An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Volume 1 - With Remarks on the Dispositions, Customs, Manners, Etc. of The - Native Inhabitants of That Country. to Which Are Added, Some - Particulars of New Zealand; Compiled, By Permission, From - Th by David Collins
page 294 of 882 (33%)
page 294 of 882 (33%)
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being burnt soon after she was wrecked.
On Monday the 28th the _Waaksamheyd_ transport sailed for England, having on board Captain Hunter, with the officers and crew of his majesty's late ship _Sirius_. By Captain Hunter's departure, which was regretted by every one who shared the pleasure of his society, the administration of the country would now devolve upon the lieutenant-governor, in case of the death or absence of the governor; a dormant commission having been signed by his majesty investing Captain Hunter with the chief situation in the colony in the event of either of the above circumstances taking place. In the course of the night of the 28th, Bryant, whose term of transportation, according to his own account, expired some day in this month, eluded the watch that was kept upon him, and made his escape, together with his wife and two children (one an infant at the breast) and seven other convicts, in the fishing-boat, which, since the accident at the latter end of the last month, he had taken care to keep in excellent order. Their flight was not discovered until they had been some hours without the Heads. They were traced from Bryant's hut to the Point, and in the path were found a hand-saw, a scale, and four or five pounds of rice, scattered about in different places, which, it was evident, they had dropped in their haste. At the Point, where some of the party must have been taken in, a seine belonging to government was found, which, being too large for Bryant's purpose, he had exchanged for a smaller that he had made for an officer, and which he had from time to time excused himself from completing and sending home. The names of these desperate adventurers were, |
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