Category Archives: Van Diemen’s Land
Printing and Numbering of Orders from Collins to Arthur
Prior to Van Diemen’s becoming an independent colony on 3 December 1825, a succession of Lieutenant Governors had administered the Island largely through the issue of General and Garrison Orders. As the names suggest Garrison Orders applied to the military … Continue reading
Posted in Archiving Project, General Orders, Van Diemen's Land
Tagged Regnal year citations
Leave a comment
Thomas Bigge’s view of education in Van Diemen’s Land
Thomas Bigge’s view of education in Van Diemen’s LandDraft In 1785 Britain had to face the dilemma of what to do with the convicts it had been sending to the American colonies from 1718 to 1785. It is estimated that … Continue reading
Posted in Archiving Project, Education, Van Diemen's Land
Tagged John Youl, Lord Bathurst, Robert Knopwood, Thomas Bigge, Transportation
Leave a comment
Lieutenant Governor Sorell revives interest in Public Education
Within months of his arrival in Hobart Town in 1817, Lieutenant Governor William Sorell set about improving the overall status of education in the colony. At that time, no government educational institutions existed though there were a few private schools … Continue reading
Early Moves towards Government Support
From the mid-18th century, politicians and reformers were starting to look at ways of broadening access to education to include all levels of society. Derek Gillard’s Education in England: a History Chapter 5 provides a useful timeline, and list of … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Van Diemen's Land
Leave a comment
Sir John Franklin – Explorer
Sir John Franklin was the fifth lieutenant governor of Van Diemen’s Land, replacing Sir George Arthur who had administered the Colony for twelve years from 1824 to 1836. Arthur had no doubts about the nature of his responsibilities: first and … Continue reading
Posted in Explorers, Governors, Van Diemen's Land
Tagged Arctic exploration, john Franklin, Lady Franklin, Thomas Burnett
Leave a comment
Address of Sir John Franklin to Legislative Council 1837
On Friday 14th July 1837, the Hobart Town Courier reported on the first meeting of the Legislative Council that had taken place in Hobart four days earlier. At 1 o’clock the Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Franklin, took the Chair and … Continue reading
Posted in Governors, Tasmanian legislation, Van Diemen's Land, VDL Statutes
Tagged john Franklin, Legislative Council
Leave a comment
Changing the Guard
When Sir John Franklin arrived in Van Diemen’s Land to take up the position of Lieutenant Governor in January 1837, the shadow of twelve year’s autocratic rule by Sir George Arthur loomed ominously over the future administration of the Island. … Continue reading
Posted in Governors, Tasmanian legislation, VDL Statutes
Tagged George Arthur, john Franklin
Leave a comment
English Maritime Explorers
Captain James Cook Captain James Cook undertook three Pacific voyages during his service with the Royal Navy. The first voyage was a joint venture between the Royal Society and the Admiralty, and its stated aim was to expand the scientific … Continue reading
The legal system 1803-1832
Colonial Office Instructions on treatment of natives From 1788, when the First Fleet arrived in Port Jackson to set up a penal colony for convicts sentenced to transportation, governors and lieutenant governors had quite specific instructions on how they were … Continue reading
Posted in Aboriginals, Van Diemen's Land
Leave a comment
French Maritime Explorers
Marion de Fresne With the Dutch losing interest in Van Diemen’s Land after Tasman’s departure in 1642, the natives were able resume their normal lives until 1772 when the first French explorer, Marion du Fresne, following the route taken by … Continue reading
Loose Connections 