During the period of your government, the settlements of New South Wales beheld the sunshine of their prosperity. The liberal and enlightened measures adopted by you, consolidated the happiness, and increased the security of the colony; and the tears which were shed at your departure were the most grateful tributes which could be paid to your exalted worth. These considerations justify my selection of you as the Patron of this sketch; but, if a stronger motive were necessary, I have only to retrace the numerous and weighty instances in which you have displayed the most marked attention to my personal interests, and which will ever induce me to avow myself, With every sentiment of respectful admiration, SIR, Your very obliged, and faithfully devoted servant, D. D. MANN. 35, Queen-Street, Edgware-Road, Oct. 13, 1810 * * * * * NEW SOUTH WALES Chapter I. Discovery of New South Wales.--Arrival of a Colony there from England.--Obstructions calculated to retard the Progress of the Settlement.--Departure of Governor Phillip.--Intervening Governors, until the Arrival of John Hunter, Esq. and his Assumption of the Government.--Printing Press set up.--Cattle lost, and Discovery of their Progeny in a wild State.--Playhouse opened.--Houses numbered.--Assessments for the building of a Country Gaol.--Town Clock at Sidney.--Natives.--Convicts.--Improvement of the Colony.--Seditious Dispositions of the Convicts.--Departure of Governor Hunter.--His Character and Government.--Comparison of Stock, etc.--Governor King assumes the Command of the Settlement--Table of Specie Vessel laden with Spirits sent away.--Earthquake.--Inundation at the Hawkesbury.--First Criminal for Forgery executed.--Atlas struck by Lightning.--Tempests.--Desertions of the Convicts.--Newspaper established.--Murders.--Singular Execution.--Lieutenant--Governor Collins forms a new Settlement.--Insurrection of the Convicts.--The Introduction and Progress of Vaccination, and its subsequent Loss.--Influx of the Sea at Norfolk Island.--Limits of Counties defined.--Ship overset in a Tempest.