Brief eines Neuholländischen Wilden Bannolong oder Bennillong von Botanybay (den. Cap. Hunter mit nach London gebracht und dessen Bild in Collin's Account S. 439 steht) nach seiner Rückkehr in seine Heimath. To Mr. Phillips, Steward to Lord Sidney. Sidney, New South Wales, August 29, 1796
- Bib ID:
- 6382212
- Format:
- Book
- Author:
- Bennelong, approximately 1764-1813, author
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item. SR 96 copy
- Series:
- Monatliche Correspondenz zur Beförderung der Erd- und Himmels- Kunde ; vierter band
- Summary:
-
"The first appearance in print of an Australian Aboriginal person. Bennelong's letter to Mr Phillips, Steward to Lord Sydney, was dictated by him on 29 August 1796 [and taken to England by Governor John Hunter in 1800]. It is here printed in the original English and in German translation. It is 'the earliest piece of writing produced by an Aboriginal author' (Penny van Toorn, Writing never arrives naked, 2006, p. 53) ... A detailed and very interesting footnote explains that the anthropologist Blumenbach - who at the time was in regular correspondence with Banks - had received a copy of the letter and sent it on to Zach, the editor of this journal ... Bennelong was one of the first Australian Aboriginal people to make contact with British settlers at Sydney Cove. He learned some English and went to Britain [with Governor Arthur Phillip] in 1792, and was ill before and after boarding HMS Reliance on July 30, 1794. In 1795 he came back to Australia.... Through his close association with the Phillip's household, Bennelong was taught the rudiments of reading. In his letter he profusely thanks Mrs. Phillips for her care during his illness in England, and politely requests handkerchiefs, stockings and shoes. Bennelong also reports his 'muzzy doings' [most modern transcripts change 'muzzy' to the Dharuk or Sydney language intensifier 'murry', meaning 'many', or 'great' doings] with another man named Carroway [Caruey] who took his wife [Kurubarabula] while he was absent and 'spear'd me in the back, but I better now ... All my friends alive and well. Not me go to England no more. I am at home now.'"--Based on bookseller's catalogue.
- Notes:
-
- In: Monatliche Correspondenz zur Beförderung der Erd- und Himmels-Kunde / herausgegeben von F. von Zach --Vierter band. [October 1801], [chapter] XL.
- Sidney should read as Sydney.
- National Library of Australia's SR 96 copy half bound with dyed green edges.
- SR 96 copy also available online http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-571909562
- Text in German and English.
- Subject:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Zach, Franz Xaver von, 1754-1832
- Also Titled:
-
- To Mr. Phillips, Steward to Lord Sidney. Sidney, New South Wales, August 29, 1796
- To Mr. Phillips, Steward to Lord Sydney. Sydney, New South Wales, August 29, 1796
- Schreiben eines Neuholländers
- Copyright:
-
Out of Copyright
You may copy or order a copy through Copies Direct or use the online copy for research or study; for other uses Contact us for further information about copying.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Since 1902 [Creator Date of Death + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
- Presumed date of death of creator (latest date):
- 1832
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1801
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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