1. Establishment of the Colony of New South Wales
2. Appointment of Arthur Phillip as Governor
3. Map of New South Wales (1788)
4. Watch movie of Australia's changing boundaries
5. Proclamation of the Colony of New South Wales
6. Raising the Colours
7. Phillip's Instructions re Aborigines
   
   

The colony of New South Wales was established by an Act of the Parliament (of the Kingdom of Great Britain) in 1787 and in the 24th year of the reign of King George III [1]:

"And whereas his Majesty, by two several Orders-in-Council, bearing date respectively on the sixth day of December, 1786, hath judged fit, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, to declare and appoint the place to which certain offenders, named in two lists to the said several Orders-in-Council annexed, should be transported for the time or term in their several sentences mentioned, to be the eastern coast of New South Wales, or some one or other of the islands adjacent."

Numerous other documents were raised including Phillip's Commission which appointed Arthur Phillip as Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of New South Wales[2]:

"To our trusty and well-beloved Arthur Phillip Esquire.

Wee reposing especial trust and confidence in the prudence courage and loyalty of you the said Arthur Phillip of our especial grace certain knowledge and meet motion have thought fit to constitute and appoint and by these presents do constitute and appoint you the said Phillip to be our Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over our territory called New South Wales extending from the Northern Cape or extremity of the coast, called Cape York in the latitude of ten degrees thirty-seven minutes south to the southern extremity of the said territory of New South Wales or South Cape in the latitude of forty-three degrees thirty-nine minutes south and of all the country inland westward as far as the one hundred and thirty-fifth degree of east longitude reckoning from the meridian of Greenwich including all the islands adjacent in the Pacific Ocean within the latitudes aforesaid of ten degrees thirty-seven minutes south and forty-three degrees and thirty-nine minutes south and of all towns garrisons castles forts and all other fortifications or other military works which may be hereafter erected upon the said territory or any of the said islands."

Below is a map of New South Wales based on the geographical description detailed above and other charts of the time:

"4. Application of Act

For the purposes of this Act, the boundaries of New South Wales shall comprise all that portion of Australia lying between the one hundred and twenty-ninth and one hundred and fifty-fourth degrees of east longitude, reckoning from the meridian of Greenwich and northward of the fortieth degree of south latitude, including all the islands adjacent in the Pacific Ocean within the latitude aforesaid, and also including Lord Howe Island, save and except the territories comprised within the boundaries of South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland, as at present established."

Proclamation of the Colony of New South Wales [Menu]

Governor Phillip, in his first despatch[4] from the Colony to Lord Sydney wrote:

"We got into Port Jackson early in the afternoon, and had the satisfaction of finding the finest harbour in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line may ride in the most perfect security, and of which a rough survey, made by Captain Hunter and the officers of the Sirius after the ships came round, may give your Lordship some idea.

The different coves were examined with all possible expedition. I fixed on the one that had the best spring of water, and in which the ships can anchor so close to the shore that at a very small expence quays may be made at which the largest ships may unload.

This cove, which I honoured with the name of Sydney[5], is about a quarter of a mile across at the entrance, and half a mile in length.

We returned to Botany Bay the third day, where I received a very unfavourable account of the ground that was clearing.

The ships immediately prepared to go round, and the 25th - seven days after I arrived in the Supply - I sailed in her for Port Jackson, leaving Captain Hunter to follow with the transports, it then blowing too strong for them to work out of the bay. They joined me the next evening, and all the transports were moored in the cove.[6]"

"In the evening of the 26th (of January) the colours were displayed on shore, and the Governor, with several of his principal officers and others, assembled round the flagstaff, drank the King's health, and success to the settlement, with all that display of form which on such occasions is esteemed propitious, because it enlivens the spirits, and fills the imagination with pleasing presages."

and the proclamation of the colony on 7 February 1788 thus:

"7 February 1788 was the memorable day which established a regular form of Government on the coast of New South Wales. For obvious reasons, all possible solemnity, was given to the proceedings necessary on this occasion. On a space previously cleared, the whole colony was assembled; the military drawn up, and under arms; the convicts stationed apart; and near the person of the Governor, those who were to hold the principal offices under him. The Royal Commission was then read by Mr. D. Collins, the Judge Advocate. By this instrument Arthur Phillip was constituted and appointed Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the territory, called New South Wales . . . . . "

The Union Flag, or Union Jack, as it is commonly if incorrectly known, is a combination of the flags of England, Scotland and Ireland. It first emerged in a recognisable form in 1603 after the accession of James VI of Scotland to the throne of England. A jack reflecting the unity of the two countries under the king was deemed necessary for shipping, and on 12 April 1606 the first Union Jack, combining the blue-on-white saltire of St Andrew and the red-on-white cross of St George, was used."[8]

Jack of Queen Anne

Union Jack

Apart from the Commission, Letters Patent, and other documents there were also George III's Instructions (to Governor Phillip) which covered numerous areas including relationships with the aboriginal people which were quite explicit.[9]

" You are to endeavour by every possible means to open an intercourse with the natives, and to conciliate their affections, enjoining all our subjects to live in amity and kindness with them. And if any of our subjects shall wantonly destroy them or give them any unnecessary interruption in the exercise of their several occupations it is our will and pleasure that you do cause such offenders to be brought to punishment according to the degrees of the offence. You will endeavour to procure an account of numbers inhabiting the neighbourhood of the intended settlement, and report your opinion to one of our Secretaries of State in what manner our intercourse with these people may be turned to the advantage of this colony."

Notes: (Click on note number to go back to that paragraph)
[1] NSW Govt Printer (1892), Historical Records of New South Wales, Vol 1, Part 2 (1783-1792) pages 67-70.
[2] NSW Govt Printer (1892), Historical Records of New South Wales, Vol 1, Part 2 (1783-1792) pages 61-67.
[3] New South Wales Parliament (1999), Constitution Act 1902 No 32, Section 4.
[4] Phillip's first despatch from Sydney, Historical Records of New South Wales, Vol 1, Part 2 (1783-1792) page 122.
[5] After Lord Sydney, Secretary of State, Historical Records of New South Wales, Vol 1, Part 2 (1783-1792) page 121.
[6] This was the 26th of January, Historical Records of New South Wales, Vol 1, Part 2 (1783-1792) page 122.
[7] Ward, Russel & Robertson, John (1969), Such was Life - Select documents in Australian social history, Vol 1 (1788-1850), Page 16.
[8] Shaw, Carol P, (1986), Collins Gem Flags, HarperCollins Publishers, Page 216.
[9] NSW Govt Printer (1892), Historical Records of New South Wales, Vol 1, Part 2 (1783-1792) pages 89-90.
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