Convict Guide - published 2006 - Manual / Resource - Page 221
Guide to New South Wales State archives relating to convicts and convict administration
settlement and immigration. After responsible
government the series reflects the Governor's
role of intermediary between the Government of
New South Wales and the British Government.
Despatches to the Secretary of State and
the Under Secretary, 13 Feb 1790–6 Jul
1797; 20 Feb 1816–30 Nov 1821; 4 Feb
1822–18 Nov 1825; 1 Mar 1827–7 Oct
1836; 21 Dec 1878–24 Jun 1887; 4 Jun
1894–30 Sep 1897
NRS 4518,
[4/1634-38,
4/1640-42;
4/1639; 4/1058384, 4/1645-50,
7/1748]
Quantity: 18 volumes
Despatches to the Secretary of State for the
Colonies, the Under Secretary and occasionally
other officials in England. The enclosures
sometimes accompany the despatch or are
located separately. Included are ordinary
numbered despatches, "separate" and
confidential despatches.
The despatches are concerned with general
reports on the colony and its legislative bodies,
matters relating to land, Aboriginal people,
convicts, foreign intrusions, exploration, criminal
cases concerning government officials or where
the death penalty was imposed, disputes
between the colonials and the Governor and
many miscellaneous matters. A brief subject
summary of each volume is noted in the item
list.
Copies of despatches to the Secretary of State
c.1906–69, 1971 are filed with the despatches
received, NRS 4512.
Copies of letters to officials and private
individuals, 20 Mar 1823–16 Nov 1833,
25 Jan 1855–25 Mar 1890, 18 Dec 1896–
24 Apr 1899
NRS 4529,
[4/1639, 4/165570, 8/2021A]
Quantity: 18 volumes
Copies of letters covering a variety of subjects
including land grants, cultivation, convicts and
assigned servants, church property, various
regulations, applications for appointments and
salary increases, commissariat stores, Aboriginal
people, exploration, bushrangers, and court
sentences. The earlier volumes refer also to Van
Diemen's Land, the Lieutenant Governor there
being one of the chief recipients.
Copies of letters received from officials and
private persons, 1822–25
NRS 4534,
[4/1618, 4/1672]
Quantity: 2 volumes
The first volume [4/1618] consists of copies of
letters (apparently made at a later date as the
paper is watermarked 1822) from various
colonial officials. The letters are usually
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State Records Authority of New South Wales
