242 THE CHRONICLES OP SYDNEY COVE. 1788 The value of contemporary records in connection with the foundation of a colony was fortunately recognised in the official circle which surrounded Phillip ; and thus it hap- pened that no less tlian four members of his staff devoted their attention from the first to the work of recording in their journals from day to day the yarious events of im- portance connected with the work they had in hand. Gap- tain Hunter, Captain Tench, Judge- Advocate Collins, and Diaries of Surgcou White, each kept his diary faithfully, and eacl did so with a view to the publication of its contents. Lieu- tenant King also entered in his note-books the various inci- dents of the voyage out in the First Fleet, and the proceed- ings at Norfolk Island during the time he was in command there; but he did not write for publication, although his Norfolk IsIwehI journal was published in Captain Hunter's volume. Taken altogether, these records comprise a twt iuU and varied account of the "transactions" connected with Phillip's expedition. Each was written from a different standpoint, and consequently each presents the reader with Circulation a different view of the events recorded. Their subsequent abrood. appearance in print attracted very considerable attention, not only in England, but on the Continent — a fact attested by the appearance of successive editions as well as of several translations into foreign languages.*
- The evidenoe given by these traBBlatioiiB of tiie intereBt felt tinovg^t
Europe in the colonising experiment of the British Grovemment deserre$ notice. Phillip's Voyage, published in 1789, was translated into French in 1791, and into German in 1789, 1791, and 1794. Hunter^ Joornal, paK liished in 1793, appeared in two different German editions in 1794, and in i Digitized by Google
