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In 1783 Joseph Banks, now a baronet, was still very interested in Botany Bay. He consulted with James Mario Matra who then put forward a proposal to the British Government that New Holland be colonized by United Empire Loyalists--American colonists who had sided with the Mother Country in the dispute with the colonies and were persecuted for having done so.
Lord Sydney observed 'that New South Wales would be a very proper region for the reception of criminals condemned to transportation.'
This was followed by another very similar proposal which Admiral Sir George Young did put forward to Lord Sydney in 1785. The delay in Lord Sydney's decision took too long for the loyalists, many had already settled in Nova Scotia and upper Canada. The opportunity of receiving men of principle, courage, and steadfast loyalty as New Holland's first settlers was lost.
By 1786, the overcrowding jails made any further delays impossible. Something had to be done and the Ministry took up Bank's proposal of 1779. It was now bound for Botany Bay.
A 'sketch of a plan' for forming a new settlement at Botany Bay was forwarded in August 1786 by Lord Sydney to the Commissioners of the Treasury. The plan was declared to be for 'effectually disposing of convicts and rendering their transportation reciprocally beneficial both to themselves and the state.'
Unlike the early American system where the Government paid contractors a fee to ship the convicts to America where they sold them as slaves, this plan meant that the New Holland convicts were under the complete protection of the Government and were to remain under government control.
Within a few weeks the new Governor General of New South Wales was announced, it was to be a retired naval captain by the name of Arthur Phillip.
From October 1786, Governor Phillip set about preparing for the first fleet. He put in an earnest effort writing letter after letter to government officials trying to gain better food and clothing for the convicts, trying to avoid taking the sick and infirm, trying to have his ships cleaned before their long journey trying to anticipate, solve and prevent any troubles that could hinder the new colony.
He found the government were indifferent to the plight of the convicts, marines and officers and were mainly concerned about saving government's money and themselves work.
Phillip was also greatly concerned with how the new settlement would begin, knowing he would do his best to make it the great new Empire that it could be, and that it was a valuable new asset for the King. He was showing his concern when he wrote in 1787: 'As I would not wish convicts to lay the foundations of an Empire, I think they should ever remain seperated from the 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.'
Even so, the plan went ahead and selection of the convicts began.
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