Arthur Phillip

Arthur Phillip (11 October 1738 – 31 August 1814) was a British Royal Navy officer who served as the first governor of the Colony of New South Wales.

Quotes

... one of the finest harbours in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line might ride in perfect security.

• As I would not wish convicts to lay the foundation of an empire, I think they should ever remain separated from the garrison and other settlers that may come from Europe; and not be allowed to mix with them, even after the seven or fourteen years for which they are transported may be expired.
  • Whilst preparing for the voyage. — Qtd. in Barton; Sutherland (1892), p. 56

• I should think it will never be necessary. In fact I doubt if the fear of death ever prevented a man of no principle from committing a bad action. There are two crimes that would merit death, and for either of them I should wish to confine the criminal till an opportunity offered of delivering him as a prisoner to the natives of New Zealand, and let them eat him. The dread of this will operate much stronger than the fear of death.
  • Referring to the probable necessity for inflicting capital punishment on the convicts. — Qtd. in Barton; Sutherland (1892), p. 56

• The women (convicts) in general, I should suppose, possess neither virtue nor honesty. [...] The natives may, it is probable, permit their women to marry the men (convicts) after a certain time. [...] Women may be brought from the Friendly and other islands, a proper place prepared to receive them, and where they will be supported for a time, and lots of land assigned to such as marry with the soldiers of the garrison.
  • Contemplating social and domestic difficulties. — Qtd. in Barton; Sutherland (1892), p. 56

The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay

Based on the journals of Captain Marshall, and Lieutenants Shortland, Watts and Ball.

• Governor Phillip had the satisfaction to find one of the finest harbours in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line might ride in perfect security.
  • Ch. 6 (22 January 1788)

• In passing near a point of land in this harbour, the boats were perceived by a number of the natives, twenty of whom waded into the water unarmed, received what was offered them, and examined the boat with a curiosity which impressed a higher idea of them than any former accounts of their manners had suggested. This confidence, and manly behaviour, induced Governor Phillip, who was highly pleased with it, to give the place the name of Manly Cove.
  • Ch. 6 (22 January 1788)

• There are few things more pleasing than the contemplation of order and useful amusement arising gradually out of turmoil and confusion; and, perhaps, this satisfaction cannot anywhere be more fully enjoyed than when a settlement of civilised people is fixing itself upon a newly-discovered or savage coast.
  • Ch. 13 (June–July 1788)

Quotes about Phillip

• Steadfast in mind, modest, without self seeking, Phillip had imagination enough to conceive what the settlement might become, and the common sense to realize what at the moment was possible and expedient. When almost everyone was complaining he never himself complained, when all feared disaster he could still hopefully go on with his work. He was sent out to found a convict settlement, he laid the foundations of a great dominion.
  • Serle (1949)

External links

• G. B. Barton; Alexander Sutherland, "Historical Review of New South Wales" (in) Andrew Garran; Frederic B. Schell (eds.), Australasia Illustrated, Vol. 1 (The Picturesque Atlas Publishing Co., Ltd., 1892)

• B. H. Fletcher, "Phillip, Arthur (1738–1814)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol. 2 (Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 1967)

• Percival Serle, "Phillip, Arthur (1738–1814)", Dictionary of Australian Biography, Vol. 2 (Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1949)