Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/82

 In spite of Phillip's bold bearing he felt the thorns he stood on. No help had come from England. Phillip determined to make a special appeal. He could not desert his post, but he felt that the testimony of an eye-witness was needed to show to gentlemen at ease in England what were the difficulties of a governor obstructed in the administration of justice by the commander of the forces, and what were the privations of Englishmen abroad, who managed starving convicts, and were so ill-fed themselves that six marines risked and underwent the penalty of death "for robbing the public stores." He selected the trusty King as his envoy. He had discharged him from the Sirius in order to enable her to have a full complement of officers in Jan., 1790. In Feb. he directed him to go as passenger by the Sirius, "the service making it necessary in order to give such information to His Majesty's Ministers as cannot be conveyed by letter."

Major Ross, of the Marines, was sent in the Sirius to take the post of Lt.-Gov. during King's absence, and one may suspect that Phillip was glad to detach from headquarters a man who had obstructed the administration of justice, and interfered with the efficiency of the nightwatch. All the hopes of both settlements depended on uncertain supplies from England, and on the voyage of the Sirius to Batavia under Captain Hunter, who sailed from Sydney on the 6th March, 1790, with 221 persons, of whom 186 were convicts to be left at Norfolk Island. There King also wistfully looked for news from England. Each time that the Supply arrived vain hopes were beaten down.

On the 29th Jan., 1790, her "return caused the greatest acclamations of joy through the whole settlement." But "a dejection took place equal to the joy visible a short time before." She carried twenty-three more convicts, but no provisions. The fish and vegetables of the island were supposed to enable it to give relief rather than require it. On the 18th March there was "tumultuous noise, huzzaing, and rejoicing." Two vessels were in sight at break of day. Every one was persuaded that relief had come from England, the little island "throned in the west," whence no tidings had been received since Phillip sailed with his charge in May, 1787. Convicts as well as guards, sailors