Convict Guide - published 2006 - Manual / Resource - Page 92
Guide to New South Wales State archives relating to convicts and convict administration
Chapter 8: Bank Accounts,
Clothing, Rations and Stores
8.1
Background to the records
Convicts' bank
accounts
During the years up to 1821 convicts were permitted to bring money
and goods to the colony and use them for their own purposes.
Commissioner Bigge, however, recommended that any property brought
by convicts should be confiscated and not returned until they had
reformed. (Hirst, Convict Society, p.88). Governor Brisbane
implemented this recommendation which had the effect of creating
convict bank accounts. (Minutes and Memoranda 1826-1927, NRS 909,
Minute M150, 22 October 1826, [4/990]).
The Surgeon-Superintendents were entrusted with convict monies on
the voyage out (some lists may be found in the Musters and other
Papers, NRS 1155) and deposited them in the Savings Bank on arrival.
Convicts with wealthy friends or relations could also have money
deposited on their behalf. These deposits could be accessed only after
the owner had been pardoned or had shown signs of reformation.
Lack of food
supplies in the
colony
The First Fleet had bought supplies supposedly sufficient for two years,
by which time the colony was expected to be self-supporting. Poor soil,
the lack of horse drawn implements, the difficulty of clearing the land
and the unwillingness and inability of many of the convicts frustrated
the government's intentions.
Rationing
introduced
The store ship Guardian was sent to the colony but it struck an iceberg
on 24 December 1789 twelve days out of the Cape of Good Hope and
was unable to proceed further. When no ship arrived Governor Phillip
was forced to institute a tight rationing system and to send the Sirius to
the Cape of Good Hope for supplies and to dispatch convicts to Norfolk
Island to relieve pressure on supplies. Fishing parties were established
and the convicts were encouraged to forage for bush greens and to
cultivate garden plots. (Hirst, Convict Society, p.34).
Increase in farming
Thanks to Phillip's efforts the crisis was surmounted and conditions
gradually improved, particularly after his departure when officers of the
civil staff and the New South Wales Corps acquired grants of land and
the number of emancipist farmers increased. (Fletcher, Landed
Enterprise, pp.44-8). The threat of starvation had completely
disappeared by 1794 and thereafter local farmers and graziers produced
sufficient grain, meat and vegetables to meet the needs of a continually
expanding population.
Weekly rations for
convicts and
soldiers
The weekly ration for convicts and soldiers was prescribed by the British
government - 7 pounds of beef or 4 pounds of pork, 7 pounds of bread
or 7 pounds of flour, 3 pints of peas, 6 ounces of butter, half a pound of
rice or a pound of flour. (HRA vol.1, p.44) These amounts were varied
from time to time. Macquarie, for example, ordered that the amount
issued to convicts in the Convict Barracks be increased to compensate
for the fact that they had less time to spend on their own affairs. (Hirst,
Convict Society, p.42). Tea, sugar and tobacco were regarded as
indulgences and could be withheld for bad behaviour.
Rations issued by
private masters
In 1823, under Governor Brisbane, private masters were no longer
compelled to issue the same ration as the government. This, however,
State Records Authority of New South Wales
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