When Britain appointed Captain Arthur Phillip as leader of the First Fleet to Australia and
Governor of the new colony of New South Wales, he was given certain draft instructions......
'"You are to endeavour by every possible means to open an intercourse with the natives and to conciliate their affections, enjoining all our subjects to live in amity and kindness with them; and if any of our subjects shall wantonly destroy them, or give them an unnecessary interruption in the exercise of their several occupations, it is our will and pleasure that you do cause such offenders to be brought to punishment according to the degree of the offence' - 1787 instructions given to Arthur Phillip.
