64 A V O Y A G E TO 
c H A P. There are feveral parts of the harbour in \vhich the 
VIII. 
V- — ^ trees ftnnd at a greater diftance from each other than in 
Sydney Cove ; fome of thefe which have fmail runs of 
water, and a prorailing foil, Governor Phillip purpofed 
to cultivate as foon as hands could be fpared ; but the 
advantage of being able to land the ftores and provi- 
iions with fo much eafe, unavoidably determined his 
choice of a place for the principal fettlement. Had it 
been attempted to remove thofe neceflaries only one mile 
from the fpot where they were landed, the undertaking 
probably would have been fruitlefs ; fo many were the 
obftacles to land carriage. At the head of Sydney Cove, 
therefoie, Governor Phillip had fixed the feat of his 
government ; but intent upon providing the belt and 
earlieft accommodation for thofe who were to be en- 
camped with him ; and wholly occupied by the con- 
tinual neceffity of giving dire6tions, he had not yet 
< found leifure for affuming regularly his powers and 
title of Governor. At length the hurry of the firil 
preparations gave way to this more tranquil bufinefs. 
Feb. 7th, The 7th of February, 1788, was the memorable day 
whicli eftabliflied a regular form of Government on the 
coaft of New South Wales. For obvious reafons, all 
poffible folemnity was given to the proceedings neceffary 
on this occafion. On a fpace previoufly cleared, the 
whole colony was affembled ; the military drawn up, and 
. . . ^ under 
