It is almost universally assumed that the settlement at Botany Bay was simply a dumping ground for England’s convicted felons. This is not true. Captain Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, said: “There can be no slavery in a free land and consequently no slaves.” Botany Bay would be governed by civil law. Sydney Cove, 1788 As Hal Colebatch pointed out, there were free settlers even on the First Fleet. The Marines, sent to defend the colony and as guar…
