A copy of this document is available in the Historical Records of Australia, Series III, Vol. 1, p. 4.

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COMMISSION OF LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR COLLINS

GEORGE R.

George the Third, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britian and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.  To our Trusty and Well beloved Lieutenant Colonel David Collins, Greeting.  We, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and Experience, Do by these Presents constitute and appoint you to be Lieutenant Governor of a Settlement or Settlements to be formed on the Southern Coast of New South Wales to the northward of Basses Streights and on King’s Island, or any other Island within the said Streights.  You are therefore as Lieutenant Governor to take the said Settlement into your care and charge, and carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Lieutenant Governor thereof, by doing and performing all and all manner of Things thereunto belonging.  And we do hereby strictly charge and require all Our Officers and Soldiers, who shall be in Our said Settlement, and all others whom it may concern, to obey you as Our Lieutenant Governor thereof;  and you are to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions from time to time as you shall receive from Us, Our Governor of Our Territory of New South Wales and the Islands adjacent for the time being, or any other your superior officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust We hereby repose in you.  Given at Our Court of St. James’s, the 14th day of January, One thousand, eight hundred and Three, in the forty third year of Our Reign.

					By His Majesty’s Command,
								     HOBART.

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