Читать книгу Early Australian History. Convict Life in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land - Charles White - Страница 23

Table of Contents

STARTING OF THE FLEET—DISAGREEMENT AMONG THE SEAMEN—THE EMBARKATION—THE IRONS CLANK 'FAREWELL'—PARTING REGRETS—SHORT-LIVED SORROW—CONVICTS RELEASED FROM IRONS—ATTEMPTED INSURRECTION—ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE—A PLEASANT BREAK—NEAR SHIPWRECK—CROSSING THE LINE—DISGRACEFUL PROCEEDINGS—THREE HUNDRED LASHES APIECE—OUTBREAK OF MUMPS—POISONED WITH BILGE WATER—FIRST LETTERS 'HOME'—A STOCK OF SEEDS AND PLANTS—FIRST BIRTH—SHORT PROVISIONS—HEADING FOR BOTANY BAY—ENTERING THE BAY—THE LANDING—REMOVING TO PORT JACKSON—ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNMENT.

A voyage from England to the Antipodes in 1787 was not such a pleasurable thing to contemplate or experience as it is in the day and generation now existing. The century has worked it changes, and in nothing have the changes been more marked than in that of the 'art' of navigation. The thirty days' pleasure trip of 1887 was the nine-months' hazardous voyage of 1787, and it was upon this voyage that the First Fleet started on the 7th May in the year last mentioned. It will be interesting to note a few of the details of the voyage, as they have come down to us through various sources.

The first difficulty which presented itself was one connected with the seamen, who, when the fleet had been got under weigh, refused to proceed to sea unless their wages were paid up to date. The fleet was brought to an anchor and the ringleaders in the disturbance having been ordered on board H. M. frigate Hyaena, 24 guns, (which had been told off to see the fleet safely down the channel and one hundred leagues to sea), and an advance of two months' wages having been paid to the crews of the transports, the difficulty was removed, another start was made. At daybreak on May 16th, the English Channel was cleared.

One of the earlier convicts, who afterwards became somewhat famous in New South Wales, thus describes the embarkation and initial movements of the floating 'Black Marias' employed to convey exiles to the new land, and his narrative may be taken as fairly descriptive of the first voyage undertaken:—

"My fellow prisoners, to the amount of upwards of 200, were all ordered into the hold, which was rendered as convenient as circumstances would admit, battens being fixed fore and aft for hammocks, which were hung 17 inches apart from each other; but being encumbered with their irons, together with the want of fresh air, soon rendered their situation truly deplorable. To alleviate their condition, as much as was consistent with the safety of the ship, they were permitted to walk the deck in turns, ten at a time; the women, of whom we had six, had a snug berth made for them, and were kept by themselves.

"My messmate, the boatswain (the writer had purchased certain privileges above his fellows, having a little money and some influential friends) had provided me with a neat slung hammock, and gave me a berth next his own; at the same time addressing some of his shipmates who were present, with,—'Lookee, my hearties, as I know you are all above distressing a gentleman under misfortune, I'm sure you will consent to his having this here berth; but if so be as how any of you don't like it, why, you may have mine—it isn't the first time I have prick'd for the softest plank.'" Whether from the oratory of my new friend, or the insinuating appearance of a large can of flip, produced from an ample liquor case, which promised a succession of the same arguments, the iron muscles of his auditors were softened down to a significant smile, and universal nod of assent. The settling of this important business afforded me great satisfaction, as it not only assured me a comfortable berth for my hammock, but a place also for my little property, which I should have immediately under my eye.

"We lay about a week at Long Reach, when we dropt down to Gravesend; here the captain came on board, and some soldiers of the New South Wales Corps; we got under weigh the next morning, and proceeded to the Downs; it blowing strong to the westward, we came to an anchor. The wind veering about we were at daybreak again under sail, and arrived at the Mother Bank, where lay several other transports for the same destination.

"It was about ten days before we were ready to sail from hence, the interval being employed in getting fresh stock and replenishing our water. On the report of our being ready for sea being made to the admiral, a lieutenant of the navy came on board, as agent for transports, and immediately made the signal for the masters of the other ships to come on board, to whom he delivered their sailing instructions, and on the following morning made the signal to weigh. By a quarter past 9 we were under easy sail, and it blowing a stiff easterly breeze, we ran through the Needles. It was delightful weather, and the prospect on each hand must have afforded the most agreeable sensation to every beholder, being, perhaps, as rich and luxuriant as is anywhere to be met with; but, alas! it only brought a fresh pang to the bosom of one who in all probability was bidding it adieu forever.

"The weather continuing moderate, and the wind fair, we imperceptibly glided down the Channel, and had lost sight of Old England, before I turned out the next morning. My frequent trips from Ireland to England had in some measure inured me to salt water, nor did I want my sea-legs in a most violent gale which took place the third day after we lost sight of the land and which for near ten hours baffled the skill of all hands. Two men were blown from the maintop-sail yard and the sail split to ribbons; all our endeavours to save the men proved ineffectual. Soon after our fore-topmast went over the side, and carried four men and two boys with it; but they were providentially taken up, having kept fast by the wreck."

It would serve no good purpose to speculate concerning the sorrowful and melancholy emotions that must have filled the breasts of the exiles as the shores of their native land were gradually lost to their sight, and they fully realized that they were bound for an unknown country in the far distance. Concerning this matter, one of the officials, Captain Tench says:—"The general marks of distress were more perceptible among the men than the women, for I recollect to have seen but one of these affected on the occasion, 'some natural tears she dropped, but wiped them soon.' After this the accent of sorrow was no longer heard, more genial skies and change of scene banished repining, and regret and discontent, and introduced in their stead cheerfulness and acquiescence in a lot now not to be altered."

Governor Phillip having received from the commanding officers of the transports favorable reports concerning the conduct of the convicts, before the fleet had been at sea many days humanely issued instructions for the masters of the ships to release the male convicts from their irons, so that they could strip their clothes off at night, and during the day wash and keep themselves clean. This order extended to the whole of the exiles, without exception, no danger of an uprising being apprehended, and the number of marines on board the vessels carrying the males being considered sufficiently large to quell any disturbance, should any arise. But this partial freedom had only been in operation for three days when a scheme was concocted by some of the wilder spirits on board, which, if it had been successful, would have resulted in more trouble than one could easily imagine. Here is the story, as told by the privileged convict from whose history a few sentences have already been quoted:—

"The captain, with great humanity, had released the convicts, many of whom were in a weakly state, from their irons; and, as I have before observed, they were allowed alternately, ten at a time, to walk on deck. Two of them—Americans, who had some knowledge of navigation, prevailed upon a majority of their comrades to attempt seizing the ship impressing them with the idea that it would be easily effected, and that they would carry her to America, where every man would not only attain his liberty, but receive a tract of land from Congress, besides a share of the money arising from the sale of the ship and cargo. These arguments had the desired effect, and it was determined the first opportunity that a part of those on the deck, should, while the officers were at dinner, force the arm-chest, which was kept on the quarter-deck, at the same time make a signal to two of them, who should be keeping the sentinels in discourse, to attack them, get possession of their arms, and pass the word for those below to rush upon deck.

"This conspiracy was conducted with the greatest secrecy, and put in execution with equal spirit and audacity. A favorable opportunity presenting itself, the captain and most of the officers being below examining the storage of some wine, a cask having leaked out in the spirit room, I was the only person on the deck excepting the man at the helm. Hearing a scuffle on the main deck, I was going forward but was stopped by one of the Americans, followed by another convict, who made a stroke at me with a sword he had wrested from one of the sentinels, which was put aside by a pistol which the other had just snapped at me. I snatched a handspike luckily in my reach, and brought the foremost to the ground. The man at the helm had quitted the wheel and called up the captain. I still kept my situation, guarding the passage of the quarter-deck, my antagonists having retreated a few paces, but being joined by many others, were rushing on me, when the discharge of a blunderbuss from behind me amongst them wounding several, they retreated, and I was immediately joined by the captain and the rest of the officers, who, in a few minutes, drove them all into the hold. An attempt of this kind required the most exemplary punishment, and accordingly two of the ring-leaders were instantly hung at the yard-arm, and several others severely flogged at the gangway. As soon as the conspirators were re-ironed, and the tranquillity of the ship restored, the captain paid me many compliments in having, as he was pleased to say, saved the ship, and assured me that when we arrived at the Cape he should, on the part of his owners, think it his duty to reward the services I had by my courage and presence of mind rendered them; at the same time he gave the steward orders to supply me with anything I might have occasion for from his storeroom during the voyage."

I have preferred to take this account from one who actually witnessed the incipient insurrection, rather than that supplied by an historian of our own times, whose brief narrative runs thus:—"The indulgence (freedom from irons) had only been enjoyed three days when an exile on board the Scarborough revealed to Captain Shea a scheme which many of the exiles had proposed to make themselves masters of the ship and sail away as pirates. When Governor Phillip heard of the intended insurrection he ordered the two ringleaders to be brought on board the Sirius, and interrogated. The men steadfastly denied the existence of the design imputed to them, and being adjudged guilty they each received two dozen lashes at the hands of the boatswain's mate, were heavily ironed, and sent on board the Prince of Wales. The two informers received pardons, and were landed (where?), while the whole of the exiles, for the wrong-doing of a few, were ordered to be confined with additional security." The first story is the simplest. It bears the impress of truth upon the face of it; and having been published in the year 1803, when many of the officials and convicts must still have been living, the story would most certainly have been contradicted if the facts mentioned in it had been only 'truth inverted.'

No other attempt at insurrection was made during the voyage, but an unsuccessful attempt to escape from one of the transports was made by a convict, named Power, on the night of June 7th, when the fleet was anchored in the road of Santa Cruz. Power slid down a rope at the ship's bows into a boat, and in it reached a Dutch East Indiaman, but the captain refused to receive him as a seaman, and he then pulled ashore. A search was instituted for the missing man, and he was found on the following day secreted in the cavity of a rock, the face of which he had been unable to climb. He was offered the choice between surrendering and being shot, and having surrendered was first severely punished and then heavily ironed as a relief.

It was daylight on June 3rd that the Island of Teneriffe was sighted, and when the ships had anchored in the bay of Santa Cruz the Sirius was boarded by the port officer and some Spanish noblemen, and fraternal greetings were exchanged. The Governor of Teneriffe extended the greatest hospitality to the representative of the British Government, and entertained Captain Phillip and his officers right loyally rendering great service in supplying the fleet with necessary refreshments. In acknowledging the thanks conveyed to him just prior to the departure of the fleet, the Governor said he felt an interest in the new settlement, the extent and situation of which had been shewn him on a chart of the world, and expressed a hope that it would answer "the anticipations of those who had entered as volunteers on so novel and very uncertain a service." No persons could have a better opportunity of deciding whether those anticipations have been realized than the people who now swarm over the land to which the faces of the voyagers were then turned.

On the 18th some of the transports had a narrow escape of running on the Bonavista rocks, which endangered Captain Cook's ship on his last voyage, the weather being remarkably hazy; and when approaching the equator, after having encountered the trade winds, and experienced delay through heavy squalls, the weather was so insufferably hot and oppressive that many of the female convicts, as also not a few of the men, fainted away and were afflicted with fits. But in the midst of all their trouble the seamen on board the transports gave themselves up to the performances attendant upon 'crossing the line.'

These performances have been thus minutely described by the convict Barrington in his account of the voyage across the water:—

"The ceremony of ducking and shaving was punctually observed. At noon a hoarse voice hailed the ship, as from the sea, with 'Ho! the ship, ho!' which was answered by one stationed for that purpose with 'Hallo! what ship's that?' 'The Albemarle.' 'I don't recollect her passing this way before—I shall come on board and examine her.' Upon which half a dozen most grotesque figures entered the ship, as if from the bosom of the deep, having previously slung a grating under each bow as a stage to ascend from. With great solemnity they proceeded to the quarter-deck. The principal persons were Neptune and Amphitrite, attended by their nymphs and neriads, personated by the oldest seamen in the ship, but so disfigured with red ochre, robes, and wigs made of ravelled spun yarn, that it was a difficult matter to recognise their persons. After receiving a double toll from the captain, it being the first time of the ship's crossing the line, consisting of half a gallon of liquor and two pounds of sugar, they in turn questioned every person on deck. When anyone said he had crossed before, and had not, his watery majesty, with great dignity, turning to one of his attendants, who held a large book, said, 'Look if you have this gentleman down in my log book?' which being answered in the negative, the rum and sugar were instantly demanded. Having finished with the quarter-deck, they proceeded to the examination of their own comrades, after having prepared for the ceremony of treating those who could not pay with a view of Neptune's collar. For this purpose they had made a tackle fast to the main-yard arm, through which they rove a rope, with an iron crow made fast to the end for a seat, The only exhibition was on the person of the cook, who, not being of the most conciliatory disposition, most of the ship's company owed him a grudge; and as he peremptorily refused to pay, though in his power, they placed him on the crow and brought the yard-rope between his legs, making another fast round him, to prevent the possibility of his falling. They then swung him off, and running him close up to the yard, soused the poor devil from the height of near fifty feet into the water. This they performed thrice. When they took him on board he was so exhausted that his life was thought in danger, which put an end to this part of the ceremony, and the other defaulters were let off with only a shaving, performed by Neptune and his assistants. The party was seated on a piece of board placed across a large tub; the razor, part of an iron hoop, and the soap, not the finest Windsor, but a composition of tar, tallow, and every filth they could collect. The disagreeableness of this operation, exclusive of the smart, the hand of the shaver not being of the lightest, occasions a struggle to get from under it, in which the board whereon he is seated gives way, and the poor pilgarlick is unexpectedly emerged over head and ears in bilge water. Those destined for this operation are kept close prisoners, so that they are totally ignorant of what they are to go through, and when the ordeal is once passed they think no more of it, but shake their ears and assist in carrying on the joke. The forfeits made them all as merry as grigs, and the day closed with dancing and songs on the forecastle, and everybody (the cook excepted) forgot their temporary mortifications, and joined in the evening's conviviality."

During this part of the voyage, a most disgraceful promiscuous intercourse took place between the marines and seamen and the women convicts when the hatches were off at night time, and it was only checked by the liberal use of the 'cat-o'-nine-tails,' several of the delinquent sailors being treated to as many as three hundred lashes apiece. When in this locality, also, it became necessary to restrict the service of water, the adverse winds preventing progress. Three pints of water per day, exclusive of one quart for boiling peas and oatmeal, was the quantity measured out to each person—not a large allowance under even favourable circumstances, and far from sufficient under such heat and a diet of salt provisions. Fresh provisions had been liberally served during a stay of the fleet at Teneriffe, and but for this break in the scurvy-promoting feeding there would undoubtedly have been much sickness and many deaths. All things considered, the sickness and mortality tables shewed a not unsatisfactory record. Just before the fleet left the Mother Bank, a sporadic disease, like the mumps, broke out among the marines and exiles, but by frequent explosions of gunpowder, lighting fires between decks, a liberal use of oil of tar, and keeping the bedding and clothing dry, the outbreak was combatted; and when at Teneriffe the surgeon's sick list shewed only nine marines and 72 exiles under medical treatment, while only 21 of the convicts and three of their children had died. The voyage from Teneriffe to Rio de Janiero lasted eight weeks, and at the latter place Dr. White reported 95 persons of all descriptions on the sick-list, 30 having symptoms of scurvy and four being down with fever. But this was not at all remarkable, for the ships were found to be in a most unwholesome state. At one time the sick-list was very heavy, and the lives of the exiles were endangered by the carelessness of the masters of some of the transports to daily pump the bilge water out of their vessels.

Numbers of them became very ill, the water having risen so much and become so offensive that the panels in the cabins, and even the buttons on the uniform of the officers, were blackened by the disease—breeding exhalations. When Dr. White inspected the ships on 18th July he reported that the stench from the holds, when the hatches were removed, was almost unbearable. The fleet was detained a month at Rio Janiero by calms, and during this time oranges and other tropical fruits were liberally distributed amongst the convicts. Two fatal accidents happened between Teneriffe and the Brazils—a seaman on one of the transports fell overboard, and a female convict was crushed to death by a boat falling on top of her from off the booms.

Several events of interest transpired during the stay of the fleet in this harbour. An exchange of visits took place between the Viceroy and Governor Phillip, the former shewing marked civility to the English captain and his officers, and extending great hospitality to them. Divine service was held twice on each Sunday on two of the transports by Rev. R. Johnson, the chaplain who accompanied the voyagers to Botany Bay, and who was the only clergyman in the settlement for several years. An observatory was erected by Lieutenant Dawes on the Island of Enchadus; and Captain Phillip sent despatches home by a whaler which was returning to England and had put into Rio for repairs, many of those on the fleet also seizing the opportunity to send letters 'home' to their friends and relatives. But the most interesting event that transpired was the shipment of plants and seeds from the port for the new settlement, the following being taken on board:—Coffee, plant and seed; cocoa seed, in the nut; cotton seeds, jalap, three sorts of ipecacuhana, tamarind, banana plants, oranges of various kinds, both seeds and plants; lime and lemon seeds and plants, guava seeds, prickly pears, with the cochineal seeds upon it; grape vines, tobacco plants, rice for seed, and pommerose or eugonia, a plant bearing an apple-like fruit and having the flavour and odour of a rose. Besides fresh provisions there were purchased 100 casks of cassada or caffava jatropha, the root of a shrub which, after being deprived of its noxious qualities, forms palateable and nutritious food like bread. There was not much wine to be got at that season, but 100 pipes of a spirit called aquadente, drawn by the Portuguese from their sugar canes, was purchased at a low figure for the garrison. This liquor was the earlier 'colonial rum,' which played so conspicuous a part in the commerce of the new colony, as detailed in 'The Story of the Ten Governors.' The deficiency in the military stores was also made good from the Portuguese arsenal.

Resuming their voyage the exiles and their custodians made for Table Bay, at the Southern extremity of Africa, which was to be the final place of refreshment. The fleet was saluted by 21 guns from Fort Santa Cruz, and the Sirius returned the compliment. A return was here made to a more liberal allowance of water, the order being passed from the Sirius to the other vessels that everyone should have an allowance of three quarts per day.

The first birth on the voyage took place when the fleet was near Rio Sugar Loaf, a female convict named Mary Broard giving birth to a fine girl. This was on the 8th September. Nine days afterwards (the weather having been very wet and unpleasant during the interim) a shark six feet long was caught, and served to break the monotony in the mess on board the transports. On October 4th 30 of the convicts were reported as afflicted with scurvy, and on the sixth four seamen were punished for having conspired to release some of the exiles when the fleet reached the Cape. On the night of the 13th the fleet came to anchor in Table Bay, and Captain Phillip and the Commissary at once went ashore, and made a formal request of the Governor of the settlement to purchase provisions, especially flour and corn, of which the fleet stood greatly in need. The Governor replied that he feared the request could not be complied with, as the Colony had recently suffered from a severe drought, resulting in distress bordering upon famine, and that consequently such provisions were scarce; he promised, however, to refer the matter to the Cape Council, and this he did, but it was only through persistently urging the extremity of the voyagers that Captain Phillip could induce the Councillors to grant permission to contractors to furnish the much-needed supplies. A contract was then entered into with Messrs. De Witt and Caston to supply the fleet with the live stock, corn, and other necessities, and after a little delay the provisions were embarked. During the stay of the fleet in port one and a half pounds of soft bread and a similar quantity of beef or mutton were served to the voyagers for their daily ration, wine being served also in lieu of spirits.

The live stock here secured formed the foundation of that pastoral industry which to-day forms the pride and profit of the Australasian colonies. Captain Phillip had received orders from the Admiralty to select as much stock at the Cape as could conveniently be stored on the ships, and he carried out his instructions as far as permitted by the scarcity caused by the preceding drought and the holding capacity of the vessels under his command. During the month of the fleets' stay in port he transfered from the land to the ships 500 birds and animals, stalls having been erected for their accommodation. The stock embarked on the public account comprised:—three mares, each having a three-months' old colt at foot, one stallion, six cows with a calf, two bulls, 44 sheep, four goats, 32 hogs, and a very large quantity of poultry of various breeds. Most of these were placed on board the Sirius, and the remainder on board the storeships; but in addition to the public stock, the officers on board the transports speculated on their own account, and purchased live poultry and other stock for food on the voyage and for farming purposes when they reached the end of their journey. Cape fruits, seeds and plants were also received on board the fleet, and thus there were introduced to New South Wales with the convicts the quince, apple, pear, mulberry, bamboo, fig, oak, and myrtle trees, besides vines of various kinds, Spanish reeds, sugar cane, and strawberry plants. From the Commander of the Dutch troops and the King's botanist, the intending settlers received full instructions concerning the propagation and culture of these useful articles.

On November 13th the fleet weighed anchor and made sail direct for Botany Bay. Two hours after starting on the last lap of the voyage the fleet fell in with a large Dutch ship, with troops on board for the Cape, and the same evening a whaler, four months out from London, was spoken, and by her Captain Phillip forwarded dispatches to England. Shortly after clearing the Cape the fleet encountered severe gales, and the live stock suffered greatly from the heavy sea, seven of the sheep being killed.

With the intent of running ahead of the rest of the fleet and selecting and preparing a good position for the foundation of the new colony, Captain Phillip shifted his pennant from the Sirius to the Supply. On the 25th of November he changed his quarters, being accompanied by Lieutenant King and Dawes, and several carpenters, blacksmiths, sawyers, and other mechanics also embarked on board the Supply, the object being to erect some storehouses at Botany Bay for the temporary convenience of the new settlers. At the time of separation the fleet had still 5,582 miles of ocean to cross before reaching Australia. On January 3rd, 1788, after a stormy run, the advance ship sighted Van Diemen's Land, and at 2 p.m. on the 18th the Supply anchored in Botany Bay, close to the spot where anchored Captain Cook's ship, the Endeavour, eighteen years before. Three other ships of the fleet sailed into the Bay at about the same hour next day, and the remainder followed the day after.

Thus ended the voyage of the first fleet, concerning which Captain Collins says, that before it was entered upon "the mind hardly dared venture to contemplate, and on which it was impossible to reflect without some apprehension as to its termination." That the whole of the fleet should cross so large an expanse of comparatively unknown water without accident is in itself a marvellous thing, the time occupied in the voyage being a little over eight months; but more marvellous still is the fact that so few of the voyagers died during the journey, and that the number on the sick list was so small, for we are told that many of the convicts were in bad health when they embarked, and long and close confinement, bad diet, scant clothing, and the absence of absolute necessaries on a voyage of that kind, were not calculated to promote health either in the individual or the mass. Speaking of the remarkable success of the voyage, Captain Tench says:—"To what cause are we to attribute this unhoped-for success? I wish I could answer to the liberal manner in which the Government supplied the expedition. But when the reader is told that some of the necessary articles allowed to ships on a common passage to the West Indies were withheld from us—that portable soup, wheat and pickled vegetables, were not allowed, and that an inadequate quantity of essence of salt was the only anti-scorbutic supplied, his surprise will redouble at the result of the voyage."

Proceedings were at once commenced for landing the stores and the people, and men were set to work to clear a piece of land on the south side of the bay, within a mile of the entrance, and near the spot where Captain Cook had first landed. But Captain Phillip did not like the place, which was very different from the beauteous spot described by Cook, and no time was lost in making an examination of the surrounding country in search of a more suitable site for settlement. The first place to which attention was directed was the harbour which Cook had described as existing a few miles northwards of Botany Bay, and which he had called Port Jackson, it is thought after the seaman who had first sighted it from the masthead of the good ship Endeavour. Four days after entering the Bay Captain Phillip proceeded to examine this harbour, and he was so taken with its appearance that he at once decided to remove the settlement. The official history which he published contains the following sentences bearing upon the discovery and the decision attendant thereupon:—"Here all regret arising from the former disappointments was at once obliterated; and Governor Phillip had the satisfaction to find one of the finest harbours in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line might ride in perfect security. The different coves of this harbour were examined with all possible expedition, and the preference was given to one which had the finest spring of water, and in which ships can anchor so close to the shore that at a very small expense quays may be constructed where the largest vessels may unload. This cove is about half a mile in length and a quarter of a mile across at the entrance. In honour of Lord Sydney, the Governor distinguished it by the name of 'Sydney Cove.'. .. On the 24th of January Governor Phillip having sufficiently explored Port Jackson, and found it in all respects highly calculated to receive such a settlement as he was appointed to establish, returned to Botany Bay. On his arrival there, the reports made to him, both of the ground which the people were clearing, and of the upper parts of the Bay, which in this interval had been more particularly examined, were in the greatest degree unfavorable. It was impossible after this to hesitate concerning the choice of a situation, and orders were accordingly issued for the removal of the whole fleet to Port Jackson. That Botany Bay should have appeared to Captain Cook in a more advantageous light than to Governor Phillip, is not by any means extraordinary.. .. .. The appearance of the place is picturesque and pleasing, and the ample harvest it afforded of botanical acquisitions made it interesting to the philosophical gentleman engaged in that expedition; but something more than beauty of appearance, and more necessary than philosophical riches, must be sought in a place where the permanent residence of multitudes is to be established."

The magnificent city of Sydney, with its coast surroundings, its splendid harbour, and its strong defences—forming as it does the heart of the populous colony's commercial, political, and social life—stands as a monument of the far-sightedness of the man who was chosen to lay the foundation of that Greater Britain which now flourishes in this Southern world. The early occupancy of Port Jackson was one of the best actions of Governor Phillip and even at this distant day the colonists can profitably contemplate the advantages that have resulted from his choice of situations.

I cannot do better than give the account of events close following those already narrated, as found in one of the earlier editions of the history of Governor Phillip's voyage to Botany Bay, published in 1790:—

"Preparations for a general removal were now made with all convenient expedition.. .. On the 25th January, therefore, seven days after the arrival of the Supply, Governor Phillip quitted Botany Bay in the same ship, and sailed to Port Jackson. The rest of the fleet, under convoy of the Sirius, was ordered to follow as soon as the abatement of the wind, which then blew a strong gale, should facilitate its working out of the Bay.... On the 26th January, 1788, the transports and storeships attended by the Sirius finally evacuated Botany Bay; and in a very short time they were all assembled in Sydney Cove, the place now destined for their port, and for the reception of the new settlement.

"The debarkation was now made at Sydney Cove, and the work of clearing the ground for the encampment, as well as for the storehouses and other buildings, was begun without loss of time. But the labour which attended this necessary operation was greater than can easily be imagined by those who were not spectators of it. The coast, as well as the neighbouring country in general, is covered with wood; and though in this spot the trees stood more apart, and were less encumbered with underwood than in many other places, yet their magnitude was such as to render not only the felling, but the removal of them afterwards, a task of no small difficulty. By the habitual indolence of the convicts, and the want of proper overseers to keep them to their duty, their labour was rendered less efficient than it might have been. In the evening of the 26th the colours were displayed onshore, and the Governor; with several of his principal officers and others, assembled round the flag-staff, drank the King's health, and success to the settlement, with all that display of form which on such occasions is esteemed propitious, because it enlivens the spirits, and fills the imagination with pleasing presages.

"From this time to the end of the first week in February all was hurry and exertion. They who gave orders and they who received them were equally occupied; nor is it easy to conceive a busier scene than this part of the coast exhibited during the continuance of these first efforts towards establishment. The plan of the encampment was quickly formed, and places were marked out for every different purpose, so as to introduce as much as possible, strict order and regularity. The materials and framework to construct a slight temporary habitation for the Governor had been brought out from England ready formed; these were landed and put together with as much expedition as circumstances would allow. Hospital tents were also without delay erected, for which there was soon but too much occasion. In the passage from the Cape there had been but little sickness, nor had many died even among the convicts; but soon after landing, dysentery prevailed, which in several instances proved fatal, and the scurvy began to rage with a virulence which kept the hospital generally supplied with patients. For those afflicted with this disorder the advantage of fish or other fresh provisions could but rarely be procured, nor were esculent vegetables obtained in sufficient plenty to produce any material alleviation of the complaint. In the dysentery, the red gum of the tree which principally abounds on this coast was found a very powerful remedy. The yellow gum has been discovered to possess the same property, but in an inferior degree.

"The month of February was ushered in by a very violent storm of thunder and rain. The lightning struck and shivered a tree, under which a shed had been erected for some sheep, and five of those animals were at the same time unfortunately destroyed by it. The encampment still went on with great alacrity, so that in the beginning of this month the work of building public storehouses was undertaken; and unremitting diligence began, though very gradually, to triumph over the obstacles which the nature of the place presented.

"The 7th February, 1788, was the memorable day which established a regular form of Government on the coast of New South Wales. For obvious reasons, all possible solemnity was given to the proceedings necessary on this occasion. On a space previously cleared the whole colony was assembled; the military drawn up, and under arms; the convicts stationed apart; and near the person of the Governor those who were to hold the principal offices under him. The Royal Commission was then read.. .. The Act of Parliament establishing the courts of judicature was next read; and lastly, the patents under the great seal, empowering the proper persons to convene and hold those courts whenever the exigency should require. A triple discharge of musketry concluded this part of the ceremony; after which Governor Phillip advanced, and addressing first the private soldiers thanked them for their steady good conduct on every occasion—an honour which was repeated to them in the next general orders. He then turned to the convicts and distinctly explained to them the nature of their present situation. The greater part, he bade them recollect, had already forfeited their lives to the justice of their country; yet, by the levity of its laws, they were now so placed that, by industry and good behaviour, they might regain the advantages and estimation in society of which they had deprived themselves. They not only had every encouragement to make that effort, but were removed almost entirely from every temptation to guilt. There was but little in this infant community which one man could plunder from another, and any dishonest attempts in so small a society would almost infallibly be discovered. To persons detected in such crimes he could not promise any mercy; nor, indeed, to any who, under their circumstances, should presume to offend against the peace and good order of the settlement. What mercy could do for them they had already experienced; nor could any good be now expected from those whom neither past warnings, nor the peculiarities of their present situation could preserve from guilt. Against offenders, therefore, the rigour of the law would certainly be put in force; while they whose behaviour should in any degree promise reformation, might always depend upon encouragement fully proportioned to their deserts. He particularly noticed the illegal intercourse between the sexes as an offence which encouraged a general profligacy of manners, and was in several ways injurious to society. To prevent this he strongly recommended marriage, and promised every kind of countenance and assistance to those who, by entering into that state, should manifest their willingness to conform to the laws of morality and religion. Governor Phillip concluded his address by declaring his earnest desire to promote the happiness of all who were under his government, and to render the settlement in New South Wales advantageous and honourable to his country."

As far as the convicts were concerned, the writer assures us that this first gubernatorial speech on Australian soil was not altogether without its proper effect, as within the course of a week from its deliverance no less than fourteen marriages took place among the convicts.