22 THE EXPEDITION 1787 The final determination of the Government was made The Govern, known in a letter from Lord Sydney to the Lords of the ment policy. ^ , , J J Treasury, dated 18th August, 1786 :— The several gaols and places for the confinement of felons in this kingdom being in so crowded a state that the greatest danger Over- is to be apprehended, not only from their escape but from OTowded infectious distempers which may hourly be expected to break out amongst them, his Majesty, desirous of preventing by every possible means the ill consequences which might happen from either of these causes, has been pleased to signify to me his royal commands that measures should immediately be pursued for sending out of his kingdom such of the convicts as are under sentence or order of transportation. The Nautilus, sloop, which, upon the recommendation of a Committee of the House of Commons, had been sent to explore African the southern coast of Africa, in order to find out an eligible exploration, gi^j^j^^j^j^ £qj. ^^ reception of the said convicts, where, from their industry, they might soon be likely to obtain means of subsistence, having lately returned, and it appearing by the report of her officers that the several parts of the coast which they examined between the latitudes 15° 50' south and the latitude of 33" are sandy and barren, and from other causes unfit for a settlement of that description, his Majesty has thought it advisable to fix Botany Bay. upon Botany Bay, situated on the coast of New South Wales, in the latitude of about 33° south, which, according to the accounts given by the late Captain Cook, as well as the representations of persons* who accompanied him during his last voyage, and who have been consulted upon the subject, is looked upon as a place likely to answer the above purposes. I am therefore commanded to signify to your lordships his Majesty's pleasure that you do forthwith take such measures as Ships to be ^^1 ^® necessary for providing a proper number of vessels for the provided, conveyance of seven hundred and fifty convicts to Botany Bay, together with such provisions, necessaries, and implements for agri- culture as may be necessary for their use after their arrival.! It would appear from this letter that the sole motive of the expedition to Botany Bay was to relieve the gaols.
- Sir Joseph Banks was the confidential adviser of the Government on
matters relatins; to Botany Bay. t The rest of this letter will be found post, p. 435. Digitized by Google
