Since this transaction, an officer has always been sent down the harbour with the boat.
Governor Phillip went out about this time with a small party, to examine the land between Port Jackson and Broken Bay.

Here were found many hundred acres of land, free from timber, and very fit for cultivation.

He proceeded as far as Pitt Water, and saw several of the natives, but none of them chose to approach.

When the party returned to the boats near the mouth of the harbour, about sixty of these people, men, women, and children, were assembled there.

Some hours were passed with them in a peaceful and very friendly manner, but though in all this time they discovered no uneasiness, they seemed best pleased when their visitors were preparing to depart.