Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 1.djvu/140

 42 PREPARATIONS 1787 Janoaxy. Farther details. Stores. Overseers. Arrange- ments on boanU Advances for the staff. Berwick,* that in case of an accident we may not be in immediate want of those things, and the same on board the store-ship in which the Lieutenant-Gk)yemor goes. In addition to this memo., Phillip addressed several letters to the Home Department in reference to various matters of detail requiring attention. On the 4th January, 1787, he addressed Nepean as follows : — As it has been found necessary to add additional security to the hatchways, and to alter the handcuffs on board the Alexander, the same will be necessary to be done on board the different ships as they arrive at Portsmouth ; consequently orders should be sent down to that port to inform your office, or the Navy Board, when such alterations are made, otherwise the convicts may be sent from town before the ships are ready to receive them. I likewise beg leave to observe that the number of scythes (only six), of razors (only five dozen), and the quantity of buck and small shot (only two hundred lb.), now ordered, is very insufficient ; and that twenty scythes, twelve dozen of razors (at 12s. a dozen), and five of small shot, chiefly buck, in addition to the above, is very necessary. I have likewise to request that you will please to inform me in what manner those people are to be paid who superintend the convicts in their various occupations, for some people there must be named for that purpose, and no one will undertake this busi- ness without some reward, though it may be very small, being held out to them ; as likewise those who must be employed in issuing the daily provisions. These people camiot well be taken from the garrison; I think they may from the ship. The knowing what provisions, <kc., are on board the different ships is very necessary, as I find there are some things put on board the transports by the agent that cannot possibly remain there. I therefore beg that I may have the account as soon as it can possibly be given. Several of the staff have requested that I would once more apply to you for a twelvemonths' advance, as they find themselves much distressed in fitting for the voyage, and the uncertainty of which makes their agents unwilling to advance the sum they find Digitized by Google
 * Afterwards called the Sinus ; post, p. 4S9.