VPRS 1 Outward Letter Books

Full description

This series contains transcriptions of the correspondence sent by the Police Magistrate, Port Phillip District to the Colonial Secretary and other government officials in Sydney, officials in other Australian colonies such as Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) and South Australia, to local officials and government servants, leading clergy and private persons in the District.

Letters to the Colonial Secretary and other Sydney officials dealt with reports on the administration of the colony and matters pertaining to that and in relation to the maintenance of the official and military establishments, the further appointments of officials and the financing required. Correspondence sent by ship has the name of the vessel noted.

Other correspondence dealt with matters such as the sale of Crown Lands, aborigines, immigration, the administration of justice, the apprehension and treatment of convicts either labouring for the administration or absconding, especially from Tasmania, and the issuing of permits for such things as the publishing of newspapers and the keeping of public houses. All matters relating to the governance and administration of the colony are referred to.