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times the force I have now to guard, not only the convicts, but myself from their attacks." He did nothing to maintain possession at Port Phillip, and Governor King, in June 1804, commissioned Lt.-Col. Paterson (Lt.-Gov. at Port Dakymple) to examine whether "a post of occupancy" should he formed at Port Phillip, or at Western Port, to neutralize the schemes of the French.

Collins' affections were elsewhere. He fled to Van Diemen's Land, where Bowen was already established on the bank of the Derwent, easily accessible from the sea. Even there he shrank from the duties of his office. Without assuming control over Bowmen in compliance with his instructions, he selected a site for his own settlement on the opposite side of the river, at a place he called Sullivan Cove.

Desirous as he was to yield no footing to the French, King nevertheless declined to multiply contiguous posts of occupation, and in April he directed Collins "to lose no time in taking under your command everyplace and person at and about the Derwent," Collins delayed. Bowen hesitated King was peremptory. "There was," he said, "no need for two Governors within six miles of each other," Bowen's general conduct was nevertheless highly commended to the Secretary of State. The name Hobarfe, which King had affixed to the first settlement at Eisdon, was transferred to that formed by Collins.

Collins' disregard of the desires of the Secretary of State that a port in Basses Straits should be occupied, created a special difficulty. Lord Hobart, in a despatch (24th June 1803), had furnished a ludicrous instance of the dangers which surround ignorance when it affects precision.

"After mature consideration of all the circumstances," . . . "it appears to be advisable that a part of the establishment now at Norfolk Island should be removed, together with a proportion of the settlers and convicts, to Port Dalrymple, the advantageous position of which, upon the southern coast of Van Dieman's Land and near the eastern entrance of Basses Straits, renders it in a political view peculiarly necessary that a settlement should be formed there.'

Colonel Paterson was to go to Port Dalrymple, and as an officer of Foveaux's rank would not be required at the diminished settlement at Norfolk Island, Foveaux was to go to Sydney, and there be ranked as Lt.-Goveror under