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y separately published work icon Swan River Letters anthology   correspondence  
Note: collected and edited by Ian Berryman
Issue Details: First known date: 2002... 2002 Swan River Letters
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Swan River Letters Volume 1 is a significant and original contribution to the literature on the founding and early history of the Swan River colony in Western Australia.

'Based on the editor’s extensive study of British and colonial newspapers, the book has two parts. The first part is an essay detailing the reaction in Britain which followed the receival of the first news from the colony. By an unfortunate mischance, the first news was not the official despatches, or letters from colonists, but consisted of second or third-hand rumours of disaster that had been passed on by a shopkeeper living on the remote island of St Helena. As a result, the new colony suffered a near-fatal setback – emigration from Britain ceased, and Western Australia acquired a bad name which lasted for decades afterwards.

'The main part of the book contains annotated transcripts of over one hundred letters and reports from Swan River colonists that were published in contemporary newspapers and pamphlets. These letters, most of them previously unknown, include a letter from James Stirling himself. Written during the voyage from Britain to Cape Town, it gives a unique insight into Stirling’s plans and hopes for the new colony. Other correspondents include William Stirling (the governor’s cousin), Alexander Collie, Thomas Hester, CD Ridley, James Purkis, Alfred Stone and John and Joseph Hardey. Although most of the letters are from the middle-class colonists, there are some from tradesmen and servants, which are among the very few known letters from working-class colonists.' (Publication summary)

Notes

  • Volume 1

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Western Australia,: Swan River Press , 2002 .
      image of person or book cover 8091115071740075083.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 300p.
      Note/s:
      • Includes index
      ISBN: 0975991205 (vol. 1)

Works about this Work

[Review] Swan River Letters Anette Bremer , 2003 single work review
— Appears in: JAS Review of Books , October no. 19 2003;

— Review of Swan River Letters 2002 anthology correspondence
[Review] Swan River Letters Anette Bremer , 2003 single work review
— Appears in: JAS Review of Books , October no. 19 2003;

— Review of Swan River Letters 2002 anthology correspondence
Last amended 17 Feb 2023 14:05:22
Subjects:
  • Perth, Western Australia,
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