Some Thoughts on the Advantages which may arise to the Mother Country
from forming the Colony.
The author of these sheets would subject himself to the charge of
presumption, were he to aim at developing the intentions of Government
in forming this settlement. But without giving offence, or incurring
reproach, he hopes his opinion on the probability of advantage to be
drawn from hence by Great Britain, may be fairly made known.
If only a receptacle for convicts be intended, this place stands
unequalled from the situation, extent, and nature of the country. When
viewed in a commercial light, I fear its insignificance will appear very
striking. The New Zealand hemp, of which so many sanguine expectations
were formed, is not a native of the soil; and Norfolk Island, where we
made sure to find this article, is also without it. So that the scheme
of being able to assist the East Indies with naval stores, in case of a
war, must fall to the ground, both from this deficiency, and the quality
of the timber growing here. Were it indeed possible to transport that of
Norfolk Island, its value would be found very great, but the difficulty,
from the surf, I am well informed, is so insuperable as to forbid
the attempt. Lord Howe Island, discovered by Lieut. Ball, though an
inestimable acquisition to our colony, produces little else than the
mountain cabbage tree.
Should a sufficient military force be sent out to those employed in
cultivating the ground, I see no room to doubt, that in the course of
a few years, the country will be able to yield grain enough for the
support of its new possessors. But to effect this, our present limits
must be greatly extended, which will require detachments of troops not
to be spared from the present establishment. And admitting the position,
the parent country will still have to supply us for a much longer time
with every other necessary of life. For after what we have seen, the
idea of being soon able to breed cattle sufficient for our consumption,
must appear chimerical and absurd. From all which it is evident, that
should Great Britain neglect to send out regular supplies, the most
fatal consequences will ensue.
Speculators who may feel inclined to try their fortunes here, will do
well to weigh what I have said. If golden dreams of commerce and wealth
flatter their imaginations, disappointment will follow: the remoteness
of situation, productions of the country, and want of connection with
other parts of the world, justify me in the assertion. But to men of
small property, unambitious of trade, and wishing for retirement, I
think the continent of New South Wales not without inducements. One
of this description, with letters of recommendation, and a sufficient
capital (after having provided for his passage hither) to furnish him
with an assortment of tools for clearing land, agricultural and domestic
purposes; possessed also of a few household utensils, a cow, a few sheep
and breeding sows, would, I am of opinion, with proper protection and
encouragement, succeed in obtaining a comfortable livelihood, were he
well assured before he quitted his native country, that a provision for
him until he might be settled, should be secured; and that a grant of
land on his arrival would be allotted him.
That this adventurer, if of a persevering character and competent
knowledge, might in the course of ten years bring matters into such a
train as to render himself comfortable and independent, I think highly
probable. The superfluities of his farm would enable him to purchase
European commodities from the masters of ships, which will arrive on
Government account, sufficient to supply his wants. But beyond this he
ought not to reckon, for admitting that he might meet with success in
raising tobacco, rice, indigo, or vineyards (for which last I think the
soil and climate admirably adapted), the distance of a mart to vend them
at, would make the expense of transportation so excessive, as to cut off
all hopes of a reasonable profit; nor can there be consumers enough here
to take them off his hands, for so great a length of time to come, as I
shall not be at the trouble of computing.
Should then any one, induced by this account, emigrate hither, let him,
before he quits England, provide all his wearing apparel for himself,
family, and servants; his furniture, tools of every kind, and implements
of husbandry (among which a plough need not be included, as we make use
of the hoe), for he will touch at no place where they can be purchased
to advantage. If his sheep and hogs are English also, it will be better.
For wines, spirits, tobacco, sugar, coffee, tea, rice, poultry, and many
other articles, he may venture to rely on at Teneriffe or Madeira, the
Brazils and Cape of Good Hope. It will not be his interest to draw bills
on his voyage out, as the exchange of money will be found invariably
against him, and a large discount also deducted. Drafts on the place he
is to touch at, or cash (dollars if possible) will best answer his end.
To men of desperate fortune and the lowest classes of the people, unless
they can procure a passage as indented servants, similar to the custom
practised of emigrating to America, this part of the world offers no
temptation: for it can hardly be supposed, that Government will be fond
of maintaining them here until they can be settled, and without such
support they must starve.
Of the Governor's instructions and intentions relative to the disposal
of the convicts, when the term of their transportation shall be expired,
I am ignorant. They will then be free men, and at liberty, I apprehend,
either to settle in the country, or to return to Europe. The former
will be attended with some public expense; and the latter, except in
particular cases, will be difficult to accomplish, from the numberless
causes which prevent a frequent communication between England and this
continent.
POSTSCRIPT
Sydney Cove, Port Jackson, New South Wales.
October 1st, 1788. Little material has occurred in this colony since the
departure of the ships for England, on the 14th July last. On the
20th of that month His Majesty's ship Supply, Captain Ball, sailed
for Norfolk Island, and returned on the 26th August. Our accounts from
thence are more favourable than were expected. The soil proves admirably
adapted to produce all kinds of grain, and European vegetables. But the
discovery which constitutes its value is the New Zealand flax, plants
of which are found growing in every part of the island in the utmost
luxuriancy and abundance. This will, beyond doubt, appear strange to the
reader after what has been related in the former part of my work: and
in future, let the credit of the testimony be as high as it may, I
shall never without diffidence and hesitation presume to contradict
the narrations of Mr. Cook. The truth is, that those sent to settle and
explore the island knew not the form in which the plant grows, and were
unfurnished with every particular which could lead to a knowledge of
it. Unaccountable as this may sound, it is, nevertheless, incontestably
true. Captain Ball brought away with him several specimens for
inspection, and, on trial, by some flax-dressers among us, the threads
produced from them, though coarse, are pronounced to be stronger, more
likely to be durable, and fitter for every purpose of manufacturing
cordage, than any they ever before dressed.
Every research has been made by those on the island to find a
landing-place, whence it might be practicable to ship off the timber
growing there, but hitherto none has been discovered. A plan, however,
for making one has been laid before the Governor, and is at present
under consideration, though (in the opinion of many here) it is not such
an one as will be found to answer the end proposed.
Lieut. King and his little garrison were well when the 'Supply' left
them: but I am sorry to add, that, from casualties, their number is
already five less than it originally was. A ship from hence is ready to
sail with an increase of force, besides many convicts for the purpose of
sawing up timber, and turning the flax-plant to advantage.
So much for Norfolk. In Port Jackson all is quiet and stupid as could be
wished. We generally hear the lie of the day as soon as the beating
of the Reveille announces the return of it; find it contradicted by
breakfast time; and pursue a second through all its varieties, until
night, welcome as to a lover, gives us to sleep and dream ourselves
transported to happier climes.
Let me not, however, neglect telling you the little news which presents
itself. All descriptions of men enjoy the highest state of health; and
the convicts continue to behave extremely well. A gang of one hundred of
them, guarded by a captain, two subalterns and 20 marines, is about to
be sent up to the head of the harbour, at the distance of 3 leagues, in
a westerly direction, from Sydney Cove, for the purpose of establishing
a settlement there. The convicts are to be employed in putting the land
around into cultivation, as it appears to be of a more promising nature
than that near the encampment. Indeed this last hitherto succeeds but
very indifferently, though I do not yet despair, that when good seeds
can be procured, our toil will be better rewarded. But as this is an
event at a distance, and in itself very precarious, Governor Phillip has
determined on procuring a supply of flour and other necessaries from the
Cape of Good Hope, as our stock on hand is found to be, on examination,
not quite so ample as had been reckoned upon. To execute this purpose
his Excellency has ordered the Sirius to prepare for the voyage; by
which conveyance the opportunity of writing to you is afforded me. It
was at first intended to dispatch the Sirius to some of the neighbouring
islands (the Friendly or Society) in the Pacific Ocean, to procure stock
there, but the uselessness of the scheme, joined to the situation
of matters here, has, happily for us, prevented its being put into
execution.