THE FIRST FLEET

...(Unsuccessful at Botany Bay) ... Phillip directed that a pinnace should be sent north to explore the coast. This wa done, the party being under command of a master's mate named Jackson. It was after this person that the harbor on the shores of which Sydney now stands was named.

The boat party speedily returned with a report of an ideal harbor, and a splendid site for the settlement. On the morning of the 24th the fleet weighed anchor and presently sailed into the inlet-casting anchor in the cove at the head of which the Botanic Gardens are now situated. It was a beautiful day. The scene was exquisite : the wooded hills, the broad expanse of water, the long vista of foliaged shores, islands, bays, and promontaries, and beyond the

dim blue outlines of a range of mountains.

Phillip, who had a sense of poetry, must have felt his spirits rise as he contemplated this harmonious scene... The following day Phillip landed at a point, where a flagstaff had been erected.

And here the British ensign was hoisted by a sergeant of marines, named Dawes. The point to this day is called Dawes Point. Phillip addressed those around him, and proclaimed the colony in the name of His Majesty George III. A salute was fired, the marines played the National Anthem, and the foundation of the settlement was an

accomplished fact.

At once huts were erected for the accommodation of the adventurers, bond and free. Along the side of a wooded rise-at this day known as Gallows Hill, and reaching as far back as the present Cumberland street - a

line of huts was erected, in wahich the convicts were lodged. At each end a party of marines was placed; while further back a primitive barracks was built, in which the main body of the military was accommodated.

The Governor and his principal officers had habitations built for them on the other side of the Tank Stream - a rivulet which meandered from a spring in the rising round on which the Town Hall and the Anglican Cathedral now stand, and passing down what is now Pitt street, emptied itself into the waters of the harbor, where Circular

Quay is at present built.

And about this spot the site is now occupied by the old Commissariat Stores - a strong wooden building was set up, in which the stores brought out for the support of the settlement were deposited. This building was strongly

guarded: for within it was the very existence of the colony. Until food supplies were locally produced the settlers would have to depend for their sustenance upon England.

The Governor found a faithful counsellor and honest supporter in Colonel Collins, who commanded the marines sent out to guard and control the prisoners of the first fleet.

Collins was a man of bluff manners, but his integrity was unimpeachable. He was also of sound sense-a keen observer and just critic. He had some pretensions to literature - had written some papers upon professional subjects and is remembered even now as the author of a quaint, old fashioned, but fairly accurate history of the settlement. This gentleman did not perhaps understand or appreciate the sentimental side of Phillip's character. But he recognised the Governor's honesty of purpose and sympathised with the difficulties of his position. Like a loyal comrade he did all in his power to help Phillip; who, indeed, needed such support, surrounded as he was by a gang of officials who, to habits of the coarsest and most degraded kind, united a greed of gain which stopped at no action

that right enable them to satisfy it.

Many of these worthies traflicked in spirits and tobacco, as well as provisions. Two officers attached to the settlement joined together to purchase a cargo of ruin, which was brought to the settlement by an American schooner. The Governor interfered. He was defied. The rum was landed and sold to all who had money, or who could offer anything of value to the traders. And the settlement was drunk for a fortnight. Numerous offences were committed by persons under the influence of liquor; and five unfortunates were hanged on the gallows tree near the Tank stream; while twice as many were flogged by the government flagellators, Rice and Bullivant.

Meanwhile, starvation threatened the settlement. It became necessary to place the unfortunate convicts upon half rations.

And so scarce became flour that when an official invited anybody to dine with him stipulated that the guest should bring his own bread. As yet no wheat or corn of any kind had been produced. The first sowings were failures -the season was exceptionally dry, and those who had undertaken the business, were ignorant of the ordinary elements of agriculture. In this strait an edict was put forth, making it a capital offence to steal flour or bread. One of the first victims of this ordinance was a man named Brady, who was detected stealing bread from the Governor's kitchen.

He was hanged a few hours thereafter.