33054-001899

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[top of left margin] 31/5797 - 29 July 1831.

[on right] Commissariat Office Sydney 28. July 1831.

[underlined] (No. 329)

Sir,

I do myself the honor to state for the information of His Excellency the Governor, that the arrival of the "Governor Phillip," and her capability, as reported to me by the Master Attendant, of performing a Voyage to Port Macquarie and back, before any essential repairs to her are necessary, will, should there be no objection to such an arrangement, enable this Department to dispense with the freighting of the "Amity" tendered by Mess'rs Lamb Buchanan & Co. at an unreasonably high rate -

[on right] Finding

[bottom of left margin]

The Hon.

The Colonial Secretary

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Finding that Maize cannot be purchased ^ [added above] (at Port Macquarie) under from 3/- to 3/6 per Bushel, and even then the Quantity disposable being barely sufficient for the consumption of the Settlers until next Crop; it is proposed to send on a small Supply by the "Governor Phillip;" and I would also propose that on the arrival of the "Isabella" daily expected she be immediately sent back to Norfolk Island, (whither the Governor Phillip is prevented by the unfortunate Season from proceeding) with Provisions and Prisoners; proceed from thence to Morton [sic] Bay to take in a Supply of Maize equal to the wants of Port Macquarie until next Harvest: and bring on to Sydney a Quantity of Timber ready for embarkation and much wanted by the Dep't of Public Works. Should

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Should His Excellency be pleased to approve of these arrangements, I beg to be honored with his Instructions to that effect.

I have the honor to be

Sir,

your most obed't Servant

[signed] James Laidley

[on right] D[C]G.

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[written diagonally, from bottom-left corner]

Approved

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[in another hand]

Mr Laidley

Mr Nicholson } 2 Aug't 1832.