Draft of letter from David Monro to his brother Alexander, 17 August 1842 describing the condition of the country in New South Wales and the financial position of Australia at the time. Volume 2 is a typescript of this letter with manuscript corrections, 1928

A 6936/Vols. 1-2

fonds

1842-1928

931226

2 volumes of textual material

A 6936/Vol. 1

Draft of letter from David Monro, 17 August 1842 describing the condition of the counry in New South Wales and the financial position of Australia at the time.

The manuscript begins with comments on published accounts of Australia, followed by description of Port Phillip and Melbourne. Monro spent a fortnight exploring the Campaspe and Loddon Rivers with his squatter brother Henry Monro, going over Mitchell's tracks and a great deal of manuscript is devoted to an indictment of Mitchell who described the country only at its best. A general geographical description of Australia follows. Remainder of manuscript deals with his view that Australia is in financial difficulties because of the over-estimation of the resources of the country and the withdrawal of convict labour. He is of the opinion that the wool industry cannot be expanded as he believes that inland is desert and there is no more suitable land in Australia for sheep raising. Ends with comments on the high price of land and the speculation carried on in the colony.

Correspondence between Charles John Monro, son of David Monro and W. P. Hurst, Editor of the Australasian, April-May 1928 is filed with manuscript

A 6936/Vol. 2

Typescript copy of draft letter at A 6936/ Vol. 1, with manuscript corrections, ca. 1928

Copyright status:: In copyright
Research & study copies allowed: Author has been deceased for more than 50 years
Rights and Restrictions Information:

Information transferred from Manuscripts Leaf Catalogue No. 1 (5-85A) as part of the eRecords Project, 2010-2011