How arrival of the First Fleet affected the Gadigal Peoples
Captain Arthur Philip
Sources:
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​Extracts of Letters of Arthur Phillip to Right Honourable Lord Sydney
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First Fleet Stories – University of Wollongong
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The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay | University of Sydney Library
Source type:
Primary sources:
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The original private journal of Governor Arthur Phillip is not known to survive in full, apart from 20-page fragment, which is available online, compiled from authentic papers, and the journals of Lieuts. Shortland, Watts, Ball and Capt. Marshall.
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Letters to Lord Sydney
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Individual letters, separate to the journal, are also sourced.
Useful for:
The experiences of men, women and children on the First Fleet voyage
Voyage chapters
Voyage chapters
About Arthur Phillip
Arthur Phillip was the commander of the First Fleet and the first Governor of New South Wales. The published account The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay (1789) is one of the key early sources about the journey to Australia and the beginning of British settlement at Sydney Cove.
Arthur Phillip's instructions when dealing with 'the natives'
Arthur Phillip's two commissions were issued in October, 1786, and May, 1787. They gave him full military and civil powers. He could appoint justices of the peace, constables and similar officers and ministers, could pass judgment on criminals, pardon and reprieve, levy armed forces, control commerce and land settlement, and give encouragement to soldiers and free persons wanting to settle.
Lord Sydney was zealous in ordering that glass beads, mirrors, and “real red feathers” should go with the ships for trade purposes. Captain Phillip was warned:
“...You are to endeavour by every possible means to open an intercourse with the natives and to conciliate their affections, enjoining all our subjects to live in amity and kindness with them.”
Extract of letter to Under Secretary, Nepean, from Port Jackson, July 5, 1788
"...Every possible attention will be given to the cultivation of the flax-plant when circumstances permit, and on our first arrival in this port it was frequently met with; but when I judged the seed to be ripe, and ordered it to be collected, very little was found, and none in those places where it had been seen in any quantity, which I impute to the natives pulling up the plant when in flower to make their fishing-lines...
Cloathing for the natives, if sent out, will, I daresay, be very acceptable to them when they come amongst us... I should recommend long frocks and jackets only, which will equally serve both men and women.
In addition to the frocks and jackets for the natives, good house carpenters' axes, hats, hooks, and lines will be the most beneficial, as well as the most acceptable, to the natives..."
Extract of first letter to Lord Sydney from Port Jackson, July 5, 1788
Extract of first letter to Lord Sydney from Port Jackson, July 5, 1788
"...The very heavy rains we have had for some days has put a stop to all labour, & the natives find it very difficult to support themselves in this season, as few fish are caught. I hope after the ships have sailed to be able to persuade some of them to live near us and every possible means shall be used to reconcile them to us, & to render their situation more comfortable. At present I think it is inferiour to that of the beasts of the field, yet they seem intelligent & merit a better character than what will be given them by Monsieur La Perouse, from what he said to some of our officers.
Selected excerpts from the letters of Governor Phillip
Extract of first letter to Lord Sydney from Port Jackson, July 5, 1788
"...The very heavy rains we have had for some days has put a stop to all labour, & the natives find it very difficult to support themselves in this season, as few fish are caught. I hope after the ships have sailed to be able to persuade some of them to live near us and every possible means shall be used to reconcile them to us, & to render their situation more comfortable. At present I think it is inferiour to that of the beasts of the field, yet they seem intelligent & merit a better character than what will be given them by Monsieur La Perouse, from what he said to some of our officers.