Account of first settlement in Australia at Sydney Cove, led by Governor Phillip; discusses background to, and reasons for, settlement; government instructions, including instructions regarding Indigenous Australians, organisation, personnel etc for voyage and settlement; voyage to Sydney Cove; settlement and contact; Governor's, officers', solders', convicts' and settlers' varying attitudes to, and relationships with, Indigenous Australians; Governor's treatment of Indigenous Australians and attempts to maintain peaceful relations with them; descriptions of Indigenous Australians; deteriorating relationships, violence and eventual punitive expedition; capture of Arabanoo, and later Baneelon and Colbee, in attempt to learn about Indigenous people; captives' lives after captured; smallpox and famine among Aboriginal people
