preface
  1. 1Chapter 1. A Retrospect of the State of the Colony of Port Jackson, on the Date of my former Narrative, in July, 1788
  2. 2Chapter 2. Transactions of the Colony from the sailing of the First Fleet in July, 1788, to the Close of that Year
  3. 3Chapter 3. Transactions of the Colony, from the Commencement of the Year 1789, until the End of March
  4. 4Chapter 4. Transactions of the Colony in April and May, 1789
  5. 5Chapter 5. Transactions of the Colony until the Close of the Year 1789
  6. 6Chapter 6. Transactions of the Colony, from the Beginning of the Year 1790 until the End of May following
  7. 7Chapter 7. Transactions of the Colony in June, July, and August, 1790
  8. 8Chapter 8. Transactions of the Colony in the Beginning of September, 1790
  9. 9Chapter 9. Transactions of the Colony in part of September and October, 1790
  10. 10Chapter 10. The arrival of the ‘Supply’ from Batavia; the State of the Colony in November, 1790
  11. 11Chapter 11. Farther Transactions of the Colony in November, 1790
  12. 12Chapter 12. Transactions of the Colony in Part of December, 1790
  13. 13Chapter 13. The Transactions of the Colony continued to the End of May, 1791
  14. 14Chapter 14. Travelling Diaries in New South Wales
  15. 15Chapter 15. Transactions of the Colony to the end of November, 1791
  16. 16Chapter 16. Transactions of the colony until 18th of December 1791, when I quitted it, with an Account of its state at that time
  17. 17Chapter 17. Miscellaneous Remarks on the country. On its vegetable productions. On its climate. On its animal productions. On its natives, etc
  18. 18Chapter 18. Observations on the Convicts
  19. 19Chapter 19. Facts relating to the probability of establishing a whale fishery on the coast of New South Wales, with Thoughts on the same

Phillip

Captain Arthur Phillip.

Credit: National Archives of Australia, Image no.: A6135, K20/10/77/66.

Preface

This title was written by Watkin Tench, Captain of the Marines, who arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788. In all cases, the original spelling and grammar are left as is to preserve the authenticity of the information.

The following Preface was written by the author.

When it is recollected how much has been written to describe the Settlement of New South Wales, it seems necessary if not to offer an apology, yet to assign a reason, for an additional publication.

The Author embarked in the fleet which sailed to found the establishment at Botany Bay. He shortly after published a Narrative of the Proceedings and State of the Colony, brought up to the beginning of July, 1788, which was well received, and passed through three editions. This could not but inspire both confidence and gratitude; but gratitude, would be badly manifested were he on the presumption of former favour to lay claim to present indulgence. He resumes the subject in the humble hope of communicating information, and increasing knowledge, of the country, which he describes.

He resided at Port Jackson nearly four years: from the 20th of January, 1788, until the 18th of December, 1791. To an active and contemplative mind, a new country is an inexhaustible source of curiosity and speculation. It was the author's custom not only to note daily occurrences, and to inspect and record the progression of improvement; but also, when not prevented by military duties, to penetrate the surrounding country in different directions, in order to examine its nature, and ascertain its relative geographical situations.

The greatest part of the work is inevitably composed of those materials which a journal supplies; but wherever reflections could be introduced without fastidiousness and parade, he has not scrupled to indulge them, in common with every other deviation which the strictness of narrative would allow.

When this publication was nearly ready for the press; and when many of the opinions which it records had been declared, fresh accounts from Port Jackson were received. To the state of a country, where so many anxious trying hours of his life have passed, the author cannot feel indifferent. If by any sudden revolution of the laws of nature; or by any fortunate discovery of those on the spot, it has really become that fertile and prosperous land, which some represent it to be, he begs permission to add his voice to the general congratulation. He rejoices at its success: but it is only justice to himself and those with whom he acted to declare, that they feel no cause of reproach that so complete and happy an alteration did not take place at an earlier period.

Warning: This title may contain the names and images of Aboriginal and Islander people now deceased.

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