A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson By Watkin Tench
Watkin Tench had a very sound educational background and the same time, he maintained some very influential contacts which played a very important role in hurling him into his career. The development of the good educational background and the influential contacts can be attributed to his father’s boarding school which was very famous and respected during the time Watkin Tench was growing up. Watkin Tench was also very lucky to have survived the infant mortality which was very rampant during the time he was born.
The Settlement at Port Jackson by Watkin Tench gives an insight overview of various events that took place between 1758 and 1833. The author has managed to successfully bring about several themes directly and indirectly in his piece of work. Most of the themes presented in his piece of work are presented through his characters on how he handled several situations and the outcomes of the actions he took. Some of the themes presented in his piece of work include tolerance, patience, humility and perseverance. The author was able to maintain these attributes and in the long run, he earned respect, praise and success while discharging his duties.
Watkin Tench was very patient and had a humble personality. These attributes contributed greatly towards his rise in ranks in the military. He joined the military as a junior official but rose rapidly due to his endurance and patience while performing his duties. He joined Marine Corps as a second Lieutenant, then as a first lieutenant. Even though he served as a prisoner of war for three months, he never contemplated resigning. He pressed on with his duties and was later on promoted to the position of Captain-lieutenant. He was also very caring and loving. This is evident when he could not sire any child, he adopted four children of whom they took good care of and later on became very productive members of the society. Watkin Tench continued to serve in the position even after being put on half pay. He even volunteered for a three year tour of service. During this time of voluntary service, he sailed in the transport Charlotte and moved to Botany Bay. His humility earned him promotions and also helped him to maintain a close and friendly relationship with all those he worked with.
He was also a very principled person who was not swayed by circumstances. He stood on what he believed was right and was not deterred by intimidation. This is evident when he refused to alter the sentence of a court martial where he was president. This resulted into him being put under arrest b Ross. Watkin Tench was also very tolerant and was able to accommodate anyone. He maintained a very good and close relationship with everyone who was in the little community even after being intimidated by Ross. This attribute of being a principled person also helped him gain trust from his seniors. This made them trust him with even more sensitive positions hence the rise in ranks. He was not threated by intimidation and tis act of bravery was also one of the driving factors towards his success while discharging his duties.
Watkin Tench had interest in exploration and took most of his time doing what he loved most – exploration. After a series of explorations, he went back to England and was promoted again due to his hard work and dedication towards his job. This attribute earned him more promotions throughout his days as a soldier. He retired as major general but later on returned to active combat life whereby he was very instrumental in the realization of various achievements. He then retired as a lieutenant general after accomplishing a series of achievements.
The author offers a very informative approach to the way people need to live and interact with each other. He encourages peaceful coexistence and an appreciation of one another regardless of a person’s origin. He warns against despising others who may be unfortunate but people should depict tolerance, be accommodative and appreciate one another since by having the chance of being born alone, a person should feel superior. Having hope and trust should also be used as a driving force towards the achievement of knowledge and happiness which are the ultimate dreams of every human being.
Watkin Tench wrote the literary works from a first person’s point of view. Even though he was not able to give an account of all that took place during that time since he lacked the attribute of omnipotence, we can be sure that the recorded works are credible since they were generated by a person who had a first-hand experience of the occurrences recorded. The notes were made while the events were still fresh and then selectively arranged to bring about the main themes. The type of work recorded gives more elaborate pieces of work with a reflection of the events that took place during that time. The way the work has been arranged and the source of the work makes it more authentic as compared to a work reported by a third party.
A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson gives a revelation of the steps that were made before realizing the modern practices being practiced in different places across the globe. As the author gives an account of what he went through, he pays much attention on the development of agriculture and how people used to practice horticulture and agriculture in general. The author being an accredited historian and explorer, he took his time to sample out different types of soils during his expedition encounters. All these factors in place, the author stresses more on the importance of peaceful coexistence and the need for people to accommodate each other despite their varied backgrounds.
Conclusion
A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson by Watkin Tench presents a very informed account and revelation of the foundations of modern history. The author gives first-hand information on various accounts of events that took place in the past. Some of the revelations given by the author present the foundation of modern history and how some of the common practices practiced today were developed. A great deal of his account rests on the origin of agriculture, horticulture and how they have developed since they were first practiced. The author also presents us with some themes which are essential for the development of an all-round human being. This can be seen on how his attitude and characters helped him sail through his career without any major impediments. There are lessons that are presented in the work which deserves emulation for good development both mentally and in the way people relate with each other.
