Bennelong arrived at Sydney Cove on 7 September 1795 after an absence of two years and ten months. Eighteen months of his travels were spent on board ships, either at sea or in dock. On arrival in Sydney, according to Collins, Bennelong ‘conducted himself with a polished familiarity towards his sisters and other relations, but to his acquaintances he was distant, and quite the man of consequence. He declared, in a tone and with an air that seemed to expect compliance, that he should no longer suffer them to fight and cut each other’s throats, as they had done, but that he should introduce peace among them, and make them love each other.’[1] A great show was made in front of his people and to the British settlers, and to all intents he had adopted the culture of the invaders.[2] This extended to cleanliness, dress and behaviour of his people when visiting him at Government House.[3]