Facsimile of letter dated 8 May 1837, from John Brown to Edward Gibbon Wakefield, describing the state of affairs in South Australia. He discusses lack of support and mismanagement by the Commissioners in England, the survey, the general behaviour of Hindmarsh, Stevenson, Morphett, Jeffcott, Lipson and Gilles, Kingston's return to England by the "Rapid", the visit of H.M.S. "Victor", and the quarrels over the naming of places and streets. He also refers to the non-Proclamation of the Port; the Council, and the building of the Government Hut. 11 pages.

From page 11.

"The party have returned to Sydney, pleased with their visit, the Country & the Colonists. I hope they will there forget the Gov..nr's dinner. He has not yet held anything like a levee, not has Mrs H in any public manner expressed her readiness to receive the ladies of the Colony. On the King's birth day (the 29th last month) he dined a few people, but it was not a party of Officials for the others were there, & superior officers were not invited while their subordinates were. There was an evening party. A few of the excluded joined in sympathizing with me on the occasion over Kangaroo, Salmon Trout, Roast Mutton, Curries, Plumb pudding, &c, &c and a Segar. If singing til out throats were soar, blazing away gunpowder, or thoroughly enjoying a beautiful day in our beautiful climate were marks of loyalty - we were loyal as the Governor. If it depended on the dinner, we were ultras.

We have the streets named. Now the Gov.r claims this as his Prerogative. Mr Fisher differs, but not anxious to retard the measure, proposed that a few of the principal individuals sh.d do it. 12 accordingly met. The Gov.r brought a pocketfull of Royal & Naval heroes, but afraid of proposing them himself, got Sir J, Jeffcote (Jeffcott) to try. K. William Street and Victoria Street were assented to by all, but when he got to Duncan and Horne as the two next, we divided, & Grote and Wakefield reigned in their stead. This nearly settled the question & we came off with only Malcolm and Tynte & Strangways. I am rather ashamed myself of having my hand in the business, but votes were wanted, or it w.d have been a Journal of our Gov.nr's life & adventures. As to this business however, he can-not be quiet. He sent Gouger the other day to Mr. Fisher to know whether he had any objections to one of the names (Willoughby) being changed to Archer, (a sort of payment for the flock of sheep I suppose). Fisher objected, upon the ground, that it was trifling with the proceedings of the Committee appointed. I hear today that this alteration is to be printed as the original name given by the Committee! Thus he will meddle, let the trifle be what it will."

Brown, John, 1801-1879

Currie, Raikes, 1801-1881

Fisher, James Hurtle, Sir, 1790-1875

Gilles, Osmond, 1788-1866

Gouger, Robert, 1802-1846

Grenfell, Pascoe St. Leger

Hill, Rowland, Sir, 1795-1879

Hindmarsh, John, Sir, 1785-1860

Kingston, George Strickland, 1807-1880

Mann, Charles, 1799-1860

McLaren, David, 1785-1850

Morphett, John, Sir, 1809-1892

Strangways, Thomas Bewes, 1809-1859

Strangways, Henry Bull Templar, 1832-1920

Thomas, Robert, 1781-1860

Torrens, Robert Richard, Sir, 1814-1884

Wyatt, William, 1804-1886

Jaensch, Dean (ed.) The Flinders History of South Australia: Political History Wakefield Press, Adelaide, 1986

Pike, Douglas Paradise of Dissent: South Australia 1829-1857 2nd edn, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1967

Kwan, Elizabeth. Living in South Australia: a social history, Netley, S. Aust.: South Australian Government Printer, 1987

SA Memory, The Foundation of South Australia 1800-1851 Diary of John Brown

State Library of South Australia, Archival collections Papers of John Brown - PRG 1002

Australian dictionary of biography online edition Brown, John