Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1827 edition. Excerpt: ... LETTER XXII. It is as pleasing as surprising to look back to the period of the foundation of the colony by Governor Phillips, in 1788, a period of only thirtyeight years, and contemplate the wonderful changes that have been wrought by the labour of the outcasts thrust by England from her bosom, to expiate their offences on these remote shores. * It could scarcely have been conceived by the first founders that, in transplanting a few incorrigible criminals into the wild woods of Australia, sixteen thousand miles distant from their native homes, the seeds of a mighty empire should have been sown, which even at this day far exceeds, in rapidity of progress toward riches and power, any founded on the American continent. Taking the events most worthy of record in the colony in chronological order, we find that the first landing was made on the 26th of January, 1788; a day still celebrated by an anniversary dinner of the respectable inhabitants, and which it is fervently hoped will never be forgotten, --as calculated to interest and encourage us by comparison of what we were with what we are, and likewise to strengthen our bond of union with the land of our forefathers. It is, besides, extremely curious to trace an intelligent, spirited, and well-principled population to sources so impure as the many criminals who have been outlawed hither, and whose offspring (although numerous highly-respectable free settlers have come to Australia) still form the majority of our Currency people. Those offenders have thus atoned to society by so valuable a legacy, good being produced from evil, and the native wilderness converted into an Eden. In December, 1789, (one year from the foundation of the colony, ) the first harvest was reaped at Paramatta: in 1790,
