Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 1.djvu/304

 196 PHILLIP 1790 colony, notwithstanding the wreck of the Guardian. The Justinian, as Collins tells us (p. 119), narrowly escaped being wrecked on the coast of New South Wales ; had that hap- pened, the colonists might have been starved out before re- lief was brought by the arrival of the Supply from Batavia in September, 1790, followed by a Dutch vessel in Decem- ber. The Justinian arrived in June, after a five months' The Second voyago. A fortnight before her arrival, the Lady Juliana came in with female convicts ; and shortly afterwards three other ships dropped anchor, filled with convicts in such a state of exhaustion from illness that four hundred and eighty-eight of them were placed in hospital as soon as they were landed. These ships formed the Second Fleet. His lordship next asked if I thought the marines would be de- settiere in sirous of remaining in the colony as soldiers or settlers f I replied the colony, ^j^^^j. j j^^y^j, jj^d an opportunity of knowing their opinions or wishes on that subject, but that I had my doubts whether many of them would wish to remain when the relief took place. On his lordship asking the same question respecting the convicts^ when Marines and their terms became expired, I said that I believed returning to ^"^ England was what they in general looked forward to ; but that I thought it probable, as the country advanced in resources and culti- vation, that many might be induced to become settlers, and in- stanced the prospering state of one of that description who I had settled before I left Norfolk Island. No question about free settlers ; even the idea of sending No free them out had not yet assumed shape. The conversation ^ ^"' ended with a friendly remark from his lordship, which naturally led King to put in a word or two for himself : — His lordship then, with much politeness, expressed his unwil- CivUities. lingness (as I was so lately arrived) to propose my immediate return to Norfolk Island. I assured his lordship I felt it both my inclination and duty to be in readiness to go whenever my services might be thought necessary; and after expressing the sense I had of the honour done me by his Majesty's appointing me lieu- tenant-Govenior of Norfolk Island, I took the liberty of saying that I hoped not to be thought presuming in soliciting the honour of obtaining a step in the navy. His lordship politely remarked Digitized by Google