John Laffin

343

Maureen Withey on 1st July 2022

Colonial Secretary Index. LAFFIN, John. Per "Haldane", 1820 1820 Nov 8 Prisoner embarked on "St Michael" in India. Enquiry to Henry Marsh, captain of the "St Michael", re non-receipt of in Sydney (Reel 6007; 4/3502 p.407) 1820 Nov 13 Convict who did not embark on "St Michael" at Calcutta (Reel 6018; 4/3521 p.265) 1820 Dec 26 Convict transported from India per "Haldane" (Reel 6018; 4/3521 pp.273-4) 1823 Apr 26 On return of convicts discharged from the Establishment, Emu Plains; to Penrith Bench (Reel 6028; 2/8283 p.138) 1823 Sep 27 On return of convicts discharged from the Establishment, Emu Plains; to Port Macquarie (Reel 6028; 2/8283 p.156) 1823 Oct 15 On lists of prisoners transported to Port Macquarie per "Sally" (Reel 6019; 4/3864 pp.78, 436-7) 1825 Jul 25 Evidence in dispute between Scott and Parker (Reel 6069; 4/1816 pp.341-3) -------------------------------------------------- Secretary’s Office, Sydney. 26 December 1820. To: Chas Lushington, Esq., Secy. To Govt. Secretary, Fort William, Bengal. Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your several letters as per margin*, delivered to me by Mr Benjamin Orman, Commander of the Brig Haldane on her arrival on the 18th Inst, together with the various Documents therein alluded to. By the Haldane three prisoners convicted in India, have been landed here, viz: John Laffin, Jos. Hilton and Thomas Dawson. The papers and documents containing their sentences, etc, having been received by the St Michael on the 30 October last. The three now received were landed in a clean and healthy state, and expressed themselves every way satisfied with their treatment on the voyage hither. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant, J. F. Campbell, Secretary. * Dates: (16 June and duplicates of 5 & 19 May and two 10 June 1820.) -------------------------------------------------- 2nd Evidence. Constable Laffin. On the morning of the 20th inst. I received written instructions from Mr Parker, as follows: Agricultural Establishment, Rollands Plains, 20 July 1825. The Constable of the agricultural Establishment that may be on duty is hereby directed by me, to prevent all carts, bullocks, and prisoners whatsoever, to trespass on or through any part of the ploughed Land belonging to this Establishment. In case assistance may be required to find this order in force, the constable is also directed to call upon any man he may see to assist him in the execution of his duty. Signed, H.S. Parker, Supt of Agriculture. After I had been there about an hour and a half I saw W. Scott and a party advancing with one of the soldiers. I told Mr Scott I would not allow any prisoner to pass over the land, having received instructions from Mr Parker to that effect, in consequence of being asked by Mr Scott from whom I had received my orders. Mr Scott then said, Mr Parker was a fool for giving such orders and that he ought to wear a fools cap. He siad, he would not be stopped by any body whatever on the Kings highway. I then called upon Graham and Connerton, two of Mr Parkers overseers, and I told de Roches, the foremost of Mr Scott’s party not to attempt to proceed on such being contrary to my orders, upon which Mr Scott cocked his fowling piece and said if I attempted to stop him or any of his party, that he would use violence and called upon the soldiers to protect him and his party through the farm, when the soldier said he would protect him. I then went and made a report to Mr Parker, who was then on his way to the large plain. (Questioned by W. Scott:) I do not think the soldier was more than two yards from the head of the party when you cocked your piece. The soldier carried his piece sloped; I mean in the usual way a soldier carries his musket. - Mr Scott was pm the left of the party in front. - de Roches was between Mr Scott and the soldier but a little on the rear and in advance of the party. - I held my cutlas out to prevent de Roches from coming on – I saw Mr Scott cock his piece, it was after my making use of my cutlas in forcing des Roches. I intended by force to prevent the prisoners from advancing. I had received those orders from Mr Parker. I have always been entrusted with a cutlas. - I never was placed on sentry on the road by Mr Parker before. - there were only two constables there beside myself and I have been there five weeks. I do not know of any constable being placed there before, if it had been usual, I must be during this period have been posted on that spot – near the time of this transaction I frequently saw Mr Scott’s carts pass this way. - I know of no order to stop them prior to that day. - when I made the report to Mr Parker, he told me to go home, and that was all he said. - The party with Mr Scott were near enough to hear him use those disrespectful expressions about Mr Parker. Des Roches and the soldier must have heard him. ---------------------------------------------------- On lists of prisoners transported to Port Macquarie per "Sally". Date 15 October 1823. John Laffin, Convicted by Mr McHenry Esq. Penrith, 27 Sept 1823. Sentence: Remainder of original sentence. Labourer, per Brig Haldane, Original conviction: Madras, 2 May 1820, Life. -------------------------------------------------- Absconded. 1. Laffin John, Haldine, 48, Labourer, from No 25 Iron Gang. 4th time of running. Sydney Gazette, 31 Dec 1829.