The great event which led to the internal still more than the external discovery of Australia, was the settlement of a British community at Port Jackson. This, as is well known, arose not from any desire on the part of the English people for emigration, nor on that of the government for founding new states. It was the simple expression of a necessity for clearing away from home a pressing amount of convictism, and of thus giving to this corrupt portion of society a means of regeneration which was impossible to it amidst the dense population and the temptations of English cities. A location was looked for which should supply the loss of that torn from us by the American war of independence: some county remote, unoccupied, at least by civilized races, and ample enough for the development of a great nation. Such was Australia, then little known, or otherwise cared for, and this site of a new penal colony was adopted.

On the 13th of May, 1787, the squadron destined to convey to those distant shores the nucleus of a new world, sailed forth from the Motherbank, within the Isle of Wight. It consisted of his Majesty's frigate, Sirius, Captain John Hunter, and his Majesty's armed tender. Supply, commanded by Lieutenant H. L. Ball. Three store ships, the Golden Grove, Fishburn, and Borrowdale, carrying instruments of husbandry, clothing for the troops and convicts, and other necessaries; and lastly, six transports, the Scarborough, Lady Penrhyn, Friendship, Charlotte, Prince of Wales, and Alexander.