Volume 10: Elizabeth Macarthur journal and correspondence, 1789-1840

in these severe moments of affliction. I was greatly indebted to the attention and kindness of Captn. Reid, who commanded an Imperial East Indiaman, that then lay in the Bay with us. he visited Mr. M. frequently, & supplied me with a few [page torn] comforts that afterwards were of the greatest service. I was also very much obliged to Captn. Marshall for his [page torn] behaviour, particularly on this occasion – and here [page torn] add my obligations cease. I do not recollect [page torn] Officers made me the slightest offer of [page torn] indebted to them ever [page torn]

after we sailed but continued intermittant for a long time, for five weeks I was obliged to have one and some times two Soldiers sit up every night – and all the rest I took myself was laying my head on a Locker, till at length one of the [page torn] gave me up his Cabin – Our passage to the South [page torn] be truly called a tempestuous one we performed it [page torn] and it was not till this time that Mr. M [page torn]recovered To walk without assistance – It [page torn] feel the heavy hand of Sickness – The [page torn or indecipherable]

This letter is not in my dearest Mother's hand writing – it must be a Copy provided by some one in England. E.E.P. [Emmeline Parker]

Sydney port Jackson N.S. Wales

March the 7th 1791

At length we have a prospect of communication once more with our friends by Letter. The Gorgon so long wish'd for and so long expected, is not yet arrived and by her unaccountable delay, has involved us all, in the most mysterious uncertainty, and clouded our minds with gloomy apprehensions for her safety. – I hope you will have read my Letters dated Augst 1790; which I sent by the Scarborough Transport; by way of China. I wrote to my Mother by the same Ship and a second Letter to her dated a few weeks after the first. I sent by the Neptune who sailed, I think, sometime in Augst. By those Letters, I think you will be informed of my material circumstance, relative to our Voyage, and what happened to us after our arrival till the ship sailed. I told you of the unfortunate loss of the Syrius; a Kings Ship that had been stationed here from the first settling the Colony. She was wrecked on Norfolk Island. The ships company who all escaped with life, but not altogether without hurt; remained on the Island, and the Supply a small Brig, that sailed from this place, with the Syrius; returned with the news of her sad fate. The provision of the Colony, at the time being at very low Ebb, it was deemed necessary to take some steps lest supply might not arrive from England in time to prevent a threatened famine – every individual of this Colony, was reduced to a very short allowance; and the little Brig was despatched to Batavia under the command of Saint Ball; there to take up a Dutch ship, and purchase a certain quantity of provisions for the place; with [page torn] it was to be freighted and despatched hither with all possible

expedition – a few weeks after the Supply sailed, the first ship (Lady Juliana) arrived, and brought an account of the loss of the Guardian, occasioned by falling in with Islands of Ice. This Ship arrived on the 3d. of June, and came timely to prevent very great distress. On the 21st June the Justinian arrived, a Store Ship, and on the 29th our fleet was safely anchored in the Cove, as all those ships were under contract to return by way of China to take home Tea for the East India company and there being at that time no Ship stationed here, no way was left to convey a relief to the Inhabitants of Norfolk Island but by ordering some of those ships to touch there in their way to China. The Justinian and Surprize need orders for that purpose; re embarked a certain proportion of provisions for the Island – we had every hope that the supplies might arrive in time to prevent any fatal consequences; yet no [one?] could have no certainty of that till some ship should first arrive here that might be despatched to know the particulars of their fate; our minds were never perfectly easy on their account, at that time, there was with the Syrius's Company the Marines and Convicts near seven hundred persons on the Island, and I can truly say that for upwards of Six Months, I never passed a day without reflecting on them with pain and anxiety, Week after week stole away; and month after month with little diversity, each succeeding sunset produced among us, wild and vague conjectures, of what could be the cause of the Gorgons delay – and still we remained unsatisfied indeed, indeed all our surmises have nearly worn Themselves and we are at a loss for new ones; time the great resolver

3 of all counts: alone can determine this seeming mystery to us – on the 20th of October a general cry prevailed & through the Garrison of the Flags being hoisted, (which is a signal of a Ships appearing off the Harbour) I was preparing myself to revive Mrs Gross and Mrs Paterson being fully persuaded it was the Gorgon; however I was soon undeceived, as it proved to be the Supply from Batavia; she had a very quick passage but had experienced a very sickly one. Mr. Ball very soon called upon us, and complemented me with many little comforts procured at Batavia, which were truly acceptable. He brought us an account of a Ship, an English Man of War, answering very nearly the description of the Gorgon that had been spoken to somewhere about the Equator; And was bound for this port. Their intelligence was brought to the Cape of good Hope, and from thence to Batavia. If this was the Gorgon (which yet I hope not I tremble to think what may have been her fate. The Dutch ship laden with the provisions for the Colonies was not ready to sail when Mr. Ball quitted Batavia – She did not arrive till the 17th of december – In the dispatches of the Dutch schelander to Govr Phillips [Phillip] is mentioned something of a Spanish War, having been declared against England in May 1790 – The particulars are not well explained, or perhaps I should say not well understood, as the Letter is written in Dutch; and no one understands enough of the Language to transcribe it correctly. This Dutch ship is taken up by the Govr to go to England to convey home the officers and men of the Syrius – and acquaint the British government with the present state of the Colony. She is ordered to sail the 20th. of this month, but more of this by and bye – on the 21st. of Janry the Supply was sent to Norfolk Island, to bring hither the Syrius ships Company.