George Bouchier Worgan

About George Bouchier Worgan

George Bouchier Worgan (c.1757–1838) is a particularly interesting First Fleet figure because he was not only a surgeon but also a musician, explorer and unusually lively observer of the first months at Sydney Cove. He joined the Royal Navy in 1775 and was appointed surgeon to HMS Sirius, the flagship of the First Fleet, in November 1786. 

His journal covers 20 January to 11 July 1788, and so captures arrival at Botany Bay, the move to Sydney Cove, the establishment of the camp and the first months of settlement.

The State Library characterises him as apparently amiable and good-natured, writing enthusiastically and sometimes almost boyishly to his brother.

Worgan was musically inclined and brought a piano aboard the Sirius. It is generally regarded as the first piano brought to Australia. When Worgan eventually left New South Wales, he left the instrument with Elizabeth Macarthur. That gives him a lovely human dimension for children: the surgeon aboard the First Fleet also brought a piano halfway around the world.

Worgan's position as surgeon aboard the flagship HMS Sirius put him at the centre of events, and his journal contains firsthand observations of the emerging settlement.

He also travelled beyond the settlement, taking part in expeditions into the Hawkesbury and Broken Bay areas, so his observations extend beyond life immediately around Sydney Cove.

Worgan remained in New South Wales for several years. He left with other members of the Sirius company in March 1791 aboard the Dutch ship Waaksamheid and reached England in April 1792. 

After returning to Britain, he married Mary Lawry. They had two sons and a daughter, and interestingly both sons later migrated to Australia. Worgan died in March 1838.

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Selected excerpts
…we steered for Botany Bay, and after a tolerably pleasant Voyage of 10 Weeks & 2 Days Governour Phillip, had the Satisfaction to see the whole of his little Fleet safe at Anchor in the said Bay.
As we were sailing in We saw 8 or 10 of the Natives, sitting on the Rocks on the South Shore, and as the Ships bordered pretty near thereto, we could hear them hollow, and observe them talking to one another very earnestly, at the same time pointing towards the Ships; they were of a black reddish sooty Colour, entirely naked, walked very upright, and each of them had long Spears and a short Stick in their hands, soon after the Ships had anchored, the Indians went up into the Wood, lit a Fire, and sat Around about it, as unconcerned (apparently,) as tho' nothing had occurred to them.

Two Boats from the Sirius were now Manned and armed, and the Governor, accompanied by Capt Hunter, and several other Officers, went towards the Shore, where they had seen the Natives, who perceiving the Boats making towards the Beach, came out of the Wood, and walked along, some distance from the Water-side, but immediately on the Boats landing, they scampered up into the Woods again, with great Precipitation.
On this, the Governor, advised, that we should seem quite indifferent about them, and this apparent Indifference had a good Effect, for they very soon appeared in sight of Us, When, the Governor held up some Beads, Red Cloth & other Bawbles and made signs for them to advance, but they still were exceedingly shy & timid, and would not be enticed by our allurements; which the Governor perceiving, He shewed them his Musket, then laid it on the Ground, advancing singly towards them, they now seeing that He had nothing in his Hands like a Weapon one of y oldest of the Natives gave his Spears to a younger, and approached to meet the Governor, but not without discovering manifest tokens of Fear, and distrust, making signs for the things to be laid on the Ground which, the Governor complying with, He advanced, tooke them up, and went back to his Companions; Another, came forth and wanted some of the same kind of Presents, which, were given to Him by the same Method, at length, after various Methods to impress them with the Belief that We meant them no harm, they suffered Us to come up to them, and after making them all presents, which they received with much the same kind of Pleasure, which Children shew at such Bawbles, just looking at them, then holding out their Hands for more, some laughing heartily, and jumping extravagantly; they began to shew a Confidence, and became very familiar, and curious about our Cloaths, feeling the Coat, Waistcoat, and even the Shirt and on seeing one of the Gentlemen, pull off his Hat, they all set up a loud Hoop, one was curious enough to take hold of a Gentlemans Hair that was cued, and called to his Companions to look at it, this was the occasion of another loud Hoop, accompanied with other Emotions of Astonishment. In a Word, they seemed pretty well divested of their Fears, and became very funny Fellows.
They suffered the Sailors to dress them with different coloured Papers, and Fools-Caps, which pleased them mightily, the strange contrast these Decorations made with their black Complexion brought strongly to my Mind, the Chimney-Sweepers in London on a May-Day. - They were all Men & Boys in this Tribe.
I should have told You, that the Governor, left the Sirius soon after we sailed from the Cape of Good Hope; and Embarked on Board the Supply Brig & Gave up the Command of ye Convoy to Cap.tn Hunter, in order that he might proceed on before the main Body of the Fleet, but he arrived in Botany Bay, only two Days before Us. In this Time, He had obtained an Intercourse or two, with some Natives on the North Shore, but, as the Means which he took to gain their Confidence, and effect a Parley, were much the same as those, I have given you an account of, I shall only mention a few singular Circumstances that occurred in these Intercourses.
The Supply Brig, arrived in ye Bay about 2 ºClk in the Afternoon,of ye 18th January and at 4 O´Clock, The Governor, attended by several Officers, went in two armed Boats towards a part of the Shore where, 6 of the Natives, were, and had been sitting the whole time the Supply was entering the Bay, looking and pointing at Her with great Earnestness; When the Boats had approached pretty near this Spot, two of the Natives got up, and came close to the Waters-Edge, making Motions, pointing to another part of the Shore and talking very fast & loud, seemingly, as if the Part to which they pointed, was better landing for the Boats, they could not however, discern any thing unfriendly, or threatening in the Signs and Motions which the Natives made.
- Accordingly the Boats coasted along the Shore in a Direction for the Place, to which, they had been directed, the Natives following on the Beach. In the mean Time, the Governor, or somebody in his Boat, made Signs that they wanted Water, this they signified by putting a Hat over the Side of the Boat and seeming to take up some of the salt Water put it to his Mouth, the Natives, immediately, understood this Sign and with great Willingness to Oblige, pointed to the Westward, and walked that Way, apparently with an Intention to show their Visitors the very Spot. The Boats steered towards the Place, and soon discovered the Run of fresh Water, opposite to which, they landed, and tasting it found it to be very good. The Natives had stopped about 30 Yards from ye Place where the Boat landed, to whom, the Gentlemen made signs of thanks for their friendly Information, at the same time offering Presents, and doing every thing they could think of, to make them lay aside their Fears and advance towards them, but this point was gained only, by the Methods that I have mentioned: and when they did venture to come and take the things out of the Governor's & the other Gentlemen's Hands, it was with evident Signs of Fear, the Gentlemen now having distributed all their Presents among them, returned on Board. Thus, was our first Intercourse obtained, with these Children of Nature.
About 12 of the Natives appeared the next Morning, on the Shore opposite to the Supply, they had a Dog with them, (something of the Fox Species); The Governor and the same Gentlemen that were of his Party Yesterday went on Shore, and very soon came to a Parley with them, there were some of their Acquaintances among the Number, and these advanced first (leaving their Spears with their Companions who remained behind at a little Distance) as they had done Yesterday); They all of them in a short time became Confident, Familiar & vastly funny took any thing that was offered them, holding out their Hands and making Signs for many things that they saw, laughed when we laughed, jumped extravagantly, and grunted by way of Music, & Repeated many Words & Phrases after Us. The Gentlemen having passed about an hour with them, returned on Board, but could not induce any of the Natives to accompany them there.
A Party of Us made an Excursion up an Arm in the North part of the Bay, where we had not been long landed before we discovered among the Bushes a Tribe of the Natives, who at first did not discover such an inoffensive & friendly Disposition, as those I have spoke of, above; for these rude, unsociable Fellows, immediately threw a Lance, which fell very near one of the Sailors, and stuck several Inches in the Ground, we returned the Compliment by firing a Musket over their Heads, on which I thought they would have broken their Necks with running away from Us. about an hour after, we, in our Ramble, fell in with them again, they stood still, but seemed ready for another Start. One of Us, now laid down the Musket and advanced towards them singly, holding out some Bawbles, and making Signs of Peace; In a little time they began to gain Confidence, and two of them approached to meet the Gentlemen who held out the Presents, the Introduction being amicably settled, they all joined Us, and took the Trinkets we offered them; The same Emotions of Pleasure, Astonishment, Curiosity & Timidity, appeared in these poor Creatures, as had been observed in our first Acquaintances
-There were some Old and young Women in this Tribe, whom the Men seemed very jealous & careful of, keeping them at Distance behind some young Men, who were armed with Spears, Clubs & Shields, apparently as a Guard to them. We could see these curious Evites peeping through the Bushes at Us, and we made signs to the Men, who were still with Us, that We wished to give some Trinkets to the Women, on which, One of their Husbands, or Relations (as we supposed) hollowed to them in an authoritative Tone, and one of these Wood-Nymphs (as naked as Eve before she knew Shame) obeyed and came up to Us; when; we presented her with a Bracelet of blue Beads for her obliging Acquiescence; She was extremely shy & timid, suffering Us, very reluctantly, even to touch Her; Indeed, it must be merely from the Curiosity, to see how they would behave, on an Attempt to be familiar with them, that one would be induced to touch one of Them, for they are Ugly to Disgust, in their Countenances and stink of Fish-Oil & Smoke, most sweetly.
- I must not omit mentioning a very singular Curiosity among the Men here, arising from a Doubt of what Sex we are, for from our not having, like themselves long Beards, and not seeing when they open our Shirt-Bosoms (which they do very roughly and without any Ceremony) the usual distinguishing Characteristics of Women, they start Back with Amazement, and give a Hum! with a significant look, implying. What kind of Creatures are these?!-As it was not possible for Us to satisfy their Inquisitiveness in this Particular, by the simple Words. Yes or No. We had Recourse to the Evidence of Ocular Demonstration, which made them laugh, jump & Skip in an extravagant Manner.
In a Tribe of these funny, curious Fellows, One of them, after having had His Curiosity gratified by this mode of Conviction, went into the Wood, and presently came forth again, jumping & laughing with a Bunch of broad Leaves tied before Him, by Way of a Fig-leaf Veil. Before we took our leave of the Tribe that threw the Lance; they endeavoured to convince Us, that it was not thrown by general Consent, and one of them severely reprimanded the Man who threw it, and several of them struck him, but more to shew Us their Disapprobation of what he had done, than as a Punishment for it.
 

On the Evening of our Arrival (26th January 1788) The Governor & a Number of the Officers assembled on Shore where, they Displayed the British Flag and each Officer with a Heart, glowing with Loyalty drank his Majesty's Health and Success to the Colony. The next Day...

As I mean to annex to this Letter, a kind of Journal of each Day's Transaction and Occurrences, I shall pass over many things in this Narrative, and enter immediately on a rough Sketch of the Country of New South Wales, its Inhabitants &c...
Having now given You some Account of what these Wildernesses are formed, I'll say a Word or two of their Inhabitants, and first of the Human Species, of which, (though we haved obtained many Intercorses with them) We have been able to learn but little.- They are of a moderate Height, few reaching up to 6 Feet, rather slight than Robust their Complexion is of a reddish, Blackish Soot Colour, filthy & dirty to Disgust; Men Women and Children go entirely naked, scorning a Veil as big as. a Fig-leaf, I cannot say their Features are very irregular such as they are, their Lips are rather thick, their Teeth sound, but yellow, dark dingy Eyes, broad, short Noses with wide Trumpet Nostrils which are plugged up with dry drippings, their Hair is black and softish, and has more of a Touselled than a curling appearance
They suffered, (but not without trembling exceedingly,) the Beads to be tied about their Necks & Wrists, this being done, they retired back behind the Guard. Notwithstanding this apparent Shyness & Timidity when in your Reach, Yet, the young Baggages, when at a Distance from Us, make all the wanton significant signs imaginable.- It does not appear that these poor Creatures have any fixed Habitation, sometimes sleeping in a Cavern of a Rock, which they make as warm as an Oven by lighting a Fire in the middle of it, they will take up their abode here, for one Night perhaps, then in another the next Night, at other times (and we believe mostly in ye Summer) they take up their Lodgings for a Day or two in a miserable Wigwam, which they make of the Bark of a Tree, (in ye form annexed), these are dispersed about the Woods near the Water, 2. 3. 4 together some Oyster, Cockle & Muscle Shells lie about the Entrance of them, but not in any Quantity to Indie ate, that they make these Huts their constant Habitations. We met with some that seemed entirely deserted, or left for any other Tribe, that might want another Lodging, indeed, it seems pretty evident, that their Habitations, whether Caverns, or Wigwams, are common to all, and alternately inhabited by different Tribes. ^ In the few that we saw, while they had Lodgers the whole stock of Furniture consisted of a Bundle of Spears, 3 or 4 fishing Lines, Shields & Baskets made of ye Bark of a Tree.
They associate (we have reason to think) in Family Tribes, the Eldest assuming a Direction & Government over the Rest, each Tribe, according the number, have 6, 8, or 10 Canoes, in these contemptible Skiffs (which display very little art or Ingenuity) they paddle, (with two things like Pudding stirrers) from one Cove to another even up and down the Coast, keeping as close to the Rocks as possible. The Women make much more Use of them than the Men do, for they get into them only when they want to cross from one Cove to the other, which having reached, they land, leaving the Women in them to fish with a Hook and Line, while they walk along the Rocks close to the Water, and strike the Fish with their Spears, and at this, they are very dexterous, seldom missing their Aim, which indeed is not to be wondered at, for Fish, being their chief Subsistence and their Hooks & Lines not being very plenty, They are obliged to practice this art of taking them daily; When they have caught enough for a Meal, and feel hungry, The Men, call the Women on shore, and haul up the Canoes for them, They then gather up a few dry Sticks, light a Fire under a shelving Rock, (if there is one near,) or a Wigwam, here they sit down and broil their Fish, when it is just warm through, they take off the Skin & Scales, then eat the Fish, Entrails, Bones and all, if not very large. - We have observed, that they chew a Fern Root at the time they are eating the Fish, but this, they spit out, having chewed it with with 6 or 8 Mor-sells of Fish, they eat some kind of Fruit like a Fig, too.
-We have given Birds to them which having bearly plucked, and warmed through they devour refusing no part of it. One or Two of them have ventured to taste our Salt Beef & Pork, which they liked so well, that they made signs for more,- The principal Articles on which the Subsistence of these poor Creatures depend, consist of Fish, Water and Fire;
Their Canoes, Spears, Lines $amp; Hooks are necessary for procuring the first Article - Their Weapons, of Defence consist of a Spear about 14 Foot long and terminating in a sharp point of Bone or hard Wood (whereas their fishing Spear has four Prongs tipped with Bone) they have a hooked Stick for throwing the Spear; a heavy Club, a piece of hard Wood in the Form of Scimitar, and a Shield made of a broad bit of the Bark of a Tree, seem to make up the whole of their warlike Instruments.
- Their Canoes are made of the Bark of the Tree, which I have said, somewhat resembles the Fir in its Growth. The manner of taking the Bark off for this Purpose is nearly as follows. After having made a circular Incision through the Bark, beginning 3 or 4 Feet from the Bottom of the Tree, they, by the help of Notches, climb up as high as they mean the Length of the Canoe shall be, where, they cut ye Bark through as at the Bottom, after this is done, they divide it in a straight Line from the top Incision to the bottom, and they contrive that this longitudinal Division of y' Bark shall run through the middle of the Notches, which they had cut to climb up by, so that they prove no detriment to the Bark for the Purpose that it is intended.
It being cut through to the Body of the Tree, they thrust in sticks between it & the Bark, by way of Wedges, to separate it from the Tree, they then leave them in this Manner 'till the Bark will strip off without using any Violence that might split it. having got it off, they pucker up the Ends and tie them with a tough stringy kind of Bark; & in order to strech it open we suppose that they place sticks across,
and keep them there till the Bark takes the form of a Canoe.
-The Article in which, I think they discover the greatest Ingenuity is their Hooks & Lines, the Hooks are of a pearly shell, ground to this shape, - the Lines are of a fine Bark nicely shredded & twisted very close and neatly: I have seen some of the Men with Net-Bags, made of this line. - There is one of their Arts which we have not, as yet, been able to come at the Knowledge of. I mean that, of producing Fire so quickly as they seem to do, a Stone appears to be one thing necessary for this Purpose, but we cannot find out what else they use.

As to the Article of Dress I have hinted before they strictly follow the primitive Simplicity of the Adamites and the Evites and it may be said of these rude children of Nature, as of them, "they are naked and not ashamed", and I may add, they are nasty and dirty and not ashamed
They are wonderfully expert at the art of Mimickry, both in their Actions and in repeating many of our Phrases, they will say-"Good Bye" after us, very distinctly, The Sailors teach them to swear. They laugh when they see us laugh, and they appear to be of a peaceable Disposition, and have a Generosity about them, in offering You a share of their Food. - If you meet with any of them, they will readily offer You Fish, Fire, & Water, they seem to be easily offended, and quick and fatal in revenging an Injury.
In a Word, to sum up the Qualities Personal & Mental, (those at least we have been able to discern) They appear to be an Active, Volatile, Unoffending, Happy, Merry, Funny, Laughing Good-natured, Nasty Dirty, Race of human Creatures as ever lived in a State of Savageness.
They seemingly enjoy uninterrupted Health, and live to a great Age. We have seen One or Two deformed in their Backs & Legs, a poor Fellow showed us a crooked arm he made signs that he broke by falling from a Rock.-
We have reason to suppose, they burn their dead, and throw the Ashes into a Heap; for we have met with 2 or 3 of these Heaps resembling in shape our Graves, One of which we examined and found Pieces of the Human Bone that were not quite consumed.
Only two of Them have ventured to visit our Settlement to whom the Governor gave many presents, and did every that he thought might Induce them to stay, or to come again and bring their Companions; The Objects which must have been entirely new to them did not excite their Curiosity or Astonishment so much as one might have expected. They just looked at them, with a kind of vague Indifference.
Of all the Things that have been given them the Axes Fishing hooks & Lines, or any spare Instrument or Food seem to please them most. The Drum was beat before them, which terrified them exceedingly, they liked the Fife, which pleased them for 2 or 3 Minutes. Indeed Music of any kind does not attract their attention, long together, they will sometimes jump to it and make a grunting Noise by way of keeping Time to the Tune. I have now given You most of the Particulars relating to the Customs and Manners of this rude Race of Creatures, that we have been able as yet to learn, which must necessarily be very little from their Language being such an inarticulate, unintelligible Jargon.
The other kinds of Inhabitants of these Wildernesses, and first of the Species of Quadrupeds that We have either shot, taken or seen are Dogs, Kanguroos, Opossums, the Pole Cat, Rat & Mouse Species.
The Natives have frequently Dogs with them, and the Governor has procured one of them. In Colour and Shape it resembles the Fox Dog, but the Tail is not so bushy, it has become very tame and domestic. The Natives set one of these Dogs at a Man, whom the Governor employs to shoot Birds and other Animals, and as He found himself in Danger of being Bit, He shot Him dead on the spot, the Natives were extremely terrified at this, and took to their Heels with the greatest Precipitation…
- I was one Day on a shooting Excursion and fell in with a Tribe of the Natives, while I was with them, a Crow settled in a Tree that was within shot, on levelling my Gun at it, one
of the Natives run up to Me in a hurry clapped his Hand over ye Muzzle of the Piece and cried out several times, Bail Bail Bau Bau! meaning as I conjectured, that I was not to kill it (for they have seen the Effects of the Gun) I complied with his Request, and laughed off the Offence I had seemingly given, at which, he laughed likewise and seemed mightily pleased.—

February 1788 Sat 9th
He concluded by assuring them that it was in their own Power by a steady Perseverance in a Series of good Conducts to make the Day of their Transportation to this Place, the happiest Day they had ever seen; but once more, he would give them his Word, that for the Future, no Crimes whatever should go unpunished, observing, that not to punish the Bad, was doing an Injustice to the Good, therefore, Henceforth, The Laws should take their Course.-
In this Address, I thought the Governor, spoke with a Feeling and a Concern, that does Honour to his Humanity, and it is really a Pity, he has the Government of a set of Reprobates who will not suffer him "" to indulge himself in a Lenity, which he sincerely wishes to govern them by. - The Convicts were allowed the Rest of the Day to themselves, and the Governor, entertained, as many of the Officers as he conveniently could, at Dinner.

Sat. 9th
A Party set out yesterday for Botany Bay, by Land, to pay a Visit to the French Officers, from whom, they met with a very polite and cordial Reception…

Sund 4th
   The Governor, and his Party returned this Afternoon from Broken Bay, it seems that it affords good Shelter for Ships, that the Entrance is bold, Plenty of Fish to be had, but for Spaciousness & Convenience it is not to be compared with Port Jackson.
They met with a vast number of the Natives here, some of w£ they thought they had seen before, at Botany Bay, indeed, it is pretty clear, that they wander up & down the Coast, going to the Northward in the Winter, and returning to ye South-ward (as we expect to find) in the Summer. The Natives, were very friendly to them, offered them Fire & Water, were extremely full of their Fun, laughing, Mimicking & Frisking about.
The Behaviour of one of the Women was rather singular, she took a great liking to the Governor's Great Coat, and as she could not influence Him to give it to her, by soft persuasions in her own language, She tried Jumping, Capering, and various Wanton Anticks would do, but these not succeeding according to her Wishes, She began to Weep, in a most lamentable strain, put on languishing Looks, in short practised all the Siren's Arts, but the Governor considering that this importuning Lady had done very well, seemingly, without a great Coat, and that it was a Comfort to him in his present Expedition, which it would be endangering his health to part with, He was obliged to persist in the Refusal of what, this Damsel had so whimsically and pathetically supplicated.
- In one part of the Bay, on their Landing rather late in the Evening, when, it was raining & blowing, an elderly Man came up to them, presented a lighted Stick, and invited them to a Cavern of a Rock, which was in Sight, and where he had a cheerful Fire, but as the Governor was for taking another Route, They could not comply with this Gentlemans Invitation, at which He seemed not a little displeased; However, This Man, visited them next Morning, and stay'd with them two or three Days, and by his Attention had prepossessed the Governor in his Favor, till, on the third Day, when, this trusty Friend, having taken a wonderful longing for a Spade, which he saw one of the Boats Crew using, took an Opportunity of making off with it, but, being seen, was stopped, and brought to the Governor, who, made signs for Him to go about his Business, giving him at the same time, a smart stroke with his open Hand, on which, the Gentleman was very very angry & Run &.- called his Comrades, but a Musket being fired over their Heads, they all scampered away into the Woods like Rabbits into a Burrow, however, the next Morning, they came down where the Governor had Tented all Night, & were Friends again.
Another curious Circumstance happened to them, while they were on the Business of exploring this Bay; They had landed, where there was a great many of the Natives; and in one of their Huts, the Governor, saw a large Crawfish, which, He Bartered for, giving the Owners of the Fish a Hatchet, and distributing Bawbles among many of Them whom, he thought might have a share of it, The Governor, now took the Fish, and was walking down towards the Boat with it, when, one of the Natives meeting Him, snatched it out of his Hand, and ran up with it to the Hut, where he had bought it, The Governor took no Notice then, but got into the Boat; soon after, they saw the same Fellow running down to the Boats hollowing and holding out the Fish, his Comrades, having told him, as they imagined that they had given something for it, however, the Governor, & the Gentlemen went on shore again, would not accept of the Fish but went up to the Huts where he got it, and took back all the Presents he had given them, this Conduct, was a great matter of Surprise & Mortification to them.
Four Convicts that were sent out a little Distance from the Settlement to cut Rushes came in to Day, and acquainted the Governor that 10 of the Natives had attacked them, who, after throwing a few Spears and Stones, at them, retreated; One of the Convicts shewed a small Wound in his Breast, which, he had received from a Spear., a P

… Our Excursions, put me in Mind of your going a Steeple Hunting, We sometimes, put a Bit of Salt Beef, or Pork, Bisket, a Bottle of 0 be joyful, in a Snapsack throw it over our Backs, take a Hatchet, a Brace of Pistols, and a Musket, and away we go, scouring the Woods, sometimes East, West, N. S. if Night overtakes us, we light up a rousing Fire, Cut Boughs & make up a Wig-Warn, open our Wallets, and eat as hearty of our Fare as You, of your Dainties, then lie down on a Bed, which tho' not of Roses, yet indeed, if it were not for the nauseous, greasy, grimy appearance of these naked Damsels, one might be said to be in a state of Tantalism, whenever they vouchsafe to permit Us to come near them; but what with stinking Fish-Oil, with which they seem to besmear their Bodies, & this mixed with the Soot which is collected on their Skins from continually setting over the Fires, and then in addition to these sweet Odours, the constant Appearance of the excrementitious Matters of the Nose which is collected on the upper pouting Lip, in
rich Clusters of dry Bubbles, and is kept up by fresh Drippings; I say, from all these personal Graces & Embellishments, every Inclination for an Affair of Gallantry, as well as every Idea of fond endearing Intercourse, which the Nakedness of these Damsels might excite one to, is banished. And I can assure You, there is in some of them a Proportion, a Softness, a roundness, and Plumpness in their Limbs & Bodies, were they but cleanly, that would excite tender & amorous Sensations, even in the frigid Breast of a Philosopher.
Would "stop a Druid in his pious Course Nor could Philosophy resist their Force."…

Frid 30th
A most Shocking Spectacle was brought to the Hospital this Evening : Two poor Creatures, Convicts, had been sent a few Miles up the Harbour, to cut Rushes, for thatching the Huts, and this Afternoon a Boat was sent to bring them down again, when, they found them lying among some Bushes, and murdered in a most horrid Manner by the Natives, Three Points of Spears were taken out of one Man, two of which had Transfixed Him in the Back the Points sticking some Inches out of his Breast a large Piece of his Skull, including the Eye seemed to have been cut out with an Axe. In the other Man, no wound was discovered from Spears, but he appeared to have been struck with some heavy broad Weapon over his Face, as that Part was black and bloody - The Natives had not stripped them of their Cloaths, nor had they taken their Tents away, but none of their Tools could be found. The Governor, means to take a Party of Marines to morrow Morning, and go to the Place where this Murder was committed, to endeavour to find out the Cause of these Hostilities: For it is his Opinion, with many others, that the Natives are not the Aggressors.
Sat. 31st
This Morning the Governor attended by 3 Marine Officers, the, Surgeon of the Settlement, and 10 or 12 Private Marines all armed set out for the Spot where the above Murder was committed.
This Afternoon, it was rumoured, that some of the Convicts had murdered two of the Natives, and 3 Convicts were taken on Suspicion, but as no clear Evidence could be produced to prove the Fact, they were acquitted; However there appeared some Probability of the Truth of the Report, and that the Murder of the two abovementioned Convicts was an act of Revenge, taken by the Natives on some Account, for they were Murdered the afternoon of the Day, on which it was said the 2 Natives were killed, it was asked in the Course of the Enquiry, what was done with the Corpse of the Natives, when, it was supposed that their Companions towed them off.

June Sund.1st
This Evening, the Governor, & his Party returned; They met with, between Two and Three Hundred of the Natives, all, armed, with several Bundles of Lances, Bludgeons, Wooden Scimitars, Stone-Hatchets & Shields. - The Governor & the Rest went up within 50 Yards of them, & halted, the Governor then, having given his Dagger to one of the Gentlemen, and appearing quite unarmed, advanced singly, on Which, one of the Natives, gave his Spear & Club to one of his Companions and met the Governor, soon after the Parley became general, the Rest of the Gentlemen, and many of the Natives having joined, they could not see any of the Tools which, they had taken from the Rush-Cutters, among them, neither could they make out by any -Signs the Discovery of the Cause of the Murder, the whole Intercourse with them was begun, and ended amicably. However, Their having thus assembled in this formidable Manner, it seems probable, that they had some Expectation, of our revenging the Death of the Convicts, and were equally prepared to be hostile, as disposed to be friendly, according to our Behaviour toward them…

your very affectionate Brother
G B Worgan

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