Revised Jun 22 2021
Towards the close of this eventful day we all assembled in a large upper room in the military barracks, Captain Denham and most of the government establishment being there also; when we solemnly and gratefully offered our thanks and praises to our Triune God, for his continued goodness and mercy in thus bringing us to our future earthly home; and I trust we were sincere in imploring his watchful care that we swerve not to the right hand nor the left. Soon after dark we all retired to rest under the same roof; and a quiet and comfortable night we passed.
Monday, 9th. Moderate weather. All hands up early. After prayers, the men of our community prepared to go on board for our luggage. Everything denotes that we are in a strange country the size of the houses, their construction, and the great height of the rooms, the number of cattle feeding quietly about, the oxen yoked to the carts bringing our goods from the pier to the place where we reside, this same building three stories high, and each room eighteen feet in height; all and everything astonished our people.
Sunday, 15th. For some days little has been done towards landing anything, the Morayshire being obliged from bad weather to get under weigh. Divine Service twice in the church, which is much out of repair about the roof. Administered the Holy Communion to fifty-eight persons; but the only persons not of our community were Captain Denham and Mr. Gregorie. After service a melancholy duty called us to the graveyard, which lay at some distance from the village. Yesterday, somewhat suddenly, though not unexpectedly, departed this life the infant Phoebe Adams. This afternoon we committed the mortal remains to its parent earth in that graveyard where stands the record of many whose crimes had banished them from country and friends, and also of others whom deeds of violence and bloodshed after their arrival here had brought to an untimely, and, it is to be feared, an unprepared end.
Sunday, 22d. Divine Service twice; weather moderate. At sunset a ship appeared in the offing: she has the look of a ship of war; in all probability the Juno, which ship we are expecting; if so, Lieut. Gregorie's stay among us will be short. We shall be sorry to lose him, for he is quite a favourite with our people, and deservedly so. Captain Mathers, of the Morayshire, spent the day on shore with us, his ship standing off and on. Right welcome is he to our hospitality.
Monday, 23d. Moderate weather, but the swell is heavy on the reef. One of the large boats being left at anchor by the wharf got badly injured by knocking her bottom on the rocks, so that in all probability she will become a wreck. This is unfortunate: however, we have still one large boat left, but I trust she will be better cared for than the other. Got some things on shore to-day; the ship having been off here fourteen days from the time of our landing, demurrage commences according to the tenor of the charter. The Juno (for such the ship in the offing yesterday proved to be) came to an anchor at the Cascades, it being very smooth there; but Captain Fremantle did not land. I presume his arrival will hasten the departure of the Herald, whose stay here is principally to see us settled properly and quietly in our new abode, and to superintend the embarcation of the Crown prisoners and certain stores. But the Herald had not been idle; she has had continuous employment in sounding round the island, and has obtained soundings at 150 miles' distance, an anomalous case among islands in these seas. Captain Denham has constructed a beautiful chart of the island and its vicinity, a manuscript copy of which we have obtained.
Thursday, 26th. Early this morning Captain Mathers embarked. The Morayshire got under weigh, and proceeded for Van Diemen's Land. God preserve those on board! At four P.M. Captain Denham embarked, and soon after the Herald made sail. The Juno also got up her anchor, but is not yet going to leave us.
Saturday, 28th. The Juno boats landed, and got off such things as are wanted; her ship's company kindly sent us some bags of bread, and we in return sent them some fresh beef. Captain Fremantle wrote a letter to the magistrate, but did not land himself. At five o'clock Mr. Gregorie went on board to resume his duties there; and the Juno made sail on her cruise. Now we are all alone, humanly speaking; yet there is One in the midst of us who watcheth over us by night and day.
Sunday, 29th. Rainy weather; Divine Service twice. The roof of the church is leaky; and my surplice is no protection. I fear we shall have to abandon the church, and use one of the large rooms in the barracks (which is almost the only building in repair) in its stead.
Monday. Some are employed tending sheep, some driving in the cattle, and two or three at the windmill grinding maize; and it is really wonderful with what facility our people comprehend the details of these complicated employments,