From 1788-1809 there were no organised postal arrangements for New South Wales. The first letters to be 'processed' from New South Wales were those sent by the leader of a French scientific expedition, Monsieur La Perouse, which had arrived in Botany Bay on 24 January 1788. Governor Phillip sent an officer eight miles overland to tell La Perouse that it was expected some ships from the First Fleet would shortly be returning, noting that "Lieutenant Shortland, the Agent for the transports [in the First Fleet] is charged with the letters". Unfortunately the existence of these first letters from New South Wales is presently unknown.
In the early years of the settlement, mails were made up for England and usually contained official correspondence which was sent free. Some convicts who were literate and the growing number of free settlers also sent mails which were usually entrusted to the captains of ships and charged one penny. This is probably how Wentworth's letter was conveyed to his father as it bears no postal markings. Abuses are recorded such as gross overcharging (particularly of parcels) and withholding the mails. It was not until 1809 that Isaac Nichols was appointed Postmaster and some attempt made to regulate postal matters.
William Charles Wentworth is also known for his crossing of the Blue Mountains in 1813 with Blaxland and Lawson and his championing of the cause for self government in New South Wales.
This letter was acquired from the Royal Australian Historical Society in 1987 when they were rationalising their archives. Its philatelic as well as social significance was recognised by museum staff as a major research project on the postal history of New South Wales was then being undertaken. Very few letters posted from the settlement at Sydney have survived before 1809, except in official archives. Personal letters inwards to New South Wales are even rarer.
William Charles Wentworth was born in 1790 on board a ship of the Second Fleet.
His parents were Catherine Crowley, who was being transported for seven years and D'Arcy Wentworth, who was to become principal surgeon and superintendent of police in New South Wales.
William Charles was educated in England between 1803 and 1810. In 1805 he wrote this letter to his father who was then on Norfolk Island and describes his experiences visiting Pidcock's circus. The Powerhouse Museum owns two tokens
from this circus (87/1280), one showing a kangaroo and one showing an elephant.
William Charles Wentworth is later known for his crossing of the Blue Mountains in 1813 with Blaxland and Lawson and his championing of the cause for self government in New South Wales.
Transcript of letter
Dear Father,
I take this opportunity of writing a few lines by Mr Grimes to inform you that I am in good health and it will give the greatest pleasure to hear that you and my Brother are the same. I am now in Town at Mr Cookney's where I am very happy. I went last Monday to Colonel Feauveux's where he told me that you and my Brother were in good health and at Norfolk Island when he saw you last. I have already seen the Theatre Royal Hay Market, St Pauls, Pidcocks exhibition, the Bay of Gibrathar, the Battle of Agincourt and these two pictures being Panoramas where I was very much amused particularly at Pidcocks Exhibition of Wild Beasts several of which are natives of New South Wales but of all the beasts the Elephant is the most wonderful he will unbolt doors, tell how many people are in the room, take of a Persons Hat and put it on again, pick up a Lock and put it into a Man's Hand blow a Shilling to him at a considerable distance with his trunk, pick it up and put into the Man's pocket, kneel at the Word of Command and many other wonderful things too troublesome to relate. With best duty and love dear father I remain your dutiful son,
WC Wentworth
July 14th 1805
This text content licensed under 
This text content licensed under