The Voyage Of Governor Phillip To Botany Bay
Introduction by James J. Auchmuty
Published by Angus And Robertson: Sydney 1970
This 1970 Angus & Robertson edition of The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay, introduced and annotated by historian James J. Auchmuty, presents a carefully edited reprint of the official account of the First Fleet and the establishment of the first European settlement in Australia. Originally published in 1789, Governor Arthur Phillip's narrative draws upon his official dispatches and is supplemented by journals and observations from other officers of the expedition, offering a detailed record of the voyage, the landing at Botany Bay, and the subsequent move to Port Jackson. Auchmuty's scholarly introduction places the work within its historical and political context, framing it not merely as a travel narrative but as a foundational document of Australian colonial history.
Beyond charting the journey itself, the volume provides insight into the motivations behind Britain's decision to establish a penal colony, the early administrative challenges faced by the settlement, and the first recorded encounters between Europeans and Indigenous Australians. Descriptions of the natural environment, coastal geography, and exploratory excursions to Norfolk Island and surrounding regions are complemented by reproduced maps and illustrations, enhancing its value as both a historical source and a reference work. This edition stands as an authoritative and accessible reissue of a seminal text, appealing especially to collectors of Australian history, scholars of the First Fleet, and readers interested in the documentary origins of European settlement in Australia."
General wear and some chipping to dustjacket. No inscriptions. All maps present. A nice clean copy in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
