A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson
by Watkin Tench
- Pages
- about 242
- Category
- History
- Language
- English
- Reading time
- 4.5 h at 250 wpm
From the opening
When it is recollected how much has been written to describe the Settlement
of New South Wales, it seems necessary if not to offer an apology, yet to
assign a reason, for an additional publication.
The Author embarked in the fleet which sailed to found the establishment at
Botany Bay. He shortly after published a Narrative of the Proceedings and
State of the Colony, brought up to the beginning of July, 1788, which
was well received, and passed through three editions. This could not
but inspire both confidence and gratitude; but gratitude, would be badly
manifested were he on the presumption of former favour to lay claim
to present indulgence. He resumes the subject in the humble hope of
communicating information, and increasing knowledge, of the country, which
he describes.
He resided at Port Jackson nearly four years: from the 20th of January,
1788, until the 18th of December, 1791. To an active and contemplative
mind, a new country is an inexhaustible source of curiosity and
speculation. It was the author's custom not only to note daily occurrences,
and to inspect and record the progression of improvement; but also, when
not prevented by military duties, to penetrate the surrounding country in
different directions, in order to examine its nature, and ascertain its
relative geographical situations.
The greatest part of the work is inevitably composed of those materials
which a journal supplies; but wherever reflections could be introduced
without fastidiousness and parade, he has not scrupled to indulge them, in
common with every other deviation which the strictness of narrative would
allow.
When this publication was nearly ready for the press; and when many of
the opinions which it records had been declared, fresh accounts from Port
Jackson were received. To the state of a country, where so many anxious
trying hours of his life have passed, the author cannot feel indifferent.
A short sample. Read the whole book
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