250 years ago, James Cook was told only to take possession of the land with the consent of Indigenous peoples

Just as centenary commemorations for the national foundation story that is Anzac end later this year, the government is gearing up to celebrate another yarn that often seems interchangeable – the imminent 250th anniversary of the arrival of Captain James Cook and HM Bark Endeavour.

If you were concerned about an insufficiency of monuments to Cook’s “discovery” of Australia, relax, please. The federal government has already trolled progressive Australians who’d challenge the Endeavour’s continental “discovery” and national foundation myth, with a plan to strip $48m from the ABC for Cook commemorations including something akin to a statuary theme park at Botany Bay where the good captain anchored.

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You are ... to observe the Genius, Temper, Disposition and Number of the Natives, if there be any and endeavour by all proper means to cultivate a Friendship and Alliance with them, making them presents of such Trifles as they may Value inviting them to Traffick, and Shewing them every kind of Civility and Regard; taking Care however not to suffer yourself to be surprised by them, but to be always upon your guard against any Accidents.

You are also with the Consent of the Natives to take Possession of Convenient Situations in the Country in the Name of the King of Great Britain: Or: if you find the Country uninhabited take Possession for his Majesty by setting up Proper Marks and Inscriptions, as first discoverers and possessors.

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To check the petulance of the Sailors and restrain the wanton use of Fire Arms.
To have it still in view that sheding the blood of these people is a crime of the highest nature – They are human creatures, the work of the same omnipotent Author, equally under his care with the most polished European, perhaps being less offensive, more entitled to his favour.
They are the natural, and in the strictest sense of the word, the legal possessors of the several Regions they inhabit.
No European nation has a right to occupy any part of their country or settle among them without their voluntary consent.
Conquest over such people can give no just title; because they could never be the Aggressors.

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