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FIRST FLEET & BOTANY BAY: THE LONDON CHRONICLE.
The first printed accounts of the Expedition to and the Settlement at Sydney Cove, in issues of the London Chronicle newspaper issued in early 1789:
May 5-7, 1789: Containing a long and detailed "Authentic Letter from BOTANY BAY" headed "Sydney Cove, July 12, 1788" together with an explanation about the fact that it was hot in January at Botany Bay (when the First Fleet had arrived) and that in July, when the letter had been written, "the winter had set in."
Following their early disappointments "...we landed at Sydney Cove (so called by the Governor), where we have fixed our residence, and laid a foundation for a colony. I really am not capable of describing this harbour, which is, without exception, I believe, the finest in the known world......forming many beautiful bays, and coves on every side, which in the summer season abounds with a variety of fish, but now being winter not a fish can be caught...."
"Having now given you a sketch of this country and its productions, I leave you to form your own opinion of it; I shall only venture to say it will never answer the intentions of Government, and I make no doubt, but we shall be recalled, which I sincerely wish."
"I forgot to say we had a deal of thunder and lightning, which has done some damage, and a few days ago we had a slight shock of an earthquake. In short, I believe this country to be the outcast of God's works."
The writer, was Major Robert Ross (c.1740 – 9 June 1794) the officer in charge of the First Fleet garrison of marines, and later Lieutenant-Governor of the convict settlement on Norfolk Island.
Categories: Australian History > Books & Historical Documents (Australian)
