The taking Possession of Port Jackson, with the Disembarkation of the
Marines and Convicts.
Our passage to Port Jackson took up but few hours, and those were spent
far from unpleasantly. The evening was bright, and the prospect before
us such as might justify sanguine expectation. Having passed between the
capes which form its entrance, we found ourselves in a port superior, in
extent and excellency, to all we had seen before. We continued to run
up the harbour about four miles, in a westerly direction, enjoying the
luxuriant prospect of its shores, covered with trees to the water's
edge, among which many of the Indians were frequently seen, till we
arrived at a small snug cove on the southern side, on whose banks the
plan of our operations was destined to commence.
The landing of a part of the marines and convicts took place the next
day, and on the following, the remainder was disembarked. Business
now sat on every brow, and the scene, to an indifferent spectator,
at leisure to contemplate it, would have been highly picturesque and
amusing. In one place, a party cutting down the woods; a second, setting
up a blacksmith's forge; a third, dragging along a load of stones or
provisions; here an officer pitching his marquee, with a detachment of
troops parading on one side of him, and a cook's fire blazing up on
the other. Through the unwearied diligence of those at the head of the
different departments, regularity was, however, soon introduced, and, as
far as the unsettled state of matters would allow, confusion gave place
to system.
Into the head of the cove, on which our establishment is fixed, runs a
small stream of fresh water, which serves to divide the adjacent country
to a little distance, in the direction of north and south. On the
eastern side of this rivulet the Governor fixed his place of residence,
with a large body of convicts encamped near him; and on the western
side was disposed the remaining part of these people, near the marine
encampment. From this last two guards, consisting of two subalterns, as
many serjeants, four corporals, two drummers, and forty-two private men,
under the orders of a Captain of the day, to whom all reports were
made, daily mounted for the public security, with such directions to
use force, in case of necessity, as left no room for those who were the
object of the order, but to remain peaceable, or perish by the bayonet.
As the straggling of the convicts was not only a desertion from the
public labour, but might be attended with ill consequences to the
settlement, in case of their meeting the natives, every care was taken
to prevent it. The Provost Martial with his men was ordered to patrole
the country around, and the convicts informed, that the severest
punishment would be inflicted on transgressors. In spite, however, of
all our precautions, they soon found the road to Botany Bay, in visits
to the French, who would gladly have dispensed with their company.
But as severity alone was known to be inadequate at once to chastize and
reform, no opportunity was omitted to assure the convicts, that by
their good behaviour and submissive deportment, every claim to present
distinction and future favour was to be earned. That this caution was
not attended with all the good effects which were hoped from it, I have
only to lament; that it operated in some cases is indisputable; nor will
a candid and humane mind fail to consider and allow for the situation
these unfortunate beings so peculiarly stood in. While they were on
board ship, the two sexes had been kept most rigorously apart; but,
when landed, their separation became impracticable, and would have been,
perhaps, wrong. Licentiousness was the unavoidable consequence, and
their old habits of depravity were beginning to recur. What was to be
attempted? To prevent their intercourse was impossible; and to palliate
its evils only remained. Marriage was recommended, and such advantages
held out to those who aimed at reformation, as have greatly contributed
to the tranquillity of the settlement.
On the Sunday after our landing divine service was performed under a
great tree, by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, Chaplain of the Settlement, in the
presence of the troops and convicts, whose behaviour on the occasion
was equally regular and attentive. In the course of our passage this
had been repeated every Sunday, while the ships were in port; and in
addition to it, Mr. Johnson had furnished them with books, at once
tending to promote instruction and piety.
The Indians for a little while after our arrival paid us frequent
visits, but in a few days they were observed to be more shy of our
company. From what cause their distaste: arose we never could trace,
as we had made it our study, on these occasions, to treat them with
kindness, and load them with presents. No quarrel had happened, and we
had flattered ourselves, from Governor Phillip's first reception among
them, that such a connection might be established as would tend to the
interest of both parties. It seems, that on that occasion, they not only
received our people with great cordiality, but so far acknowledged their
authority as to submit, that a boundary, during their first interview,
might be drawn on the sand, which they attempted not to infringe, and
appeared to be satisfied with.