pleasure signified to the Admiralty for these purposes as soon as 1786 8 Oct THE MARINES AND THEIR TERM OF SERVICE. Extract from a letter written to the Commanding Marine Officers at the Divisions, respecting a detachment to be sent out to New South Wales :8th October, 1786. THE non-commission officers and private marines to be allowed their discharge, if they desire it, on their return to England, after they have been relieved (which it is intended shall take place at the expiration of 3 years), provided their good behaviour Three years' shall entitle them to such favor; or will be discharged abroad service. upon the relief, and be permitted to settle in the country, if they prefer it. and tools. To be victualled by a commissary, and to have such tools, Victualling implements, and utensils as they may have occasion for whilst employed for the protection of the new settlement. SIR A. S. HAMOND* TO UNDER SECRETARY NEPEAN. Dear Sir, Gillingham, 8th Octr., 1786. draftsman. I do not exactly know what plan Government may have in view with respect to Botany Bay, but if colinizeation may be intended, perhaps it may be thought necessary to have the country surveyed and explored. Lieut. Bray, of the Navy, who is A volunteer a very ingenious draftsman, is very desirous of being a volunteer on the expedition. He says he can be well recommended to Lord Sydney by several noblemen of rank, but before he makes his application he wishes to know if any draftsmen are intended to be sent out. If you can give him this, or any other information that may be useful to him in his persuit, it will be serving a man of merit, and oblige, Yours, &c., A. S. HAMOND. THE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY TO LORD SYDNEY. * Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, one of the Commissioners of the Navy. 12 Oct. 1786 12 Oct. be got ready. that a ship of war of a proper class, with a proper vessel for a tender, and a detachment of marines, should be got in readiness to proceed with the convicts for the purposes mentioned in your Lordship's letter, we are to acquaint your Lordship that, in obedience to his Majesty's commands, we immediately ordered The Sirius to the Sirius,* one of his Majesty's ships of the sixth rate, with a proper vessel for a tender, to be fitted for this service; and that the ship will be ready to receive men by the end of this month. We are further to acquaint your Lordship, in answer to that part of your letter desiring to be informed of the names of the officers intended to command the ship of war and the marine corps, that Phillip and Captain Arthur Phillipt will be appointed to command the Sirius, and Major Robert Ross the detachment of marines. Ross. We are, &c., HOWE. CHS. BRETT. 12 Oct. Phillip appointed Governor. GOVERNOR PHILLIP'S FIRST COMMISSION. George R. George the Third, &c., to our trusty and well-beloved Captain WE, reposing especial trust and confidence in your loyalty, Philip Gidley King, Second Lieutenant of the Sirius, who afterwards held the offices of Lieut.-Governor of Norfolk Island and Governor of New South Wales, states in his journal :-"The construction of a King's ship not being deemed proper for the service, the Berwick, storeship, was pitched on by the Admiralty, and her name changed to the Sirius, so called from the bright star in ye southern constellation of the Great Dog." + Appointed first Governor of New South Wales by Commission, 12th October, 1786. This commission is dated 12th October, 1786, and the Records show that it was acted upon almost at once. It was replaced, however, by a fuller commission, 2nd April, 1787. Post, p. 62. According to the Annual Register for 1787, Phillip's appointment was not publicly announced until 17th April. Instructions were issued, 25th April, 1787. Post, p. 85. Additional Instructions, post, p. 256. 1786 12 Oct. hereby strictly charge and command all our officers and soldiers Given at our Court at St. James's, the twelfth day of October, SYDNEY. tions. 16 Oct. SIR A. S. HAMOND TO UNDER SECRETARY NEPEAN. Dear Sir, Chatham, 16th Oct., 1786. Mr. White,* the surgeon of the Irresistible, is a candidate Surgeon. for Botany Bay. He is a young man of much credit in his profession, and of that sort of disposition and temper that render him a very proper person for such an establishment. If no surgeon is yet appointed, and you will do me the favor to recommend him to Lord Sydney, I shall think myself much obliged to you, and shall consider myself bound to Government for his good behaviour. I am, &c., Sir, A. S. HAMOND. 21 Oct. engaged. UNDER SECRETARY ROSE TO SECRETARY STEPHENS.‡ Treasury Chambers, 21st Oct., 1786. The Commissioners of the Navy having, in their letter of Ships the 18th instant, represented to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury that they have agreed for a sufficient quantity of shipping to convey the convicts, &c., to Botany Bay, and that they will be ready to proceed from Gravesend in a month at furthest ; and stated that if the ships get to New Holland so early as to be able to reach China by the 1st of January, 1788, they are to be discharged, but if they are unnecessarily delay'd on the passage, or detained in Botany Bay after the convicts are landed, so as to be prevented from proceeding in time for China, they will be under the necessity of continuing them in their pay till their return to Deptford,―I am commanded by their Lordships to desire that you will move the Lords of the Admiralty to direct Mr. John White, appointed Chief Surgeon of the Settlement, 24 October, 1786. Returned to England, 1794. + Mr. George Rose, Under Secretary of the Treasury. Philip Stephens, Secretary of the Admiralty. 1786 21 Oct. 24 Oct. Lieut. Judge- the captain of the King's ship who accompanies them to take care GEO. ROSE. MAJOR ROSS's COMMISSION AS LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.* George R. George the Third, &c., to our trusty and well-beloved Major WE, reposing especial trust and confidence in your loyalty, Given at our court at St. James's, the twenty-fourth day of October, 1786, in the twenty-sixth year of our reign. By his Majesty's command, JUDGE-ADVOCATE COLLINS'S COMMISSION.† SYDNEY. George the Third, &c., to our trusty and well-beloved Captain WE do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be Deputy Major Ross was in command of the detachment of marines sent out to guard the convicts. + Captain of marines, afterwards colonel. He acted as Judge-Advocate and Secretary to the Governor at Sydney, until Sept., 1796, when he sailed for England, on leave of absence. He did not resume the position of Judge-Advocate, but was appointed, Dec., 1803, Lieut.-Governor of the proposed settlement at Port Phillip. The place, however, displeased him, and he established a settlement instead on the Derwent, Van Diemen's Land. and performing all and all manner of things thereunto belonging; Given at our Court at St. James's, the twenty-fourth day FIRST CHAPLAIN'S COMMISSION.* SYDNEY. George the Third, &c., to our trusty and well-beloved Richard 1786 24 Oct. WE do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be Chap- Given at our Court at St. James's, the twenty-fourth day of SURGEON WHITE'S COMMISSION. SYDNEY. George the Third, &c., to our trusty and well-beloved John White, greeting : WE do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be Given at our Court at St. James's, the twenty-fourth day *The Rev. Richard Johnson acted as Chief Chaplain of the Settlement until 1800, when he retired. |