January 1788
First interview with the natives--the bay examined--arrival of the whole
fleet--Port Jackson examined--second interview with the natives--and
third--Governor Phillip returns to Botany Bay--and gives orders for the
evacuation of it.
18 January 1788
At the very first landing of Governor Phillip on the shore of Botany Bay,
an interview with the natives took place. They were all armed, but on
seeing the Governor approach with signs of friendship, alone and unarmed,
they readily returned his confidence by laying down their weapons. They
were perfectly devoid of cloathing, yet seemed fond of ornaments, putting
the beads and red baize that were given them, on their heads or necks,
and appearing pleased to wear them. The presents offered by their new
visitors were all readily accepted, nor did any kind of disagreement
arise while the ships remained in Botany Bay. This very pleasing effect
was produced in no small degree by the personal address, as well as by
the great care and attention of the Governor. Nor were the orders which
enforced a conduct so humane, more honourable to the persons from whom
they originated, than the punctual execution of them was to the officers
sent out: it was evident that their wishes coincided with their duty; and
that a sanguinary temper was no longer to disgrace the European settlers
in countries newly discovered.
The next care after landing was the examination of the bay itself, from
which it appeared that, though extensive, it did not afford a shelter
from the easterly winds: and that, in consequence of its shallowness,
ships even of a moderate draught, would always be obliged to anchor with
the entrance of the bay open, where they must be exposed to a heavy sea,
that rolls in whenever it blows hard from the eastward.
Several runs of fresh water were found in different parts of the bay, but
there did not appear to be any situation to which there was not some very
strong objection. In the northern part of it is a small creek, which runs
a considerable way into the country, but it has water only for a boat,
the sides of it are frequently overflowed, and the low lands near it are
a perfect swamp. The western branch of the bay is continued to a great
extent, but the officers sent to examine it could not find there any
supply of fresh water, except in very small drains.
Point Sutherland offered the most eligible situation, having a run of
good water, though not in very great abundance. But to this part of the
harbour the ships could not approach, and the ground near it, even in the
higher parts, was in general damp and spungy. Smaller numbers might
indeed in several spots have found a comfortable residence, but no place
was found in the whole circuit of Botany Bay which seemed at all
calculated for the reception of so large a settlement. While this
examination was carried on, the whole fleet had arrived. The Supply had
not so much outsailed the other ships as to give Governor Phillip the
advantage he had expected in point of time. On the 19th of January, the
Alexander, Scarborough, and Friendship, cast anchor in Botany Bay; and on
the 20th, the Sirius, with the remainder of the convoy*. These ships had
all continued very healthy; they had not, however, yet arrived at their
final station.
[* The annexed view of Botany Bay, represents the Supply, etc. at anchor,
and the Sirius with her convoy coming into the bay.]
The openness of this bay, and the dampness of the soil, by which the
people would probably be rendered unhealthy, had already determined the
Governor to seek another situation. He resolved, therefore, to examine
Port Jackson, a bay mentioned by Captain Cook as immediately to the north
of this. There he hoped to find, not only a better harbour, but a fitter
place for the establishment of his new government. But that no time might
be lost, in case of a disappointment in these particulars, the ground
near Point Sutherland was ordered immediately to be cleared, and
preparations to be made for landing, under the direction of the
Lieutenant Governor.
These arrangements having been settled, Governor Phillip prepared to
proceed to the examination of Port Jackson: and as the time of his
absence, had he gone in the Supply, must have been very uncertain,
he went round with three boats; taking with him Captain Hunter
and several other officers, that by examining several parts of the
harbour at once the greater dispatch might be made.
22d January, 1788.
On the 22d of January they set out upon this expedition, and early
in the afternoon arrived at Port Jackson, which is distant about three
leagues. 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 expence quays may be constructed at which 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 arrival of the boats at Port Jackson, a second party of the
natives made its appearance near the place of landing. These also were
armed with lances, and at first were very vociferous; but the same gentle
means used towards the others easily persuaded these also to discard
their suspicions, and to accept whatsoever was offered. One man in
particular, who appeared to be the chief of this tribe, shewed very
singular marks both of confidence in his new friends, and of determined
resolution. Under the guidance of Governor Phillip, to whom he
voluntarily intrusted himself, he went to a part of the beach where the
men belonging to the boats were then boiling their meat: when he
approached the marines, who were drawn up near that place, and saw that
by proceeding he should be separated from his companions, who remained
with several of the officers at some distance, he stopped, and with great
firmness, seemed by words and gestures to threaten revenge if any
advantage should be taken of his situation. He then went on with perfect
calmness to examine what was boiling in the pot, and by the manner in
which he expressed his admiration, made it evident that he intended to
profit by what he saw. Governor Phillip contrived to make him understand
that large shells might conveniently be used for the same purpose, and it
is probable that by these hints, added to his own observation, he will be
enabled to introduce the art of boiling among his countrymen. Hitherto
they appear to have known no other way of dressing food than broiling.
Their methods of kindling fire are probably very imperfect and laborious,
for it is observed that they usually keep it burning, and are very rarely
seen without either a fire actually made, or a piece of lighted wood,
which they carry with them from place to place, and even in their
canoes.* The perpetual fires, which in some countries formed a part of
the national religion, had perhaps no other origin than a similar
inability to produce it at pleasure; and if we suppose the original flame
to have been kindled by lightning, the fiction of its coming down from
heaven will be found to deviate very little from the truth.
[* In Hawksw. Voy. vol. iii. p. 234, it is said that they produce fire
with great facility, etc. which account is the more correct, time will
probably show.]
In passing near a point of land in this harbour, the boats were perceived
by a number of the natives, twenty of whom waded into the water unarmed,
received what was offered them, and examined the boat with a curiosity
which impressed a higher idea of them than any former accounts of their
manners had suggested. This confidence, and manly behaviour, induced
Governor Phillip, who was highly pleased with it, to give the place the
name of Manly Cove. The same people afterwards joined the party at the
place where they had landed to dine. They were then armed, two of them
with shields and swords, the rest with lances only. The swords were made
of wood, small in the gripe, and apparently less formidable than a good
stick. One of these men had a kind of white clay rubbed upon the upper
part of his face, so as to have the appearance of a mask. This ornament,
if it can be called such, is not common among them, and is probably
assumed only on particular occasions, or as a distinction to a few
individuals. One woman had been seen on the rocks as the boats passed,
with her face, neck and breasts thus painted, and to our people appeared
the most disgusting figure imaginable; her own countrymen were perhaps
delighted by the beauty of the effect.
During the preparation for dinner the curiosity of these visitors
rendered them very troublesome, but an innocent contrivance altogether
removed the inconvenience. Governor Phillip drew a circle round the place
where the English were, and without much difficulty made the natives
understand that they were not to pass that line; after which they sat
down in perfect quietness. Another proof how tractable these people are,
when no insult or injury is offered, and when proper means are to
influence the simplicity of their minds.
24 January 1788
January 24th, 1788. 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 unfavourable. 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. Their objects were very different; the one required only
shelter and refreshment for a small vessel, and during but a short time:
the other had great numbers to provide for, and was necessitated to find
a place wherein ships of very considerable burthen might approach the
shore with ease, and lie at all times in perfect security. The appearance
of the place is picturesque and pleasing, and the ample harvest it
afforded, of botanical acquisitions, made it interesting to the
philosophical gentlemen engaged in that expedition; but something more
essential 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.