Very rare: this broadside ballad contains early news of the colony at Van Diemen’s Land.
Valentine Marshall (c.1814-1887) was transported for his role in the Nottingham Reform Riots. He was just seventeen when he boarded the England on 31 March, 1832.
The broadside prints an extract from one of his letters home - dated 18 February, 1834 - which gives an upbeat report on conditions of transportees. After arriving at Hobart, he was sent “about 50 miles up the country to fill the situation of a shepherd’s boy … My good conduct in this situation alone gained the respect of my master, and he kindly endeavoured to obtain a remission of my sentence. I was now sent back to Hobart town, and became a messenger to the Govenror of the jail, which situation I now hold; this change I attribute to Gen. Ferguson, who has interceded in my behalf. My labours in my new place are not very great, and were I not absent from all my friends, I could rest contented.”
His update on the state of the colony is more measured: “The state of the country is not so promising to settlers as it was when I first arrived, owing I suppose to the great number of transports and emigrants which almost daily arrive, in hope of improving their condition, many of whom would be glad to return to England if they could obtain a pasage back.”
Valentine Marshall was among those arrested when Nottingham’s Colwick Hall was burned as part of the riots in response to the 1831 reform bill. It is referred to repeatedly throughout the ballad, as is General Ferguson’s kindness to him. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted and sentenced to death at age 17. His sentence was commuted to transportation for life after a public outcry. Marshall received a ticket of leave on 22 June 1838 and was pardoned on 24 May 1842. Nonetheless, he remained in Australia.
Not in OCLC. The NLA has different broadside with similar text. Neither are in Broadside Ballads Online.
