Page:New history of Botanybay (sic) and Port Jackson.pdf/7



OVERNOR PHILIPS had with him, when he sailed from England. 558 male convicts and 220 females; amounting in all, to 770; also a few horses, cows, sheep hogs, fowls, and several other animals necessary for the settlements.

As Botany Bay was the spot destined for the planting a new Colony in this part of the Globe, the fleet, fitted out by Government, for the expedition sailed from England in March 1787; and having, in the course of their voyage, touched at Teneriffe, Rio de Janeiro, in the Brazils, and the Cape of Good Hope reached anchored in the Bay on the 20th of January, after a passage of thirty-six weeks; in which a most arduous undertaking was effected with more success, and less loss, than hardly  attended a fleet in such a predicament.

Previous to the settlement on the spot under consideration, an expedition up the  was deemed expedient, in order to explore  nature of the country, and select a place  carrying into execution their plan and. None being discovered that appeared convenient for the purpose, the Governor  Lieutenant Governor proceecedproceeded [sic] in a boat  examine an opening to which Capt. Cook  given the name of Port Jackson, presuming  good anchorage might be found within it.