Series 1: Letters received & papers filed with them (1822 - 1827)
This series includes correspondence to:
- Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, Governor of New South Wales
- Frederick Goulbourn, Colonial Secretary
- Alexander Macleay, Colonial Secretary,
- Captain Patrick Logan, Commandant, Moreton Bay Penal Settlement,
Many of the letters are requests from Commandants of the Moreton Bay Settlement for supplies; petitions for work from free men; transportation and management of prisoners, and the establishment of facilities to support the settlement.
Moreton Bay Penal Settlement
The correspondence documents the daily activities of a penal settlement; supplying returns of prisoners, the nature of their employment; transfers and runaways; requests [petitions] of wives of prisoners to join their husbands; and possible employment for them along with their children. Plans for the establishment a gaol and hospital for the prisoners were drawn up and provisionally approved.
Interactions with First Nations People
Language used in these letters reflects the creator’s attitude or that of the period in which they were written and is now considered inappropriate or offensive.
In May 1826, Captain Bishop reported local Aboriginal people assisted in capturing bushrangers, receiving tomahawks and blankets, and noted their distrust of cattle. In 1827, Captain Patrick Logan reported an Aboriginal man shot while soldiers protected a corn crop.
European Exploration
In July 1827 Allan Cunningham proposed an exploration and botanical collection expedition, of the Moreton Bay region, correspondence details his requests for supplies and a number of prisoners to accompany him. His successful journey included climbing to the top of Mt Dumaresq, near Maryvale, and the discovery of the pass now known as Cunningham's Gap.