33054-001891

[top of left margin] 32/2490 - 28th March 1832.

Commissariat Office Sydney 27th March 1832

[underlined] (No. 176)

Sir

In attention to your letter of yesterday's date No. 197, stating that the Schooner "Maitland" has been tendered by Mr Francis Mitchell for the conveyance to Moreton Bay, of such Provisions, Stores and Passengers as may require to be forwarded, and requesting me to report if Freight to that Settlement is required;

I do myself the honor to acquaint [added sideways] (you) that, should His Excellency deem it necessary to charter that Vessel, there is a Sufficiency of Supplies and Stores to load her, which could not be sent until the return of

[on right] the

[bottom of left margin]

The Hon'ble

The Colonial Secretary

&c ... &c ... &c

[top left] 4

the "Governor Phillip" from Norfolk Island; and I understand there are Prisoners and Six Passengers now awaiting a passage to that Settlement as well as Port Macquarie.

I have the honor to be

Sir

Your most obed't Serv't

[signed] James Laidley

[on right] D[C]G

[top left] 6

[written diagonally, across page, from bottom-left corner]

Inform him that if there be any necessity for hiring a Vessel for this Service Traders must be accounted [?] for.

[in another hand]

... Mr Laidley 30 March 1832

... " ... Mitchell 30 ----- d'o--------

[continued, in hand of first writer, and overwritten by the above]

I intended recently to refer Mitchell to Mr Laidley - As the matter now stands it appears as if we wished to employ this Schooner.

[in second writer's hand] Mr J