John Hamilton Irving (or Irven, Irwin, or Ervin), a surgeon convicted of larceny on March 6, 1784, had been sentenced to "seven years beyond the seas," and sent on one of the First Fleet transport.

After exhibiting a willing readiness to assist with his exceptional surgical skills, he had been emancipated by Governor Arthur Phillip on February 28, 1790, and had worked thereafter as an assistant surgeon.

Irving's Warrant of Emancipation was received in England on July 14, 1792, and acknowledged by Henry Dundas, the Secretary of State.

Irving thus becomes Australia's first emancipist.

Governor Philip returns to England in 1792, accompanied by his friend Bennelong and a companion who becomes the first Australian born person to sail to Europe.