Title

Government Goal gang.

Author

Earle, Augustus

Details

Augustus Earle: Views in New South Wales, Sydney, 1825

Publication date

1825

Type

None

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

GOVERNMENT GAOL GANG

Every person in England is aware, that for certain offences men are transported to New South Wales, but there are few, except those who have visited the Colony, know how they are disposed of after they reach their place of destination. When they land they do not go to Gaol, but are assembled in the Prisoners’ Barrack Yard, and there inspected by the Governor, Superintendant of Convicts, and the Officers of the Ship which brought them; and it is truly astonishing to see such men, under such circumstances, and after so long a voyage, look and behave so well. They are immediately assigned to such Settlers as may want them, and they accompany their new masters, in the capacity of servants; their ration and clothing is arranged by Government, and generally speaking they are comfortably off: but for any fresh offence Government take them back, and then they are placed in gangs, and toil at the public works, where they have harder duty, less liberty, and reduced rations; and for still repeated crimes, are banished to remote penal settlements. The annexed subject is one of the Government gangs being told out of barracks for the daily work, and given in charge of a soldier, who acts as overseer.

[Accompanying text, Augustus Earle: Views in New South Wales, Sydney, 1825.]