Most of the 1,300, British settlers who landed in Australia in 1788 were

The answer is convicts and free settlers. During period, the British had a problem with overcrowding in their prisons. Many of these prisoners were arrested for petty crimes but were also skilled workers and craftsmen. They were all given a sentence of seven years. This provided ample time to establish a colony so they pardoned these convicts and gave them lands to where they can farm.