THE

HISTORY

OF

NEW SOUTH WALES,

FROM ITS

FIRST DISCOVERY TO THE PRESENT TIME;

COMPRISING

An accurate and interesting Description of that

VAST AND REMARKABLE COUNTRY;

AND OF THE

Persons, Manners, and Customs, of the Natives;

WITH A SUCCINCT DETAIL OF THE

ESTABLISHMENT AND PROGRESS

OF THE

ENGLISH COLONY;

INCLUDING

Every important Particular relative to the
SITUATION AND CONDUCT OF THE CONVICTS:

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

A DESCRIPTION OF

Van Dieman's Land and Norfolk Island,

With Reflections on the Importance of the
SOUTHERN CONTINENT.

COMPILED FROM THE BEST AND MOST RECENT AUTHORITIES,

BY A LITERARY GENTLEMAN.F

by ...

Illustrated with a Map and elegant Engravings.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY MACKENZIE AND DENT, ST. NICHOLAS'

CHURCH-YARD.
1811.

NEW YORK

1

INTRODUCTION

THE practice of transporting criminals is said to have commenced in the reign of James I.; but the year 1619 is the memorable epoch of its origin; for then America was specified as the place of banishment. This mode of punishment produced the most beneficial effects; it not only removed from the public eye the unpleasing objects of chains and servitude, so repugnant to the feelings of Englishmen, and relieved the country from the burden of subjects not less useless than pernicious, but also contributed to the popu. lation and prosperity of our distant colonies. It may, indeed, be questioned, whether any method could have been devised so effectual for promoting the security of society, and rendering the guilty persons just to themselves; for correcting their moral depravity, inducing habits of industry, and arming them in future against the temptations by which they were once ensnared.

But the American revolution suspended the opera✓tions of this policy, and in order to remove the inconveniences that ensued, criminals were, among other expedients, transported to the coast of Africa, where, what was meant as an alleviation of punishment, too frequently ended in death. This induced government to turn their attention to the great southern continent; and, accordingly, Botany Bay, on the eastern coast of New Holland, was fixed on, conformably to the suggestion of the immortal Cook, as the most eligible situation for the establishment of a new colony. The adventurers to this unknown region sailed in May, 1787.

Were we to indulge a speculative curiosity concerning the tendency of this enterprize, there are few topics that would afford a more ample scope for conjecture. From smaller and not more respectable beginnings, powerful empires have frequently risen; and when we reflect on the excellent situation and vast extent of the country, combined with the energetic character of the settlers, we may justly anticipate consequences pregnant with glory and advantage to the British empire. To all, even the most phlegmatic, it must appear a striking proof of the flourishing state of navigation in the present age, and a singular illustration of its vast progress since the early nautical efforts of mankind; that whereas the ancients coasted with timidity along the shores of the Mediterranean, and thought it a great effort to run cross the narrow sea which separates Crete from Egypt, Great Britain, without hesitation, sends out a fleet to plant a settlement near the antipodes.