Daniel Rutledge

343

Maureen Withey on 8th August 2022

NSW 1828 Census Index. Richard Rutledge, age 26, F.S. Guildford, 1818, catholic, labourer, Jas. Manfold, Airds district.

343

Maureen Withey on 8th August 2022

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. Richard Rutledge, age on arrival, 18, per Guildford (3) 1818, Tried Dublin City, 1817, 7 years. DOB, 1800, native place Dublin Co., Servant. -------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary Index. RUTLEDGE, Richard. Per "Guildford", 1818. 1818 Apr 10 On list of convicts disembarked from the "Guildford" and forwarded to Liverpool for distribution (Reel 6006; 4/3498 p.138) 1823 Apr 18 On list of prisoners assigned (Fiche 3291; 4/4570D p.105) 1824 Sep 27 Affidavit re loss of his certificate of freedom (Reel 6026; 4/1714 pp.95-6) ---------------------------------------------- Cockle Bay, Friday 21st March. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MONITOR, SIR, I ARRIVED in the Colony a prisoner for seven years in the ship Guildford, (3) in the year 1817. After I became free, I laboured up the country at all kinds of farming work, and have wrought for Messrs. Wm. and James Bean, in Minto, the last two years, off and on. Wishing to get into a better job than what these gentlemen could offer me, I was determined to come to Sydney, and get work here if I could, because I found I was not able to travel the country in search of a job of fencing, or other work, having had the misfortune to lose my certificate of freedom. And His present Excellency makes it a rule, to give no second certificate, lest designing men should sell them to bushrangers. I do not like Sydney however. I am a young man, and am easily persuaded to be into company and spend my earnings. But I found myself forced, in a measure, to come here, because I could not (having no certificate) travel in the country, without being thrust into every watch-house I passed, although free. But the constables know well that a poor man cannot go to law, and therefore they do with us just what they like. I therefore came to Sydney. Here I resided with one Edward Fagan, a friend of mine, and wrought for him as an indoor and out door servant. But this did not suit either me or him. I wanted a job of work, and finding I could not get one in Sydney suitable, I was determined to try the Country once more. I started accordingly at 2 o'Clock in the afternoon of yesterday. I went as far as the toll-bar, but finding I was rather behind the market-carts, and bethinking myself, that if I walked, I should certainly be abused by the first constable I met, (not having the good fortune to be over well dressed,) I determined to forego my journey till to-day, and accordingly returned. I got as far as Cockle Bay near to No. 6 Watch-house just after sundown. I had two loaves of bread in a handkerchief. I arrived at the door of a shipmate named Anthony Bogan, a grass-cutter in Cockle-bay; when, sitting down, I saw a pistol approaching my face, and looking up, I beheld that zealous constable, the famous Israel Chapman. To resist a man with a loaded pistol, I considered absurd, although he shewed no authority. I therefore went quietly with him, and he put me in No. 6 Watch-house. Before day-light I was taken to the Receiving watch house, and about 9 o'clock I was taken to the Secretary's Office, when the Clerk said I was free. The Constable took me back to Chapman, and the latter ordered me into the strong room at the Police-office. I submitted to all this, not because I did not feel very indignant, and had not a strong desire to avenge myself of master Israel, for all his tyranny, but because I was broken hearted; to think how a free man like me, who had served his time as I had done, and ought to be let alone in peace, was thus subjected to the abuse and oppression of every man who carried a staff. At length I appeared before Col. Morriset. Chapman accused me of being in appearance a most suspicious character, and of being too in a suspicious place in Cockle Bay. After a few remarks and questions pro and con, which appeared to me to make out Chapman's illegal and unwarrantable interference with a man, much longer free, and a much better man than himself, the Colonel, to my astonishment, told me, that if ever I was apprehended again and came before him, I should be committed to Jail under the Vagrant act ! ! ! Good God Sir ! what is a poor man to do ? If I go to seek my bread, and do the best I can for myself, I am to have a loaded pistol cocked in my face. I am to be hauled to a watch-house without a bed to lie on, or any thing to eat for seventeen hours. And then, instead of being redressed, by those whom my King and the laws have appointed to do me justice, I am to be degraded and have my feelings put upon the rack by being threatened with further punishment ! What security have I, that when I start to seek work up the Country, I shall not again be subjected to abuse by those who ought to protect me ? Where shall I go ? What shall I do? How shall a man exist, where there are such laws, such constables,, and such decisions ? I remain Sir, your obedient servant, RICHARD RUTLIDGE. The Monitor, 22 March 1828.