Guide to the Letter from Bennelong to Mr Phillips

Class 1. Letter from Bennelong to Mr Phillips - Box (Shared), Folder (MS 4005)

The author of this letter is Bennelong, a leader of the Wangal people. In December 1792, Bennelong and Yemmerrawanne became the first Indigenous Australians to travel to England. In the letter Bennelong mentions his wife and another Indigenous man named Carroway, and passes on his thanks to Mr and Mrs Phillips for looking after him. The manuscript records the earliest known piece of writing by an Indigenous Australian, and is the only contemporary copy of a dictated letter which appears to have been copied verbatim by an unknown scribe. Dated Sydney Cove, New South Wales, 29th August, 1796. Signed 'Bannelong'.