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Tuesday 17th. Decr. 1811.
At 4 a.m. the Tide of Ebb having made, weighed anchor and dropped down with it, the two Boats towing the Vessel at the same time -- but the Wind still being against us, made very slow progress down the River. ---At 9 a.m. the Tide turned and forced us to come to anchor at the Crescent Shore -- having made only between 7 and eight miles this Tide. ---Fired a gun for the Cutter to be sent us from One Tree Point, distant about 7 miles from us; the Port Dalrymple Party being there, and this being the Signal established between us for their sending back the Cutter when required; Mrs. M. Capt. A. and Lt. M. and myself intending to proceed in it to One Tree Point. ---The River Tamer, [sic] properly speaking, ends at the Crescent Shore, to which part the Fresh water only extends, and the Salt water begins at low Tide; and consequently the lower part of this large River ought to be called Port Dalrymple. ---The Cutter not having been sent, owing, as we suppose, to our signal Gun not having been heard, we set out at 11 a.m. in the Whale Boat, rowed by five men, from the Ship for One Tree Point. ---At Swan Point near Egg-Island, met the Government Launch coming back from the Party with Letters from Major Gordon and the Surveyor, both reporting that after attentively exploring the Peninsula of One Tree Point it appears an unfit situation for a Town from the great scarcity of Fresh Water -- no adequate supply being found in any part of the Peninsula -- altho' in all other respects a very fit situation for a Town and Port for shipping. ---Sent the Launch back to Launceston -- and proceeded on ourselves to One Tree Point -- distant about 9 miles from where we left the Lady Nelson. ---Here we arrived at 1/2 past 2 p.m. and joined the Port Dalrymple Party, who accompanied us two miles further down the River to a little Cove on the opposite (or Left Bank) of it, where we all landed and dined together. ---I sent the Surveyor again to survey more minutely the opposite Peninsula of One Tree Point and to endeavour to find Water near Eastern Arm (the Place deemed most eligible for a Port for shipping); but after a fruitless search, he returned in the Evening and confirmed his former report -- of no water to be found in sufficient quantities for a Settlement. I have consequently relinquished entirely every intention of removing the Settlement to this Peninsula, and must now direct my thoughts to Outer Cove as the next eligible Situation.---
Having remained with our Port Dalrymple Friends till half past 7 p.m. we took leave of them to return to the Lady Nelson, promising to meet them at Breakfast next morning at York-Town, about 12 miles farther down the River, situated in Western-Arm. ---We met the Lady Nelson about a mile above One Tree Point, and got safe on board of her at 8 p.m. a few minutes before she came to anchor in a small Bay or Bend of the River formed by that Point.---
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