Letterbook, June 1856-July 1859

Component identifier:

File 7

Content Summary:

The volume contains copies of Denison's personal and confidential letters to the Secretary of State for the Colonies and letters to a wide range of correspondents, mainly in Australia. The subjects include the inauguration of responsible government in New South Wales, the absence of political parties in the colony, the series of ministerial crises in 1856, the Donaldson, Cowper and Parker ministries, the 1858 elections, the possibility of an Australian federation, the separation of Moreton Bay from New South Wales, the alienation of vast blocks of land in Moreton Bay, the defence of the colonies, the Indian Mutiny and the despatch of Australian troops to India, honours, criminals and secondary punishment, railways, postal services, gold discoveries, the 1855-56 North Australia exploring expedition led by A.C. Gregory, German migration to Australia, Denison's knighthood, his travels in New South Wales and his visit to Norfolk Island, and the despatch of plants and other scientific collections.

The recipients include H. Labouchere (1856-58), Lord Stanley (1858), Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1858-59), S. Herbert, Major-General E. Macarthur, G. Macleay, Bishop C. Perry, Bishop G.A. Selwyn, Bishop F.R. Nixon, Rev. G. Nobbs, Father J.J. Therry, Ann Swainson, Lord Canning and Henry Denison. Many of the recipients are not identified.

At the end of the volume are lists of letters written and received.

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M607

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