Account of the start of the Australian gold rush at Bathurst
Author
Reverend Lancelot Edward Threlkeld
(Australian - English, 1788 - 1859)
DateJune 1851
Object number00008356
NameLetter
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall (Open): 184 × 228 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionA letter from Lancelot Edward Threlkeld to Albert Gallatin Esq., President of the Ethnological society of New York,
with the account of the start of the Australian gold rush at Bathurst.
Threlkeld was a divisive yet significant figure in New South Wales colonial history with most accounts describing his fiery temper and self-righteousness. Yet the same accounts tell of a man committed to helping the rights of First Nation people and unwavering commitment to the mission for sea men and preached on shipboard and in hospitals.HistoryDear Sir,
I beg to present Through you to the Society of which you are President a copy of my book [itself [presumably Threlkeld's 'A Key to the Structure of the Aboriginal Language' published in 1850] which will explain itself. Mr Harris when here favoured me with your address for the purpose.
We are all bewildered here on account of gold being found about a fortnight since
near Bathurst 160 miles from Sydney in abundance. Much has been brought in for sale, and many are flocking to the diggings despite of the winter which has just set in.
It is rather severe at the diggings but does not last long, California is now forgotten here, many passengers forfeited their passage money last week about 80 persons
who were going in one ship. Our despised convict Colony will now come out in a new dress and if a calf be made of gold many will fall down and worship it.
God grant that all who get gold may have grace to use it properly.
I remain Dear Sir
Yours truly,
L. E. Threlkeld.
SignificanceThrelkeld, a former missionary with the London Missionary Society, wrote a number of works on Aboriginal languages of the Newcastle, the Hunter region and around Lake Macquarie. In in 1850 he published a 'A Key to the Structure of the Aboriginal Language', presumably the book he was sending with the letter to the New York Ethnological Society.
