A unique selection of over 500 documents that surveys the beginnings of European settlement in Australia, from the founding of the first township at Sydney Cove to the economic crisis of the early 1840s.  All the major events, developments and controversies in the economic, political social and cultural life of the period are covered.  Some of these papers are intrinsically important; some have helped form public opinion; others have influenced policy making. Some are simply accounts of people, happenings and places and a few are added to include some of the flavour and colour of the times. They have been sourced from contemporary newspapers, journals, books, correspondence, private records and a wide range of official sources.