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Archiver > ESSEX-UK > 2000-08 > 0966912236


From: Chris Collin <>
Subject: Re: CONVICTS
Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 22:43:56 -0400
References: <00dc01c00a57$c0aa6980$03d239cb@andymary>




Andy & Mary McKinlay wrote:

> Sorry Anne but I beg to differ about your explanation of Tasmania being the
> first place to which convicts were sent.
> I usually keep a fairly low profile but I could not let this gross
> inaccuracy pass by.
> I do not know to what extent Listers are interested but I will give you a
> brief history .
> New South Wales was the first colony established by Great Britain- the
> reason being that transportation of criminals began early in the 17th
> century when they were removed to plantations in America and treated as
> slaves. The American revolution in 1776 put a stop to transportation to this
> country.

Most intersting reply, but wrong, wrong, wrong! :)

When I was posted to Gander Newfoundland, I participated in a parade for the
450th anniversary of Sir Humphrey Gilbert's (Sir Walter Raleigh's half-brother)
entry into what became St. John's harbour. He claimed the land for England, the
year being 1532. Of course, the fact that Spanish and Portugese fishermen had
been using the harbour almost certainly even before Columbus's voyage did not
deter him!

I'm not sure why English convicts were sent to Australia rather than Canada -
with the climate here, it would be a much worse place to be sent I should think!

Chris Collin, Gloucester Ontario Canada
Searching COLLIN, NW Essex 1400-1900




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