State Library of New South Wales

Words on the Street

Elizabeth Macquarie was instrumental in highlighting the importance of literature in the early colony and Elizabeth’s many letters and journals, elaborating on her incredible experience in Australia, are held at The State Library of New South Wales along with other letters of her contemporaries. Words on the Street will make poignant use of these priceless documents to showcase a flavour of Australia from 1810 through the personal words of people of the time.

The library is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and is home to many Macquarie items and artefacts. Using this priceless original content the library’s facade will be transformed into a larger-than-life, ever-changing publication.

Some examples are here;

“first inhabitants of the new world”

Elizabeth Macquarie’s journal of her voyage to Sydney aboard the Dromedary, December 1809

.. in the morning a Seal was seen, and some land Birds; being the first inhabitants of the new world who came to pay their compliments to us…

“This is the wickedest place I ever was in all my life”

Letter from Margaret Catchpole to Mrs Cobbold 21 January 1802

“Deluded people emigrate to America”

The Times, London 27 November 1818

As may be naturally expected, the inhabitants of this increasingly interesting territory look with regret to the eagerness with which such numbers of deluded people emigrate to America, without turning their views towards their countrymen in the luxuriant and fine climates of New South Wales and Van Dieman’s land.

“The Common people’s children”

Letter from Reverend Samuel Marsden, 4 March 1816

I am happy to say the Schools are going on well, I do not think there is any portion of the globe where the Common people’s children are so well instructed as they are here …

“You know we must have our fire”

J.H. Clark, Field Sports &c. of the Native Inhabitants of New South Wales, 1813

A respectable settler, in the neighbourhood of Parramatta, early one morning observed a chief, of the name of Harry, and several of his tribe, passing with their fire rather too near his stacks of corn; the settler went to them, and remonstrated on the impropriety, saying, the fire might easily…cause the destruction of his property. The chief calmly replied, “You know we must have our fire; the country is ours, you must take care of your corn.”

“This will be the beginning of the commerce in this new World.”

Letter from Reverend Richard Johnson, 26 November 1811

By the Admiral Gambier I have sent to England 4,000 to 5,000 lbs of wool. This will be the beginning of the commerce of this new World. Many think nothing of these things now. They cannot see any advantage to be derived to them, their children, or this settlement by improving the fleeces of our Sheep. But I anticipate immense National wealth to spring from this source of Commerce in time…

Venue information

The State Library of NSW is a unique cultural institution with an amazing history and internationally renowned collection. Visit the Library and experience the beautiful architecture of the Mitchell Library Reading Room. Come and enjoy our current centenary exhibition ONE hundred which showcases 100 amazing objects from the Mitchell collection each telling a unique Australian story. ONE hundred is a free exhibition open 7 days a week, Monday – Thursday 9am – 8pm, Friday 9am – 5pm and Weekends 10am – 5pm. Be sure to take a look when you visit Macquarie Visions. For more information on the State Library of New South Wales, visit www.sl.nsw.gov.au