My Dear Ball

I am just returned from
Port Philip where I have been for three weeks
surveying every portion of the Company’s Lands
and also the Lands to the Westward which I
pointed out to you when at Hobart Town & respecting
which I have since written to you – the whole
Country is of the most beautiful description &
the Lands of the best quality – in fact every part
of Batmans account is correct. I am quite
delighted with my trip & particularly the intercourse
with the natives – they are a very fine race of
men & are very quick & intelligent, the women
are particularly modest & retiring in their manners
their persons most strictly concealed and I am
confident if our Company is supported by the Govt
or in other words not interrupted , that we
shall be enabled immediately to civilize & evangelize
them. I look forward with the greatest anxiety
to the accounts from England & I confess that I
am sanguine enough to imagine that I can