Early Australian Printing - "Exclusives" Anti Bourke reform pamphlet - Support for continued convict transportation - "Report of the proceedings of the general meeting" - Sydney - 1836

"Report of the proceedings of the general meeting of the supporters of the petitions to his majesty and the house of commons, held at the committee rooms, May 30, 1836"

-Printed in Sydney by Stephens and stokes

-1836

-52 pages (7 quires of 8pp and 1 of 4pp)

-Original stab-sewn pamphlet as issued and untrimmed in original condition off the press.

-Near fine condition - corners bumped and very minor toning 

This nice example of early Sydney printing reveals political tensions in an expanding Australian colony, which was trying to define its place in the world. The pamphlet was produced by a conservative "Exclusive" Australian faction to petition the ruling British government to keep things broadly similar - including continuing convict labour and preventing jury reforms proposed by Bourke and the "Emancipists". Bourke's reforms would reduce the power of the established landed classes - allowing more land equality, increased legal rights for convicts, and religious equality for Catholics. Bourke also wanted to reduce the transportation of convicts, which were a cheap source of labour for the landed classes. This early pamphlet shows the conservative faction petitioning to retain their privileges in the expanding colony.

Scarce - Worldcat states 7 copies only (with only 1 outside of Australia in the British Library)