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South Australia in 1837

South Australia in 1837, in a Series of Letters. With a Postscript as to 1838

GOUGER, Robert London, Harvey and Darton, 1838 [first edition]. Duodecimo, viii, 136 pages. Original blind-stamped dark green cloth a little mottled, lightly marked, and lightly bumped at the extremities, with minimal wear to the corner-tips; top and leading edges uncut; paper a little tanned around the margins, with occasional light scattered foxing; oveall, an excellent copy. Robert Gouger (1802-1846), 'Earnest, persistent and practical, . [with] a pleasant manner and a persuasive tongue, but he was inclined to exaggerate his own republican views and the virtues of South Australia. With his youthful looks and boyish ardour he was often thought to be brash and reckless, yet he was South Australia's most devoted promoter' ('Australian Dictionary of Biography'). 'The South Australian Act was passed in August 1834 and a month later Gouger presented his library of colonial books to the South Australian Literary and Scientific Association. After much delay and more hard work by Gouger the South Australian Colonization Commission was gazetted in May 1835. Its first appointment was Gouger as colonial secretary, a recognition of faithful service that was affirmed even by the Colonial Office'. He arrived on the 'Africaine' in November 1836. His young wife and new-born son both died five months later. He 'bought eight town acres (3.2 ha) at Adelaide's first land sale, and began to build a house, but was soon entangled in the party factions that bedevilled the new settlement. He quarrelled with Osmond Gilles; after a public brawl they were both arrested and Gouger was suspended. By way of Hobart Town he left in November 1837 for England where he was reinstated by the Colonization Commission, raised funds for a Congregational chapel in Adelaide and published "South Australia in 1837; in a series of letters, with a postscript as to 1838". In October 1838 he married his cousin Sarah Whittem of Kenilworth. Gouger returned to Adelaide in June 1839 and resumed office, but his health began to fail. Soon after Governor (Sir) George Grey arrived he was appointed colonial treasurer. He bore the brunt of Grey's economic reorganization until August 1844 when he had to apply for leave because of mental affliction. He had also suffered in the depression but his claims for a pension and repayment of salary lost during his suspension were refused by the Colonial Office. Although Gouger had £1700 worth of securities, the sale of his effects yielded barely enough for him to return to London with his family. He died at Kensington on 4 August 1846, survived by his widow, two sons and a daughter'. Ferguson 2497. Details of two early owners are written in ink on the front free endpaper: they appear to be M.A. Clarkson, and Austin Clow (?), 4 Hanover Crescent, Brighton.
  • $273