Professor Clark argues that although the Convicts settled European Australia, it was not primarily settled for the convicts
...be suitable for the resettlement of displaced Loyalists from the Americas and spoke of the potential commercial advantages of the site. In 1785 Admiral George Young also recommended to the Government the above plan, with the additional possibility of removing the convict problem. Both of these suggestions were privately proposed, showing reason for their interest in any commercial use. Of Matra’s plan Lord Sydney could see that “on this subject, it was observed that New South Wales would be a very proper region for the reception of criminals condemned to transportation” . Showing that the spotlight, again, is on the removal of the Convict problem, the undated Heads of a Plan document is in full titled “Heads of a Plan for effectually disposing of convicts, by the establishment of a colony in New South Wales". Lord Sydney’s letter of 18 August 1786 to the Treasury, added as an attachment to this document, talks about the commercial interests earlier suggested by Matra. This was only later in the letter, after the convict problem had first been discussed . This focus shows that while the parliament had interest in the other advantages of the site, reasons for discussing Botany Bay were primarily for the removal of the convict problem. Several other Penal Colony sites were considered before deciding on Botany Bay. High hopes were held for Das Voltas Bay on the coast of Africa, but it was deemed too barren a place. Other sites, such as Madagascar and Canada were considered but, for various reasons, they too were deemed unacceptable. This left Botany Bay. A remote location meaning there was little chance of the convicts escaping, or returning to England, an ideal situation for a penal colony. The remoteness of the site also meant that it was far off the shipping lanes of the time so of no use as a tactical base for the British, who knew little about the area. Of the estimated 1487 people sent to Botany Bay 759 were convicts. Amongst those on board were not trained naval experts ready to report on activities in the Pacific and no experts in the use of flax (if it was to be considered as a commercial venture). The remainder on board the first fleet were military and civil officials necessary to govern the convicts and protect those on board from any trouble with the natives. The make up of the first fleet shows no genuine consideration was given to Botany Bay for any other reason than to remove convicts from England. After settling in Sydney Cove on the 26 January 1788, the penal colony was then ignored by England for several years, leaving those in the new land almost to the point of starvation. If Phillip was to report on French and Spanish activities in the region, Britain would have shown more interest in Botany Bay. From his teens Arthur Phillip began his naval career. Rising through the ranks of the Portuguese Navy, he returned home to serve his King when required. He later settled down to become a farmer, a desirable quality for someone to begin a new colony. During his time with the Portuguese he had sailed convicts to Brazil and proven himself capable in this matter, averting a crisis on board by enlisting the convicts help. It is thought that Phillip was recommended by George Rose , the Under-Secretary of the Treasury, whom he later named Rose Bay (in Sydney) after. It seems that Phillip was given Governorship of NSW as a reward for his prior deeds. That Arthur Phillip could have been a spy for the British only shows that he was known to be trusted and a capable officer , personality traits necessary for someone in so responsible a position as the first Governor of New South Wales. In conclusion European Australia was settled as a penal colony for the British. They were forced to find a solution for overcrowded prisons, after efforts to find other sites failed. Taking this into account it was obvious that there was little choice as to where to send the Convicts. This was exacerbated by the need to place them somewhere before trouble started in the prisons. Arthur Phillip had proven himself in the past, as an able off...