John Hay in 'Literature and Society', published in A New History of Western Australia (1981), describes the Swan River Guardian '... as a radical, working-class alternative to the [Perth] Gazette...' (604) and that '... although politically opposed to the Gazette, the Guardian seemed to share the former's educational philosophy, to "promote the opportunity of furthering advancement in life", differing only in the choice of class to be advanced.' (604) Hay indicates that the literary content of the Guardian was similar to the Gazette '... satiric doggerel on Hudibrastic models, optimistic celebrations of local topography such as Mount Eliza, and an invariable dependence upon English themes and conventions.' (604). Beverley Smith in Early Western Australian Literature : A Guide to Colonial Life [196-] describes the Guardian as '... largely the work of its editor, and [it] bears the decisive stamp of his personality - his energy, romantic imagination and spirit of rebellion.' (31). Smith continues, 'Clark was proud that his weekly contained original contributions concerning the colony. Apart from verse he published a history of the colony and its press, satirical dramatic sketches and articles on conditions in the colony. A frequent contributor was the missionary Dr. [Louis] Guistiniani who wrote with compassion about the aborigines and their welfare.' (31)
Attacked periodically by Charles Macfaull's Perth Gazette and by some of the government officials in the Colony, the Swan River Guardian continued to be published until 1838. The withdrawal of surety by William Lamb and Louis Giustiniani meant that Clark was no longer able to comply with a local law demanding surety against the possibility of libel. This local law, B. K. De Garis notes in 'Political Tutelage (1829-1870)', published in A New History of Western Australia (1981), was enacted 'possibly with the intention of silencing [Clark].' (312) The loss of surety and mounting debt caused the cessation of the paper.
Clark tried to continue with a newspaper entitled the Political Register, first published as a pamphlet, but could not raise surety.
Sources: John Hay, 'Literature and Society' and B. K. De Garis, 'Political Tutelage (1829-1870)', C. T. Stannage (ed.) A New History of Western Australia (1981); Smith, Beverley, Early Western Australian literature : A Guide to Colonial Life [196-]
Announced in an advertisement in the Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal, 17 September 1836:
THE Public are respectfully informed, that on Thursday, the 6th of October, a Weekly Newspaper is to be published at Perth, called the Swan River Guardian.
This Newspaper will be conducted on independent and liberal principles, by William Nairne Clark, Solicitor and sole Editor of the Guardian.
The object of the new Publication, is, to expose all abuses, curb the insolence of office, and advocate, in a legitimate manner, the Rights of the People, consistent with a due regard for a proper administration of our Civil and moral Institutions, as by Law established. Nothing of a personal nature against any individual shall ever appear; but the Public must be protected against haughty assumption and official tyranny.
Subscriptions will be received at the Office, in Hay Street.
Terms of Subscription, 9d. each Number.
C. Bourne, Sole Proprietor. Perth, September 7, 1836.
The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal published the following advertisement, 17 June, 1837 (and repeated 24 June 1837) : 'Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership, Joint Proprietorship and connexion, which has hitherto existed between Charles Bourne, late of this Colony, and William Nairne Clark, respecting and relating to the Swan River Guardian and Printing, Press and Appurtenances, is hereby dissolved and ended ... Dated this sixteenth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.'
A second notice advised that: 'The Swan River Guardian will be published in future, at the usual Office, on Thursday in every week, by Wm. Nairne Clark.'
