An Historical and Statistical Account of New South Wales, Both as a Penal Settlement and as a British Colony

An outspoken advocate of Australian republicanism, John Dunmore Lang (1799–1878) wrote this 1834 two-volume work to promote immigration and investment in his adopted country. Compiled during a voyage from New South Wales to Britain, the book illustrates the past history and present state of the New South Wales colony.

The first prominent advocate of Australian republicanism, Scottish-born John Dunmore Lang (1799–1878) is an important figure in the history of his adopted country. This two-volume work, originally published in 1834, presents a series of chapters illustrating Australia's history and its condition in his own time. Written during a voyage from New South Wales to Britain in 1833, the book promotes what Lang deems to be the best interests of the New South Wales colony, by encouraging the emigration 'of reputable families and individuals to its territory'. Volume 2 investigates the distribution and character of the convict population and stresses the advantages of New South Wales to emigrants, finishing with an analysis of the practicalities of emigration and settling in Australia. The reader will be mindful of Lang's aim in writing the work - to tell the truth 'fully and fearlessly' in order to secure Australia's general welfare and advancement.