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RESEARCHED BY PETER KILLACKEY
A Narrative of the Expedition to Botany Bay
by Watkin Tench
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CHAPTER IX.
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.
A Narrative of the Expedition
to Botany Bay
by Watkin Tench |
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