Report from the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Transportation

Acquired From: Gowrie Galleries

Condition: Fair

Confirmed: Yes

Date Acquired: 15/8/2003

Dealers ID No.: M708 (STK 49.23)

Description: The Report from the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Transportation (1837), commonly known as the Molesworth Report, was a pivotal document in the history of British penal policy. Chaired by William Molesworth, the committee conducted a thorough investigation into the system of convict transportation to Australian colonies, particularly New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania).n – Moral and Social Concerns: The report highlighted significant moral issues within the transportation system. It argued that the assignment of convicts to private masters led to inconsistent treatment, often unrelated to the severity of their crimes. This system was seen as fostering environments that encouraged "prostitution, deviance, moral depravity," and the emergence of a distinct criminal class, thereby undermining societal norms and lawfulness. n- Comparison to Slavery: The committee drew parallels between convict transportation and slavery, suggesting that the conditions and lack of freedoms experienced by convicts were akin to those suffered by enslaved individuals. This comparison intensified calls for reform from both ethical and humanitarian perspectives.n- Ineffectiveness as a Deterrent: The report questioned the efficacy of transportation as a deterrent to crime. It posited that rather than discouraging criminal behavior, the system perpetuated a cycle of crime and punishment without addressing the underlying causes or promoting rehabilitation.nImpact and Consequences:The Molesworth Report had profound implications for British penal policy:n- Abolition of Transportation to New South Wales: In response to the report's findings and growing public opposition, the British government ceased sending convicts to New South Wales in 1840. This marked a significant shift in the colony's development and labor practices.n- Continuation Elsewhere: While transportation to New South Wales ended, the practice persisted in other regions. Van Diemen's Land continued to receive convicts until 1852, and Western Australia until 1868, reflecting a gradual phasing out of the system.

First published: London: Ordered by the House of Lords, 1837

Mapmaker: Select Committee of the House of Commons on Transportation

Price: A8,000 plus gst

Primary Category: Book/Atlas

Purchase Reference: Invoice 1857

Rarity: R2 Very rare – one or two copies appear on the market

References: Ferguson, 2276A

Technique: Book

This state: 1837