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An Historical Journal of the Transaction at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island with the discoveries which have been made in New South Wales and in the Southern Ocean since the publication of Phillip's voyage
An Historical Journal of the Transaction at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island with the discoveries which have been made in New South Wales and in the Southern Ocean since the publication of Phillip's voyage

An Historical Journal of the Transaction at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island with the discoveries which have been made in New South Wales and in the Southern Ocean since the publication of Phillip's voyage

Author (Scottish, 1737 - 1821)
Publisher (1750 - 1814)
Date1793
Object number00030112
NameBook
MediumPaper, ink, leather
DimensionsOverall: 310 x 255 x 60 mm
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA book titled 'An historical journal of the transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island, with the discoveries which have been made in New South Wales and the Southern Ocean, since the publication of Phillip's Voyage, compiled from official papers, including the journals of Governors' Phillip and King, and of Lieutenant Ball and the voyages from the first sailing of the SIRIUS in 1787 to the return of that ship's company to England in 1792.' By John Hunter Post Captain of His Majesty's Navy. Illustrated with 17 maps, charts, views and other embellishments drawn on the spot by Captains' Hunter and Bradley, Lt.Dawes and Governor King. Printed for John Stockdale, Piccadilly, January 1793.HistoryThe decision to transport British prisoners to the other side of the world drew great interest in Europe. Captain Cook's writings of the region had stirred immense curiosity and generated the exploration and settlement that would follow. With a simple opening paragraph in this book, Captain John Hunter introduces the unique circumstances that established British presence in what would become known as Australia; "It being the intention of government to remove the inconvenience, which this country suffered, from the goals being so exceedingly crowded with criminals, who had been by the laws condemned to transportation, the east coast of New Holland was the place determined upon to form a settlement for this salutary purpose. The east coast of New Holland is that country, which was discovered and explored by Captain James Cook, in his first voyage round the world, and by him called New South Wales. Botany Bay, the only place he entered with the ship, which could be called a harbour, having been mentioned in the narrative of that voyage, as a convenient place for a settlement, was fixed upon by government for the intended design." SignificanceThis journal is an intact first edition compilation of accounts from pivotal figures during the earliest period of British colonial settlement in Australia. It contains the first published engraving of Europeans in Sydney, 'View of the Settlement at Sydney Cove, Port Jackson, 20th August 1788' and the first account of Norfolk Island.