At 47 years of age , James Smith paid his fare for a passage to Botany Bay with the First Fleet. The arrangement was made with Captain Sever of the Lady Penrhyn. The Captain did not consult with Captain Arthur Philip about the arrangement.Philip found out about Smith when the Fleet were all together in Cape Town. He was furious as it was outside the instructions he had been given.In the end result, Smith was allowed to stay in the colony which he did until he left on HMS Gorgon in 1791.Smith was eccentric and elusive, but he was still either the first free settler or the first paying tourist. Either way he should be recognised as such.

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