murder and sodomy. For either of these crimes I would wish to confine the criminal till an opportunity offered of delivering him as a prisoner to the natives of New Zealand, and let them eat him. The dread of this will operate much stronger than the fear of death. 1787 As the getting a large quantity of stock together will be my Preservation first great object, till that is obtained the garrison should, as in of stock. Gibraltar, not be allowed to kill any animal without first reporting his stock, and receiving permission. This order would only be necessary for a certain time, and I mention it here only to show the necessity of a military government; and as I mean in every matter of this kind to sett the example, I think that I can say this will never occasion any uneasiness, but if it should, it will be absolutely necessary, otherwise we shall not do in ten years what I hope to do in four. the islands. Women may be brought from the Friendly and other islands, Women from a proper place prepared to receive them, and where they will be supported for a time, and lots of land assigned to such as marry with the soldiers of the garrison. should Le As I would not wish convicts to lay the foundations of an Convicts empire, I think they should ever remain separated from the isolated. garrison, and other settlers that may come from Europe, and not be allowed to mix with them, even after the 7 or 14 years for which they are transported may be expired. The laws of this country will, of course, be introduced in [New] No slavery. South Wales, and there is one that I would wish to take place from the moment his Majesty's forces take possession of the country: That there can be no slavery in a free land, and consequently no slaves. convicts to The cloathing for the convicts will last for a certain time, after How are the which what means should I have of furnishing them with materials be clothed? for their making their own cloaths? It will be necessary to know how far I may permit the seamen Land grants. and marines of the garrison to cultivate spots of land when the duty of the day is over, and how far I can give them hopes that the grounds they cultivate will be secured to them hereafter; likewise, how far I may permit any of the garrison to remain, when they are ordered Home in consequence of relief. Lamps for By what I am informed, hatchets and beads are the articles for barter a few small grindstones for the chiefs; and as they use a the natives. light they hold it in their hands, small tin lamps on a very simple construction must be very acceptable. Ships may arrive at Botany Bay in future. On account of the convicts, the orders of the port for no boats landing but in particular places, coming on shore and returning to the ships at stated hours, must be strictly inforced. The saddles I mentioned will be absolutely necessary, for two horsemen will examine the country to a certain distance, when it Shipping regulations. Exploration 1787 Fruit-trees. Houses. Articles for barter. 1 March. The Gover nor's instructions. Purchase of wine. A hospital ship. Fresh meat and vege tables. Exchange of men. Officers. Discharge of unnecessary officers might be dangerous to attempt it with half the garrison, for I am not of the general opinion that there are very few inhabitants in this country, at least so few as have been represented-but this article I take upon myself, as likewise the knifes, &c., that I mentioned. Such fruit trees and cuttings that will bear removing should be added to the seeds carried from England, as likewise roots that will bear keeping that length of time out of the ground. Two or three of the houses in question will be highly necessary, and there is no time to lose in giving the orders, if intended. A certain quantity of the articles of husbandry, stores, corn, seeds, &c., of the articles for traffick, should be put on board the Berwick,* that in case of an accident we may not be in immediate want of those things, and the same on board the store-ship in which the Lt.-Gouvrnour goes. Sir, GOVERNOR PHILLIP TO UNDER SECRETARY NEPEAN. [London] March 1st, 1787. From the letter I have received from the Admiralty, and of which I enclose a copy,† you will see that respecting my 11th, 12th, 13th queries the Board decline giving any answer. As I am to be entirely under the direction of the Secretary of State, immediately after I arrive on the coast of New South Wales, for what regards the Naval Department, as well as respecting the settlement, from the Board's answer to these queries, as well as similar answers to several others of the same nature, I must request your particular attention to the following circumstances in drawing up my instructions : : That I am directed to order wine to be purchased in the passage, at Teneriffe, or where it can be procured; for circumstances may prevent my taking on board the quantity intended, at Teneriffe, or perhaps any part of it, and it may be got at the Cape or elsewhere. That I may employ one of the transports as an hospital ship, if I find it necessary on the passage. To order the marines and convicts to be supply'd with fresh meat and vegetables at such places as I may stop at in the passage, and to order the Commissary to draw bills on the Treasury for such supplies. That I have the power of exchanging any part of the garrison with the marines embark'd on board the ships, or of incorporating the marines now belonging to the ship with those of the garrison, if the service requires it. That I am directed to appoint officers to fill such stations as may become vacant by death or otherwise. That I am directed to discharge from the ship such officers and men as may not be necessary for the navigating of the ships, and † Ante, p. 48. Renamed the Sirius. Ante, p. 24. which may be necessary in the garrison, such people being desirous of remaining in the settlement. 1787 1 March. That I make the settlement in such port as I may find the most The place of convenient and best to answer the intentions of Government. settlement. That I send one of the ships to Charlotte Sound, in the Island Bread-fruit of New Zeland, for the flax-plant, and to the Friendly Islands and island for the bread-fruit, and, as women will be there procured, that I put an officer on board such transport. women. That the terms by which lands are to be granted are pointed Land grants. out by the article which gives me the power of granting lands. That I have a power of exiling to New Zealand or the neigh- Power of bouring islands any convict that may be condemned to death. That I have the power of emancipation. The power of suspending and sending home such officer who from his situation cannot be tried by a court-martial. exile. Emancipation. Suspension. That in case of sending home the Sirius I have orders from The naval the Secretary of State to take the command of such ships or command. vessels as remain on the coast, by hoisting a distinguishing pendant on board such ship or tender as I may judge necessary (such pendant not to give me any claim to the pay of a commanding officer), in order to retain the command by sea, to be more at liberty to visit the coast, and to retain the command of the ships or vessels that remain. ration That I have a power to change the species of provisions served a better to the marines and convicts, for if salt meat is issued, without needed, any proportion of flour, as has been hitherto done by the contractor to the marines embarked on board the Alexander, the scurvy must prove fatal to the greatest part. Of the marines already embarked two months, one in six are sent to the hospital since that ship's arrival at Spithead.* I am, &c., A. PHILLIP. SECRETARY STEPHENS TO THE NAVY BOARD. Gentlemen, 2nd March, 1787. 2 March I am commanded by my Lords Commrs. of the Admty. to signify their direction to you to order the masters of the several transports and store-ships named on the other side hereof to put themselves under the command of Capt. Philip (or in his absence, The First of Capt. Hunter), of his Majesty's ship the Sirius, and follow his orders for their future proceedings. I am, &c., P.S. Fleet. 1787 3 March. Sir, SECRETARY STEPHENS TO CAPTAIN MARSHALL.* Having communicated to my Lords Commissioners of the Adm'ty your letter of yesterday's date, acquainting them that fearing the weather might continue bad you had applied to ComThe Gorgon. missioner Martin for the Gorgon, the ship which he had appointed for the reception of the convicts, to be fitted with as much security as the time would possibly admit, and that you had been obliged to embark them on board her, and had given orders for their guard and security, similar to those issued when the Firm hulk receives such people, I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you that they approve thereof, and Lord Sydney, one of his M'y's. Principal Sec'rys of State, having desired that as the said convicts, as well as the marines who have been appointed to guard them, will stand in immediate need of a supply of provisions for their subsistence until they can be sent out to the Motherbank, which Mr. Townshend, who is charged with the care of them, cannot conveniently procure, orders may be given for the said marines Provisions. and convicts being supplied with such provisions from one of his Majesty's ships in Portsmouth harbour, as Mr. Townshend shall require, upon his settling with the purser for the amount thereof, and that as the boiling of the meat with which they are supplied on board of the ship wherein they are now confined will most likely be attended with difficulty, the meat may be dressed on board the ship from whence the same shall be supplied, I am comm'd by their Lordships to signify their direction to you to give the necessary orders conformable thereto. 12 March. Bad victualling-a warning. t The enclosed letter from Lord Sydney to Mr. Townshend, † upon the subject, you will be pleased to cause to be delivered to him. I am, &c., GOVERNOR PHILLIP TO LORD SYDNEY. P.S. My Lord, [London] March 12th, 1787. As the Navy Board have informed me that no alteration can be made respecting the victualling of the marines during the passage, it is to prevent my character as an officer from being called in question, should the consequences I fear be realized, that I once more trouble your Lordship on this subject. The contracts for the garrison and convicts were made before I ever saw the Navy Board on this business, and tho' I never have had it in my power officially to interfere in any respect, yet I have repeatedly pointed out the consequences that must be expected from the men's being crowded on board such small ships, and from victualling the marines according to the contract, *One of the Commissioners of the Victualling Department. † Not recorded. 1787 which allows no flour, as is customary in the Navy. This must be fatal to many, and the more so as no anti-scorbutics are allowed on board the transports for either marine or convict; in fact, my 12 March. Lord, the garrison and convicts are sent to the extremity of the globe as they would be sent to America-a six-weeks' passage. I see the critical situation I may be in, after losing part of the garrison that is at present very weak when the service for which it is intended is considered; but I am prepard to meet difficulties, and I have only one fear-I fear, my Lord, that it may be said hereafter the officer who took charge of the expedition should have known that it was more than probable he lost half the garrison and convicts, crowded and victualled in such a manner for so long a voyage. And the public, believing it rested with Phillip me, may impute to my ignorance or inattention what I have never responsi been consulted in, and which never coincided with my ideas, to bility. avoid which is the purport of this letter; and I flatter myself your Lordship will hereafter point out the situation in which I have stood thro' the whole of this business should it ever be necessary. I have, &c., A. PHILLIP. MAJOR ROSS TO UNDER SECRETARY NEPEAN. Portsmouth, 14th March, 1787. declines 14 March. Sir, I yesterday muster'd the convicts on board the different Muster of transports at the Mother Bank. The enclosed lists* are exact as convicts. to numbers, and the most correct I could get from them of their names. I hope it will answ'r all your purposes, and if there is anything else wanted you will please to let me know, and I shall have pleasure in obeying your commands. Perhaps you would wish to have similar lists of those on board the ships from Plymouth; if you do, you have only to let me know. obedient. I have great pleasure in informing you that the convicts seem The convicts perfectly satisfied and obedient. They wish, if possible, to be satisfied and allowed more bread than is at present served them-taking off as much, if so, of the allowance of their salt provisions, as may be equal in value. You are too well acquainted with the consequences attending Their health, the being kept long upon a diet of salt provisions to need my saying anything upon that head, being well convinced that whatever can be done for the preservation of health will be done by you. I likewise beg to observe to you that the contractors for No flour. victualling the marines have not put any flour on board the transports for their use, and of course, as they are the only people deprived of that necessary article, which I have reason to believe was never intended to be the case, may I request that you will * In the lists are given fictitious and real names. Among the fictitious are" Black Jack," "Bone," " "Gash," " Major," &c. |