The manuscripts listed below are the earliest and most important documents relating to the European settlement of Victoria. Previously only available to a few, these extremely fragile documents can now be explored by everyone.
Using high-resolution digital photographs of the original items, the Library has created interactive versions of each manuscript to explore online.
You can read the manuscripts page by page, compare the original text with the transcript, and explore the handwritten notes and sketches in detail using the zoom and pan tools.
Below are just some of the Library's digitised manuscripts relating to Port Phillip's settlement. To see all the digitised manuscripts on this subject, search the Library's Manuscripts Catalogue for the phrase 'Port Phillip Papers'.
Edward Henty's Journal
Written between 1834 and 1839, Henty's journal describes the settlement at Portland.
John Batman's Journal
Dating from 10 May 1835, Batman describes his first impressions of Port Phillip Bay, including the statement relating to the future site of Melbourne, 'this will be the place for a village'.
John Helder Wedge's Field Book
A record of John Helder Wedge's expedition around the Port Phillip district from 1835 to 1836. The field book includes delicate sketches, Aboriginal word lists, and details of his initial survey of the land from Indented Head to Port Fairy claimed by the Port Phillip Association.
Melbourne Deed (Port Phillip Association)
John Batman claimed that this deed was signed by the Aboriginal chiefs for the purchase of land around what is now Melbourne.
Nicholas Pateshall's account of his world voyage
A brief account of Pateshall's voyage around the world, including a description of the short-lived settlement at Sorrento from 1803-04.
Manifest of cargo on board the Thistle
This vessel was used by Edward Henty when he crossed Bass Strait and settled at Portland in 1834.
William Todd's Journal
Todd's journal includes a description of the first meeting with escaped convict, William Buckley.
Geelong Deed (Port Phillip Association)
Batman claimed this deed was signed by the Aboriginal chiefs for the purchase of land on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Indentures establishing the Port Phillip Association
Documents relating to the settlement of Melbourne and Geelong. Includes details of the Association's proposed payment of an annual tribute to the Aboriginal chiefs.
Sir Richard Bourke's Journal, 1837
Governor of New South Wales, Sir Richard Bourke, details his visit to Port Phillip in 1837.
William Buckley's Reminiscences
Escaped convict, William Buckley's story of his time living among the Aboriginal people of southern Victoria, as told to George Langhorne.
John Helder Wedge's Map of Port Phillip, 1835
Helder Wedge's plan of the Port Phillip District.
Attested copies of muniments of title to the estates of the trustees of George Mercer
Contains copies of all the foundation documents relating to Port Phillip including the original indentures with the native chiefs and the agreements made between the members of the Port Phillip syndicate.
Correspondence relating to Geelong & Dutigalla Association
A selection of documents from a volume of correspondence and other papers relating to the Port Phillip Association.
Melbourne Advertiser
Sixteen issues of Melbourne's original newspaper, the first ten of which were handwritten. | 
