The History of Tasmania

A history of Tasmania by an English-born minister who fought to end its status as a penal colony.

John West (Author)

9781108030809, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 April 2011

400 pages
21.6 x 2.3 x 14 cm, 0.51 kg

John West (1809–1873) was an English-born minister who received a Colonial Missionary Society post in Tasmania in 1838. West became an outspoken opponent of the ongoing government policy of transporting convicts from Britain to Tasmania. Around 1847 a wealthy supporter approached West to write the colony's history, although it had been a British territory only since 1803. West accepted the task and, amid his campaigning and other responsibilities, completed this two-volume work which was published in 1852. It is divided between a straightforward narrative of events and thematic issues such as the treatment of the Aboriginal peoples and the issue of the convict transport system. In Volume 2, the first ten sections discuss the early encounters with Europeans and the subsequent mistreatment of the native people in Tasmania. The remainder of the volume considers the island's development as a penal colony.

Part I. The Aborigines: 1. Tasman's account of the natives
2. Conflict at Risdon
3. Causes of conflict
4. Proclamation against them
5. Murders committed by natives
6. Conciliation
7. Mr. Robinson's efforts
8. Disposal of the natives
9. Rapid extinction
10. Origin of the natives
Part II. Transportation: 1. Exile
2. State of English gaols
3. Bentham's project
4. Voyage
5. Early difficulties of convict management
6. Origin of bushranging
7. Habits of convict population
8. The colonies re-act on each other
9. Bigge's recommendations
10. Land granted to settlers employing convicts
11. Assignment established in America
12. Escapes from Macquarie Harbor
13. Macquarie Harbor
14. Escape of prisoners
15. Arthur's principles of penal government
16. Disposal of mechanics and specials
17. Views of ministers
18. Convict system of New South Wales
19. Franklin's appointment
20. Remarks on Machonochie's system
21. Sir Wm. Molesworth's committee
22. Lord John Russell's plan
23. Lord Stanley's probation system
24. System in Van Diemen's Land
25. Treatment of female prisoners
26. Lord Stanley's directions for the disposal of women
27. Views of transportation
Conclusion
Alphabetical account of the chief places in Tasmania.

Subject Areas: Australasian & Pacific history [HBJM]