Convict Guide - published 2006 - Manual / Resource - Page 62
Guide to New South Wales State archives relating to convicts and convict administration
Imperial Pardons
Imperial pardons are pardons for offences not committed in
the Colony
a) Absolute - granted by the Governor and approved by the Secretary
of State, remitting entire sentence. Prepared in same way as Conditional
Pardons.
b) Conditional - granted by the Governor and approved by the
Secretary of State, on condition of recipient remaining in the colony
until original sentence had expired. Details were provided on a printed
form that was completed in duplicate, one copy being sent to England.
When approved by the Secretary of State, the certificate was registered
and the Instrument sent to the Clerk of the Supreme Court - a copy
certified by him was afterwards sent to the Principal Superintendent of
Convicts for delivery to the party.
c) Royal Warrants – warrant from the Monarch authorising the grant
of pardon.
Colonial Pardons
Pardons for colonial offences
Granted absolutely by the Governor, and approved by the Secretary of
State. All were executed only in the original which was sent to the Clerk
of the Supreme Court. When certified by him it was referred to the
Principal Superintendent of Convicts for delivery to the party concerned.
a) Reprieves from death sentences. These were issued on condition of
the person involved being sentenced to hard labour in a road gang, or
to a penal settlement. The death sentence was to be immediately
carried out if the convict was found at large in any other place.
b) Commutation of sentence. This was made on condition that the
convict concerned remained in the colony as a convict.
c) Conditional Pardons remitted the remaining part of the sentence
provided the convict remained in the colony.
d) Absolute Pardons remitted the whole of the sentence.
e) Special Pardons remitted the entire sentence.
Notes from CSIL Bundle [4/1124]
The main series to check for conditional pardons are Registers of Conditional Pardons, 1791–
1825, NRS 1170 and Copies of Conditional Pardons, 1826-1870, NRS 1172.
5.2
Indexes to the records
Index to tickets of leave, certificates of emancipation and pardons,
1810–19 available on State Records' website
Index to conditional pardons, 1826-70 available on State Records'
website
Index to the Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788–1825 *ARK and is
available on State Records' website
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to convicts and others,
1826–77 and ongoing. Compiled by Joan Reese
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent re
convicts, 1826–May 1855. Compiled by Joan Reese
Contemporary Colonial Secretary's Indexes and Registers, 1826–
1900, NRS 922 available in State Records' reading rooms
State Records Authority of New South Wales
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