Index  Return to Colonial Events 1805

Historical Records of  New South Wales, Vol. V, King 1803, 1804, 1805. Edited by F. M. Bladen, Lansdowne Slattery & Company, Mona Vale, N.S.W.,1979. 573 - 574.

Surgeon Throsby to Governor King (King Papers), 22 March 1805.

Kingstown, Newcastle,

Sir,

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Having stated to your Excellency as near as I am able the unfortunate loss of the Francis, I am also much concerned in being obliged to state that on my landing at the warf, I enquired for Ensign Draffen, when I was much astonished at being informed he was extremely ill and not capable of transacting business, being perfectly insane. I therefore thought it necessary, on the following morning (after having seen him and being convinced as to his state), to open such letters as were addressed to him on service, knowing they contained some orders to him that was necessary to be put into execution. I therefore sent for Mr. Mileham, Mr. Sutton ( the storekeeper), and the sergeant of the detachment, in whose presence and with whose concurrence I opened them, and finding some instructions to Ensign Draffen, wherein your Excellency is pleased to direct that the immediate superintendance and direction of all public works and prisoners in this settlement should rest with me, I have therefore taken upon myself the whole care and direction of Government concerns here, as far as relates to the civil department, untill your Excellency's further directions shall be received thereon, and which I trust will meet your Excellency's approbation.

With regard to Ensign Draffen's state of mind previous to and since my arrival, I beg leave to refer your Excellency to Mr. Mileham, who will deliver this letter, and whom I have also requested to deliver such letters as were written on the subject by that gentleman previous to my arrival here, since which time I have taken every means in my power to render his unfortunate situation as comfortable as possible. he is much debilitated, and is perfectly incapable of even assisting himself with the common necessaries of life, so much so that his servant is obliged to put every morcel of his food in his mouth. He never speaks, except when asked a question he sometimes answers yes or no, and when placed in any particular position he remains so untill removed by some person. In my opinion, as a medical man, that his immediately removal to Sydney would be the only means of restoring him to his health and faculties, and unless some very quick change for the better he must very shortly pay the debt of Nature. Two private letters I brought with me for Ensign Draffen, I have returned to Mr. Minchin, as I believe they were from that gentleman; the public ones I shall keep here untill your Excellency wishes them returned.

A gang of hands are now up river procuring cedar, but as they were gone before my arrival they have no orders to cut long cedar.

The salt pans are constantly at work. We have twenty casks ready for the first vessell.

Owing to the unfortunate loss of the Francis, I was not able to send to Port Stevens so soon as I could wish. I expect them back tomorrow

Mr. Edwards, the master of the Francis having requested (by a letter) a supply of provisions for himself and the crew, the whole of their own being lost, I have desired the storekeeper to issue them one week's ration in the same proportion as issued here, which I trust your Excellency will not deem improper.

 I have sent such part of Lieut. Mensies baggage as the master of the Governor Hunter could take; the remainder is all packed.

The horses appear better, but I think it would be adviseable to removed them before the winter

The storekeeper has this moment requested me to inform your Excellency we have but three weeks flour in store, and but 400 lbs. of sugar; of pork there is twelve weeks.

The following observations I trust your Excellency will not deem improper: - In my opinion vessells bound to this port ought always to lay too to the south'd of Coal Island untill the signal is made on the South Head for the flood tide having made in the harbour, as it is impossible to fetch to a safe anchorage with the ebb tide if it blows strong and the wind out. Yours. Etc. C. Throsby.