Remarkably little is recorded to suggest that lunacy was regarded as a problem in the transports, by the reported suicides or the reactions to starvation, privation and cruelty in the early years of settlement [1].
Nevertheless, in 1787, Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, was specifically directed to exercise powers regarding the insane. Part of these orders were: “Wee have thought fit to entrust you with the care and commitment of the said ideots and lunaticks and their estates” [2]. From then onwards nothing is heard of “the lunaticks” until after Samuel Marsden was given official duties in this field.
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