Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 2.djvu/289

 POOD SUPPLIES UNDER GROSE. 245 the colony suffered very much from the want of tools and '^'^ implements^ especially axes and saws^ without which the clearing of the land could not proceed. Shortly after the Bellona arrived, the Shah Hormuzear came in with provi- sions, which were added to the public stock. This vessel had been loaded at Calcutta with the approval of the Governor- and indUu General of India, who seems to have thought, according to Grose, that ''this mode of conveying stores was preferable to taking up a ship."* The settlement was not at this time in want of provisions, and there was every appear- ance of an abundant harvest. But as the months went by without bringing any fresh ships from England, the situa- tion again became critical ; and to make matters worse, the crops, owing to the dryness of the season, failed. *' Our FkUnre of corn,"t said Grose, writing on the 30th May, 1793, "which once flattered us with the most luxuriant appearance, has, for want of timely rain, been parched and withered to almost nothing, and instead of the twenty bushels an acre which were expected, we must content ourselves with six.'* J While expressing uneasiness lest he might have been considered as " too premature " in purchasing provisions, Grose pointed J^SS*" ^ out that but for the " accidental supplies " which these pur- wppUeg. chases comprised '' the colony would at this time experience the severity of a very reduced allowance.'* He does not appear to have been aware that he was expected to purchase the cargoes of food that might be despatched from Calcutta, and that the British Government was relying largely on the rsther the sum for which he drew bills on the Treasury in London, was £9|603 5s. 6d. Collins thought it necessary to account for so large a transac- tion with a private trader : — *' Although a supply of provisions had been lately received from England, it was but a small one, and we were not yet in possession of that plenty which would have warranted our rejecting a car^o of provifions, particularly when brought on speculation. The hour of dis- tress miffht again arrive, and occasions might occur that would excite a wish, perhaps in vain, for a cargo of provisions from Bengal." — Collins, vol. i, p. 271. t The word "com," as used in the despatches, usually signifies Indian com or maize, but sometimes it applies to wheat. In this case the maize crop is referred to'; the wheat produced from seventeen to eighteen bushels per acre. X Historical Records, vol. ii, p. 29,
 * The amount exprnded hy Grose in the purchase of this cargOi or