In crossing the hills at this time between Botany Bay and Port Jackson, smoke was seen on the top of Lansdown Hills, which seems to prove beyond a doubt, that the country is inhabited as far as those mountains, which are not less than fifty miles from the sea.
Further enquiries having given some reason to suppose, that one of the natives had been murdered, and several wounded, previously to the attack made upon the rush-cutters, Governor Phillip on his return, proclaimed the reward of emancipation to any convict who should discover the aggressors.

This step, if it did not in this instance procure any information, seemed likely to prevent such acts of violence in future.
No very good fortune had hitherto attended the live stock belonging to the settlement, but the heaviest blow was yet to come.

About this time the two bulls and four cows, belonging to Government, and to the Governor, having been left for a time by the man who was appointed to attend them, strayed into the woods, and though they were traced to some distance, never could be recovered.

This was a loss which must be for some time irreparable.
4 June 1788 The fourth of June was not suffered to pass without due celebration.

It was a day of remission from labour, and of general festivity throughout the settlement.