Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 1.djvu/160

 62 THE FLEET AT SEA. 1787 It was not until the ship cast anchor in the harbour of June, Santa Cruz in the Isle of Teneriffe, on the 3rd June, that Phillip had an opportunity of seeing the whole of the people First committed to his charge. He found them quiet and con- tented, but noticed some '^compleat villains" among them. During their stay in port, they shared with the crews and marines the good things provided for them, in the shape of fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit, for the purpose of pro- tecting them against attacks of scurvy. While here, Phillip wrote a letter to Lord Sydney, in which he mentioned the s[j^j^ singular fact discovered after they had set sail, that the marines had been sent to sea without any supply of ^'musquet balls," or even paper for making ''musquet cartridges.*' It was fortunate that the convicts did not make the same dis- covery while they were at sea. At Santa I have the honor to inform your lordship that I anchored here the 3rd inst. with his Majesty's ship under my command, the Supply, tender, store-ships, and transports. Health By the enclosed list your lordship will see that the convicts are not so sickly as when we sailed, and while we remain here the Commissary will be able to procure them fresh meat at a very moderate expense. I understood when the marines who were to form the garrison were embarked that they would be furnished with ammunition, No musquet but since we sailed find that they were only supplied with what "was necessary for immediate service while in port, and we have neither musquet balls nor paper for musquet cartridges, nor have we any armourers' tools to keep small arms in repair. I am therefore to request that your lordship will be pleased to give orders that those articles may be sent out by the first ship, and for which, as well as for the women's cloathing that was left ci^hing left behind, we shall be much distressed. I hope the transports will be able to compleat their water by the 9th, and shall not lose an hour after that is done. He wrote at the same time to Nepean : — I have the pleasure of informing you that I anchored here the 3rd, late in the evening, and by the returns made to Lord Sydney you will see that the convicts are in a better state than when we sailed. improved. Digitized by Google