• Title
  Series 05: John Septimus Roe letters, the Australian survey completed: the voyage of the Bathurst 2 June 1821 – 1 June 1823
• Call number
  SAFE/MLMSS 7964/vol. 5 (Safe 1/468)
  
• Level of description
  series
• Date
  
  1821-1823
• Type of material
  Textual Records
• Reference code
  910904
• Issue Copy
  Digitised
• Scope and Content
  A series of nine letters, mostly to his father, fine condition, many written in Australian or Pacific waters, but also including his return voyage to Plymouth. Also includes a detailed account of an encounter with local aborigines while ashore on the northeast coast/
  
  ITEM 159: 2 June 1821. To Father, Breaksea Spit, east coast of Australia. Writes via Harrison on the Dick, which vessel they are piloting through the Torres Strait. Complains of receiving no letters from his siblings. Is very happy with the Bathurst, which is “roomy, capacious and well aired.” Roe’s cabin is seven by five feet. Very happy with the inclusion of the surgeon Andrew Montgomery, “a great acquisition to our society.” Montgomery is, as expected, suffering because of his bad liver. They have a good stock of Donkin’s Preserved Meats and more room for livestock: six sheep, six pigs, 12 geese, eight dozen ducks and six dozen fowls. They also have a quantity of Mrs King’s preserves, and they have made their own pickles. They have oranges, lemons, and pumpkins besides. Almost all of Sydney society came on board before they sailed, although Macquaries on a tour of Van Diemens Land. 32 hands on board, five guns, twenty muskets, twenty pistols. Harrison is taking back the box of insects. Also sends sketches, including one of Roe’s River (not present here). “On a future day I hope to make something more of them.” Doesn’t expect to return to England in less than twenty months, and reports the rumour that they may be asked to stay even longer. Dwells on his chances of promotion. May be asked to do surveys of New Guinea or New Zealand, not least because he is aware of the recent applications of the Reverend Marsden regarding better exploration of those regions. The Mermaid has nearly been wrecked in the entrance to Port Macquarie after poor handling by her new commander. She had been dispatched with the Lady Nelson and Prince Regent, with a party of 60 convicts and thirty soldiers of the 48th Regiment, to form the settlement of “Campbell’s Town.” Took 30 days to arrive (they had earlier taken only two) and had great trouble coming to anchor, and the Mermaid was caught in heavy surf on a sand bar and nearly dashed to pieces. The Lady Nelson has also since run ashore and been stove in. Although Bedwell and Roe on the best terms with the Macquaries, “there appeared latterly a certain coolness or negligence about our expedition that will better be explained hereafter, which prevented our asking him for the grant of land which I hinted to William in a former letter we proposed doing.” No rupture, and Roe quotes from a kind note left him by Elizabeth Macquarie. Talk of Governor Brisbane arriving soon, although others say that he will not be sent until the Bigge report tabled. Phillip Parker King, his sister and Mrs King send regards. Mentions his friendly relationship with “good-hearted” Captain Harrison, and his kind offers of money and other assistance while in Port Jackson. Roe has helped Harrison by taking on board the three chronometers from the Dick and adjusting them against the instruments on the Bathurst.
  
  ITEM 160: 6 June 1821. To William, off Cape Capricorn on east coast of Australia. Sends another box of curiosities via Captain Harrison of the Dick. Apologises for the likely duty to be paid, and forwards a bill on the Commissioners for £9/4, being his pay from 28 March to 19 June 1821. Discusses his plans to avoid some duties by making up rough cases to transport the material, but using as many different rare timbers as he can. Present case made of cedar from around Port Jackson. Gives more detailed instructions on the care of the insects particularly. “The birds I am sorry to say are not so well stuffed as I could wish, but they are my first attempts.” Has been forced to give his seed collection away. Hopes to make a new collection for his mother’s friend “Dr Smith.” The collection includes coral collected from parts of the Australian coast never before visited by Europeans. Worried about brother Thomas who has returned to England because of his health. If William does visit Captain Hurd at the Admiralty, Roe would be grateful for any comment on when they might be recalled to England. Has just finished making 150 pistol balls “in readiness for the Malays” which they expect to meet with on the NW coast of Australia as the fish for trepang. Roe admits to delighting in gunpowder, although comments that an accidental discharge on board a few days earlier had filled the vessel with smoke and caused some alarm: the steward had taken a naked light into the store room. The steward and the bosun had both run so quickly that the two men had jammed in the doorway, and were singing out like two pigs caught in a hedge. “We have got a native Port Jackson black on board… his name is Bundle: he is a more useful man than any Australian black I have seen, having sailed on board several whalers and other vessels on this coast; and although one of his eyes has been knocked out or in with a spear, his sight is excellent, like all other Australians. Bongaree, the Chief of the Broken Bay tribe was the man who accompanied us on our first voyage, and was to have sailed with us both on our present and last voyages; but his resolution forsook him when the time of embarkation arrived, and we were by no means disappointed when we found that he had secreted himself in the Woods: Bundle is preferable to him, is about 40 years of age, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, and being now rigger out with a red cap, red shirt, and pair of white trowsers, is a perfect dandy.” Roe comments that the languages can change within 50 or 60 miles, but notes that the “peculiar light construction of their arms and legs”, their use of the woomerah, and their dancing, “the natives of this country exactly resemble each other on every part of the Coast that we have seen.” Hopes that Bundle will “inspire with a quarter share of confidence those natives who have never before seen Europeans, and who may in consequence be induced to risk an interview with us.” Harrison and his Surgeon came on board the previous night to have tea. Presses William to meet with Harrison. Two days after they left Port Jackson they found a 15 or 16 year old girl of “abandoned character” who had stowed away on the Bathurst. She was intimate with the Bosun on board, “from whom she could not prevail upon herself to part.” King annoyed, not least by the threat of a £500 fine on any captain who takes someone away in secret, although the fine really only applies to convicts. They were not able to return to Port Jackson, and Roe says that they have given her over to the care of the Bosun, and she will be “sent again to her parents when we return to Port Jackson.” His dog Benbow has been left behind with Hannibal Macarthur. Roe gratified to learn that Benbow, although raised in isolation on the Mermaid, can hold his own in a fight. The dog went swimming with Roe and Montgomery every morning in Port Jackson. King has a pointer bitch and a spaniel pointer. After the “hair breadth escape that I had from being taken by the natives at Goulburn’s Islands during the early part of our last voyage, I have supplied myself with a brace of pocket pistols, which I shall always carry about with me whenever I land, independent of a musket.” Spent a good deal of time with Captain Harrison and Doctor Armstrong during their 16 or 17 weeks preparing the Bathurst in Sydney. Many visits to the “Naval Barracks” as their quarters came to be known. Armstrong keen on phrenology: Roe would have thought such a scheme ridiculous, but has been convinced. Armstrong has given him two planospheres of the stars and a book on marine surveying. Roe is 13 months behind on his log, and hasn’t even started his fair journal. Roe to stand no watch when they are doing their surveying, but to assist King. Eyes still hurt, and Mrs King has made him a green shade to use by candelight. His bed got a soaking when he had the scuttle in his cabin open. Weather has been good, and he is not even particularly affected by the sea sickness which normally afflicted him for two or three days after departure. Roe inserts detailed sketch plan of the cabins, noting that the cabins were set up to King’s order. Asks to be sent out three books “which I very often feel the want of”: Bowditch’s Navigation, Kelly’s Practical Introduction to Spherics and Nautical Astronomy, and Ferguson’s Astronomy. Also a cake of carmine and another of indigo for his watercolours. Recommends looking for the books at Murray’s, Bookseller to the Admiralty, and expects they will cost about 12 shillings each. He did have a copy of Kelly’s book, but lent it to a friend on the Rippon – Roe’s copy was given him by the author, who supervised his examination. Regrets that the Admiralty does not supply a scientific library to “such expeditions as ours.” Particularly cross at how well supplied the Russian and French expeditions “that have visited Port Jackson” have been. Comments that the Bellingshausen expedition had six or seven of the latest Houghton sextants from England, while they were recently sent one made by Jones of Charing Cross so useless that it lies on a shelf.
  
  ITEM 161: 7 July 1821. To sister Sophia, Goulburn Islands off Australian coast. “I have just had one of the most hair breadth and providential escapes that I suppose ever fell to the lot of man, having fallen from the Brig’s fore topmast-head to the deck without breaking a single bone in my skin, though you may perceive by the hand in which this is written that I am still very weak.” Accident happened eight days before, but he is fast improving. Severe cut over the right eye laid the skull bare, and “violent shock.” Fell from a height of some 80 feet. King has given up his cabin and bed chair for Roe to sleep in. Doctor took four pounds of blood from his arm in the space of 30 hours. Recalls seeing Bodman’s son die from a similar fall. Had intended to write more, but Montgomery forbids it. Hopes to write again from the Isle of France in three or four months. Have lost two bower anchors in bad weather “on the night of my accident.” King offered to write on Roe’s behalf. In an unknown different hand, noted “From Capt. King’s Letter to his Mother” (that is, might be King’s hand?). Notes that “on bringing to, poor Mr Roe, who was at the masthead looking out for shoals and reefs, was holding by a rope, which on hauling down the sail attached to it, was somehow let go, and precipitated him headlong from an height of 80 feet on deck.” Roe providentially fell on a rope that broke his fall, but was still found senseless. “I have just been assisting the Surgeon in taking some blood from him and I hope before the Dick leaves us to send his friends good tidings.”
  
  ITEM 162: 28 September 1821. To Father, Port Louis, Isle of France. Roe writes of “perfect recovery from the severe accident.” Three inch scar on his brow: has got relevant certificates from King and Montgomery saying that the wound was received on service, so may help with promotion. Sailed from Port Jackson in “boisterous” weather. They anchored with the Dick every night, and were followed by a brig called the St Antonio as well. Stopped three days at the wreck of the Frederick where they took off useful spars, including several things they could not procure in Port Jackson. Had an “unpleasant” meeting with local aborigines, and transcribes the event from his log. Gives long account of the salvaged material from the Frederick. King and Harrison, with two unarmed seamen, went off with their fowling pieces, “when he was alarmed by the shouting of many armed natives on the hill immediately over his head.” Five or 6 spears thrown. Still being chased, the gun of Harrison mis-fired several times, as did that of King, their powder wet from running through the shoals. Calling unsuccessfully for any of the crew, Roe takes up a stick and runs towards King. “I perceived they were closely pushed by the natives” and saw one of the men wounded, when a spear pierced his hand. Their weapons fail, and Roe writes that “our only chance therefore of escaping with our lives from these merciless savages (who had commenced their attack without any apparent provocation) was to endeavour to make peace with them.” Roe throws down his stick and advances with his arms open wide to show himself unarmed. The aborigines lowered their spears, and one man struck his chest with “an open flat hand”, a gesture that Roe imitates, “which being repeated by all present, seemed to complete the truce.” The aborigines were “perfectly naked, and smeared with red or yellow ochre, or mud, by way of making themselves look fierce, I suppose, and one of them had a treble row of sharks’ teeth slung by a hole in each on a piece of string round his neck. The oldest and tallest man was about 40 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches high, surly and very suspicious, with a bushy chin, and face powdered with charcoal dust.” Another man of about 30, shorter and stouter, and two young men of 18 who had been very vocal in the attack. Roe aware that they are effectively the prisoners of the tribe, “and they commenced a kind of running search over our persons while we walked as quickly as they would permit us towards our party.” Roe was reluctantly forced to hand over a handkerchief that was hanging from his pocket. Four or five black women joined the group, and one was called by name and offered to the sailors by “words and signs which we could not misunderstand.” They declined, and the woman walked away, “perhaps somewhat piqued at the apparent slight with which her sable charms had been treated. She was a good looking girl, perfectly naked, somewhat above the middle size, and wore a string of something round her neck.” They keep grabbing Roe and King by their jackets, and they shake them off with some violence. Made motions of going to get something to eat, and of inviting the aborigines to join them. The three older men give their spears to the youngest, and taking only their woomerahs, assist them along the beach. Roe’s shoe having come unstitched, he is for some time assisted by two of the men, one at each side. Roe forced to swallow his pride, especially as one of the men had knocked off his hat with his spear in an insulting fashion and then defied Roe to try and regain the hat: Roe, undaunted, “snatched it from his hand.” The boats come into view, and the aborigines are evidently not surprised by their presence. Harrison is seen first by the men, who feared that Roe and King had been taken. The aborigines now retake their spears, and boisterously demand that they leave, but they are reluctant to accede as they fear being attacked again, and they are all still unarmed. Another of the boats comes into view, and lands with eight or ten muskets. King now acts to try and seize the first young man to have thrown the first two spears, with a view to detaining him for a day or two. Realising that this could only be affected through bloodshed, they all retire. Notes that Harrison was clearly “no fighting fellow”, and also notes that he hasn’t included this comment in his log. The officers go back on board their ships, but Bedwell is left in charge of about 50 men from the Bathurst, Dick, and St Antonio. Four or five aborigines return with an edible fruit which they offer to the men, but men from the St Antonio provoke a fight which begins when one of the aborigines is provoked into throwing a stone. The aborigines were fired upon, and one wounded in the leg with buck-shot but still capable of running away: the poor shooting “a circumstance almost as disgraceful to the European party concerned as their behaviour at the commencement.” Roe fears that future navigators will rue the violence. Notes that his pistols are rusted and useless. Closes the entry from his journal. King has relieved him of any watches, meaning that he now assists all day and was able to rest at night. It was therefore during the day that Roe had his accident. Had been at the masthead looking for shoal water with his glass, and they arrived at Cairncross Island where they proposed to anchor. Roe was concerned about shoals and did not hear King order the sails down, meaning that he was suddenly jerked off balance: “50 thoughts seemed to flash like lightning across my brain.” Montgomery joined by Armstrong from the Dick, and both apprehend no danger, although Roe incoherent and they feel the need to bleed him. They lost two anchors because of their poor anchorage, and forced to change their position in the dark. His head hurts so much that he is at risk of being trepanned. Had broken parts from four of his teeth, meaning that he could barely eat anything, and lived on weak broth and boiled bread. Visit Goulburn Islands, where he had nearly been cut off by eight or nine natives last year. Unable to water. One of the boats is surprised and loses boat-cloak, boat-hook, and two of the oars. They fire on them, causing them to drop the oars, but escaping with the rest. Off Cape Van Diemen they send their letters on board the Dick; gave each other three cheers as they parted. Anchor at Careening Bay, where they had careened the Mermaid, and observed many signs of their presence, including the copper plate inscribed by Roe and attached to a tree. At nearby Hanover Bay had “another unpleasant interview with the natives.” Montgomery was “severely wounded by a spear in the back, and we were obliged to shoot one of them as a punishment for their base and treacherous conduct.”Another extract from his journal, to “show you the treachery and cowardice of the Australians in general.” Three aborigines approached the boat and attempted to converse with Bundle. King, Montgomery, Bedwell and Baskerville went on shore with biscuit and some fish. Bundle and three others also present as crew. Aborigines began to retreat, but on being approached with open arms came forward again. One, possibly a female, ordered to retreat; the other two “well made men about 35 years of age.” Almost naked, fine teeth, skins “very severely lacerated or tatooed.” Taller man had what is called a “waddie” in Port Jackson. King and the man compare the waddie and a clasp knife, but something is misunderstood in the transaction. They shared some fish, and Bundle was given a “small fillet made of bark which he wore round his head.” After a half hour of conversation, the officers turn to go, and are attacked with spears. Montgomery hit and cries out “Good God, I’m speared.” Turned and fired his pistol. Bundle snatched up a spear and ran after them, while some others threw stones ineffectually. “I had witnessed the whole of these proceedings with a spy glass.” Montgomery had his wound dressed, is bled and put to bed. The two spears have been brought on board. Thrown by hand without throwing stick. The following day they saw the same three native men (or two men and a woman) and a small boy, as they landed on their catamaran canoe and returned to the same spot. The officers and men go ashore well armed in two boats, and although all parties pretend to be unarmed, the boats actually come along broadside and fire on the small group. One is wounded, although they are unable to capture him. They do capture the catamarans, and confiscate any number of spears. An armed party sent ashore, seemingly including Bundle being armed with a musket. Roe feels more than justified in firing on the men. Describes and draws some very remarkable stone spear heads. They had captured stone hatchets, spear heads, 38 spears, fishing lines and hooks, thread made from hair, large shells for carrying water, bark buckets, throwing sticks, clubs, wood for creating fire by friction, kangaroo bones for opening oysters, gum for making spears, pigments, bunches of feathers, wild figs, turtle’s eggs, bark for making rope, piece of iron hoop made into a chisel (which they suppose must have come from Careening Bay, part of the things left there by the Mermaid the year before). Named many parts of the coast, including after officers Baskerville and Montgomery. Have visited the parts “visited by that celebrated navigator Dampier.” They have hopes of being finished in May 1823. Has been engaged on two charts, three feet by two, as well as a smaller one. Also working on a chart for Captain Moresby of the Menai and senior officer upon this station, who is lying in Port Louis. A very difficult task, because he finds that the logs of Moresby’s crew are poorly prepared. Has discussed his eyes with Montgomery, who agrees that they are bad through overwork. Had hoped to be bled again, as Roe is sure that a lesser flow of blood helps his eyes, but no leeches on board. Menai now under quarantine after a boat of theirs went on board a Dutch vessel with the “Batavia fever.” Hopes to get ashore to visit the tomb of “Paul and Virginia.” Was very affected by the story when he read it as a young man. Was invited to a ball on shore by the local bachelors. “I returned on board at daybreak completely over head and ears in love with no less than 8 or 10 of the finest girls I have seen since quitting England.” The French and English do not get along well at Port Louis. “The French people here cut the most ridiculous capers imaginable while dancing.” Roe feels that they believe his scar to have come from the war. Most items very expensive in the port, including livestock. King living at Government House, and Roe has dined there. More vessels are being quarantined. Will send this letter on the Cygnet. Also three charts representing some 250 miles of coastline. His chart for Moresby is also finished, and Roe has tried to dissuade him from publishing it, but he fears that Moresby’s ambition may lead him to do so. Has spent a few days at the Governor’s country house. Has heard that a cousin has been promoted to Surgeon. Also that Sir Richard Keats is promoted Governor of Greenwich Hospital. Hopes that more letters are on their way to the “Land of Felons.” Has heard that the Chief Mate of the Dick Mr Hanibal has died.
  
  ITEM 163: 7 September 1822. To Father, Port Jackson. In good health and about to start for England in a week. King has been promoted Captain, Bedwell Lieutenant, and Roe temporary Lieutenant. Roe has contrived to pass his certificate, being examined by King, Captain Gore (formerly of the Horatio), and the First Lieutenant of Satellite from the India Station, which was in Sydney. Roe transcribes the letter of recommendation sent by King to the Admiralty. Comments on Roe’s assistance on four surveying voyages, noting that he was in charge of the chronometers. Roe gives detailed account of his attempt to insure promotion. Speculates as to the route home: if the winds are not right for them to go through Torres Strait and on, they may sail via Cape Horn. They will not be able to explore a “deep opening” on the north coast of Australia that they were compelled to leave unexamined, as it is too late in the season and the necessary repairs are still not completed. “I have been employed for the last 8 or 10 weeks (to keep me out of mischief I suppose) upon making a regular survey of this harbour of Port Jackson upon a very large scale (8 inches to a mile) and am sorry to say that my eyes have been great sufferers by it.” Has lost his coloured glasses, and needs a new pair of spectacles. The Kings and the Hannibal Macarthurs are well. Mentions his collections for the “Museum”, although laments that it is the wrong time of the year to collect insects.
  
  ITEM 164: 19 January 1823. To Father, Simons Bay Cape of Good Hope. Did not depart Port Jackson until 25 September 1822. “Contrary gales, boisterous weather, and a fortnight’s detention at King George’s Sound, on the South Coast of New Holland, protracted our voyage considerably.” Their surgeon Montgomery unwell with his liver, but they have another surgeon taking passage home, “therefore in case of Mrs King’s presenting her husband with a young Bathurst, there is nothing to be apprehended from want of medical assistance.” Mrs King’s nurse died off the south coast of Australia and was buried at King George’s Sound. The whole King family well. Comments on his promotion. Sees his old colleague Richard Griffiths has been made Lieutenant, and comments that he will be sorry if the “unfair means that were taken by his mother of procuring his advancement at my expense, and endeavouring to prevent the Admiral’s gaining any farther knowledge of me than could reach his ear by mere accident or chance.” Sorry to hear that the Admiral has been unwell (that is, Keats?). Notes that two vessels, the Leven and Barracouta, have just returned from surveying the East Coast of Africa, with their crews in very poor health and several deaths. They had sailed before they arrived, and Roe is glad because he expects that some of their crew may have been taken “to fill up the vacancies.” Has heard via King that the Dick has arrived in England, and that William has received the box of curiosities for the “Roevial Museum.” Notes that some of the insects are likely not known in England, as collected in the remote parts of Australia. Has been working on his chart of Port Jackson for the Admiralty. “I am now drawing it out fair with together with a plan of the Town and its Suburbs.” Roe is working in his pleasant accomodation at Clarence’s Hotel. Simons Bay seems very disordered compared “with the clean and well-regulated Town of Sydney at Port Jackson.” Comments on the huge bullock teams driven by Hottentots. Rather bored, and not much to do. Mrs King within a few days of being confined with her fourth child, and they hope they will not have to sail before this. Happy to hear that the Macquaries have returned, and they are all keen to see a copy of the Bigge report, which they have heard is published. May have to touch at St Helena, which may be where Mrs King is confined.
  
  ITEM 165: 23 April 1823. To Father, Plymouth Sound. “I feel so extremely rejoiced at our arrival once more in an English Port that I scarcely know how to dictate a short letter to apprise you of that happy event.” Is about to set out and see whether brother Thomas is in the barracks with fellow officer Hockly RN. Is astonished at the cold – “I can scarcely hold the pen in my fingers.” His logs and journals have now been taken from him by King, on Admiralty instructions. Hopes to land his curiosities free of duty. Hopes that William has set up a cage in which to exhibit Roe, “for I reckon on being the greatest curiosity of the whole.” Has been seven months coming from Port Jackson.
  
  ITEM 166: 23 April 1823. To Father, Plymouth Dock. Short note. Has just been out walking with Charles, and his pen still too cold to handle. Charles “though poorly is getting better.” Very sorry to hear that Thomas has already embarked on the Layton. Wishes him well, nonetheless, on his recent marriage.
  
  ITEM 167: 4 May 1823. To Father, anchored at Seaford. Have been making slow progress. Charles suffering from head aches and lumbago. Sending the letter via a passenger who embarked at Plymouth for the Thames, and who has received King’s permission to continue overland as he is frustrated with the progress. Worried that he is in the navy list as only acting Lieutenant. Mrs King and family left safely for Launceston “in the highest spirits.”
• Language
  English
• Access Conditions
  
  Access via appointment
• Copying Conditions
  Out of copyright:
  Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
• Description source
  
  Hordern House : John Septimus Roe, Calendar of documents, 2009
• General note
  
  Digital order no:Album ID : 981203
• Name
  King, Phillip Parker, 1791-1856
  Bathurst (ship)
  Macquarie, Elizabeth Henrietta, 1778-1835
  Harrison, William, Capt
  Macarthur, Hannibal, 1788-1861
  Dick (ship)
  
• Subject
  Aboriginal Australians--Queensland.
  Aboriginal Australians--Northern Territory.
  Bungaree, -1830
  Bundell.
  King, Harriet, 1796-1874
  
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