SYDNEY'S LBTTEE TO THE ADMIRALTY. 437 A small quantity of garden seeds should be sent out from hence, 1786 together with some seed grain, to prevent inconveniences that supply of might happen should any difficulties arise in procuring a supply, aeedfrom particularly of the latter, at the Cape of Good Hope. The tools for erecting habitations and implements for agricul- Tools and ture, which it is supposed will be most useful in the settlement, *°*p^®°*®"*^ are specified in the list accompanying this, and with which it will be proper to supply the marines and the convicts after their landing at the settlement. It is therefore his Majesty's further pleasure that these articles be also provided and sent out, together with bedding for each of the convicts, and a proportion of cloathing Bedding and agreeably to the estimate enclosed. The marines will be supplied clothing, with bedding from the ship-of-war. I have it in command from his Majesty only further to acquaint your lordships, that a quantity of surgical instruments and medi- surgical cines and necessaries for the sick will likewise be wanted, and as ">»**«"■ soon as an estimate can be formed it shall be transmitted to your lordships, together with the staff establishment. In the meantime I have only to recommend it to your lord- ships to cause every possible expedition to be used in preparing ^o time to the shipping for the reception of the said convicts, and for trans- ^ ^<*^ porting the supplies of provisions and necessaries for their use to the place of their destination* The letter to the Admiralty was as follows : — The King having been pleased to signify his royal commands that seven hundred and fifty of the convicts, now in this kingdom under sentence of transportation, should be sent to Botany Bay, convicts to on the coaflt of New South Wales, in the latitude of 33' south, g^^J^^y. at which place it is intended that the said convicts should form a settlement, and that the Lords of the Treasury should forthwith provide a sufficient number of vessels for their conveyance thither, together with provisions and other supplies for their subsistence, as well as tpols to enable them to erect habitations and also imple- ments for agriculture ; and it being his Majesty's intention that a ships ship-of-war of a proper class, with part of her guns only on board, feq^u^d- commanded by an able and discreet officer, and a sufficient establish- ment of inferior officers and men, together with a vessel of about two hundred tons burthen, commanded also by an officer, should as soon as the convict ships are ready proceed with them to the new settlement for the purpose of regulating their sailing, and for the preservation of peace and good order during the passage, as well as for other purposes after Uieir arrival : I am commanded to signify to your lordships the Eling's pleasure that you do forthwith cause a ship-of-war and a tender for those ShiTH>f-war services to be fitted for sea with all possible expedition ; and when '^a ^o*^®*- the said convicts shall be put on board the ships which are Digitized by Google
