Reasons for establishment - Timeline of events
The earliest formal proposal came from James Matra.
Document: Proposal for Establishing a Settlement in New South Wales (1783)
Submitted to Lord Sydney with assistance from Evan Nepean.
Matra proposed:
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Settlement at Botany Bay
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American Loyalists and British convicts as settlers
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Strategic naval base
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Trade opportunities including fur, flax and spices
This document directly influenced the government of William Pitt the Younger.
Formal instructions issued to Arthur Phillip on 25 April 1787.
These include:
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Establish colony
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Maintain order
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Allocate land
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Govern convicts
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Harmonious relations with Aboriginal people
Between 1785–1786, the plan gained momentum under:
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William Pitt the Younger
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Lord Sydney
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Evan Nepean
Key drivers:
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American colonies lost after the American Revolution
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Prison overcrowding in Britain
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Need for a new transportation destination
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Failure of penal settlements in Africa
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Strategic naval base in the Pacific
The closest thing to an official decision is:
18 August 1786 – Cabinet Decision
The British Government formally approves:
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Establishment of a penal colony at Botany Bay
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Transportation of convicts
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Appointment of a governor
This is recorded in Home Office correspondence.
Official step confirming the decision:
12 September 1786 — Arthur Phillip was appointed:
"Captain Arthur Phillip is appointed Governor of the intended colony at NSW."
Official government instructions (1787)
Governor appointment (1786)
Official decision (1786)
Treasury & Cabinet considerations (1785–1786)
James Matra's proposal (1783) — The starting point
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"... On the 25th: of October 1786 His Majesties Ship Sirius was Commission’d, & the Command given to Cap’n Arthur Phillip... It being the intention of Government at this time, to remove so great a Nuisance & inconvenience as the Country at present Sufford from the Goals being so exceedingly Crouded with Criminals who had been by the Laws Condemn’d to Transportation; the East coast of New Holland was the place determind, upon which to form a Settlement for this Salutary purpose; and the above Ships were intended as an Escort to the Transports which were to Convey the Convicts to that Country, and which were at this time fitting & in Considerable forewardnes for that Service. The East Coast of New Holland is that Country which was discover’d and Explor’d by Captain James Cook in his first Voyage round the World, and by him Calld New South Wales, Botany Bay the only place he enterd with the Ship which coud be Calld a Harbor, having been mention’d in the Narrative of that Voyage, as a Convenient place for a Settlement, Government fixd upon that place for the intended purpose...​​​