Copy of a Letter addressed to James Backhouse and George W. Walker By a Convict confined on Goat Island, Port Jackson, New South Wales, pamphlet.
Providence R.I. Knowles Vose & Co, (1838). First printing. Pamphlet. James Backhouse and George Walker were Quaker missionaries who traveled in 1831 to Australia establishing Quaker meeting houses and to evangelize to convicts and settlers. While touring prisons and penal colonies, they were appalled by what they saw. They interceded for prisoners and advocated temperance and thrift throughout Australia for the next 6 years. According to Smith’s “Catalog of Friends’ Books” their plea was first published in York England in 1837. That same year an anonymous response was written, entitled “A Letter Addressed to James Backhouse… by a Convict Confined on Goat Island.” This letter is a published response thanking them for their ministering from a Port Jackson convict, who signs himself "WM. ****". The present pamphlet is an American reprint of the convict’s “Letter.” It was written in support of Backhouse’s plea, and of the religious life. Although the tone is religious, a few details leak through about his own tribulations and the situation on Goat Island, closing, “The prisoners on Goat Island are principally employed in quarrying stone and in building a Powder Magazine, &c.” It is a rare pamphlet. Worldcat shows 4 libraries holding copies, only one of which is in America.
12mo, 11pp, printed paper wrappers, sewn as issued. Printed half title as front cover, title-page, text and blank back wrapper. Slt. fox spotting throughout. F 2465a. OCLC: 24732628. Very good condition. Item #27232
Price: $750.00