Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/152

friendly relations with the native race. His intention to guard them from wrong Was made known to the government before he left England. From Sydney he wrote (May 1788):

"It was my determination from my first landing that nothing less than the most absolute necessity should ever make me fire on them, and though persevering in this resolution has been at times rather difficult, I have hitherto been so fortunate that it has never been necessary. Monsieur La Perouse, while at Botany Bay, was not so fortunate; he was obliged to fire on them, in consequence of which, with the bad behaviour of some of the transports' boats and some convicts, the natives have lately avoided us, but proper measures are taken to regain their confidence. . . . When I first landed in Botany Bay they appeared on the beach, and were easily persuaded to receive what was offered them; and though they were armed, very readily returned the confidence I placed in them by going to them alone and unarmed, most of them laying down their spears when desired, and while the ships remained in Botany Bay no disputes happened between our people and the natives. . . . When I first went in the boats to Port Jackson they appeared armed near the place at which we landed, and were very vociferous; but-like the others -were easily persuaded to accept what was offered them, and I persuaded one man, who appeared to be the chief or master, to go with me to that part of the beach where the people were boiling their meat. When he came near the marines, who were drawn up near the place, and saw that by proceeding he should be separated from his companions, who remained with several of the officers at some distance, he stopped, and with great firmness seemed by words and actions to threaten them if they offered to take any advantage of his situation. He then went on with me to examine what was boiling in the pot, and expressed his admiration in a manner that made me believe he intended to profit from what he and what I made him understand. . . . Their confidence and manly behaviour made me give the name of Manly Cove to this place. . . . As their curiosity made them very troublesome when we were preparing our dinner, I made a circle round us. There was little difficulty in making them understand that they were not to come within it, and they then sat down very quiet. . . . I have never been able to make them eat with us, and when they left us they generally threw away the bread and meat, but fish they always accepted, and would broil and eat it."

Even in this early despatch Phillip narrated much that he had learned about the customs of the natives, their carvings on the rocks, &c. He wrote it under difficulties, and at different times, apologizing for its unconnected nature, and said the "situation does not