Governor Phillip to the Right Hon. Henry Dundas.

The inclosed letter from the major-commandant of the New South Wales Corps, and which is accompanied with my answer, will serve to show the necessity of this colony’s receiving a regular supply of provisions, and the opinion formed of those supplies which have been received from India.

I am sensible that the officers and men want conveniences which are found in garrisons long established; but here are some advantages to the officer and soldier not to be found elsewhere, and when the ration is regular, and the means of providing necessaries for the soldier is in a proper channel, I believe there will be no complaints of this country.

The Britannia was at anchor in the lower part of the harbour, ready to sail for New Zealand, when I was informed that the officers had come to a resolution of hiring that ship to go to the Cape of Good Hope, and in the same evening I saw Major Grose on the subject; but being of a very different opinion as to the propriety, as well as of the necessity of such a measure, I wished to prevent what may be supposed to affect the interest of the East India Company, by opening a door to a contraband trade; at the same time, as I could not prevent it, and do not believe that the Britannia goes to the Cape with any such view, I beg leave to say that I do not think his Majesty’s service will suffer, if the reasons page 148 assigned in Major Grose’s letter should be deemed sufficient for the step which has been taken, and which being admitted may prevent much discontent.

In my letters by the last ships I have requested that the acts relative to the southern fishery may be sent, and such instructions as may be deemed necessary on that head, for I have no lawyer to consult, and it will probably be the same with the person who is to supply my place when I leave this country, which my state of health obliges me to hope I shall be at liberty to do after the arrival of the first ships, and I believe my returning to England will be the greatest service I can render this colony, independant of every other consideration, for it will put it in my power to shew what may, and what may not, be expected from it.