Page:New history of Botanybay (sic) and Port Jackson.pdf/19

 may be formed of the climates and I believe a finer or more healthy climate is not to be found in the world. Of one thousand and thirty people, who were landed many of whom were worn out by old age, the scurvy, and various disorders, only seventy-two have died in twenty-one months: and, by the Surgon's return, it appears that twenty six of those died from disorders of long standing; and which, it is more than probable, would have carried them off much sooner in England. Fifty nine children have been born in the above time.

In December the corn at Rose-Hill was got in. The corn was exceedingly good. About two hundred bushels of wheat, and sixty of barley, with a small quantity of flax. Indian corn, and oats; all which is preserved for feed.

Here I beg leave to observe to your Lordship, that if settlers are sent out, and the Convicts divided amongst them thithis [sic] Settlement will very shortly maintain itself but without which, this country cannot be cultivated to any advantage. At present I have only one person (who has about one hundred Convicts under his direction) who is employed in cultivating the ground for the public benefit, and he has returned the quantity of corn above-mentioned into the public store. The Officer's have not raised sufficient to support the little live-stock they have. Some ground I have had for cultivation, will return about forty bushels of wheat in store; so that the produce of the labour of the Convicts employed in cultivation has been very short of what might have been expected, and which I,