Hi Ken Many PJers may be aware of that as I posted it in February this year. the despatch was dated 18 October 1811 - a letter from Gov Macquarie to the Earl of Bathurst Regards Lesley Uebel http://www.claimaconvict.net/index.html CLAIM A CONVICT email: [email protected] On 18/11/2011 10:02 AM, Ken Thompson wrote: > Thanks Andrew for the interesting contribution to the indent discussion. > > Here is another piece of information which seems to relate. I apologise if it is already well known to Listers. > This is from a communication by Governor Macquarie. I don't know the date. > > "I have here to inform Your Lordship that I have, on all arrivals of convict Ships, ordered a Muster to be immediately taken of the convicts on ship-board by my Secretary and the Acting-Commissary, and I afterwards take a Muster of them myself so soon as landed, in order to ascertain the manner they have been treated during the voyage, and whether they have any complaints to prefer against the Commander or Surgeon of the ship in which they came. By the previous muster I also acquire a knowledge of the Trades or Professions of the convicts, which enables me to appropriate them afterwards in the most advantageous way for Government, and at the same time most easy for themselves." > > Cheers > Ken Thompson