If only a receptacle for convicts be intended, this place stands
unequalled from the situation, extent, and nature of the country. When
viewed in a commercial light, I fear its insignificance will appear very
striking. The New Zealand hemp, of which so many sanguine expectations
were formed, is not a native of the soil; and Norfolk Island, where we
made sure to find this article, is also without it. So that the scheme
of being able to assist the East Indies with naval stores, in case of a
war, must fall to the ground, both from this deficiency, and the quality
of the timber growing here. Were it indeed possible to transport that of
Norfolk Island, its value would be found very great, but the difficulty,
from the surf, I am well informed, is so insuperable as to forbid
the attempt. Lord Howe Island, discovered by Lieut. Ball, though an
inestimable acquisition to our colony, produces little else than the
mountain cabbage tree.
Should a sufficient military force be sent out to those employed in
cultivating the ground, I see no room to doubt, that in the course of
a few years, the country will be able to yield grain enough for the
support of its new possessors.
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