120 FIRST SETTLEMENT AT DERWENT. 



Commissioner Bowen,* and we have King's testimony 



that he came of a family various members of which, 



inchiding Iiis father, had distinguished themselves in the 



navy during the French wars. Peace had now been 



declared, and Lieut. John Jiowen saw little prosjiect of 



King to Hobart, speedy promotion. When, therefore, the Ciovernor spoke 



1804,7^ 125!' ' of the ditficulty he was in througii not being able to find 



Bowcn to Kiiip, jv nifxn competent to take charge of the Uerwent establish- 



16 ^ov. IbO-l, • I -r> 1 . I 1 / 



I'. 127. ment, it occurred to liowon that here was a cliancc tor 



him to earn a claim to notice as the founder of a new 

 colony, and so possibly win a promotion ho could hardly 

 hope for as a junior lieutenant in time of peace. He 

 obtained Captain Colnett's permission, and ottered his 

 services to the Governor. King was glad to accept them, 



f*J;ie»- 28 Mavci), and on 28th March, 1803, he issued a Commission in 



laOo, p. o5. i«i /• •• 1 '111 



which, alter premising that it liad become necessary to 

 establish His Majesty's right to Van Diemen's Land, 

 within the limits of the territory of Jsew South Wales, 

 he directed Lieut. John Howen to proceed in H.M. 

 armed tender Lady Nelson to choose a suitable place 

 for an establisinnent, and appointed him Commandant 

 iiutructions, 28 and Superintendent of the settlement. The more detailt^d 

 March, 1803, instructions to the new Commandant, bearing the same 

 date as the commission, direct him to proceed in H.M. 

 armed vessel Porpoise, or Lady Nelson tender, with 

 people and stores for a settlement, and fix ou a proper 

 spot in th(! Derwent, about Risdon's Cove ; to begin 

 immediately to clear ground and sow wheat and other 

 cro|)s; and to furnish full reports on the soil, timber, 

 capabilities, and productions of the country. Ho was to 

 have six months' provisions; was to employ the convict* 

 in labour for the ])ublic good ; to hold rehgious services 

 every Sunday; and to enforce a due observance of 

 religion and good order. No trade or intercourse was to 

 be allowed with any shijis touching at the j)ort. Arrange- 

 ments were to bo made for laying out a town, building 

 fortifications, and ap))ropriating land for ridtivatioii on 

 the jmblic account. The free settlers who accompanied 

 him, in consideration of their being the first to volunteer, 

 were to have a location of 200 acres for each family, and 

 be allowed rations, tho labour of two convicts each for 

 18 months, and such corn, 8<;Hds, and other stock as could 

 ^r.'-f *n^"^i: 1 he si)ared. Bowen also received seal-d ordciN with 



to CoIlinH, _____^____^__— _«^ 



30 Sept. \m\, 



p. 3»to. ■' Jorgcnseu 8 Shrf'l ot Autolnoyiupliv in Koss AJumuftC, 18UG. 



