Welcome to all those interested in our virtual media project! You may notice numbers have been inserted pre xxx. This is for you to reference your translations when you Post, for our edits. GOODLUCK!
200 If left Norfolk Street
and address not known, to be
returned to 1 Xxx xxxx New Bridge
25 Street
Mrs. Kennedy
3 Norfolk Street
Strand
200
My dearest Mother
We arrived here on Friday 11th. March
after a more boisterous voyage from the Cape than what we
before experienced although I am thankful to say I was
not so sick as previously. We were very ill off for provisions and
our cattle nearly starved from shortages of forage, however
our servants biscuit and rations. Very fortunately we saw a
vessel off Rottnest Isle which piloted us into Fremantle
otherwise we should have gone into Coburn Sound. I can
not describe the sensation experienced when we cast
anchor on an uncivilised shore after a long and tedious
voyage of nearly 6 months. I shall barely attempt a description
of the country which employment I hate but knowing
your anxiety I shall sketch a point. Rottnest to all
appearance composed near the shore of high sand
banks, in the interior small hills, with clumps of 2 xxxx
trees, as we approached the mainland the scene is very
striking trees of full growth within them branches untouched
by the storm and unpruned by man the tufts of rich green
on them gave to them the appearance of Joy, close by the beach
were several settlers huts composed of mud and 3 xxxxxx
tents, and sheep and cattle in flocks with here and there
4 xxxxxxx xxxx casks and goods from the different
203/205
vessels. In the bay were the Wanstead, Thomson’s Brig, Egyptian,
Protector and a great many vessels between 10 and 14 in
number. You may suppose my beloved family how glad
we were to arrive at our place of destination. Molloy
received a kind note from Dr. Simmons offering us
his hut and servants and much regretting his
being obliged to accompany the Governor to the South, where
we were expected. It was reported the Warrior from her
long passage was lost, and some boards were picked
up with W r r on, much resembling the word Warrior
therefore our coming was thankfully hailed. The
Governor had desired a seat in his boat might
be offered to Capt. Molloy to convey him to Perth the seat
of Government, but no mention was made of me so
I would not let dear Molloy rest until he consented
to let me accompany him up Swan River. There
is rather a dangerous place to cross called the
Bar, a line of Rocks at the confluence of the
Swan & Canning Rivers with the Pacific, but it is very easy
in a calm sea to steer clear of it, we landed at the
Port called Fremantle, and I instantly proceeded
to examine the shrubs and trees, being the
autumn there were no flowers, some of the trees
203/204
are most aromatic. We rejoined the Boat and
sailed up an immense River. The Swan is
beautifully wooded to the waters edge with
both copse, wood and magnificent old
trees large ferns and rushes about 6 or 8 feet
high, in the water are very curious 5 xxxxxx resem
bling large brown 6 xxxxx quite transparent
and something like a 7 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxx when they move or are disturbed by the water
Several white marquees and tents studded
the sides of the Banks, and here was a
torn 8 xxxx one vessel with 9 xxxx xxxxx page torn
large grey rocks which added to the variety page torn
we were out of one bay and into another all the page torn
which is 14 miles to Perth as we entered Melville
Water General Darling’s Range appeared in the
distance and we saw the smoke of several
native fires, it is impossible to describe the
magnificent wood with the boughs 10 xxxx xxxx
xxx and quite like a forest, remember the trees
in this climate are always green. We at length
arrived at Perth bearing no resemblance to a town
but many wooden & thatched mud houses scattered
about, the trees only cut to make way for these buildings
quite a thicket of low shrubs, Grass Plants 8 & 10 feet
high, Palms like one in a tub at Holbrook near the door a
200
large cluster they bear a scarlet cone containing kernels on which they fatten pigs
and it is also used for stock. Last Wednesday Molloy and I were in
our boat and but a storm coming on we were obliged to sleep 11xxx
the ground. What should I have once thought of this, but for Molloy
if I could I would sleep in the fire. The heat here is dreadful the ther’t
in summer sometimes 115’. I regret Mr. Besley refused the Bishropic
of Calcutta as he is to be Bishop of Swan River they say. I was
enabled rom the Cape to get two or three little articles of 12 xxxx thing done but
here is April and I have not a 13 xxxxx xxx to get the 14 xxx made. I am
sometimes very ill what with the shaking on board and the
extreme heat. Mrs. Dawson expects her confinement every hour
Molloy has taken a small grant on the Swan River on each side of it
consisting of 2500 acres close to Mr. Trimmers this is only as a sort of resting
place as our large grant in likely to be in the South as it is so much
203/205
cooler. We shall be about 15 xx miles from Guildford a market 16 xxxx xx xxxx
from Perth the seat of Government. We have very nice neigh
bours and it is likely to be the most select neighbourhood as
the Governor patronises it much. Abundance of fish and wild
fowl and excellent water I have already xxxx Kangaroo, Parrot
17 xxxxx Crab 18 xxxx they are all 19 xxxxxx resembling
20 xxxxxxx I have been staying at his Excellency’s ever since I arrived
but in a day or two go on a visit to Mr. Trimmer from thence
to our Mud Cottage or excavated house which ever we find will
be the coolest. Mrs.Trimmers servant is a very nice woman
and a capital nurse. As she had 21 xxxxxx affairs
Molloy is very well but very busy and often has to get up at
Daybreak. I have only just heard of the Protector sailing so 22 xxxxx
write to beloved Keppoch and say I would have written of them if their had
been a moment that I am very anxious for the arrival of the 23 Xxxxxxx
xxx as there are none 24 xxxx get in the Colony. The moths got at my bees
and all died after I left the Cape. I have often seen the natives
they are quiet and very fond of the new settlers. I can 25 xxxxx
for the arrival of the 26 xxx When you can I wish Mrs. Calde
cott would send me out some seeds as they are always useful
Preserves also as there are no fruit at present. I lost Mrs. C’s 27 xxxx
on board 28 xxxx when I was nearly 29 xxxxx and am very unhappy about
it from a lurch of the vessel. Browns Holland sewing cotton &
Ribbon the most ugly can never come amiss & of course we
will give you and order on Cox & Greenwood for the 30 xxxxx it
All the ladies are of the same opinion respecting Mrs. Byrne as those
on board the Warrior. Mrs. Stirling insists on being with me when I am
ill & 31 xxxx me Baby Linen 32 xxxx I have not made
up my mind xx Staples is very 33 xxxx all the servants are behaving
200
well thus forming a solitary instance in the
Colony for they are so much plagued with English
servants they have sent for Chinese &c. Cyder (sic)
or Porter would be the most acceptable if you should
hear of any predisposition in Jonathan to send his old friend
Jack any present. I hope in my next to give you an order
200
for a piano I will write by every vessel. My beloved family
you are ever in my thoughts & no one knows what my feelings
are when I think of the waves that roll betwixt us. Dearest
Doe will by this time will have joined his Regiment. Bye the Bye
I have not one particle of Lace with me & when I can afford
it will soon be giving Mrs. C an order on 34 Xxxx Xxxxx. Your
kind little bundle my dearest Mother brought tears to
my eyes as did also my own Mary’s Pattern Book which
I did not look over previous to sailing. To Eliza say every
thing most affectionate for me and my much loved George
201
My best love to the Birketts Mrs. Butlin
& Mrs. Caldecott & 35 xxxx the most 36 xxxx
believe me my beloved parent
your most sincerely attached daughter
Georgiana Molloy
Perth Swan River
Western Australia
April 4 1830.
36 EDITS.
Like this:
Like Loading...