which I wished to be reserved for Govt. purposes. A
Battery will be required for the protection of the Bay
and a Beacon or Tower shd be erected on the point
to render it more easily distinguishable by Vessels
approaching from without -

March 4

Disembarked and proceeded by water to the Settlement,
(as it is now called) by the Salt Water River and the Yarre’
Yarre’ which receives the tide to as far as a low fall near
to which the first Settlers Huts are placed.
In the afternoon rode over the ground adjacent to the Huts
with Surveyor Hoddle and traced the general outline
of a Township upon a beautiful & convenient site. It
does not however promise to afford water, which must be
procured (at first at least) entirely from the River. A
good Dam will require to be constructed here to give keep
up the fresh water & effect its entire separation from
the Salt. There appears to be good Brick earth here &
Stone is to be found tho’ not of a good quality for building.
Timber is to be had but at a distance of about
8 miles. Limestone is said to be found near Point
Nepean at the entrance of Pt Phillip. It is however
probable that both lime & timber will for some time
be imported from Van D's Land. Tho’ this Site is deficient
in many of the important requisites for the easy establishment
of a Town, it possesses the advantages of being at the head
of the navigation of a tide River sufficiently considerable
to bring up Vessels drawing 8 ft or 10 feet water and
communicating with a Bay where there are from 3½ to 4
fathoms and room for 30 or 40 Vessels. The soil in
the neighbourhood is generally good, in many spots
very rich. The communication with the interior easy, that
Country being to a great extent adapted to Sheep or Cattle
feeding. Upon the whole therefore it seems that the spot upon
which the first adventurers who thought of permanently
settling at Pt Phillip placed themselves, is the best adapted upon its
shores for a considerable Town if Geelong which is
yet to be examined, but which is 60 miles apart
be not superior or equal.

March 5 –

Went to the Building intended for a Church where
were assembled from 50 to 60 Persons of all ages.
In the afternoon went to the spot proposed
as