Page:Extracts from the letters and journals of George Fletcher Moore.djvu/171

 Rh Town, in a small colonial vessel which left this about a fortnight since, for the purpose of procuring a supply of wheat and flour, of which we have been in great need. An unfounded rumour originating from interested motives, has affected us seriously. At Hobart Town, a report circulated that we had been abundantly supplied by two vessels from Calcutta; in consequence, no supplies were shipped; and the captain of the Sulphur, which was sent there to procure provisions, seems to have acted on the same report. The effect is, that we have been in great want of flour and wheat, and are exceedingly impatient for the arrival of vessels, many an anxious eye straining its gaze over the ocean.

16th.—The Helen schooner has arrived from Hobart Town on her way to the Mauritius: she can spare us twenty tons of flour, some wheat, and a few potatoes. You see some of the difficulties we labour under here at present; yet we shall shortly have means established to provide regular supplies; but in the meantime our markets must be liable to great fluctuations. We daily look out for the Sulphur, Cornwallis, Nimrod, and the Jolly Rambler; most of these may be here in one or two months, and then we shall have abundance.

I have been so occupied for some time, that I have been unable to keep up my journal, even irregularly. I shall try to recal some of the