The Indians For A Little While After Our Arrival Paid Us Frequent Visits,
But In A Few Days They Were Observed To Be More Shy Of Our Company.
From What Cause Their Distaste:
Arose we never could trace, as we had made it
our study, on these occasions, to treat them with kindness, and load them
with presents.
No quarrel had happened, and we had flattered ourselves,
from Governor Phillip's first reception among them, that such a connection
might be established as would tend to the interest of both parties. It seems,
that on that occasion, they not only received our people with great cordiality,
but so far acknowledged their authority as to submit, that a boundary,
during their first interview, might be drawn on the sand, which they attempted
not to infringe, and appeared to be satisfied with.
CHAPTER X.
The reading of the Commissions, and taking Possession of the Settlement,
in form.
With an Account of the Courts of Law, and Mode of administering
Public Justice in this Country.
Owing to the multiplicity of pressing business necessary to be performed
immediately after landing, it was found impossible to read the public
commissions and take possession of the colony in form, until the
7th of February. On that day all the officers of guard took post
in the marine battalion, which was drawn up, and marched off the parade
with music playing, and colours flying, to an adjoining ground, which had been
cleared for the occasion, whereon the convicts were assembled to hear
His Majesty's commission read, appointing his Excellency
Arthur Phillip, Esq. Governor and Captain General in and over the territory
of New South Wales, and its dependencies; together with the Act of Parliament
for establishing trials by law within the same; and the patents under
the Great Seal of Great Britain, for holding the civil and criminal courts
of judicature, by which all cases of life and death, as well as matters
of property, were to be decided. When the Judge Advocate had finished reading,
his Excellency addressed himself to the convicts in a pointed and judicious
speech, informing them of his future intentions, which were, invariably
to cherish and render happy those who shewed a disposition to amendment;
and to let the rigour of the law take its course against such as might dare
to transgress the bounds prescribed. At the close three vollies were fired
in honour of the occasion, and the battalion marched back to their parade,
where they were reviewed by the Governor, who was received with all the honours
due to his rank. His Excellency was afterwards pleased to thank them,
in public orders, for their behaviour from the time of their embarkation;
and to ask the officers to partake of a cold collation at which it is
scarce necessary to observe, that many loyal and public toasts were drank
in commemoration of the day.
In the Governor's commission, the extent of this authority is defined to reach
from the latitude of 43 deg 49 min south, to the latitude of 10 deg 37 min
south, being the northern and southern extremities of the continent of New
Holland.
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