Some Passages in the History of Van Diemen's Land
Biography & Memoir, Reference, Literary, Historical
| Author: | Sir John Franklin | ISBN: | 1230000157753 |
| Publisher: | WDS Publishing | Publication: | August 4, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Language: | English |
| Author: | Sir John Franklin |
| ISBN: | 1230000157753 |
| Publisher: | WDS Publishing |
| Publication: | August 4, 2013 |
| Imprint: | |
| Language: | English |
Narrative of Some Passages in the History of Van Diemen's Land, During
the last three years of Sir John Franklin's Administration of its
Government is Sir John Franklin's account of the dispute with his former
Colonial Secretary, John Montagu.
As a naval officer Franklin had been used to loyalty from his
subordinates. In Van Diemen's Land he did not receive this and moreover
upon his recall to London he found Downing Street apparently more willing
to believe Montagu. It was an episode he wanted to forget yet the wound
smarted and, because silence might be misconstrued, he had to vindicate
himself, at least to his friends, before he set out on that last Arctic
voyage. Whatever official opinion might be they must know the truth. He
was a fair man so the Narrative is presented with surprisingly little
rancour or prejudice.
The edition was small and known copies bear an inscription that each was
given to the recipient 'By Order of Sir John Franklin'. It has long since
become an important collector's item both as a personal record of an
important passage in Tasmania's history and as the last plea of a man
whose tragic death gained him a sure place among British heroes.
Narrative of Some Passages in the History of Van Diemen's Land, During
the last three years of Sir John Franklin's Administration of its
Government is Sir John Franklin's account of the dispute with his former
Colonial Secretary, John Montagu.
As a naval officer Franklin had been used to loyalty from his
subordinates. In Van Diemen's Land he did not receive this and moreover
upon his recall to London he found Downing Street apparently more willing
to believe Montagu. It was an episode he wanted to forget yet the wound
smarted and, because silence might be misconstrued, he had to vindicate
himself, at least to his friends, before he set out on that last Arctic
voyage. Whatever official opinion might be they must know the truth. He
was a fair man so the Narrative is presented with surprisingly little
rancour or prejudice.
The edition was small and known copies bear an inscription that each was
given to the recipient 'By Order of Sir John Franklin'. It has long since
become an important collector's item both as a personal record of an
important passage in Tasmania's history and as the last plea of a man
whose tragic death gained him a sure place among British heroes.
