Sydney Cove Sources (text version)

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Hotspot 1

Letter from Arthur Phillip to The Marquis of Lansdown, July 1788. Phillip was the first Governor of the new colony and believed that NSW would open up good trade opportunities.

Transcript: Clearing the ground will be a Work of time & it will be four Years at least, before this Colony will be able to support itself, & perhaps no Country in the World affords less assistance to first Settlers. Still, My Lord, I think that perseverance will answer evry purpose proposed by Government, & that this Country will hereafter be a most Valuable acquisition to Great Brittain from its situation.

Hotspot 2

Journal entry from Arthur Bowes Smyth, January-February, 1788. Bowes Smyth was the surgeon with the First Fleet.

Transcript: In England theiving poultry was not punish’d wt. Death; but here where a loss of that kind could not be supply’d it was of the utmost consequence to the Settlement, as well as every other Species of Stock, as they were preserved for Breeding therefore stealing the most trifling Article of Stock or Provisions wd. be punisheting d wt. Death.

Hotspot 3

Letter from Reverend Richard Johnson, November 15, 1788. In England, Johnson had been a farmer and a teacher. He worked closely with the Aboriginal peoples around Sydney Cove.

Transcript: As to the Country in general, I confess I have no very great opinion of nor expectation from it. The greatest part of it is poor & barren & rocky & requires a great deal of labour to clear it of trees, roots ... & to cultivate it, & and after all, the corn that has been sown hitherto looks very poor & unpromising. I think I can say none has given it a fairer trial than myself.

Hotspot 4

Journal entry from William Bradley, October 1788. Bradley was a lieutenant in the Royal navy.

Transcript: The Stock brought to Port Jackson has turn'd to little account, the sheep nearly all dead, the Bull & Cows missing, either killed by the Natives or run wild in the woods. Hogs which appear to thrive the best will be lost for want of food, before grain can be raised for their support, the cabbage tree affords good food while it lasts but there is great difficulty in getting it. All kinds of poultry thrive very well & Goats particularly well, the great want is grain to support the stock.

Hotspot 5

Journal entry from Captain John Hunter of the Royal Navy. Hunter echoed the general pessimism of early accounts of Sydney Cove.

Transcript: There has been several attempts by the Gentlemen here who have little farms in the Neigh’hood of Sydney Cove, to raise grain of different kinds for the purpose of feeding a few pigs, Goats & Poultry, but altho their endeavours seemd for a time to promise ample reward … but it no sooner formd … than the Ratts, with which as well as much other Vermin this Country is over run - destroyd the whole of their prospect.

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