Letter written by George P. Ingram, Adelaide to H. Tomlin, Leicester, England, 22 May 1842.

Starting with a quick review of the voyage to Australia on the Caleb Angas, Ingram reports upon his initial impression of the dull appearence of the provincial town of Adelaide with its 'unpaved footpaths' and 'straggling houses'. However, he considers the colony is very new and goes on to record a lively and extremely complimentary description of the town and surrounding colony. Ingram refers to the landscape, describes birdlife and the sounds made by differet bird species; soil minerals, blue skies and the invigorating atmosphere.

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Extracts of the letter:

Turn your back on the Town and walk a few miles out, towards the mountains, or towards Mount Barker or Mount Lofty and you will see one of the finest countries in the world, whether for agricultural, rural, or whatever purposes landed may he wanted for. I do not hesitate in saying, that some of the richest and most productive soil in the whole universe is to be found in Sth Australia...There is some bad land also, but there is more good land, than will be occupied for some years to come let emigration flow as fast as it can, not only is the surface good, but vast quantities of minerals are to be found in the lower parts, which in time will yield considerable profit to mining gentlemen here...

The plains are covered with a rich and luxuriant vegetation tall gum trees and acacia gums spreading in different directions, thousands of birds making the air ring with their vocal music, the sky of one universal blue nearly the whole year round, the atmosphere clear, invigorating, and refreshing and the whole face of nature weaving an aspect of beauty and loveliness that is not seen, except in more genial climates of a lower Latitude than that of England...

Ingram derogatorily refers to Aboriginal Australians, a reflection of an attitude of many in this era towards Indigenous people.

Caleb Angas (ship)

Ingram, George P.

Tomlin, H