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permit me to begin so long a letter again, the canvas house I am under being neither wind nor water-proof." Phillip was not the only one who recorded the friendly bearing of the inhabitants. Collins informs us that at the outset they

"conducted themselves sociably and peaceably towards all the parties of our officers and people, and by no means seemed to regard them as enemies or invaders of their country and tranquillity. How grateful to every feeling of humanity would it be, could we conclude this narrative without being compelled to say that these in offending people had found reason to change both their opinions and their conduct."

But though Phillip used every precaution, and strictly enjoined his subjects not to deprive the natives of their spears, their boomerangs (called wooden swords by the English at first), their gum, and other articles, which, there being no thieving amongst themselves (Collins says), we soon perceived they were accustomed to leave under the rocks, or loose and scattered about upon the beaches," the white man was unrestrainable. It was too late discovered that a boat's crew from one of the transports had first given offence, and had been driven off with stones by the blacks. What cared convicts (who could obtain a few shillings for a stolen weapon) for Phillip's prudence? What recked the crews of the transports, who were collecting curiosities, the manner in which convicts had obtained them?

Again, the French—who as birds of passage had no such cogent reasons for good conduct as weighed upon Phillip—had no scruple in firing on the natives with or without provocation. Thus the very tribe, and often, perhaps, the very men, whom Phillip endeavoured to conciliate at Sydney, and with whom he had himself established friendly relations, were wantonly fired upon at Botany Bay.^[1] With