Julie Blackett Assessment Item 1

SID: 17354921 Document Exercise

Lachlan Macquaries document to Earl Bathurst is essentially a defence of his time as governor of New South Wales. This is in answer to Bigges reports to England. When appointed as governor, Castlereagh emphasized that 'The Great Objects of attention are to improve the Morals of the Colonists, to encourage Marriage, to provide for Education, to prohibit the Use of Spirituous Liquors, to increase the Agriculture and Stock, so as to ensure the Certainty of a full supply to the Inhabitants under all Circumstances'. 1 In light of this and by Macquaries account, he was quite successful. Macquarie begins by outlining the appalling state of the colony when he arrived, mentioning the state of public works and roads, threat of famine, as well as the lack of morals and religious worship. Macquarie then goes on to describe the many improvements he has made within the colony. He addressed the threat of famine by purchasing wheat from Bengal to stop the immediate danger and then ordered large tracts of land on high grounds, and out of the reach of floods, to be forthwith cultivated with wheat and maize crops.2 The next object of Macquaries attention was the decline of manners and morals. Macquarie planned to reward merit, encourage virtue, and punish vicewithout regard to rank, class or description of persons.3 He claims to achieve this by showing in demeanour and remarks no favouritism amongst those equal in merit and capability. He

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McLachlan, N.D. Macquarie, Lachlan (1762-1824) Australian Dictionary of Biography Lachlan Macquarie, Sources of Australian History, 124 3 Ibin., 125

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also claimed to improve attendance at church and the state of marriage instead of concubinage. Macquarie built a number of schools both in Sydney and in the principal districts of the colony. The state of the public buildings, roads and bridges in the colony was a concern for Macquarie. He was however, limited by the lack of colonial funds and a limited number of convict artificers and labourers. This meant that he was required to contract private individuals to complete some of these works. This changed with the existence of colonial revenue and an increase in convict artificers and labourers. Macquarie showed that the increase of flocks and herds, as well as the ground cleared and tilled, more than kept pace with the rising population. As the population tripled, so did the herds of horses and hogs, as well as the land that was cleared and tilled. While the herds of sheep and cattle increased by much more. Although trade and manufacturing did not achieve the same ratio, there had nonetheless been considerable trade for some years at Port Jackson and the Derwent. Manufacturing of woollen cloth and linen, other clothing and shoes, tanning of leather, and pottery had been established in Sydney. Macquarie predicted that trade and manufacturing would increase rapidly and soon rival trade and opulence with many other colonies. Macquarie claimed that credit for the colony was very low due to the base paper currency, which was the only medium in circulation at the time. After careful consideration and consultation with informed persons, Macquarie decided to establish a Colonial Bank. He further claims that this pulled the colony out of bankruptcy and considered it to be the saving grace of the colony.

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In regards to the Aborigines, Macquarie returned to Phillips more sympathetic treatment. He arranged a meeting with the tribes in the area and offered them land to become permanent settlers as well as offering to send their children to a school he planned to establish for them. The school was a great success, with the children showing they were clearly capable of learning and becoming completely civilised. He claims that the adults were indolent and adverse to labour and had difficulties with them. Macquarie prevailed upon five tribes to become settlers, giving them the choice of farming or fishing. These tribes proved successful in their endeavours and Macquarie hoped that this would encourage other native adults to become settlers. Macquarie asserts that he tried to treat fairly in regards to the convicts. They were distributed as needed, until a large influx of men created a surplus of labour. Macquarie then employed gangs to repair and build roads and bridges, as well as establishing a Government Agricultural Farm where their productive labour more than repaid the cost of their maintenance and other expenses of the farm. All of the above shows Macquarie to be a humanitarian and a person who truly tried to improve life in the colony. It seems that Macquarie attempted to lead by example as well as using his authority to enforce his attitudes and beliefs, while following the wishes of Britain. It appears that he had certain favouritism towards the convicts and ex-convicts as he saw the unfairness of the treatment they received after completing their sentence. As there was an increase in convicts, Macquarie attempted to limit the number and type of immigrants because he believed they did not make good settlers and he did not like the manner in which they treated former convicts. When considering the reliability of this source, it is necessary to remember the purpose for which it was created. Macquarie was attempting to defend his governance of the
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colony and present himself in the best possible light. That being said, much of what he claims can be proved or disproved by examining records of the time and accounts written by others. When looking back at people or events that have conflicting versions, the truth is usually somewhere in the middle. In this case, while it is likely that Macquarie achieved much, if not all, that he claims to have done, it is likewise very possible that he has glossed over various problems he may have had. It is also quite likely that he minimised the part other people play in his accomplishments. This is likely because Macquarie was on the defence and was trying to ensure he would gain his pension from his time as governor. In general I would consider this quite a reliable source, as long as Macquaries motivations are kept in mind and are considered carefully in those areas that might be considered slightly dubious.

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Bibliography Lachlan Macquarie, A Report on the Colony of New South Wales to Earl Bathurst (1822). Source: M. Clark, Sources of Australian History, London: Oxford University Press, 1957, pp 123-135. McLachlan, N.D., Macquarie, Lachlan (1762-1824), Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/macquarie-lachlan-2419/text3211, accessed 31 March 2012

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