Task 1 - Letters Home
Read the letter transcript extracts from the Marine and Captain.
Once you have read these thoroughly you are to write your own short letter home in the role of Captain Arthur Phillip, a convict, or a sailor.
Alternatively, you could write a piece of poetry or prose from the view of an indigenous australian on the topic of the European colonisation or invasion.
Your work is to be a minimum of 500 words and must be relevant to the topic you are writing about. Make sure to refer to the information contained on the other pages of this website.
Your task is due at the end of this lesson.
Extract 1
Transcript: Henry Waterhouse - letter to William Waterhouse, 11 July 1788
Sidney Cove Port Jackson New South Wales
July the 11th 1788
Dear Father -
On the 30th of December & 1 of January 1788 it blew a very heavy Gale, on the 2nd it blew so hard that we could not set any sail on the 3rd it abated without any damage to the Ships or parting company; on the 8th January saw Van Diemans Land
The land from here has a most barren appearance most of the Hills having Snow on them only some few spots having Trees on & those seemingly not in a very flourishing state though this is one of the Summer months
on the 10th we had a most severe Squall of Wind Rain Thunder & Lightning which damag'd some of the Ships but not materially;
It Thundered & lighten'd excessivly hard in one night it shiver'd a large tree near the Camp & kill'd six sheep two lambs & two pigs;
Two Convicts that where just recovering from a fit of sickness went into the wood to pick some herbs for tea the next day one of them return'd wounded in the back with a lance by the Nativs, part of which was sticking his back when he came in; he said the Nativs had Wounded & beat & carri'd away his companion, the next day a Jacket Shirt & hat was found near the place where the Convict had been attack'd & we suppose they have either kill'd or carri'd the other Convict away with them.
The Town now begins to cut a figure a number of Wooden Houses are built & the Governors & Lieut Governors Stone Houses are allmost built likewise the Hospital & Store houses;
At a little distance from the Town their is a farm for the Cultivation of Seed & Cattle for the Publick, there is a number of private Farms & Gardens about there is likewise a brick field & kiln at which some Thousands of excellent Bricks have been made at present while the Transports are here we are under such restrictions concerning the Nativs that I have not be able to collect any of their Weapons or any thing else but I am affraid I have tir'd you with this long & unconnect'd letter but I must beg you will excuse any errors that may attract your Eye please to give my duty to their Royal Highnesses & Lady Elizabeth I waited on the Governor to know if he had any commands for Her Royal Highness he told me he should write himself from
Your Ever Dutifull Son
H Waterhouse
Extract 2
Transcript: Arthur Phillip - letter to the Marquis of Lansdowne, 3 July 1788
The Marquis of Lansdown
My Lord
As I was unwilling to trouble Your Lordship with letters that could only contain assurances of respect, I defer'd writing till I arrived in this Country. the few extracts from my journal, is all the information I am able to give your Lordship, at present, of the Natives; who never come to us & with whom I have never been able to remain but a very short time. the Rains now fall very heavy, & many of the Natives find it difficult to support themselves, as few fish are caught. I shall be able to give a better account of the Country when I have visited Lansdown Hills - they form part of a Range of Mountains that appear to be fifty miles in land & on which I have in a late excursion seen Smoke; which, with my having traced the Natives thirty miles towards these Hills, leaves no doubt but that there are Inhabitants in the interiour parts of the Country. I thought these Hills worthy the Name I have giving them, and at the foot of which I flatter my self that I shall find a River, that communicates with the Sea, at no great distance from Port Jackson, which I have preferd to Botany bay as affording a more eligible Situation for the Colony, & being with out exception the finest Harbour in the World. my reason for thinking there must be a large River, is the having found pools of water which did not appear to be formed in the Rainy Season.
the 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.
It has been my determination from the time I landed, never to fire on the Natives, but in a case of absolute necessity, & I have been so fortunate as to have avoided it hitherto. I think they deserve a better Character than what they will receive from Monsr. La Perouse, who was under the disagreable necessity of firing on them.
Your Lordship will I hope do me the justice to believe me fully sensible of the polite attention I receiv'd when leaving England, & permit me the honor of subscribing my self with the greatest Respect & esteem
My Lord
Your Lordships
Obliged & Most Obedient
Humble Servant
A Phillip
Sydney Cove
July 3d. 1788.