Wednesday 14. Novr.
It is a dead Calm this morning, and has been so almost during the whole of last Night; so that we have made little or no Progress in our Voyage. ---At 8 a.m. we were in sight of Port Stephens about 12 miles to windward and ahead of us. ---The Snapper Cutter hove in sight at Day-break about 10 miles astern of us, and close in with the Land. ---There is at present very little appearance of our getting in this day to Newcastle, it still continuing a dead Calm; being this day at Noon, by Observation, still 34 miles distant from that Settlement.
At 1. p.m. a Light air of Wind at N. East sprang up, and we began to make a little way in our proper course. ---At 1/2 past 2 p.m. we were abreast of Port Stephens, and I could very distinctly see "Meredith Island"( so named by me in Decr. 1811 ) which divides the Outer from the Inner harbour. ---We saw at the same time a small Schooner going into Port Stephens.
At 1/2 past 4 p.m. we came up with the Govt. Sloop Sally (Mr. Kinnier Master) which had just come out of Port Stephens, whither she had been driven by the late Gale of Wind after leaving Newcastle for Sydney with a Cargo of Coals. This Vessel sailed from Sydney on the Evening of the 7th Inst., and informs us that on that same day the new Governor Sir Thos. Brisbane had arrived at Port Jackson from England on bd. the Private merchant ship "The Royal George"! and that the "John Barry" with male convicts had also arrived on the same day. ---
The Breeze freshened a good deal at 5. p.m. when we were going about 6 Knots, and fast approaching towards our destined Port. ---At Sunset we could see the Settlements of Newcastle, and the Light soon afterwards; Nobby Island being distinctly seen before it became dark. ---At 9 p.m. we anchored in Newcastle Harbour. ---Before we came to anchor, my old friend & acquaintance, Major Morisset the Comdt. came on board to wait on me, and delivered me some Letters from Sydney; one of which was from my dearest Mrs. M. -- which was the only one of them that I then read -- & was rejoiced to find all was well. ---Major Morisset having strongly urged me to land and take up my residence at the Govt. House, I yielded to his pressing kind invitation, and accordingly landed at 1/2 past 9 p.m. the officers of the Settlement receiving me at the Pier Head. ---I found everything prepared for my comfortable accommodation at Government House.
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