Midn after pulling out a little way he imprudently suffer'd the tide to carry him on the reef & in endeavouring to recover his former station a most tremenduous surf broke & oversett the boat & a succession of heavy surfs compleated this disastrous event by all being lost except a Convict who by a chance surf got on shore
it was a very melancholy situation we where in to be standing within fifty yards of the reef & not able to render them the smallest assistance
their bodys where seen frequently in the surf but could not be found at low water the Supplys boat luckily came in safe.
Words cannot describe what we all felt at such an unfortunate catastrophe besides the number of men the loss of Mr. C- was sincerely felt as he was a young man universally esteem'd & bid fair for making a very able officer he was a natural Son of the Earl of Glencairns.
In the course of two days afterwards all the provision was landed & we sail'd for Port Jackson - I can compare Norfolk only to the Island of Calypso for when on shore it is one of the pleasantest places I ever was in the soil is exceeding good & the Island is a continu'd Wood from one end to the other on the North side of the Island there are a number of deep ridges the hills going up gradually on each side in most of the valleys there are fine runs of fresh water, on the opposite side there is a beautifull valley through which runs a plentifull stream of fresh water which is supply from a high mountain near the center of the Island it runs to within 30 yards of the beach & there

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when it looses itself & afterwards issues out again through some fissures n the rock between high & low water marks in many places the ground is cover'd with Pumice stone & is in very few places sandy I do not think there is 20 acres of unprofitable ground on the whole Island allthough the large size of the Pines & great length of there roots as well as those of other Trees will render it an arduous task clearing of it there are two beautiful Casscades on this IsIand which are seen a considerable distance at sea.
The Trees are the Fir or Spruce pine which is the noblest Tree I ever saw they are from saplings to 160 feet high & 10 in diameter & there is not an extubrance from the root to the apex of the Tree the outer bark is smooth of a chocolate colour & the inner one perfectly white & very glutinous from the great quantity of Turpentine with which this Tree abounds it works very easy on the saw pit & the grain is beautifull, I do not think (when seasond) it is so heavy as the fir of which our deal board is made of in England I saw & measurd one that had fell apparently through age its length was 170 feet & near the base 29 feet in girth
The next Tree of which there are three kinds resembles the Maple exept that it exudes a white liquor in great quantitys on the smallest incision being made in its bark, many of our People are almost blinded by its getting into their Eyes, it is a very strong caustic. This is a very good wood for building & Joiners work, they are from 50 to 60 feet in height & grow much like our Oak
The one kind which is the largest is tolerably straight though in generall they are crooked espessially the full grown ones; there is three kinds of this wood one like the Maple another like the live Oak the other is a very hard wood of a close grain.
There is another Tree that bears a great resemblance to mahogny with long narrow leaves cut very hard & is of a very fine close grain on notching the bark of this Tree there exudes a red gum, these Trees are not more than 5 inches through & are about 10 or 12 feet high.
The Island is entirly surrounded with a spongy kind of Tree which does not grow to more than 10 or 12 feet in height & are all perfectly even which gives it the appearance of a parapet or bank over grown with Ivy the leaves are small & thick & serve the foules for food as we allways found their insides full of them.
There is likwise the Cabbage & Fern Trees which run to the height of an hundred feet as straight as an arrow but so soft as to be cut down with a knife but I beleve would harden if seasond
In the valleys where fresh water runs there is quantitys of Plantain & Bannana Trees & a small vine much like the black pepper but they where not certain it was being the winter season when we where there.
The ground is quite clear between the Trees I imonagine the vedgitation of plants is prevented by the entire exclusion of sun or air from the ground as there is not a single blade of grass on the Island there are the only trees -
The Flax plant of New Zealand is here in amazing quantitys which has more the appearance of flags on fenny ground than flax there is a number of leaves growing from one root which throws off smaller roots that resembles young carrots it is very troublesom to divest this plant of the flaxy substance it has been tried by proper flax dressers but they cannot do it.
Towards the NE part of the Island where I presume Capt Cook landed there is a quantity of sorrel & some other herbs

The birds are the Wood Pidgeon & Dove of which there are great quantitys & the finest I ever heard of weighing upward of two pound each & as fine eating as any in England, the beak & feet are of a very fine red & the

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plumage of a light blue when first they landed they where so tame as to suffer themselves to be taken with the hand but Mr King finding the Convicts made a bad use of the indulgence he gave them of taking them as they wanted them by killing dozens wantonly the officers with himself where continually firing at them untill they quitted the lower branches for the higher ones which now renders it impossible to get them without shooting I have seen five kill'd at one shot.
There is likewise Parrots, Perroquets, Quails & a small bird with a very melodious note not unlike the thrush Gannets & other water foul were in great plenty here when they landed but now rather scarce owing to the numbers kill'd by the Convicts.
This & the two neighbouring Islands abound with the Tropic Bird which is naturaly very shy & flys to a great height often as high as the eye can carry in clear weather the Hawke is also plenty here;
The woods are full of large spiders which extend their web from Tree to Tree & weave it of a surprising strength.
There is likewise a worm which has been fatal to most of the seeds that where sown & they have not been able to get clear of them for want of lime though they have try'd every method they could device, added to this they have a most formidable enemy in the only quadruped on the Island which is the rat of which there is an immense number but with attention they may be destroy'd.
There is a small Bird which I had like to have fogot the plumage of which is very beautifull having a lively crimson breast with a black ruff & the head perfectly white the rest of the body is dark lead colour.
Of Fish there are a great variety, but the only way they have of catching them being by hook & line there being no place proper for hauling the Sean renders it oftentimes dangerous they are in general good except the larger kind which has a blueback this fish when dres'd the same day or soon after it is caught is tough but kept it is very good, there is another large kind of fish which resembles our salmon but is much more delicious
The rock fish which are of different sizes is exceeding good. In the summer months quantitys of fine green Turtle come on shore & are easily caught there is a great deal of full formd Coral which may be obtain'd at low water;
Rare shells I did not see any there is sponge but it is generally torn from the rocks before it attains any perfection by the surf.
When they first landed on the Island they found the skeleton of a whale which must have lain on the shore some years from the decay'd state it was in, the situation of this skeleton & the sandy appearance of the shore at about 10 yards from the upper bank leads me to believe the sea receeds from this Island they likwise found on landing a canoe which was near 10 yards above high water mark it was a small Canoe the bottom of which is entire & a part of both sides the hollowing was work'd visably by fire & fashion'd or smooth'd with a stone hatchet or some such rude instrument the bottom is quite sharp & the sides go up like a wedge & are two inches thick its length from the extreem ends is nearly 12 feet & 18 inches wide although I apprehend it has been

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much deeper consequently much broader as the sides where much rubb'd the wood resembl'd the pine but much harder than that which growes at Norfolk Island. I should suppose from the state of the wood & the place it was found in it could not have been here less than 10 or 12 years & as this part of the Island is not more than [blank] mile from the North part of New Zealand at which place they have Canoes nearly resembling this (according to Capt Cook) I think it is beyond a doubt but that it came from there (may not this in some measure account for the peopeling of the Islands in this Ocean).
The tempreture of the Air here is exceeding good it is about 20 miles in circumpherence & lays in about the Lat [blank] & Lon [blank] E - On our passage back we saw Lord Hows Island but did not go on shore this Island appears very remarkable at first sight like three distinct Rocks & is seen on a clear day upwards of 60 mile on a near approach you find it to be a small Island with two amazing high hills on it which is in fact the whole Island there is a rock about 12 mile from it which is remarkably high and rises out of the water exactly like a Pyramid & from that is call'd Balls Pyramid; the Island seems to be full of the Cabbage & Mangameel Tree
The Supply has been there twice & always found an increditable number of Birds but saw no Turtle last time suppose that to be owing to their being there in the Winter Season -
The Settlement goes on as usual Building & Tilling & Sydney Cove now cuts a very respectable appearance the have a very good Hospital & two large Store Houses built;
The Governor has a house nearly finish'd built by Bricks made here & the Lieut Governor has a stone House nearly finish'd; Most of the Officers have temporary Houses, built of the Cabbage tree the Soldiers & Convicts are all in Hutts.
There is nearly [blank] acres of Ground clear'd & till'd & some very flourishing fields of Corn added to this when we left Port Jackson the Governor sent in Officers with a party of Soldiers & a number of Convicts to the head of the harbour as there seems to be the best ground -
The Nativs during the Summer Winter season in a great measure deserted us but as the Summer began to advance they return'd in great numbers. I do not apprehend they will ever attempt an attack though they might be a great anoyance to our out works they have as yet been very peaceable.
We have from our boats seen one of their fights which seem'd to be conducted with great regularity they approach'd one another in regular well form'd bodies draw up in squares, when at the distance of about 20 yards they began to discharge their lances which the opposite party very dextruously fend off with their sheilds when they where all either expended or broke they advanc'd with their clubs which they seem'd likewise to fend off very dextruously, in the Battle we saw both sides seem'd to support it very strenuously for a considerable

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time. we at last perciev'd a confusion & in the party that run saw a spear striking on a mans side but could not percieve any left on the field of battle owing to the intervening bushes & the Midshipman that commanded the boat did not think it prudent to go & examine for fear of an ambuscade as he had only one musket in the boat.
They frequently venture alongside the ship in their canoes but we have not been able to entice them on board, we shav'd one party & the frequently came afterwards to be shav'd the have once or twice been on shore in Sydney Cove & where for spearing every thing they saw calling out Kangooroo.
We have not been able to get the least knowledge of the Cows yet, the Horses are all safe.
On the 2nd of October we sail'd for the Cape of Good Hope it was left to the option of Capn Hunter either to make his passage round Van Diemens Land or Cape Horn the latter of which we found the only one practicable owing to the continuall Westerly winds that blow in those Latitudes
Capt Hunter meant to try a passage round van Diemans land but as soon as we had run the Dist. of it we found a strong westerly wind which determin'd the Capt to make a passage round Cape Horn though the one is a distance of about two thousand leagues & the other nearly four on the 13th we should have seen the South Cape of New Zealand but the haziness of the weather prevented us
on the 17th we cross'd the Antipodes of London nearly.
In the course of our passage to Cape Horn we found the wind to blow in general from the SW & NW quarters, we met with nothing uncommon till the 15th[?] of November allways having a quantity of Birds about the Ship & frequently Whales we ran in the parallel nearly of 54°.
On the 16th[?] it began to be extreemly cold having continuall falls of sleet & Snow we where then in the Lat. of 58°S the Ise now began to be very thick & here is the largest I ever saw some being nearly four mile in length & in generall not less than 60 or 70 fathoms high out of the water
all these were attended by smaller pieces about the size of the Ship which render'd it extreamlly hazardous to run during the night added to this numbers of our people began to fall ill of the Scurvy
on the 26th we saw some part of the land of Terra Del Fuego our situation began now to be truly deplorable only twelve Men in a Watch & the half of those not able to go aloft at this time we had constantly 20 & 30 Ise Island in sight & to render it still worse the wind came in the exact point we wanted to steer which with the continuall gales of wind we had render'd it impossible to stand to the Northward as we must have fell in with the Coast of South America consequently a lee shore
on the 5th[?] of Decr the wind became a little more favourable but we kept sight of the Ise till the lat of 43°S the Scurvy began now to be at a stand neither getting better or worse till withing a few days of our getting in however we lost only three men but it was in general suppos'd had we been out one or two days more we should have lost twenty I had it not so bad as to lay by one Day but when we got in my teeth

[Page 11]

Your Ever Dutifull Son
H. Waterhouse

[Page 12]

L'Blonde Plymouth Dock Monday
Decr. 23 - 1793

My Dear Father

I am sure you & all in Mount Street will congratulate me on getting over the most arduous task I ever experiencd This Frigate that I command mounts 28 Guns; In the English service she would have 180 Men as her compliment I was plac'd on board of her with 35 Men I lay in Falmouth 12 Days for want of a fair Wind, part of which time it blew a heavy Gale of wind & in the Night I found her driving fast for the rocks I of course let go a third anchor which happily saved her -
At the immediate risk of loossing the Vessell I got her three times under Sail (my all my credit being at stake) but was drove back - At last a favourable opportunity offerd just at Sunset I therefore got under way & stood out to Sea I no sooner got out than a very heavy thunder Squall came on which made me take in all sail as soon as I could again set it I ran for Cawsand Bay & at 12 O'clock at night got in there more by good luck than knowledge for I have not the least knowledge of the English of the English Channel
how we came to escape not being cast away I have to thank an Almighty being - The Day after I anchor'd in cawsand Bay a heavy Gale of wind came on

[Page 13]

I immediatly tryd to get into Plymouth but in that attempt every rope that possibly could be suggested to secure the Ship broke, & ruind two of my best Men, but we luckily got into a place from which with any change of wind I could secure Plymouth, & waited on the Admiral (which is Admiral Cotton) whose wife I have heard you mention seeing at some of the Pharoe Tables -
He orderd me immediately to cut my cut my Cable & go to Sea or on Shore for there he would not let me stay, of course I cut it & by the assistance of a good Pilot I got the Ship into safety;
No poor Devil just reprievd from the Gallows could feel more heart felt satisfaction that I do at this present moment - I have now all the business of condemnation etc to settle with the Agents, & am totally ignorant of the business, however patience & perseverance they say will do wonders, & I have the best of Monaters with me which is concience, it always tells me if I am doing wrong. Believe me for this three Weeks I have never had my Cloaths off - Now for the fair side of the business, the Ship is safe & sound & if I remove her from it may I be - I have the credit (if it so can be calld) of bringing a ship in here when none but a Madman would have

[Page 14]

done it, however I had one consolation, if the Ship had gon I would have gon too; they might have hallood very loud afterwards before I should have heard them, It is better as it is - & I am now Captain Waterhouse for the present Commanding as fine a Ship as any of them.
Give my best affections to all at home. Some miscarriage must have happend to my Letters or I should have heard from you, I have had an answer from Mr Standart whose Letter went at the same time but he does not acknowledge the reciept of any from Sea - I long anxiously to hear from you as much as I did when coming from Botany Bay.
I hear Capt Hunter is appointed Governor of that place. As Condell will see this I know he will believe I feel myself speaking to him now, & that he has my sincere & best wishes - I begin now to think (as you must) that it is time for me to have done with this Nonsense Believe me to be
Affectionatly Yours
H. Waterhouse
My Letters to you were inclosed to Govr Phillip & put under cover to I. King Secretarie of State

[Page 15]

Mr Waterhouse
125 Mount Street
Berkley Square
LONDON

[Page 16]

June 1794
My Dear Father, We are now very close to the Enemy. Every appearance bespeaks the action will be bloody Whatever fate attends me I beg you to prove a Father to little Maria I hope & pray that the Almighty will keep her under his protection.
With every affectionate wish to all at home I am
Affectionatly Your Son
H. Waterhouse

[Page 17]

Dear Father
        
After one of the most obstinate Engagements ever known we are victorious & thank God I have not recd the smallest hurt
Adml Bowyer & Pasley have both lost a Leg Capn Montague is killd this is all I yet know We have taken 7 Sail of the Line & one 74 was sunk dreadfull sight.
Write to Govr Phillip as I have not time. With every Affectne Remembrance to all at Home To Gov.r Hunter & Condell I am thankfull to subscribe myself
Your Affectionate Son
H. Waterhouse
June 2nd. At Sea & nearly
a Wreck 1794

[Page 18]

My Dear Father
        
I wrote you a short letter by a Vessel which saild on our arrival, I have since recievd yours by the Young William, by the last of which I am happy to find you have got the sickness mentiond in the first out of the house It gives me real pleasure to hear William goes on so well not that I ever expected otherways, I think George will be much better off in a similar situation - as I always thought the former life too much in a Pot house stile.

We are getting ready to go to Norfolk Island, for which place I suppose we shall sail in about a month, a young man by the name of Flinders who left the Bellesphon to go with me, is appointed our acting Lieutenant. The Governor is well. Benalong is turning as great a savage as ever, all the officers here have farms, the lowest of which I believe brings in upwards of one hundred & fifty pounds pr year by their advice I have been induc'd to become farmer, the Governor having sent to me saying, whenever I have fix'd on a spot I shall have a grant of one hundred acres of land, I have employ'd some of the best farmers here to choose a spot that will answer, which I propose calling Marias farm, the number of men alotted me for cultivating it, will be I believe 10 or 13 every officer assures me it will answer, how far I shall succeed time will shew, I will take care I will not loose by it, money is of little use here, every thing

[Page 19]

is paid here for in Liquor, Sugar, Tobacco, & Cloathing, Liquor of any kind sells for 20 shillings pr Gallon at this time, port Wine at three guineas pr dousen, & every thing in the same proportions blue cloath for a coat buttons etc sells for 10 & 12 Guineas. Woemens cloathing far more, If Mr. Standert or you can contrive when any ships come out Here to send me any part of those things they will be highly servisable, I do not want them to sell, but to pay different bills with in the form[?] of money & assist in stocking my farm.
I trust as opportunity offers Betsy will supply me with girls cloathing, amongst which I hope she will not forget some small cotton stockings, & the larger assortment of ribbons & other articles of female cloothing, so much will my expences as a farmer be lessend, most things going on by traffick & exchange, you shall from time to time hear how Marias farm goes on, she is very well I generally see her every day between her school hours the person who has taken care of her, before & since the death of her Mother, (who I mention'd to you in my former letter a Mr Smith a storekeeper & very respectable man) is so very fond & much attach'd to the child that he will scarce trust her out of his sight, indeed my gratitude to him is past bounds - should any proper opportunity offer of sending her home, I shall send her, I mentiond my wishes to you before I left England that should she arrive safe, she might be kept at school, as much as possible without a knowledge of her birth till a proper time, as it will never do much credit to either; if a favorable opportunity offers I will get over the business of the small pox before she goes to England but fear it will not - before I forget it, you remember I gave you a reciept from Captain Daniel, regulating Captain

[Page 20]

at Graveshend, of my having subscrib'd one Guinea & a half, as the half subscription towards two prints of Lord How's action on the first of June, which when deliver'd or call'd for the other half was to be paid should you have misslaid the reciept, Capn Daniel will remember the circumstance, but hope you already have them in the dining room - I send by this Ship Journals for one years pay to Mr Standert which will reduce the debt a little, hope a Year & half more will clear it - I have desir'd Capt Mortlock to call on you, who will give you accounts of this place etc & further information of the best things to send out; inclos'd is a list of my personal wants, I never had a great opinion of Mr Turner, which I mention'd to you once before, it is well he was found out before the season was over as I conclude you are in the Bank

The Cattle we brought first into this country which stray'd away, have lately been seen above forty, in a drove, suppose there is double that number, of the farms buildings etc Cap.t Mortlake says he will call & give you every account - I now write to L. Sydney Mr Townshend, Capt Phillip Adm Digby & Parley etc etc you may naturally conclude I have not much time having to fit the Ship for sea, Capt Phillip informs me Mr Nepean is Secretary to the Admiralty who is a very warm friend of Capt Phillip, I think if L. Sydney & Govr Phillip were to try, Mr Nepean could get me port altho in this Country, I have some little private interest which you may be sure I will push should you see Capt Phillip you can hint to him that it is the only wish I have to get port & that I hinted to you that I thought a change of the Admiralty might not be unfavorable to it, I would not wish him to know more as I have wrote to him about it, & he would be ill pleasd if he thought I support a round

[Page 21]

about way was necessary to get him to exert himself, I have given Lord Sydney some very broad hints & Mr Townshend still broader, which cannot do harm; I have little more to say than my kindest & most affectionate wishes to all at home, I would have wrote to Condell but really have not time, be assur'd I have not a wish stronger than that of hearing from you by every opportunity & that I shall not miss any opportunity of writing to you, the Governor, Capt Collins, Benalong etc etc desire their particular remembrances believe me to be your very
Affectionate Son
H. Waterhouse

Reliance Sydney Cove
October 24th 1795

I send you many kisses from little Maria who says she will go to & love her Papa Mama Brothers & Sisters in England because they have sent her out so many pretty things, hope to God you will yet see her, I think she would gain your affections as she has mine. The Supply saild for Norfolk Island a week ago, we are orderd to go there as soon as she returns

[Page 22]

Reliance Sydney Cove Decr 21st 1795

My Dear Father

The Sovereign sails tomorrow for the East Indies, & expects to be in England in about eighteen months, I write this short note to say we are all well, but shall have several opporunitys of writing to you & which will arrive in England before this. We are now in the height of the Harvest, every body reaping etc. I have not been able to commence farmer yet, as every person at present is employ'd in getting in the Harvest but shall begin as soon as that is over - We were to have saild for Norfolk Island some time since but on the return of the Supply found Govr King was given over with the Gout in his stomach, little hopes of his ever recovering, but as those things are in general exagerated, I hope he will yet live many years, in consequence of his illness the schooner was detach'd on the arrival of the Supply to Norfolk Island to learn the fate of poor King when she comes back we are to go to that place

[Page 23]

with the new establishment & bring back poor Mrs King, but no such an event I hope will take place.

We are not likely to go to any place but Norfolk Island, utill the fate of the war is known - I have on a party a week in the woods, with the Governor etc, When we fell in with the Cattle, that were first brought out in the Sirius upward of sixty were counted, one of which we shot (a Bull) but found it dangerous approaching them in that wild state, as the one that was shot attack'd our people most furiously - We are in great expectation of two Ships from England, with Convicts which we are told are coming - Maria is very well, now with me playing about, making a great noise, & according to the custom of the country beging to pick the handkerchef out of my pocket already

Remember me most affectionatly to my Mother & all in Mount Street with Condell etc I should have wrote to them, but have little hopes of this ever reaching England believe me Most
Affectionatly Yours
H. Waterhouse

[Page 24]

Reliance Sydney Cove May 14th 1796

My Dear Father

Many thanks for your Letter & Magazines, am exceeding happy every thing turns goes on so pleasantly at home all well & happy, I mean this as a short note by a ship going to Bengal, to say we are to sail for the Cape of Good Hope in September next, of course you will hear from me from that place, if no accident happens, before you can recieve this. I have enjoy'd good health ever since we arriv'd here have been one trip to Norfolk Island every body you know here are well I shall bring Maria with me to the Cape & settle her there till I go home or send her by some trusty person to England

Our Governor & the Officers here do not agree very well, however I keep friends with

[Page 25]

all - A Capt Paterson & his wife take a passage with me to the Cape of Good Hope - a very sensible pleasant Gentleman, & more so his wife, which will make our passage very pleasant - we have discharg'd Mr Moore the Master of the Reliance here, who returns to England - Would I were returning too, I fear there is little chance of gaining the other step by remaining in this Country, & can see no prospect of getting away from it, our both our Ships have turn'd out so bad, that with all the repair we are able to give her here she will be scarsly fit to return to this Country again

Say every thing kind & affectionate for me at home & believe me to be Dear Father
Your Affectionate Son
H. Waterhouse
Assure Willm & Condell that it was & always will be my intention to write but in this case they will have letters before this arrives

[Page 26]

Table Bay Cape of Good Hope March 1797

My Dear Father

My Letters by Govr King & the Packet will have inform'd you of our arrival here etc etc a few days ago the Ganges arrivd here, when I had the great pleasure of recieving your Letters etc etc for which let me return you ten thousand thanks, I had wrote to you by several opportunitys but find the Ships are stopped in India - The articles you have sent contain every thing I wish'd, but I fear you have mistaken my meaning By our Articles of War any captain known to trade would be immediatly broke & never allow'd to serve again, therefore I hope you have not mention'd to Ld Sydney or Govr Phillip the things you have sent me, & do not mention it to any person who may be going to or comeing from Port Jackson, you can say you only send out what I may want for my own person, & until you hear from me again I wish you would not send out any thing but what you may think I want for myself - The things you have sent would answer very well if I dard trade, however I will contrive to get them dispos'd of so as to be a gainer on what you paid for them - I have not any farm, I was long promis'd one but that promise was never performd

[Page 27]

though I do not doubt I have one by this time, which will be under the direction of Mr Smyth whome I mentioned to you having taken so much care of Maria Should this farm succeed, & one I mean to purchase I will let you know by the first ship, & the mode in which you can send out things to carry on the cultivation. Smyth is a Man I can put every confidence in, he is now Provost Martial & ranks with a Captain in the Army, I mean to make him my agent in that Country as I always mean to retain some property in it. when I left Port Jackson I had a lease for fourteen years of two acres of Ground in the Town, I was offerd a hundred pound for it before I built on it - it is now consider'd the best garden in the place, I lay'd out near sixty pounds on it - With respect to Georges coming out I think it would be total ruin to him, or believe me I should be happy to see him there; It is a nest for every vice, & no place has I believe so many allurements to young Men - My rank as Captain of the Ship & senior member of all Courts of Justice etc would be a protection to him, but unless some alteration takes place I do not expect to be at Port Jackson above three or four months in the year, in which time is included our trips to that curs'd place Norfolk Island (I have been there twice in the Reliance) but be assured I will not loose sight of getting him some appointment there if possible You may suppose I have not a wish to remain an hour there, the service on which we are employ'd

[Page 28]

(carrying cattle) is almost a disgrace to an Officer. & the Ships to perform it in are most rascally Bad, added to which I am not very old & want but one more step to establish my rank to go on for an Admiral, you will therefore think I ought to push now, which I am doing most strenuously.

Soon after (& indeed before) our arrival a coolness took place between Governor Hunter & myself which was encreas'd to an open rupture by those about him, who did not wish him to be intimate with any but their own party, however that is all over, & we shook hands sometime before I saild - Maria will be deliverd to you by Major Paterson & his Wife her living & my own with a servant that took care of her, at this place for two Months, has cost me upwards of sixty pounds this together with the expenses I was at on her account & my own at Port Jackson, together with fitting myself out in the Mess way, & the little I have bought here for my farm has made me draw for Three hundred & thirty pounds whatever may be necessary for you to advance of that sum, I beg you will do it, & I trust the next Ship from Port Jackson will bring you remittances I have sent two years pay home & shall now send three Months, I take with me two Mares two Cows & upwards of twenty sheep on my own account under the idea of it being of advantage to the Colony, I have consulted some officers on the subject, who think from the circumstances of the Colony I may do it it with

[Page 29]

being censurd, they will sell at least for sixty pounds each besids the sheep I should certainly not have thought of drawing for so much, had not so favorable an opportunity offer'd of carrying those things - I think if I land all safe I could get five hundred pounds for them the next hour

My two years pay is about three hundred & sixty pounds but I fear that will do little more than repay you - I am exceedingly sorry to hear of Condels illness hope it is not serious - Major Paterson, Palmer & Collins will tell you in what a confus'd state we are in, or I should have wrote more particulars - indeed I have been very unwell this week past & fear if we do not sail soon I shall have a fit of sickness - the effects of living too free - My kindest affections to all at home I will write to them if I possibly can, do not forget to send out any papers or publications, as that is the only means we can learn how you go on in Europe.

I shall be back at the Cape of Good Hope in December next if no accident happens, if you send any Letters there directed to the Care of John Hennery De Wit Esqr I shall get them, believe me
Most Affectionatly Yours
H. Waterhouse

The Ship is under way once more adieu - I shall write when I sail from here, Maria has not been any expence to Major Paterson as yet - rember they are both Scottch people

[Page 30]

Sydney August the 28th[?] 1797

My Dear Father

I left the Cape as my Letters will have informd you the 11th of April, & with a Ship most compleatly full having on board forty nine head of black cattle, three Mares & one hundred & seven sheep, I believe no Ship ever went to sea so much lumberd - the passage to Port Jackson is generally made in 35 or 40 Days, we were 78, one of the longest & most disagreeable passages I ever made We met with one Gale of Wind the most terrible I ever saw or heard of expecting to go to the bottom every moment, something more than I can account for preserv'd us, possible I may be intended to be hung in the room of being drown'd - We arrivd safe at Port Jackson with forty head of black Cattle 3 Mares & nearly two thirds of the Sheep alive, but like Camelions they liv'd upon air part of the time out of which - three Cows, two Mares, & twenty four Sheep belong'd to myself - But our ship was so leaky when we got in that we have taken every thing out of her in hopes of repairing her, altho' at this moment there is scarsly a thing in her & the water as smooth as a Mill pond, She keeps our whole Ships Company

[Page 31]

pumping from three to four hours a day, how she will be patch'd up I do not know, it will take near a twelve Month, & then I shall dread going to sea in her - You may expect me home soon after that but depend on it I shall do nothing rash

In consequence of having so much stock I thought it necessary to get a farm, & found the cheapest way was to purchase one, I have therefore given one hundred & forty pounds for one - with a good house etc on it I am at present so well pleas'd with it that I do not mean ever to part with it - Just as I was beginning to write to England, a Criminal Court was orderd which lasted five days so that you will account for the shortness of this, but having wrote a long Letter to Lord Sydney & Govr Phillip, I have inclosd Govr Phillips to you which having perus'd seal it up & dispatch it, but all that is said about the Colony I beg you to keep secret, for from the present distracted state we are in, altho' so very concice as I have been to him I should wish that not to transpire, something serious will happen here shortly, luckily for me I am out of all partys & scrapes, & as the song says "I am well so I will keep" - I had very great satisfaction on my arrival

[Page 32]

here in addition to my the other Letters from my friends to find a very long one from L [Sydney] couch'd in the most friendly & flattering terms desiring me to command him in any way that may be most pleasing or interesting to myself, once there was a time had he wrote such a Letter - but that is now over - I have wrote him a long answer, which most probably you will see, as he says he sees all the or your family - I have not said any thing about promotion as I am convinced he will exert himself whenever an opportunity offers - I am much pleasd & thank you respecting the votes

I now come to the more interested part what would I not sacrafice to know of the safety of little Maria, If in England I know she is safe, & under a kind protecting hand, hope to God she is there - how anxiously I wish for a letter from England I trust the first letter from you will inform me of her health, should you see Major Paterson or his Wife tell them I have wrote to them, to Palmer I have not time, & to Collins less inclination

Should any opportunity offer of your sending out articles similar to what you sent out in the trunk to me by the Ganges, I would wish you to direct them to Mr. Thos Smyth, Provost Martial Sydney

[Page 33]

only putting an account of the articles their prices & my name to them, should I not be there he will dispose of them to the best advantage

Some time before we saild I recd a letter from you inclosing one from Mr. Brewer, my Grandfather mentioning & relation a Seargeant Haven of the NS Wales Corps, he is here a very decent & respectable man, & pay master Sargent in Capt Foveaux Company I inclose two letters from him & have promis'd him to take him home with me when I go, he wishes you would write this account of himself to Cirencester

Remember me most affectionatly to all at home, William, Condell, Betsy etc must not think I forget them in not writing, for positivly I am not able for want of time, but will make up for it next time - When you see little Maria, give her many kisses for me & her dady tom Smyth as she usually calld him, I know I need not say any more to you about her, believe me my dear father, Your Most Affectionate Son
H Waterhouse
for a wonder I have drawn no Bills by this Ship - My farm contains nearly two hundred acres not having time to write more than a few lines to Mr Standert I have referd him to you & Govr Phillips Letters (If you see Capn Abbott, tell him he never left me his address which is the reason I have not wrote to him

[Page 34]

This is much under the present price beside a quantity of Pigs

I gave 150& for a farm but mean to keep it for a retreat in case of the worst

I have garden I can get two hundred pounds for -

[Page 35]

My Dear Father

I receiv'd your kind letter, & a long one from Admiral Phillip, at the same time I cannot comply with the advice, altho' I acknowledge the justness of it, you will say this is the height of folly, but I will not court or cringe to any Man for what I have vanity to think I have a right, every request I have made since my return to Europe has been made for others, not one for myself except for a Ship which I was promis'd. I will so far deviate from a rule I have lay'd down for myself as to write to the Marchioness, Lord Sydney, & perhaps to Lord Fitswilliam & General Egerton, Lord Sydney I can write to as a brother, but I know he has no influence, the others have, but it is begging,& whose houses I have avoided, Lady Rockinghams excepted, let this my ideas convince you how much I think you my friend

I have enclos'd a letter for Betsy, which I

[Page 36]

have just reciev'd, I cannot concieve how the letter you sent me (that was left at Mr Sykes could have miscarryd). I am much pleas'd with Adml Phillips noticing Maria, give her a kiss for her answer. I shall write to him shortly in Yorkshire, he knows my sentiments -
        
If you have not quitted Town let me know when you mean, & possibly I may meet you on the coast. I shall answer Williams letter tomorrow - There is two books with parchment covers, Letters & Orders written & receivd in the Reliance, which I left in Town will you send them to me by the Coach. Give my kind affections to all at home I have a kind of presentiment I shall not be laid on the shelf, but believe me on all occasions
Affectionatly Yours
H Waterhouse
Friday July 10th. 1801

How is Andrew