Convict Girl

by Chrissie Michaels

  The kind widow Kerivel saw my distress and offered me comforting words. ‘Tomorrow is a special day in our French calendar, one of Virtue,’ she told me. ‘So let us both reflect on all that brings goodness and happiness to our lives.’

  When I admitted my life thus far had not been so virtuous, she replied, ‘The day after Virtue sweeps us into the Republican New Year. The Commander would wish you to look towards the future, not dwell on the past.’

  10 December 1803

  18 Frimaire XII

  I remain on Madame Kerivel’s estate. Her gardens have been emptied of all the playful kangaroos and pretty emus. Lawdy, I was sad to see them go! I wished I could tell Madame Bonaparte what care the Commander had lavished upon the creatures, but any hope I held to journey on with Géographe has disappeared. Only the flagship is to sail on. Casuarina’s crew have been transferred there. Like me, the little Port Jackson schooner will not be going on the final leg.

  I know all this because Antoine visited today. ‘I am sad to say you will not be coming, Mary. I tried to convince them otherwise.’

  ‘Not even Citizen Petit spoke in my favour?’ I asked.

  He blew out his breath in a sigh.

  ‘Look after Hetty for me, will you?’ I asked, managing a sad smile.

  Before he left, Antoine pressed a parting gift into my hand. A comb made from tortoise shell. ‘From Kupang,’ he began. His voice wavered. ‘I know we disagreed sometimes over the Commander—’

  I put my finger to his lips. There was no more to be said. Farewell to you, Antoine, my all-weather friend. Out of all the citizens remaining on the Géographe, I shall miss only you.

  17 December 1803

  25 Frimaire XII

  Géographe has sailed, carrying away Antoine and the precious collection.

  The news has come that France and England are at war again. Lawdy! Alors! I am stuck on an island that sides with the Giant Bonaparte!

  Madame told me the Commander had made an arrangement with her. She is to keep me in service until the Commander’s brother should arrive. ‘I know him well,’ she told me. ‘The choice will be yours, whether you go or stay. I would be most happy if you remained here.’

  The truth is I like being with Madame Kerivel on this estate. The duty I most enjoy has been accompanying her as a companion around the gardens every afternoon. During these strolls she asks me all manner of questions about my life, especially my journey with the Commander.

  18 December 1803

  26 Frimaire XII

  A strange coincidence occurred today. Captain Flinders arrived in Port Louis. What is more, he is in charge of no other ship than the Cumberland, the one that followed the Commander to King Island.

  Madame told me that anyone the Commander regarded as a friend must also become her friend. So she intends paying Captain Flinders a visit. She found it remarkable that he and I both started our journeys from Spithead at the same time, and ended up here at the same time. ‘He must be making his return to England,’ she said, ‘but with our nations once more at war I fear his arrival is untimely, even dangerous. If you wish I will mention your plight.’

  I made a confession to her. ‘Governor King never gave me a pardon. I can never openly return to England.’

  She gave a worried frown. ‘Then I would be ill-advised to speak about you.

  19 December 1803

  27 Frimaire XII

  Madame and I were strolling around the gardens when she received bad news about Captain Flinders. The General-in-charge has imprisoned him on suspicion of being a spy.

  ‘He is no more a spy than Commander Baudin was!’ I blurted out. But then I remembered that Governor King had suspected the same of the Commander.

  We continued walking in silence. After a while Madame asked, ‘What is the matter, Mary?’

  ‘Everyone plans to denounce the Commander and seek all his glory for themselves. The citizens Péron and Freycinet, even Antoine—’ I broke off. I could have listed many more.

  Madame shook her head sadly. ‘We cannot prevent this from happening.’

  I met her eyes. ‘The Commander once said that history was only ever told by the ones who lived to tell. So I’ve had this notion. What if I shared my own journal with the world? Might it make a difference? After all, part of my story was the Commander’s story as well.’

  She gasped. ‘You have written a journal? Incroyable! And you are saying with this story of yours we may keep our dear Baudin’s memory alive?’

  I nodded. Exactly what I meant.

  She clapped her hands in delight. ‘Yes, Mary! Bien sûr!’

  A rush of wind pushed through the trees. My underskirt and dress billowed up. Before I had a chance to grab at the garments and pin them down, the breeze lifted them and flung them into full sail.

  I burst into laughter, whirling and twirling around.

  Ain’t I Mary Beckwith? A tall wall of sail. Ready to ride any rough or stormy sea. Liberty, Citizeness! Hip, huzzah! Hip, huzzah! Hip, huzzah!

  HISTORICAL NOTES

  Young Mary Beckwith

  This story is about Mary Beckwith and the times she lived through after she and her mother were transported to New South Wales for the theft of some cloth. In reality we know very little about her. We know she lodged with Nicolas Baudin before leaving on the Géographe and that Governor King gave his unofficial approval. Some of the French scientists and officers made a brief mention of Mary in their diaries. The last known reference to her appeared in Matthew Flinders’ diary, when Augustin Baudin asked his advice about taking a convict girl to India who his late brother had brought over to Mauritius. We can only try to breathe back Mary’s life from this skeleton of recorded events, the known history of the time, and through imagination.

  Mary Beckwith senior and the Atkins

  Mary Beckwith senior was made housekeeper to Richard Atkins Esquire, the chief judge at the time. The Judge Advocate had powerful family connections. Although he was regarded as a gentleman, his poor knowledge of the law, his drinking and his money problems meant he lost favour with many people in the colony, including John Macarthur.

  The judge’s legal wife, Elizabeth, turned up in the colony during 1802. A visitor to her house described her as a privileged lady who regarded socialising with other colonists far beneath her station. At the time of Elizabeth’s death in 1809, Mary Beckwith senior was still serving in the household. The following year Richard Atkins applied for a pardon on Mary’s behalf. When he returned to England to give evidence about the Rum Rebellion she accompanied him. Seven years later they married.

  The judge fathered several children. Some were born to convict housekeepers. Teresa’s fate remains unclear, but Frances Penelope Atkins was known to accompany her captain husband to India.

  Meg and Ann

  Some of Margaret Catchpole’s letters survive. Meg was better educated than the average servant girl of the age. She wrote about her first view of Port Jackson (Sydney) from her convict ship, and about her first sighting of Aboriginal people. She used the word ‘natives’ to describe them. However, this term came to be used more widely for children born in the colony to European parents. Meg was treated well by the Palmers. She went on to be assigned to several other families. Eventually she ran a shop and was a local midwife.

  After standing trial on the same date as Mary, Ann Spencer was transported on Earl Cornwallis. The pair may have known one another, but they became friends only in the author’s imagination.

  Powerful people

  Philip Gidley King was governor between 1800 and 1805. While Judge Advocate Atkins was responsible for the courts, Commissary Palmer took charge of supplying victuals (food) and slops (convict clothing) from the government stores.

  The military maintained law and order. In charge were the officers of the New South Wales Corps. They were keen to make themselves wealthy. So they traded in rum, clothing and other supplies. During the early 1800s, these officers owned most of the cattle, sheep, horses and goat
s in the colony. They had grants on the most fertile land and were building the grandest houses. Successive governors tried to stop them becoming too powerful by putting a stop to some of their trading, especially in spirituous liquor (alcohol).

  The chief officials inspected every convict ship that arrived. This also gave them first choice of workers for their own households. When Mary’s ship arrived, men in the colony outnumbered women five to one. Females were set to work as servants, nursemaids or housekeepers. Most were used to fending for themselves, often outside the boundaries of the law. To be chosen by these powerful people, the Beckwiths and Margaret Catchpole must have appeared worthy, standing out as bold or confident, well spoken or bright.

  Growth of the colony

  At the time Mary left with Baudin, Governor King wrote that the colony was becoming self-supporting in grain and was well on the way to providing meat from its growing herds. Sheep farms were becoming known for the silky quality and improved fineness of the fleece. Unassigned female convicts worked in the fledgling wool manufacturing industry, while convicts of ‘bad character’ were sent to mine coal at Coal River (Newcastle). South Sea fisheries had opened up a prosperous though harsh industry in whaling. Sealers hunted on the Bass Strait islands for skins and oil. Ships from around the globe were making regular trading calls to Port Jackson.

  Emancipists

  Becoming a landowner or trader helped to make the colony more self-reliant. Some enterprising emancipists (ex-convicts) were already showing success as farmers or in business or trade, like James Underwood and Simeon Lord. Others were no longer dependent on being fed from the government stores. Many convicts went on to become well-respected pioneers, showing that a different and better way of life was possible.

  Absconders

  However, not all were prepared to wait for a pardon. Trying to escape was a fairly regular event. Some disappeared. Lots were found.

  In 1802 the colonists had not yet discovered a way over the Blue Mountains. John’s unsuccessful escape was based on a report from one of the earliest editions of the colony’s first newspaper. Every ship’s master was required to check their ship before they left Sydney Cove and return any stowaways they found to shore. On Baudin’s ships, only one female was amongst the numerous male stowaways discovered.

  Land grants

  Since the early days of settlement, officials and officers had been receiving land grants. Richard Atkins had several, including his Parramatta acreage. By the time the Beckwiths arrived, free settlers and ex-convicts could also apply, especially for land north and west of Parramatta where clearing of bush continued in earnest. By October 1802, three hundred convicts had been set to work clearing land for a second government farm, at Castle Hill.

  Displacement and unrest

  Such expansion continued to drive out Aboriginal communities like the Dharug who peopled the area between Parramatta and the Blue Mountains. They had to leave behind their hunting and watering grounds. There was growing conflict on both sides.

  The Rum Corps

  Drunkenness was a serious problem in the colony. The New South Wales Corps became known as the Rum Corps. They became upset when restraints were put on their selling of liquor. They were not alone in wanting to make their fortunes in this way. Some ships’ masters, like the one on Atlas, were so greedy they overloaded their transport ships with such supplies, which meant convicts endured terrible conditions.

  Accusations and rumours

  Baudin was only able to purchase the Atlas alcohol on the understanding he would not sell it on shore. The Governor did not want the Corps to buy it. Some say this may have been the reason behind Captain Kemp’s accusations against the French. While Governor King accepted Baudin’s word over Kemp’s, he was not prepared to take any risks, especially when more rumours circulated that the French planned a settlement in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) or Port Phillip. His response was to send Cumberland directly after Baudin and then symbolically reclaim King Island. He wanted to show that the English intended to settle more outposts.

  After Baudin’s death, Péron wrote a report suggesting there had always been secret orders to gather intelligence and that the French could have easily conquered Port Jackson with the help of Irish convicts. Some of Baudin’s party were known to have sympathised with the ‘rebels’ and supported their 1798 uprising in Ireland. Liberty and equality were important ideals of their Republic.

  Before being brought to the colony to help set up vineyards, François Duriault had been a French prisoner of war in England. He arrived on the Royal Admiral in November 1800. By 1802 he had played a significant role in the planting of 12,000 vine cuttings, located not far from Parramatta’s Government House. Péron met with Duriault during his Parramatta and Castle Hill excursions. In 1804 Governor King expelled Duriault from the colony for suspected seditious involvement with Irish convicts.

  The Irish Fear

  Convicts who were patriots to a ‘free Ireland’ not under the governance of England appeared in ships’ lists as Rebels or Politicals. Many were sent out in the years following the failure of their 1798 uprising. The Hercules rebels were not the only ones who tried to take command of their convict ship and turn it back. There were repeated escape attempts. As well, rebels amassed a remarkable cache of weapons.

  After several conspiracies were uncovered in 1800, a group of volunteers known as the Loyal Associated Company formed to protect the townships. Judge Advocate Atkins had command of the Parramatta branch. He and Reverend Samuel Marsden ordered harsh floggings for the captured rebels after these skirmishes were put down.

  Three convict ships came directly from Ireland during 1802. Governor King was so worried about rebellion in the colony he made a proclamation against seditious behaviour. This did not prevent some convicts taking up arms in 1804, in what became known as the Castle Hill Rebellion.

  The unknown South Land

  The big geographical mystery of this time was whether the great South Land (Terra Australis Incognita) was one continent, or divided by a sea into two islands—New Holland and New South Wales. In order to unravel this mystery the remaining uncharted coastlines required accurate mapping.

  Napoleon Bonaparte agreed to an expedition principally of science, but also of discovery. This sailed from France in October 1800 headed by Nicolas Baudin. By July 1801 the English had launched their own discovery voyage under Matthew Flinders. It became a race between nations.

  The navigators famously met one another at Encounter Bay (south of Adelaide) in April 1802. During the winter both explorers spent time in Sydney resting, resupplying and refitting their ships. They had twin encampments at Cattle (Bennelong) Point and continued to visit one another, sharing knowledge about their discoveries.

  Under suspicion

  However, there was some political and military distrust because France and England were in and out of a state of war. During 1802 the two nations held a fragile peace. By December 1803 they were again at war. Although the navigators had been given a passport from each other’s nation guaranteeing a safe and free passage, both Baudin and Flinders came under suspicion.

  There was no doubting the friendship between Phillip Gidley King and Nicolas Baudin. Nevertheless, the governor did not overlook the possibility that Baudin had reasons other than science and geography on his mind.

  On his return leg to England, Matthew Flinders stopped at Ile de France (Mauritius) a French territory at the time. In a twist of fate he arrived the day after the Géographe sailed away and when war had broken out once more. Flinders’ passport was valid only for travel on the Investigator. Yet he arrived on the Cumberland, which had replaced his unseaworthy ship. The general in charge was aware that this same ship had warned off Baudin. He kept Flinders prisoner for six-and-a-half years. Flinders could not finish the account of his voyage until after his release. He died in 1814, the day before A Voyage to Terra Australis was officially published.

  A marvellous scientific collection

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bsp; Napoleon had declared himself Emperor by the time Géographe reached France in March 1804. The collection left the ship under guard and was put on separate road-trains. Nine carriages transported seventy-two caged living animals. They included kangaroos, emus, parrots and many other birds; monkeys from the East Indies; lions, tigers and panthers. Plants and trees filled almost 300 tubs. These were transported under the care of the young gardener, Antoine Guichenot. Added to the Naturaliste’s substantial scientific cargo, a total of 200,000 Australian, Asian and African specimens (alive and dead) were brought back to France.

  Madame Bonaparte claimed all the live creatures. She let them roam her gardens at Malmaison. The pair of Kangaroo Island emus were the only ones of the five emus to survive Géographe’s voyage. Madame Bonaparte kept these until 1805 when they went to the Ménagerie at the Jardin des plantes. Both emus died in 1822.

  In our time some species have become rare or extinct. They were hunted, or the habitat they lived in was destroyed. We will never again see the dwarf emu with its short stubby legs because it is extinct. Bombing over France during the Second World War also destroyed many of Baudin’s specimens. The remarkable artwork of Nicolas-Martin Petit and Charles-Alexandre Lesueur has become a treasured record of this lost past.

  An important record